The Church of Almighty God | A Rebirth

A Rebirth

By Yang Zheng, Heilongjiang Province

I was born into an impoverished rural family that was backward in their thinking. I was vain from a young age and my desire for status was particularly strong. Over time, through the influence of social environment and the education of traditional culture, I took all sorts of Satan’s rules for survival into my heart. All kinds of fallacies nurtured my desire for fame, gain and status, such as “Fame will make you immortal,” “Get ahead and bring honor to your ancestors,” “People need face like a tree needs its bark,” “Be the top dog,” and “Build a beautiful home with your own two hands.”

When the Lord Jesus was crucified He said, “It is finished,” which shows that God’s salvation work for mankind was complete. So how can you say that God has done a further stage of work to judge, cleanse, and save mankind?

When the Lord Jesus was crucified He said, “It is finished,” which shows that God’s salvation work for mankind was complete. So how can you say that God has done a further stage of work to judge, cleanse, and save mankind?

The Answer from God’s Word:

When Jesus came, He also did part of God’s work, and spoke some words—but what was the main work He accomplished? What He mainly accomplished was the work of crucifixion. He became the likeness of sinful flesh to complete the work of crucifixion and redeem all mankind, and it was for the sake of all mankind’s sin that He served as a sin offering. This is the main work He accomplished.

from “All Is Achieved by the Word of God” in The Word Appears in the Flesh

The Church of Almighty God | Uncovering the Mystery of “Judgment”

Uncovering the Mystery of “Judgment”

By En Hui, Malaysia

My name is En Hui and I’m 46 years old. I live in Malaysia, and I have been a believer in the Lord for 27 years. In October 2015, I moved to another city to take up a job. My new colleagues were all big fans of Facebook, which they used for chatting, finding new friends, and posting images. Seeing that I didn’t have a Facebook account they set one up for me, and I gradually learned how to go online and use it. Sometimes I would see the postings of some brothers and sisters in the Lord and I’d share them and “like” them. Sometimes I’d post things that praised the Lord or share the Lord’s grace with some of my good friends. Every day I felt that there was fulfillment in my life.

The Church of Almighty God | Catholic Beliefs: The Lord Really Has Returned

Catholic Beliefs: The Lord Really Has Returned

By Renshi, USA

My whole family believes in God. I attended mass with my mom from the time I was a little girl and God bestowed so much grace on us—we were full of gratitude toward Him and we were also longing for the Lord’s return. But I never imagined that when the Lord really did return to work and save us, I wouldn’t recognize His work but would instead rely on my arrogant nature and cling to my old notions, nearly missing out on the Lord’s salvation.

The Chastisement and Judgment of Almighty God Awakened Me

The Chastisement and Judgment of Almighty God Awakened Me

Liang Ping

Huainan City, Anhui Province

Church Life

“When the waters swallow men whole, God saves them from the stagnant waters…. When men disobey God, God causes them to know Him in their disobedience. … How many times have people seen God’s hands and seen God’s kind countenance and smiling face; and how many times have they seen God’s majesty, seen God’s, God’s wrath. Though humanity has never known God, God does not seize upon their weakness to ‘make unnecessary trouble.’ Experiencing humanity’s hardships, God thus sympathizes with man’s weakness. It is only in response to men’s disobedience, their ingratitude, that God metes out chastisements in varying degrees. Rather than putting humans to death, God allows them to repent and make a fresh start; when men suffer famine, God wrests them from death.” Whenever I hear this hymn about God’s love, I cannot help remembering my yesterday, and my heart swells with gratitude.

How does God’s work of judgment during the last days purify and save mankind?

How does God’s work of judgment during the last days purify and save mankind?

Bible Verses for Reference:

“And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejects me, and receives not my words, has one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (Jhn 12:47-48).

The Church of Almighty God | God’s Love Was With Me in the Devil’s Dark Prison

God’s Love Was With Me in the Devil’s Dark Prison

Yang Yi, Jiangsu Province

I am a Christian of the Church of Almighty God. I have been a follower of Almighty God for over ten years. During this time, one thing I’ll never forget is the awful tribulation when I was arrested by the CCP police a decade ago. Back then, despite my being tortured and trampled on by evil demons, and coming close to death several times, Almighty God used His mighty hand to guide and protect me, to bring me back to life, and take me back to safety…. Through this, I truly experienced the transcendence and greatness of the power of God’s life, and gained the precious wealth of life conferred upon me by God.

