The Authority of the Bible.

The Authority of the Bible.

Locked Up Until Now!

Even the prophets inspired in writing the Word of God did not understand much of what they wrote. Daniel records in his last chapter, “I heard this, but I did not understand it” (Moffatt translation). When he asked the meaning of what he was inspired to write, he was told, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end”—or, as Moffatt translates it, “till the crisis at the close” (Daniel 12:8-9).

The whole world is now in chaos—we have now entered the world crisis at the close of this age! But even now, Daniel was told, “the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand” (verse 10).

Since this very Word of God reveals that “sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4), those who encourage the breaking of God’s law, teaching that it is done away—as nearly all sects and denominations do—are, in Bible terminology, “the wicked.” And who are “the wise,” who shall now understand?

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments” (Psalm 111:10).

Again God’s angel caused Daniel to record: “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase” (Daniel 12:4).

Yes, much of the Word of God, especially the prophecies, were shut up and sealed until now. Today people run to and fro, all over the world, in automobiles, trains and planes. Today knowledge has been increased. We have reached the world crisis at the close of this age! The wise—those who fear God and keep His commandments—can now understand!

Even 50 years ago this true understanding was still closed and sealed! None of the established church denominations has been willing, in these 50 years, to admit error, correct false teachings or accept new light now suddenly revealed! No wonder they all disagree! They are in Babylon—confusion!

In the first place, none can understand by himself. The carnal mind cannot see spiritual things.

These truths are revealed through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit—and God gives His Spirit onlyto those who obey Him and keep His commandments! Only the truly converted can even begin to understand the marvelous truths of God.

But even having that beginning, there are seven keys needed to unlock these closed doors of truth!

And just as one key alone will not unlock your safety deposit box at the bank, so no one, no two or even six of these keys will open the scriptural doors to full understanding. It requires all seven keys.

Seven Vital Keys Thrown Away

Jesus Christ gave His apostles the keys of true understanding, which unlock the door to the Kingdom of God.

To Peter and the others, He said, “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:19).

But He prophesied apostasy. “Many false prophets will rise up,” He said, “and deceive many” (Matthew 24:11). Paul foretold the great “falling away” from God’s truth and Jesus Christ’s gospel, turning unto fables (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 2 Timothy 4:1-4).

It had even begun in Paul’s day (2 Thessalonians 2:7). Church leaders only used the keys to lock up the door of the Kingdom, and then threw the keys away, even as the Pharisees and rulers did before them: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” said Jesus to them. “For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in” (Matthew 23:13).

And so naturally, today no denomination of traditional Christianity, sect or church possesses these seven keys!

Here they are: God’s true Church has all of them!

The Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit

After Jesus completed His ministry and returned to heaven, His apostles continued the work He had personally begun while on Earth. These men would have to carry an unpopular gospel to a hostile world. They would have to face years of persecution, ridicule and finally, for most, even martyrdom! The apostles would need faith, courage, strength, encouragement and wisdom. They would need the love, patience and endurance to follow in Christ’s steps.

The apostles would also need to recall the lessons Christ taught them. Jesus therefore said to them shortly before His trial and crucifixion: “I am not going to leave you alone in the world—I am coming to you” (John 14:18, Phillips translation). Christ would continue to teach and support the apostles, but not in the flesh. His Father in heaven would miraculously empower them in their efforts to spread the true gospel.

Christ told His apostles that the Father would send the Holy Spirit to them. It would bring to remembrance all that He taught them (John 14:26) and would impart the power they needed to be His witnesses to the world (Acts 1:8). The record of the New Testament shows this is precisely what happened.

Yet Christ did not limit the help of the Holy Spirit to the apostles alone. You too can have the power that will enable you to live the way of life leading to peace, happiness and eternal life in God’s Kingdom. God stands ready to impart spiritual strength and understanding through the gift of His Holy Spirit—if we will only comply with the conditions outlined in His Word.

Let’s understand what the Holy Spirit is and how you may receive it.

