New Moon Message 01/06/40/120

Dear Friends,

In a recent article published in the July-August issue of the United News an elder in the United Church of God asks the question "Who Is Our Creator?"  The title of the article leads into the statement "God created all things through Christ. Does that make Christ the Creator along with the Father? Or should only the Father be called the Creator?" The article is available at: (https://www.ucg.org/members/united-news/who-is-our-creator).

This New Moon Message will address and answer the author's questions. We will also point out and explain the fallaciousness of the ditheist interpretation of Scriptures presented in this article. In the response section of this New Moon Message there will be Study Papers referenced that will explain in much greater detail from a professional academic research standard which is needed to correctly understand the subject matter being discussed. The Article states:

Article:
In the opening statement of the article, the author states that God created all things through Christ and he references Ephesians 3:9 as proof. The KJV reads: "And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:"

Response:
The KJV contains a serious forgery in Ephesians 3:9 which has the words "by Jesus Christ" added to the end of the text: "In God, who created all things."

Ephesians 3:9  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things [by Jesus Christ in the  (KJV) is an added text].

The words dia ‘Iesou Christou or by Jesus Christ are incorrect. The words have been added to the Receptus and hence appear in the KJV but they do not appear in the ancient texts. They do not appear in the modern versions of the Bible.

The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament by Alfred Marshall and the Interlinear Greek-English New Testament by Robert K. Brown and Philip W. Comfort also do not show the added words "by Jesus Christ" in the Greek text. Further, the Concordant Greek Text of the New Testament by the late A.E. Knoch that is based on the Greek Text from Uncial Manuscripts (Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, and Alexandrinus) with an ultraliteral English translation in the sublinear do not include the words "by Jesus Christ" further proving that the KJV is in error.  

The RSV correctly relates the text:

Ephesians 3:9 and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; (RSV)

Also the article refers to Hebrews 1:1-2 and makes note of the creation of the world by Christ.

Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (KJV, emphasis added)

In like fashion, this text has also been mistranslated because the word is aion and means age not the worlds as the English of the KJV tries to imply (cf. Companion Bible note to v. 2).
There are a number of forgeries and mistranslations in the Bible usually intentionally to support Trinitarianism and its polytheistic theology. They are identifiable. See the Study Paper: Forgeries and Additions/Mistranslations in the Bible, No. 164f at: http://www.ccg.org/weblibs/study-papers/p164f.html
           
Article: Under the caption, The Originator of the Creation, the author states: "Some might think of the Father exclusively as the Originator or Source of creation. But we must consider Revelation 3:14, where Jesus refers to Himself as the arche of the creation of God. The Greek word here is often translated “beginning”—being the same word used in John 1:1 (“In the beginning [ arche ] was the Word”). We know Revelation 3:14 can’t mean that Jesus was the first thing created, as He was uncreated. What, then, does it mean?

He continues: " The most likely proper translation of Revelation 3:14 is that Jesus is the Originator or Source of creation. But that does not exclude the Father from this role. He is likewise the Originator and Source of creation. This is a role They share as God—both of Them as God being Creator."

"And again, Scripture says that all created things were created through Christ. This means Christ did the creating. If He did not, what would we call what He did? Made? Built? He called things out of nothing into existence (Psalms 33:6). That is creating. And since He did that, He is Creator. Not exclusively or even primarily, of course, because He was following the will of the One who became the Father. Nonetheless, Jesus shared in the role of Creator along with the Father, though in a subordinate position." (Emphasis added)
Further, the author states: " This scriptural presentation of Christ as sharing in the role of Creator in no way diminishes the Father. The Originator and Source of creation is God—and that includes both God the Father and Jesus Christ. Of course, the Father is supreme in this role. He is the Supreme Being. And Christ was and always is submitted to Him. We are further told that we are to honor the Son just as the Father (John 5:23)."
Response: Christ's message to the Laodicean Church in Revelation 3:14 is very critical to understand. There is also a related critical message in Revelation 1.8-11 that must be understood along with Christ's message in Revelation 3:14.
 
The author’s statement, "The Originator and Source of creation is God—and that includes both God the Father and Jesus Christ. Of course, the Father is supreme in this role. He is the Supreme Being. And Christ was and always is submitted to Him" is made in a polytheistic (Ditheist) way or nature. He identifies God the Father as the Supreme Being and Originator and Source of creation. He admits that Christ was and always is in submission and under the rule of the Father, and "nonetheless, Jesus shared in the role of Creator along with the Father, though in a subordinate position".