Eastern Lightning | The Work of God Is So Wise!

The Work of God Is So Wise!

Shiji Ma’anshan City, Anhui Province

During my time working as a leader in the church, my leader would often share examples of others’ failures to serve as a lesson for us. For instance: Some leaders only spoke of letters and doctrines but failed to mention their own corruption or commune with regard to their understanding of how truth applies to reality. As a result, such leaders often were ineffective in their years of service and even became ones who do evil and resist God.

Eastern Lightning | Disturbances From the “May 28” Rumor (Part 1)

  The First Time I Heard This Rumor a Shadow Was Cast Over My Heart

My mother is a devout Christian. Ever since I was old enough to understand things, she would often tell me stories about the Lord Jesus, telling me that the Lord Jesus is the only true God. When I was 13 years old I went with my mom to church. At that time I really enjoyed listening to the pastors’ sermons, and I had a great deal of faith. I would actively participate in every fellowship. But I gradually discovered that there was no illumination in the sermons preached by the pastors. They always repeated some theories and knowledge of the Bible or some theological theories, and as time went on I didn’t receive the least bit of pleasure from listening to their sermons, nor did I feel I was being provided with life. Therefore, I started going to fellowships less and less frequently.

The Church of Almighty God | Wise Virgins Hear the Voice of God

I. The Lord has appeared in the last days and uttered words to do the work of judgment that begins with the house of God. This completely fulfills the biblical prophecies: “He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev 2:7). “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God” (1Pe 4:17). Only wise virgins can hear the voice of the Lord and welcome Him.

Bible Verses for Reference:

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Rev 3:20).

“He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev 2:7).

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (Jhn 10:27).

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God” (1Pe 4:17).

Classic Words of God:

God’s six-thousand-year management plan is coming to an end, and the gate of the kingdom has been opened to all those who seek the appearance of God. Dear brothers and sisters, what are you waiting for? What is it that you seek? Do you await the appearance of God? Are you searching for the footprints of God? How the appearance of God is yearned for! And how difficult it is to find God’s footprints! In an age such as this, in a world such as this, what must we do to witness the day of God’s appearance? What must we do to follow the footprints of God?

The Church of Almighty God | Witnesses for Christ of the Last Days (The Twenty Truths of Bearing Witness to God)

Question 10: You testify that Almighty God expresses the truth and does His work of judgment of the last days. I think that our belief in the Lord Jesus and acceptance of the work of the Holy Spirit means that we have already experienced God’s work of judgment. Here are the words of the Lord Jesus as proof: “For if I go not away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (Jhn 16:7-8). We believe that, although the Lord Jesus’ work was the work of redemption, after He rose to heaven and on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended and worked on men: “… reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” It should be God’s work of judgment in the last days, so what I’d like to pursue is, what exactly are the differences between the work of judgment in the last days done by Almighty God and the work of the Lord Jesus?

Eastern Lightning | The Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven | Notions and Truths | Question 18

Question 18: You testify that in the last days God does His work of judgment in order to utterly purify and save man, but after reading the words expressed by Almighty God, I find that some of them condemn and curse man. If God condemns and curses man, isn’t man then to suffer punishment? And how can you still say that this kind of judgment purifies and saves mankind?

Answer:

God’s work of judgment in the last days is primarily in order to make a group of overcomers, a group of people who are of the same mind with God. This is what God preordained during the creation of the world. You could say that God has already created a group of overcomers, that they have been perfected through God’s judgment and chastisement, that they have come out of the tribulations of the cruel persecution of the Chinese Communist Party. It is a fact that God has already done this, no one can deny it. Some people say that some of God’s words are words that condemn and curse man, and they give rise to conceptions. This is absurd.

