Does God Care About History?
Sermonette by Mike Ford (1955-2021)Mike Ford, reflecting upon the test for which people who want to become naturalized citizens must prepare (a quiz battery of ten questions from a pool of hundred) expresses incredulity that the average teenager, trained in liberal, progressive public schools, cannot even pass these basic tests. The dumbed-down populace of modern …
The Symmetry of History (Part Two)
'Prophecy Watch' by Charles WhitakerThere can be no doubt that the past five centuries or so have been markedly different from the Medieval and Classical periods of Western history. In fact, so much change has occurred in our modern era that some are positing that, since the Renaissance, a Second Axial Period has been in process. Charles Whitaker highlights many …
The Symmetry of History (Part One)
'Prophecy Watch' by Charles WhitakerA survey of history reveals patterns of human and national behaviors that tend to repeat themselves at certain intervals. Charles Whitaker evaluates the "Axial Period" idea promoted by Karl Jaspers, showing that, more than just events, ideas radically changed at the midpoint of the millennium before Christ—and such a thing …
A Distant Reflection
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughConsidering the events and trends exhibited in the modern church of God, will it follow the disastrous example of early second-century Christianity?
A Perfect Storm of National Cycles
'WorldWatch' by David C. GrabbeA perfect storm is a natural phenomena in which several storm fronts collide in a small area, causing dangerous—even deadly—conditions. The societal cycles of America, Europe, and Russia, says David Grabbe, are also converging, and the result could prove to be even more devastating.
Unity (Part 1): God and HWA
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn this lead-off sermon of the 1999 Feast of Tabernacles, John Ritenbaugh draws an instructive though disturbing parallel between the warning given to Belshazzar and the warning given to the greater church of God. A major contributory cause in the splitting of the church has been the wholesale rejection of the doctrines Herbert …
Back It Comes
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, reflecting on a recent report by Harry Enten on the logic of calling more tie games earlier in the baseball season, points out that, before the advent of electric spotlights, games often ended in a tie. Enten cautions that deference to 'tradition' is no reason to ban tie games in Major League Baseball. …
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJesus Christ warns us to hold fast to true doctrine. Secular historians help us discover the identity of the small flock repeatedly rescued from apostasy.
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughFaith is difficult enough to maintain on its own, but greatly confused when the pastor dilutes correct doctrine with 'benign' false doctrine from the world.
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Four)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe Arnoldists, Albigenses, Cathers, Waldensians, and the Lollards all had Sabbath-keepers in their ranks. Gradual syncretism is a pattern of church history.
Faith and the Calendar (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe real issue in the calendar controversy is not astronomical, but faith in God's sovereignty, providence, and His right to assign responsibility.
Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsChrist cautions the Pergamos congregation to shun the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. The Church suffers when it harbors those who compromise and offend.
The Garden of God
Article by StaffThe Bible uses agriculture to provide many lessons for us. Are we learning them—or are we repeating history as Israel did?
The Five Warnings of Hebrews
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe modern church stands in danger of allowing salvation to slip away. Hebrews gives warnings to help us turn our lives around so we do not fall short.
The Handwriting is on the Wall (2017): The Fourth Turning
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, in his keynote address of the 2017 Feast of Tabernacles, explains why President Trump dismissed on of his closest adviser, Stephen Bannon. Bannon embraced a "theo-political" vision of Christian fundamentalism, influenced by The Fourth Turning, a book which explains why many Americans no longer …
Five Major Problems in the Wilderness
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod did not take ancient Israel by a direct route, and our lives likewise may seem to wander. We must trust God in spite of the detours, following His lead.
The Handwriting Is on The Wall (2003)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, focusing upon Paul's admonition about the night being far spent, warns us to make careful and judicious use of our time in anticipating the return of Jesus Christ. The death and destruction forecast by Christ would come from the hands of man, rather than from God. More pieces of this prophetic puzzle are …
Numbers: The Book of Judgment
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe live daily in uncharted territory, but the sobering account in Numbers provides a roadmap, establishing God's pattern of judging our pilgrimage conduct.
The Coming Anglo-American Crisis
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe nation cannot continue as it is. The questions that remain are: How long do we have? How bad is it going to get? What will our nation look like afterward?
Faith and the Calendar (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh takes issue with those who feel that the perennial calendar controversy was never understood, investigated or resolved by Herbert Armstrong. After a lengthy study in the 1940s, he concluded: (1) there are not enough rules in the Bible to establish a calendar. (2) God had given no authority to anyone outside the …