The crux of the matter is that Ditheists are unable to explain how a co-eternal God-Being is subordinate to another co-eternal God-Being. The best Ditheists can offer in this regard as an explanation is that two co-eternal God-Beings held a discussion pre-historically to determine which one would become the Father and the other would be sent to earth as a Son to die for the salvation of mankind. Such esoteric blasphemous blather that was preached by some of the top ministry of Worldwide COG has no reality in Scripture.

The following Study Paper explains the importance of understanding both Scriptures Revelation 3:14 and 1:8-11 and their significance: Arche of the Creation of God as Alpha and Omega, No.229 at:
 http://www.ccg.org/English/s/p229.html.

This Study Paper presents an in-depth analysis of the background to Christ's statement to the Laodicean Church. Its introduction states:

"The arguments of modern Christianity regarding Christ have much of their origins in Greek philosophy and ancient religious practices running contrary to the Bible. Some of the biblical texts in English have been mistranslated to conceal the intent and structure of the application of the terms because they run counter to Trinitarian theology. The application of the terms Arche, Alpha and Omega, first and last, beginning and end, are explained taking into account the various texts."

Continuing:
"The comment at Revelation 3:14 that Christ is the arche of the creation of God has a great significance. We do not generally understand today why Jesus Christ said to John in relation to the Laodicean church, in effect, “tell the angel of the Laodicean church that I am the arche of the creation of God”. Now the reason that was done was because, in the Laodicean church, the argument was to arise both in the church and in the era that Christ was not the arche of the creation of God. This argument centres around the eternality of matter and the immanence of God within all matter.....

The word arche means beginning. The term used in Revelation 3:14 appears to relate to a philosophical discussion that was extant in the Middle East from Philo through the Middle Platonists to the neo-Platonists. The argument centred around the theory of the origin of the world. You need to understand this argument because the significance of it goes into the New Age Movement. Then you will understand the blasphemy of the New Age Movement. You will also understand that it is the prophecy of Jesus Christ that this argument would arise in the church in the last days and the Laodicean church would be prostituted by it and forfeit its right to the first resurrection." (End of quote, emphasis added).
To quote further from Study Paper, No.229, it states under the Caption:
"Alpha and Omega as extended to Jesus Christ" 
"The titles Alpha and Omega and the other terms used particularly in the book of Revelation answer Greek philosophical concerns as well as state the obvious facts of the delegation of the position of elohim to the elect through Jesus Christ.

Revelation 1:11 in the KJV has a reference to Alpha and Omega as applied to Jesus Christ. This title is absent in the RSV and the ancient texts (cf. Companion Bible note to the text). It appears only in the Receptus and hence the KJV.

The importance of this addition is in its use to conceal the sequence of what is happening in the application of the titles from God to Christ in the sequence of the prophecy of Revelation.

Hence the original text which reads more or less as the RSV:

Revelation 1:11 saying, "Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Per'gamum and to Thyati'ra and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to
La-odice'a." (RSV)

This text becomes in the KJV:

Revelation 1:11  Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (KJV)

This insertion in the text is done specifically to support Trinitarianism and negate the intent of the rest of Revelation in this matter." (End of quote).

Article:
Under the caption “Remember Your Creators” on page 2 the article states: "Jesus is specifically presented in Scripture as Creator along with the Father. Ecclesiastes 12:1 tells us to remember our Creator while we’re young. But, as many commentaries acknowledge, this verse literally translated says, “Remember also thy Creators . . .” (Young’s Literal Translation). The word here is plural. Some will argue that this is merely a majestic plural for a singular Creator—just as they argue for the plural forms Elohim and Adonai.

However, we understand that these other words refer to an actual plurality that can be used in a singular way (just as “United States” is plural in form but is used with singular verbs, yet with an actual plurality of states being behind the name).

In any case, the actual word used in Ecclesiastes 12:1 is Creators. So the Bible explicitly acknowledges a plurality of Creators, just as it does a plurality of God Beings. There are two Creators, just as there are two who are God—the One who became the Father and the One who became Christ, the latter following the will of the former." (End of quote, emphasis added)

Response:
The author uses this Scripture to prove his polytheistic view in the form of Ditheism that there is a plurality of Almighty Supreme God Beings that is contrary to Scripture.

The Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament state that Eccl.12:1 inappropriately begins a new chapter, instead of beginning with Eccl. 11:9.    
Eccl 11:9-10 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. 10) Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
Eccl12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; (KJV)

The following is an interesting commentary on Eccl.12:1 from the Adam Clarke Commentary on this Scripture. Adam Clarke (b. 1760–1762, d. August 28, 1832) was a British Methodist theologian and held Trinitarian views. His comment in the second paragraph (with emphasis added) is not only directed toward Trinitarians, but can include also the Ditheists and Binitarians, who also attempt to prove injuriously to Scripture their polytheistic theology.

Adam Clarke's commentary reads:

"[Remember thy Creator] ‎Bowr­'eykaa‎, thy CREATORS. The word is most certainly in the plural number in all our common Hebrew Bibles; but it is in the singular number, ‎Bowr­'kaa‎, in one hundred and seventy-six of Dr. Kennicott's MSS., and ninety-six of De Rossi's; in many ancient editions; and in all the ancient versions. There is no dependence on the plural form in most of the modern editions; though there are some editions of great worth which exhibit the word in this form, and among them the Complutensian, Antwerp, Paris, and London polyglots.

The evidence, therefore, that this text is supposed to give to the doctrine of the ever blessed Trinity, is but precarious, and on it little stress can be laid; and no man who loves truth would wish to support it by dubious witnesses. Injudicious men, by laying stress on texts dubious in themselves, and which may be interpreted a different way, greatly injure the true faith. Though such in their hearts may be friends to the orthodox faith, they are in fact its worst friends, and their assistance is such as helps their adversaries. (Emphasis added).

But what does the text say? It addresses the youth of both sexes throughout the creation; and says in effect:

I. You are not your own, you have no right to yourselves. God made you; he is your Creator: he made you that you might be happy; but you can be happy only in him. And as he created you, so he preserves you; he feeds, clothes, upholds you. He has made you capable of knowing, loving, and serving him in this world, and of enjoying him in his own glory forever. And when you had undone yourselves by sin, he sent his Son to redeem you by his blood; and he sends his Spirit to enlighten, convince, and draw you away from childishness, from vain and trifling, as well as from sinful, pursuits. (Emphasis added).

II. Remember him; consider that he is your Creator, your loving and affectionate Father. In youth memory is strong and tenacious; but, through the perversion of the heart by sin, young people can remember anything better than GOD. If you get a kindness from a friend, you can remember that, and feel gratitude for it; and the person is therefore endeared to you. Have any ever given you such benefits as your Creator? Your body and soul came from him; he gave you your eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet, etc. What blessings are these! how excellent! how useful! how necessary! and will you forget HIM?" (End of quote).

Not even a noted theologian such as Adam Clarke with Trinitarian views would use Eccl.12:1 as proof of polytheism.

Article:
Also, in the opening of the article a picture is inserted of John 1:1-3 and it quoted "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made" (John 1:1-3).

Response: This is a go-to Scripture for Trinitarians as well as Ditheists and Binitarians in an attempt to prove polytheism. John 1:1 is incorrect as we see it normally portrayed. The correct translation even if the word order is preserved involves the concept of towards and not with as is taught by the Trinitarians.
It should read: John 1:1 In the beginning was the word and the Word was towards God (ton Theon) and the word was (a) god (theos).
In verse 1 there are two different words used for God: ton Theon "The God" and theos,"god".

John is clearly utilising the Old Testament concepts of the One God, Eloah, as the Theon and the subordinate elohim as theos. The Athanasians had to contrive this passage to support the Trinitarian doctrine, and ultimately the European Athanasians (possibly Erasmus) were to insert the false text into 1John 5:7 in the Textus Receptus, in order to rearrange the Christology.

The following excellent Study Paper gives a detailed analysis and explanation of John 1:1 is: On Immortality, No. 165, at:  http://www.ccg.org/weblibs/study-papers/p165.htm

The following is excerpted from No.165:

"John 1:1 was similarly mistreated (see the papers The Deity of Christ (No. 147) and The First Commandment: The Sin of Satan (No. 153)). The New World Translation attempts to rectify the translation with: In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. The text deals with The God (ton Theon) and a god (theos, without the definite article). The indefinite article must be inferred here in the Greek. We will now examine this text more fully. The Greek text reads:

W<     •DP±      µ<   Ò  8`(@H,
En     arche       en    ho logos,
In [?] beginning was the word [or divine utterance],

6"4 Ò    8`(@H µ<  BDÎH   JÎ< 2,`<,
kai    ho  logos    en   pros      ton   theon
and   the word    was towards the   God

6"4     2,ÎH µ<  Ò   8`(@H
kai       theos  en   ho  logos
and [a] god    was the logos
or:
and the logos was a god.

