Church of God News

Artist impression of constellation ‘Virgo’ A.D. 1000

COGwriter

While on the radio Monday, I was asked what I thought about the theory that the world would end or something of biblical importance was related to a constellation on September 23rd of this year. And while something of importance could happen on that date, the two main theories tying this in with biblical prophecy and Revelation 12 are wrong.

Notice the following:

‘Researcher’ says this Saturday will be the end of the world

September 20, 2017

If you had big plans this weekend, David Meade regrets to inform you that the world will be ending Saturday.

Meade, a Christian numerologist and self-described “researcher,” says Sept. 23 is foretold in the Bible’s Book of Revelation as the day a series of catastrophic events will begin, and as a result, “a major part of the world will not be the same,” …

The Bible prophecies a woman “clothed with the sun” and a “crown of 12 stars” giving birth to a boy who will “rule all the nations” while she fights off a seven-headed dragon. The woman, Meade says, is the constellation Virgo, which on Saturday will be positioned under nine stars and three planets, per Popular Mechanics.

The baby boy will be the planet Jupiter, which will be moving out of Virgo on that night.

According to Meade, who says he studied astronomy at an unspecified university in Kentucky, the great change in our world will be the result of the arrival of Nibiru, a planet famous in conspiracy circles but which astronomers say doesn’t exist. http://wqad.com/2017/09/20/researcher-says-this-saturday-will-be-the-end-of-the-world/

No, the world will not end on Sept. 23

A new theory making the rounds on the internet seems to claim that the world will end this Saturday. A self-proclaimed Christian researcher man named David Meade, and a Christian website, Unsealed, are both counting down to Sept. 23, leading many to think it is the date for the end of the world. Spoiler alert: it’s not.

Meade, who wrote a book called “Planet X — The 2017 Arrival,” thinks that a “secret” planet called Nibiru, or Planet X, will crash — or near miss — into Earth, causing catastrophic destruction. …

Linked with Meade’s theory is a video from Christian website Unsealed, which says that a prophesied sign from the book of Revelations will occur on Sept. 23.

The video, called “September 23, 2017: You Need to See This,” illustrates quotes from chapter 12 of Revelations regarding a prophesied sign of a pregnant woman “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.”

The video explains that the woman is the constellation Virgo, which will lie between the sun and the moon, the 12 stars represent nearby constellations, and the baby to be born is the planet Jupiter, which will move out of Virgo.

Then the video features a clip of a rapture scene, with people being sucked up to the sky and their {c}lothes left behind, before ending with “no one knows with certainty the day or hour, but faithful servants are watchful.” It has received over 2 million views and initially seemed to imply that the rapture would indeed occur on the 23rd.09/18/17 http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/no-world-not-september-23-article-1.3504874

Though I have denounced David Meade and others on this in the past (watch Planet Nibiru to Destroy Earth by 2017?), I did not watch the aforementioned video.

Why?

Because it is NOT possible for Jesus to return so soon, nor is a change in a constellation one of the signs Jesus pointed to related to His return.

Of course, Planet Nibiru destruction or trying to tie things in with Revelation 12 is not a new idea. I have regularly denounced the Planet Nibiru destruction and Revelation 12 claims in the past (e.g. More predictions that planet ‘Nibiru’ will destroy the Earth this year and BibleNewsProphecy: Planet Nibiru to Destroy Earth by 2017?).

But even World Net Daily has been promoting some of this September 23rd nonsense:

9/23/17: More ominous, ‘biblical’ signs in the sky

According to BeliefNet.com, “Gary Ray, who writes for Unsealed, believes that the end is coming. But the {August 21, 2017} … eclipse is another astronomical sign the end is near and that the Rapture is fast approaching. He told the Washington Post that the image will be created in the sky on Sept. 23. He explained that Virgo represents the woman in Revelations 12 who will be clothed in sunlight. She will be in position over the moon and under the nine stars and three planets. Ray said that image will be created in the sky on Sept. 23.” … Ray, the Post wrote, “thinks the two eclipses that are slated to travel across the United States in 2017 and 2024, together marking an X across the nation, could be the starting and ending signs bookmarking a seven-year period of awful tribulations that Revelations says waits in store for nonbelievers who are left behind on Earth when the Rapture occurs. http://heavy.com/news/2017/08/solar-eclipse-end-of-the-world-bible-prophecies-september-23-sept-revelations-12-predictions/

The ‘tribulation’ did not begin on August 21, 2017 and Gary Ray’s ‘rapture’ logic is in error.

Sadly, various ones bring their false understanding of biblical prophecy into their astronomical theories as David Meade, Mark Biltz, and Gary Ray have.

Various ones also brought in the solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 as biblical– I denounced this saying it was not a harbinger from God as David Meade, Gary Ray, and Mark Biltz have indicated, but simply as a natural phenomena (watch Solar Eclipse and the Apocalypse).

The problem that these Protestant prophecy prognosticators have is that they overlook the sequence of events that Jesus laid out as recorded by the gospel writer Matthew (for more details, see also When Will the Great Tribulation Begin?).

In the case of Mark Biltz, he has repeatedly and improperly pointed to Luke 21:25. So, let’s look at it and the sequence that JESUS gave:

20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21:20-27)

So, the Bible says that AFTER Jerusalem is trampled by armies during the times of the Gentiles, there will be various signs in the heavens. Hence, once again Mark Biltz is pointing to a prophecy out of sequence. Would you like to see more proof? Let’s notice the account in Matthew’s gospel from Jesus:

29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:29-30)

So, we see that it is AFTER the great tribulation (Matthew 24:21) that we see the signs in the heaven–and Jesus also comes after that. Not before. Not now. Not September 23, 2017.