Eastern Lightning | God’s Judgment in the Last Days Makes the Overcomers Before the Disaster

God’s Judgment in the Last Days Makes the Overcomers Before the Disaster

Now Almighty God is still looking forward to the return of all believers in Jesus, and patiently waiting for all those who sincerely believe in God to come back. Almighty God says: “If people remain in the Age of Grace, then they shall never be free of their corrupt disposition, let alone know the inherent disposition of God. If people always live among an abundance of grace but are without the way of life that allows them to know God and satisfy God, then they shall never truly gain Him though they believe in Him.

Eastern Lightning | The Chinese Communist Party Sees Christ as a Regular Person. Where Is Their Mistake?

The Chinese Communist Party Sees Christ as a Regular Person. Where Is Their Mistake?

Zheng Weiguo (Minister of a municipal United Front Work Department): You witness that both Jesus and Almighty God are Christ, the first and the last Christ. Our CCP does not recognize it. In The Internationale, it clearly said, “There has never been any savior of the world.” You insist on witnessing the advent of Christ the Savior. How can the CCP not condemn you? In our opinion, the Jesus whom Christians believe in was an ordinary man. He was even nailed on the cross. Even Judaism did not recognize Him as Christ.

Eastern Lightning | The Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven | Notions and Truths | Question 10

Question 10：There are some people who go by the Lord Jesus’ word: “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (Jhn 16:8). They believe that after the Lord Jesus rose to heaven and on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended and worked on men. It should be God’s work of judgment. Then what exactly are the differences between the work of judgment in the last days done by Almighty God and the work of the Lord Jesus?

Since you acknowledge that what the Lord Jesus did was redemptive work, and He brought to us the way of repentance, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” then what is the basis for you to determine that the Holy Spirit did the work of judgment of the last days when He came at Pentecost? You merely based on what the Lord Jesus said, “for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment …” (Jhn 16:7-8), and dared to determine that the Holy Spirit had come to do the work of judgment in the last days. Is there any basis in the word of God? Had the Lord Jesus ever said, “The Holy Spirit has come to do the work of judgment in the last days”? The Lord Jesus had never said this. The Lord Jesus clearly said, “And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejects me, and receives not my words, has one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (Jhn 12:47-48). The message of the Lord Jesus is very clear that judgment is not His work. When the Lord Jesus returns in the last days, He will then express the truth to do the work of judgment. To be sure, it is wrong for us to refer the work of the Holy Spirit in the Age of Grace as God’s judgment work. Naturally, it requires the moving, enlightenment, and illumination of the Holy Spirit for us to attain true confession and repentance of sins. However, confessing and repenting before the Lord in bitter tears, it is the result of the Holy Spirit’s work, which is entirely different from God’s work of judgment in the last days. Let us read two passages of Almighty God’s words, and we will understand what judgment really means.

Almighty God says, “When it comes to the word ‘judgment,’ you will think of the words that Jehovah spoke to all the places and the words of rebuke that Jesus spoke to the Pharisees. Though these words are stern, they are not God’s judgment of man; these words are only those spoken by God within different environments, that is, different settings, and they are unlike the words spoken by Christ as He judges man in the last days. In the last days, Christ uses a variety of truths to teach man, reveal the essence of man, and dissect his words and deeds. These words comprise various truths, such as man’s duty, how man should obey God, how man should be loyal to God, how man ought to live out the normal humanity, as well as the wisdom and disposition of God, and so on. These words are all focused on the essence of man and his corrupt disposition. In particular, those words that reveal how man spurns God are spoken in regard to how man is an embodiment of Satan and an enemy force against God. When God does the work of judgment, He does not simply make clear the nature of man with just a few words, but carries out revelation, dealing, and pruning over the long term. Such manner of revelation, dealing, and pruning cannot be substituted with ordinary words but with the truth that man does not possess at all. Only such manner of work is deemed judgment; only through such judgment can man be persuaded, be thoroughly convinced into submission to God, and gain true knowledge of God. What the work of judgment brings about is man’s understanding of the true face of God and the truth about his rebelliousness. The work of judgment allows man to gain much understanding of the will of God, of the purpose of God’s work, and of the mysteries that could not be understood by man. It also allows man to recognize and know his corrupt substance and the roots of his corruption, as well as to discover the ugliness of man. These effects are all brought about by the work of judgment, for the substance of such work is actually the work of opening up the truth, way, and life of God to all those who have faith in Him. This work is the work of judgment done by God.”