The definite article is absent from the first clause En arche. This is perhaps more correctly read as in a beginning. The definite article is expressed in the Greek whereas the indefinite article is always inferred, being absent in the Greek. The preposition pros means towards; it does not mean with specifically. So the basic use of prepositions is: pros means towards, en means in, and ek means out of (pro = before; meta = after; epi = up; huper = over; pepi = about; eis = into; appo = from; dia = through; hupo = under; kata = down).

The use of pros ton theon here in John 1:1 means that the word was towards or with the God in the sense that this theos looked towards or was on the side of, or was a loyal attendant of the God. This logos was also a god. Now this meaning is totally unacceptable to Trinitarians. The text is thus translated as it is. However, the meanings can be seen from a number of sources." (End of quote)

The logos in verse 1 is a theos (a god) who is subordinate to the God (ton Theon), and it is the logos who directs mankind towards ton Theon, who is the Almighty God.

Study Paper The Deity of Christ, No.147, at: http://www.ccg.org/english/s/p147.html is another excellent study into John 1. It states:

"John 1:2-3 asserts his pre-existence as a supernatural being. His role in the creation was asserted from John 1:10. He came to bear witness to the Light but he was not that Light but was sent to bear witness to that Light which is the true Light. The true Light that enlightens every man was coming into the world (Jn. 1:8 Oxford Annotated RSV). That true Light was the power of God which we understand as the Holy Spirit. All who received Christ, who believed on his name, he gave power to become sons of God (Jn. 1:11). He became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory as of an only born (monogenous para patros) from a father (Jn. 1:14 Marshall’s Interlinear Main Text)." (End of quote).

To have a complete picture and understanding of John 1, it is highly recommended to read and study both Study Papers available at the listed urls above.

Article:
The author states, "So who was the Father of humanity in terms of physical creation? Only God the Father? No, for Jesus also bears the name “Everlasting Father” (Isaiah 9:6).

Response:
"Isaiah 9:6 is used by Trinitarians to justify their theology. Argument is advanced that, by the name given in Isaiah 9:6, the attributes and, thereby, co-equality and co-eternality were conferred in the son as being the same God in the case of Trinitarians and Binitarians; or an independent co-eternal God who had co-equality conferred upon him when he agreed to become the son of the other, in the case of the Ditheists. However, it was not understood in that light by ancient Israel. The term here denotes the continuation of fatherly responsibility and not the fatherhood of procreation which is reserved to God the Father as we see from Christ's own comments in the New Testament regarding us not calling any man father as we have only one Father and He is in heaven." (Matt.23:9)

The above paragraph is taken from Study Paper No. 224, which is a detailed study on Isaiah 9:6 and can be accessed at: http://www.ccg.org/weblibs/study-papers/p224.html

Summary:
Ditheism, Binitarianism, and Trinitarianism are all basically of the same origin of error and pathetically weak theologies because they are polytheistic that philosophically promulgates a plurality of Absolute Supreme God-Beings contrary to Scripture and the Abrahamic religions that enforces strict Monotheism. Historically, Judaism, early Christianity, and Islam that are of Abraham are Unitarian. 

Briefly, Ditheist theology which had its beginnings in the Radio, then Worldwide COG in the late 1940-early 1950s is polytheism based on the assertion that there are two true, absolute, supreme Gods. Ditheism asserts that Jesus Christ was a co-equal co-eternal God in the same way that the Father was God, although some of the ditheist ministry of Worldwide believed that one of the Gods who became Jesus Christ was not co-equal to the one who became known as God the Father. These two Gods supposedly held a discussion as to who was to come down and be the son of the other and to die, and to be resurrected in the plan of Salvation. Further, it is said that the God who became the Father did not become “Father” until Christ, His son, was born of woman. Also it is asserted that Christ is the God of the Old Testament because the Father was unknown to the Israelites and that Christ was both God and Man when he came down to earth in the flesh. This heresy is totally contrary to the Bible and is directly contrary to the doctrine for eternal life, namely that they know the One True God and Jesus Christ whom He sent (John 17:3).

