IF THE CHURCH KNOWS THAT MARRIAGE IS A GOD-PLANE RELATIONSHIP, WHY IS MARRIAGE THE NO. 1 PROBLEM IN THE CHURCHES, AND IN THE WHOLE WORLD?

A simple logical reasoning should cause a trembling fear to every member, and especially, to every minister in the Churches! Nevertheless, Christ would continue to reveal and awaken the Church concerning this Great Mystery. The true understanding of marriage, and its application to the Church to become the BRIDE, is very important for Christ to return and establish God's Kingdom on earth! He led the Church to Ephesians (Ephesians 5:32).

By: LOPE COLUMNA

MESSIANIC-KABBALIST PASTOR GENERAL

THE BRIDE OF CHRIST, MINISTRY OF LIFE

THIS IS A GREAT MYSTERY: BUT I SPEAK CONCERNING CHRIST AND THE CHURCH. (Eph 5:32)

Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong (HWA) had said several times that MARRIAGE IS A GOD-PLANE RELATIONSHIP. Thus, the WCG Ministry quoted Ephesians 5:32 in their articles and sermons. Somehow the Church was able to sense the gravity and importance of this great verse, but the Church were able to only superficially understood the very important verse. 

God's spirit was leading the Church to this truth, but she did not fully appreciate this! She did not study deeper into the words of God for more understanding of this very important subject. 

The Church has been taking the Great Mystery of Marriage very lightly! The idolatrous concepts of marriage from the world was attached so strongly to the psyche and minds of the ministry, and the ministers incorporated these idolatrous concepts in their teachings to the Church! The Church then became indifferent and blind to this great truth!

Powerful sermons, articles, and booklets about marriage were delivered and published. But God is constantly showing them by the fruits (great marital troubles) of the Church that they are just preaching polluted marriage doctrines! God was awakening the Church to the heavy import and significance of marriage. God is trying to refocus the attention of the Church to the great subject of marriage so she could start preparing for the coming marriage of the Lamb. The ministry's pride and feeling of infallibility prevented God's revelation from getting through!

There were many other attempts by God to inculcate into the heart and mind of the Church the greatness of this mystery, but she would not take heed!

THE CHURCH HAD INDEED FALLEN, BUT SHE WOULD NOT CONSIDER WHY

• Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your menorah out of its place, unless you repent. (Rev 2:5 HNV)

The height of the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) glory and prominence are now all gone. The Plain Truth Magazine is no more. Ambassador College, the multi-awarded most beautiful campus in the US is now a residential area. The powerful World Tomorrow TV and Radio Program are now wiped out in all stations worldwide. The world-renowned Ambassador Auditorium was already sold. Church great speakers (evangelists, pastors, and ministers) had lost their wisdom and power. Garner Ted Armstrong, was humbled dishonorably from his height of popularity in the World Tomorrow broadcasting.

Mr. Herbert Armstrong himself died with disappointment as he left the Church unprepared and not ready for the coming marriage of the Lamb. Just before he died, he shouted to the entire Church, "most of you don't get it!" And worse, the very Church that HWA founded and of which he spent most of his life for, had labeled him as a false prophet, and with many other personal accusations that are not suitable mentioning here! All of his teachings were either thrown away or burned! A very sad story indeed!

And all because HWA and his WCG did not heed God's message and warnings concerning the Great Mystery of Marriage!

THE REASON WHY THE WCG HAD FALLEN, AND THE OTHER CHURCHES ARE ABOUT TO FALL!

Why did the WCG have such a very tragic ending? Is it not that the WCG is the True Church of God? Why did God allow this to happen?

The answers to the above questions are the answers to the following similar questions. Why did Israel and Judah ended with captivity and destruction by their enemies? Are they not the chosen nations and people of God? Why did God allow this to happen? Why did God allowed even His Temple in Jerusalem to be destroyed?

From the words of Jesus Christ, her husband,

• Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (Rev 2:4)

The original WCG surely had fallen, as prophesied because she would not listen to God's voice and warnings! She had lost her first love to Christ.

What is that "first love"?

That "first love" is keeping the first commandment of the Ten Commandments! I will explain this "first love" in more details in an upcoming article.

Her heart and affections have been diverted away from Christ! She was focused too much on the preaching of the "gospel" to all the world! The most important part of God's Work -- the INNER work of preparing the Church to marry Christ was neglected!

Doing Christ's Work is very different from doing Your Work for Christ! This is where the Church had fallen!

DID HWA AND THE CHURCHES COMMIT THE SAME MISTAKE THAT MOSES DID!

Moses is a great leader, yet he disbelieved and rebelled against God. HWA is also a great leader. Did he also disbelieve and rebel against God at some point of his ministry? Both of them were not allowed by God to bring His people to the physical Promised Land (or Place of Safety).

This is not to put down HWA, as the Bible also records the failures, sins, and mistakes of the great Bible personalities, like Moses, David, Peter, and others, not to put them down, but for us ALL to learn from their mistakes and failures! We are not taking human sides here. The only side that we should be is in the side of the Lord, not to any human personality, no matter how great achievements they have done. Otherwise, we will be guilty of idolatry!

We are commanded by God to be NOT respecter of persons. And we are strongly commanded to have no other gods before Him!

Are the Churches today and their leaders unknowingly committing the same mistake of Moses?

Just like Moses, HWA died with a broken heart, feeling unfulfilled in his dreams. Moses and HWA were both used by God mightily to fulfill major aspects of His Master Plan. Yet, both of these great men of God, unknowingly disappointed God by some of their actions and decisions. Actions and decisions that they committed because they failed to see the significance as God sees it.

What is it that most of the ministers and members of the Church did not get? And why did they not get it?

ALL THE CHURCHES SHOULD LEARN THOSE VITAL LESSONS FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF THE WCG.

Otherwise, history will again repeat itself!

Is the Church you now belong still missing the dimension that Moses and HWA failed to see?

Are you the human leader or Pastor General of your particular Church Group that came out from WCG? If you are, please learn the lessons of history. Please study and learn those particular failures of Moses and HWA. Please study the history of the WCG.

You may say that you are continuing the work started by HWA. But beware, you may be also continuing the serious mistakes committed by HWA! Moses and HWA ended up with tears and disappointment!

Please learn, for your own salvation's sake, the mistakes of Moses, HWA, the WCG, the PCG, the Splinter Groups, and other Church history.

Copyright 2012, 2016 © Lope Columna