                                   from “Christ Does the Work of Judgment With the Truth” in The Word Appears in the Flesh

“The work of judgment is God’s own work, so it must naturally be done by God Himself; it cannot be done by man in His stead. Because judgment is the conquering of man through the truth, it is unquestionable that God still appears as the incarnate image to do this work among men. That is to say, in the last days, Christ shall use the truth to teach men around the earth and to make all truths known to them. This is God’s work of judgment.”

                                    from “Christ Does the Work of Judgment With the Truth” in The Word Appears in the Flesh

How do you feel after reading the word of Almighty God? God’s judgment work is a mystery, and no one could discern it without His revelation. Isn’t it true? Almighty God has elucidated clearly what judgment is and the effects achievable by the work of judgment. After listening to the word of Almighty God, does everyone understand more about God’s judgment work in the last days? In the last days, the judgment work of God is to thoroughly cleanse and save mankind. God will not just say a few reproaching and imprecatory words to people. Nor can a few passages of words suffice to free us from the binding of sin and allow us to receive cleansing and salvation of God. God speaks enough words to express all aspects of truths that mankind should understand and enter for purification and salvation, and open up to mankind all the mysteries of God’s management plan. The number of words is hundreds, even thousands, of times more than those expressed by the Lord Jesus in the Age of Grace. The focus of God’s judgment work in the last days is expression of the truth and words of judgment on man. By judging and revealing our satanic nature in resisting and betraying God, as well as the essence and truth of our being corrupted by Satan, the holy, righteous, and unoffendable disposition of God is revealed. All aspects of the truth about God’s intention and requirements on mankind, about who will be saved and who will be punished, and so on, are told to us. Experiencing God’s judgment work in the last days, we will be able to understand the purpose of God’s management plan. We will be able to distinguish positive things from negative ones. We will be able to see the demonic face of Satan’s mad resistance to God, discern the substance and truth of our being utterly corrupted by Satan, and recognize our satanic nature that resists and betrays God. When we gain some true understanding about God’s righteous disposition, God’s almightiness and wisdom, about what God has and is, we will develop a fearful heart for God. We will prostrate in abject shame and feel that we are not fit to live before God. We will hate ourselves in our hearts, rebel against ourselves, and gradually break away from the binding of sin to live like a real man, becoming a person who truly fears and obeys God. This is the result of having experienced God’s judgment work in the last days. Only this kind of work is God’s judgment work in the last days. Does everyone understand that?

Let us then look at the Age of Grace. What the Lord Jesus did was the work of redemption, and what He preached was the way of repentance. He only showed the merciful and compassionate side of God’s disposition to us. Although the Lord Jesus had also said some words of judgment, condemnation, and imprecation against the Pharisees, His work was only the work of redemption which was centered upon forgiveness of sins, teaching of repentance, mercy on man, and bestowal of grace. It was not the kind of work that focused on judging and cleansing the sins of man. So the work of the Lord Jesus only revolved around the work of redemption and He expressed limited words on teaching us how to repent and admit our sin, how to be humble and patient, how to be baptized, and how to bear the cross and suffer, etc. We only needed to follow the Lord’s word to admit our sins and repent when we believed in the Lord. Then our sins would be forgiven, and we would not be convicted and executed by the law. We would be qualified to pray to God and enjoy the grace and blessings of God. This was the result of God’s redemption work in the Age of Grace, which was utterly different than the result of His judgment work in the last days. However, some people believe that by experiencing the Holy Spirit’s work in the Age of Grace, receiving His enlightenment, reproach and discipline, praying and admitting sin in bitter tears, and doing some good deeds, it is the experience of God’s judgment and cleansing. If that is the case, then do you know the roots of your sins? Do you know the essence of your satanic nature that resists God, the truth about mankind’s utter corruption, and Satan’s evil essence? Do you know about God’s righteous, majestic and unoffendable disposition? Have you really broken away from the bondage and control of sin? Have you cleansed yourselves of satanic disposition and become reverent and obedient to God? If you haven’t accomplished these, how can you speak of having experienced God’s judgment and cleansing? Does everyone understand the communication this way? The work that the Lord Jesus did in the Age of Grace was not judgment work. Only the work of Almighty God in the Age of Kingdom is the judgment work of God in the last days.

from Answers to Screenplay Questions

Eastern Lightning | What is the consequence of someone who believes in God in religion and suffers the confusion and control of the Pharisees and antichrists? Can one be saved by God if they believe in God this way?