Polytheism is not only condemned in the Scriptures, but is also condemned in the Qur'an.
(Surah 2:96; 5:72-73)
[Yusufali 5:72] They do blaspheme who say: "Allah is Christ the son of Mary." But said Christ: "O Children of Israel! worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Whoever joins other gods with Allah,- Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help.
[Yusufali 5:73] They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One Allah. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them

What is God’s name and what is the name of the son we are asked as a direct challenge to declare it if we have any understanding (Proverbs 30:4), and the question is answered in the next verse in Proverbs 30:5. Every word of Eloah (SHD #433) is pure.  The Biblical Unitarian subordinate position is that the Almighty God Eloah is God absolute, singular and admits to no plurality whatsoever, and who appeals to no higher authority.  He only is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and the Originator of all life, including the lives of His innumerable spirit-sons whom He created through the power of His Holy Spirit (see Job 1:6, 2:1; 38:7). These created spirit-sons (elohim) are placed in a Heavenly Council and are subordinate to God, their Father, as we see in the Psalms (esp. Psalm 82) and Rev. 4&5. Psalm 82:6 states: “My decree is: ‘You are elohim [gods, judges], sons of the Most High all of you (CJB)." 

In John 5:30 Christ states: "I can do nothing on my own authority; as I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me (RSV).

Christ does nothing outside the Will of the Father as he and the loyal Host of Heaven (Elohim) are united with the Father through the power of His Holy Spirit and they are all in all with Him. The Almighty Eternal God, who is singular and admits of no plurality,  became Father, not when He had a discussion with another eternal God-Being pre-historically as called by the Ditheists, but when He created His Spirit-Sons who are organized into the Heavenly Council.  These spirit-sons are sub-ordinate to God. Christ creates at the Will of the Father who has given him the power and authority to create by delegation within the plan the Father has for His creation to become all in all with Him.

Christ took his place in the Council of Elohim by the authority of his God, Eloah. After his incarnation, when he was killed and then resurrected after being three days and three nights in the tomb, he ascended into Heaven to his Father (John 20:17) who seated him at His right hand and elevated Christ above his fellow partners (Ps.45:7, Heb.1:9, 1Pet.3:22). The Apostle Peter when speaking of Christ states in 1Peter 3:22 "Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him (KJV)."  Being made subject to Christ means there was a time when Christ was not above his fellow partners - the other sons of God.

For an excellent authoritative discourse into how God is one, please study the important paper: Mysticism Chapter 4 Judeo-Christianity (No. B7_4) at: http://www.ccg.org/weblibs/study-papers/b7_4.html). 

Below the following paragraphs are quoted from it.

"The Hebrew concept of God as a plural structure (termed Elohim in the Hebrew, or Theoi in the Greek), is derived from the logical necessity of the exclusion of polytheist forms. God is one because the Host of Heaven is united by the spirit as one within the will of the central entity that was the causal origin of the structure. This plurality is derived entirely from the central singular being, upon whom it is dependent for existence.

This entity is called in the Hebrew, Eloah or ha Elohim (i.e. the God). In the Greek NT He is Ho Theos, THE God. In John chapter 1 for example the accusative case Theon or ton Theon is used for this being. He is singular and eternal. He is understood in English as God the Father. He existed before time began, in his abiding perpetuity, as a singular entity in complete form, with all necessary attributes instantiated. That is, He did not create any of the attributes necessary to His deity, such as omniscience or omnipotence; they existed as part of His being.

The New Testament uses Greek Philosophical terms to explain the structure and to avoid confusion. Those terms will be used and explained. It should be remembered that the Hebrew apostles were explaining to a Greek educated multi-god or polytheist world, a Hebrew concept using Greek words, which had meanings quite different, in some cases, to that ascribed to the same words today.

By the power of His spirit (which emanates as a force, which is equated with a divine utterance and which may be termed in the Greek, Logon, in a general sense) God created according to His will (Rev 4:11). The primary creation was the central order of the host termed the Elohim. The Elohim were initiated from an emanation of the spirit that must have been simultaneous. The Elohim were of degree and rank as an order of spirit beings, who achieved their unity with Eloah from the emanation of the Logon; individual manifestations of which being referred to as the Logos or Logoi in plural form. The Logoi of God is the plural form used in both the LXX and the NT for the Oracles of God translating the Hebrew Dabar Yahovah or word of God as it applied to the Holy of Holies. (See Oracle of God and Oracles of God comparing the MT with the LXX: cf. Cox, The Oracles of God (No. 184), CCG). When used in reference to humans, the animist term pneuma was used which has proved to be slightly misleading in discussion of the structure.