The Harvest Is Plenteous, But The Laborers Are Few

The Harvest Is Plenteous, But The Laborers Are Few

In 1986, God’s Church had become a worldwide work! There were 1,200 ministers serving in 725 congregations in 57 nations around the world. The Church had a weekly attendance of 120,000 people. There were 210,000 co-workers and donors who were contributing to the work. The World Tomorrow program could be viewed on 382 television stations. The Plain Truth magazine was produced in seven languages and had a worldwide circulation of 8.4 million. And yet, as far-reaching as God’s Work was in the days before he died, Herbert W. Armstrong said in his final co-worker letter that “The greatest work lies yet ahead.” On today’s program, Stephen Flurry looks back at what happened to the work Mr. Armstrong started and shows where that work is continuing today!

Why Did God Make Israel His Chosen Nation?

Why Did God Make Israel His Chosen Nation?

If God is no respecter of persons, then why did He raise up the ancient nation of Israel as His chosen people? The Bible is indeed a book about Israel—other nations are mentioned only as they come into contact with Israel. But there is a reason God chose Israel. And this truth is a mystery to the world—it’s unknown by any religion, including Christianity and even Judaism! Listen to today’s Trumpet Daily Radio Show to learn more!

The Supreme Court of the United States on Homosexual ‘Marriage’

The Supreme Court of the United States on Homosexual ‘Marriage’

The Supreme Court of the United States ruled last week 5 to 4 in favor of same-sex “marriage.” The majority said the Constitution guarantees this right, but does the Constitution have anything to do with it? Find out why this was actually a lawless decision—and one that establishes a dangerous precedent for America.

Host Joel Hilliker also discusses an astonishing outcome of America’s muddled Middle Eastern policy—United States forces are in Iraq helping Iraqi forces fight the Islamic State. And guess who else is there? Iranians—and a lot of them! An unbelievable news item reported last week from Bloomberg View said that the U.S. and Iran are sharing a base in Iraq. Some of those same Iranian fighters have even killed Americans and are spying on them today. Joel Hilliker discusses what’s going on and why that is happening.

Finally, the Trumpet Hour raises the question of all questions: Is it possible to explain the universe without God? Scientists have been trying to do this for a long time—but the problem is, the more we learn about the universe, the more perfection we see—the harder it gets to say it just happened on its own. Recently, theoretical physicists came up with a theory on how this is still possible—how we can exist in such a perfectly fine-tuned world—even if there wasn’t a Designer behind it. Trumpet Hour investigates this new theory.

A Lawless Decision

A Lawless Decision...

This ruling gives an extraordinary picture of just how far America has fallen from the rule of law.

The Trumpet’s editor in chief Gerald Flurry has been warning about this trend—and the devastating consequences it will have for this country—for 15 years. His bookletNo Freedom Without Law, originally published in 2001, is more relevant today than it has ever been.

Chapter One, “What Is True Freedom?”, gives an important introduction into this subject. Chapter Two, “Justice and Our ‘Evolving Constitution’,” reveals the danger in exactly the kind of reasoning behind the Supreme Court’s decision last week. And Chapter Three, “The War Against Law,” shows the wisdom in the Founders’ fight to enshrine the rule of law in the Constitution—and the lesson history has taught time and again about what happens when it gives way to tyranny.

“We are not prepared to die to defend our security, as we were in our past,” Mr. Flurry wrote. “This is the supreme sign that our will has been broken—and that our republic cannot stand.” You can read these chapters online, or we will be happy to send you a free copy of this booklet.

Why the Euro Is Heading for an Earthshaking Crisis

Why the Euro Is Heading for an Earthshaking Crisis

This crisis will have to get worse to force some eurozone nations to surrender their national powers. A Greek default or the exit or another country from the eurozone could quickly plunge Europe into this more extreme crisis at very short notice.

No matter what “solution” is reached, “it’s still going to get worse and worse, and pretty soon the European Union is going to go from 28 nations to 10,” Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry said in this weekend’s Key of David program. He went on to say that “this is the BEGINNING of the 28 nations becoming 10, and it’s going to happen really fast once it gains momentum.”

These crises will continue until Europe is brought to this more extreme crisis. Once that happens, the world will suddenly have a new European superpower, guided by the Vatican.

And that has earthshaking implications. Just from current events alone, it’s clear that this new kind of European power will completely change the world’s balance of power. But look at the history of Catholic-influenced European powers, and you’ll see an even more sobering picture.

These are the dramatic events underway in Greece. To learn more about this new European power, read Mr. Flurry’s article “Did the Holy Roman Empire Plan the Greek Crisis?”