What is the consequence of someone who believes in God in religion and suffers the confusion and control of the Pharisees and antichrists? Can one be saved by God if they believe in God this way?

Bible Verses for Reference:

“They be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Mat 15:14).

“For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed” (Isa 9:16).

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…. As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame. They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity. And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings” (Hos 4:6-9).

Eastern Lightning | The Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven | Notions and Truths | Question 7

Question 7：God used Moses to do the work of the Age of Law, so why doesn’t God use people to do His work of judgment in the last days, but instead He must needs become flesh to do it Himself?

The Church of Almighty God | God's Work

Answer:

Why it is that God must become flesh to do the work of judgment in the last days is a question with which many who thirst for truth and search for God’s appearance are chiefly concerned. It is also a question that relates to whether we can be raptured into the kingdom of heaven. So, it is very important to understand this aspect of the truth. Why is it that God has to incarnate Himself to do His work of judgment in the last days instead of using man to do His work? This is determined by the nature of the work of judgment. Because the work of judgment is God’s expression of the truth and expression of His righteous disposition to conquer, purify, and save mankind. Let’s read a passage from Almighty God’s word.

Eastern Lightning | Why did the Lord Jesus curse the Pharisees? What exactly is the essence of the Pharisees?

Why did the Lord Jesus curse the Pharisees? What exactly is the essence of the Pharisees?

Why did the Lord Jesus curse the Pharisees? 

Bible Verses for Reference:

“Why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honor your father and mother: and, He that curses father or mother, let him die the death. But you say, Whoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatever you might be profited by me; And honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have you made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. You hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draws near to me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Mat 15:3-9).

Eastern Lightning | The Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven | Notions and Truths | Question 5

Question 5: The religious pastors and elders often preach to believers that any preaching that says the Lord has come in the flesh is false. They base this on the Bible verses: “Then if any man shall say to you, See, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Mat 24:23-24). We now have no idea how we should discern the true Christ from false ones, so please answer this question.

Answer:

The Lord Jesus did indeed foretell that there would be false Christs and false prophets in the last days. This is a fact. But the Lord Jesus also clearly prophesied many times that He would come back. Don’t we believe this? When examining the prophecies of the Lord Jesus’ return, many people give priority to being wary of false Christs and false prophets, and spare no thought to how to welcome the arrival of the Bridegroom, and how to hear the voice of the Bridegroom. What’s the issue here? Isn’t it a case of not eating for fear of choking, of being penny-wise and pound-foolish?

Eastern Lightning | The Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven | Notions and Truths |Question 4

Question 4：You say that the Lord Jesus has returned, so why haven’t we seen Him? Seeing is believing. If we haven’t seen Him, then that must mean He hasn’t returned yet; I will believe it when I see Him. You say that the Lord Jesus has returned, so where is He now? What work is He doing? What words has the Lord spoken? I will believe it when you testify clearly to these things.

Answer:

“The Lord Jesus has returned to the flesh”: this good news has already spread across the Chinese mainland. The name of Christ of the last days Almighty God has spread to every home in China, reached every household. Everybody knows. Now it spreads around the world, openly testifying that Almighty God is the second coming of the Savior, the one true God appearing to men. The truth that is issued by Almighty God faces the searching examination of all of humanity. This has become an open fact! But some brothers and sisters, since they have not seen God incarnate with their own eyes, still hesitate. They say, “If we haven’t seen Him then the Lord has not come back. If I could see Him I would believe.” People who can maintain such a viewpoint, such a perspective, mainly do not have a clear path toward knowing God incarnate, and do not know how they should search for the appearance of God, how to follow God’s footsteps. It does not hurt to recall why we first started believing in the Lord Jesus.