The creation and movement of the Elohim commenced the concept of time. The subsequent acts of creation were left to subordinate entities. In the OT, the actions on behalf of the One True God, who is Father of all, were undertaken by subordinate entities. This view is consistent with ancient theology generally. The being who appeared to man in the OT was the Angel of YHVH, who was understood by the early Church as being Christ. In his preexistent form, he gave the law to Moses (cf. The Elect as Elohim (No. 1); The Angel of YHVH (No. 24); Early Theology of the Godhead (No. 127); and The Pre-Existence of Jesus Christ (No. 243), CCG, 1994-2000). We know from the Bible texts, and from above that Christ was a creator. He therefore created in accordance with the will of God the Father and with knowledge proportional to his revelation of the plan. The Elohim created in accordance with the will of Eloah, but in fact had some autonomy in material structures within their commands. The Elohim are replicated beings as emanations of the force of Eloah. He was the central Elohim and the only entity who could be both Eloah and Elohim. Eloah anointed Elohim to their commands. The Elohim of Israel was anointed by his Elohim (who was Eloah) (Psalm 45:6-7; Heb 1:8-9).

The Elohim were called YHVH in the Hebrew (pronounced Yahovah), which is the name of the central entity termed Yahovah of Hosts. They were messengers of YHVH and so were referred to by the term 'Messenger' in both the Hebrew form 'malak', and the Greek form 'aggelos', from which the term angel is derived. The Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was the Angel of YHVH (Gen. 48:15-16). The central entity we call God the Father was called 'YHVH of Hosts' (cf. Zechariah 2:5-13). He was the God of all Elohim (cf. also Cox, Psalm 8 (No. 14), CCG, 2000) and of the entity known as the Messiah. The term Messiah means anointed one. There is more than one anointed one within the Bible. The term Christ is a Greek form for anointed one. The Hebrews held at the time of Christ that the Messiah would be of two forms, the Messiah of Aaron and the Messiah of Israel. From the Dead Sea Scrolls it seems that they understood from this that the Messiah would first appear as the Messiah of Aaron. He would return as the King Messiah of Israel. There seems little doubt from the Damascus Rule (VII and the fragment from Cave IV) that they are one being and the King Messiah of Israel is preceded by a prophet according to the Community Rule IX (Geza Vermes, The Dead Sea Scrolls in English Penguin, 2nd ed. 1985, pp. 48-49)" (End of quote)

The Worldwide COG off-shoots have yet to figure out from a ditheist interpretation of Scripture the true nature of God and Christ and their relationship to each other as Father and Son.  Also, Ditheism (as do Binitarianism and Trinitarianism) misunderstand and therefore misrepresent the nature and position of God's numerous spirit-sons who are placed within the Council of Elohim. It comes as no surprise that today the WCG off-shoots are continuing to collapse into oblivion because of its ignorance in understanding the true nature of God and Christ and their relationship to each other, and the composition of Elohim.

Time is precious.  We see prophecy being fulfilled before our eyes. Study the papers referenced in the Response section and to those of the WCG off-shoots do not be taken in by the polytheists and their false theology of Ditheism, Binitarianism, and Trinitarianism.  Study to show yourself approved rightly understanding the Word of God and His true nature and the nature of His spirit-sons within the Heavenly Council including the Messiah.

Tom Schardt, Coordinator, Southern California

We have dealt with the polytheist idolatry of Armstrong and his ministry in the paper Ditheism (No. 076). When informed of this heretical text I asked Tom to deal with it as we were very busy with the Koran.  This argument is not new and the Trinitarians were pushing it in the Seventh Century and the prophet dealt with it in Surah 2 (Q002), Surah 5 (Q005),  and also in Surahs 6, 7, 10 and elsewhere. There were two creations and both were under the control of the One True God.  The first was in Job 38:4-7 and the Recreation is in Genesis chapter 1. That is why the Sardis and Laodicean systems do not enter the First Resurrection but go to the Second Resurrection and it is primarily due to these heretics that lead them. Very soon God will deal with them.

Wade Cox