While hurricanes are consistent with Jesus’ words about “troubles” (Mark 13:8) prior to the start of the great tribulation (watch also Hurricanes and Prophecy), a view of a constellation on September 23rd is not consistent with Luke 21:25.

Because Mark Biltz and others have falsely claimed that God is sending a message through natural phenomena, they are turning people off Bible prophecy.

The Feast of Trumpets is already on much of the world now (it begins at sunset today)–people need to heed the REAL trumpet warnings (watch Seven Trumpets: Jesus Returns) and not the false warnings many seem to be attached to.

The following prophecy from the Apostle Peter applies not only to people who claim to be in the COG (David Pack, Ron Weinland, and Gerald Flurry come to mind), but also to those like David Meade, Gary Ray, and Mark Biltz:

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. (2 Peter 2:1-3)

The false prognosticators cause the Christian way to be blasphemed, even though (in my view) none of those I have specifically named are real Christians. As far as the truth being blasphemed, consider the following from the Washington Post:

The world as we know it is about to end — again — if you believe this biblical doomsday claim

And that, according to David Meade, is in six days — Sept. 23, 2017. Unsealed, an evangelical Christian publication, foretells the Rapture in a viral, four-minute YouTube video, complete with special effects and ominous doomsday soundtrack. It’s called “September 23, 2017: You Need to See This.”

Why Sept. 23, 2017?

Meade’s prediction is based largely on verses and numerical codes in the Bible. He has homed in one number: 33.

“Jesus lived for 33 years. The name Elohim, which is the name of God to the Jews, was mentioned 33 times [in the Bible],” Meade told The Washington Post. “It’s a very biblically significant, numerologically significant number. I’m talking astronomy. I’m talking the Bible … and merging the two.”

And Sept. 23 is 33 days since the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse, which Meade believes is an omen.

He points to the Book of Revelation, which he said describes the image that will appear in the sky on that day, when Nibiru is supposed to rear its ugly head, eventually bringing fire, storms and other types of destruction. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/09/17/the-world-as-we-know-it-is-about-to-end-again-if-you-believe-this-biblical-doomsday-claim/?utm_term=.c0c9b9c78902

But contrary to the headline, it is NOT a biblical claim. It is simply not biblically possible–yet false prognosticators often attempt to link their nonsense in with scripture. This turns people off on prophecy and the Bible.

No wonder Peter was also inspired to write:

3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; (2 Peter 3:3-15)

False prophecies have turned people away from believing that biblical prophecies are relevant.

Why bother to post about the ‘Nibiru’ and September 23rd predictions?

Because there are many false and heretical leaders that lead people astray on prophecy. Sometimes they mention the Bible to try to act like God sanctions their nonsense. And it is not just the secular fringe people, but also those who claim to be Christian or even in the Church of God.

The Sardis and Laodicean Church of God groups, despite a few claiming to have prophets, do not understand prophecy, the work, enough of the truth, etc., and that is part of why they will have to go through the Great Tribulation. CG7, a group believed to somewhat represent Sardis, takes a preterist view that basically most end time prophecies were fulfilled long ago and are for the past. The Laodiceans have so many prophetic misunderstandings, that unless they repent and change (Revelation 3), they will not possibly know when the Great Tribulation will start until it is too late.

The various other COGs hold to one or more improper prophetic opinions that differ from that of the Continuing Church of God. A list of three dozen or so of them can be found in the article The Laodicean Church Era. Because of this, unless they change, those outside of the Continuing Church of God will not know when the Great Tribulation will begin until it is too late to flee (cf. Matthew 24:15-20; Revelation 12:14-17). The Apostle John recorded that there would be two groups of Christians at the end and that one would flee and be protected from the Great Tribulation (Revelation 12:14-16), while the other would not be (Revelation 12:17). ‘Independents’ would also be part of that latter group that will not know when to flee, unless they change and heed what the Bible teaches (watch Zephaniah’s ‘Gather Together’ Prophecy).

We in the Continuing Church of God “have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19, KJV).”

Thus, you can be certain that “Planet Nibiru” will NOT destroy the Earth this month, next month, or next year. Nor can there be a ‘rapture’ this Saturday (see also Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected?).

We made a video about Planet Nibiru before, which is also available: Planet Nibiru to Destroy Earth by 2017?

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Comets, Wormwood, and Planet Nibiru Will the Earth be devastated by Planet X or Comet Encke? What about Planet Nine? Here is a link to a related YouTube video Could Comet ISON be Wormwood of Bible Prophecy?
Planet Nibiru to Destroy Earth by 2017? Some say NASA has identified Plant X, also called Planet Nine or Nibiru or even Planet 7X. One prophecy watcher has stated that this planet will destroy Planet Earth by January 1, 2017. Is this possible? While the Bible tells of a destructive power called ‘Wormwood’ will come from outer space to destroy much of the Earth in Revelation 8, can Wormwood hit by 2017? Dr. Thiel explains from the Bible why Wormwood could be a comet and why the Bible and not those who misinterpret it should be trusted. This is a video.
Blood Moons, Eclipses, and Prophecy There were four ‘blood moons’ expected in 2014 and 2015. Some claimed that they signaled the Day of the Lord or the return of Jesus Christ. I denounced that view in advance. A related YouTube video is also available: Blood Moons, Prophecy, 2014, and 2015.
Hurricanes and Prophecy Hurricane Harvey dropped the greatest amount of rainfall in any USA storm. Hurricane Irma was the strongest hurricane ever in the Atlantic. Hurricane Irma wiped out most of the island of Barbuda, caused a million to lose power in Puerto Rico, devastated St. Martin’s, hit Cuba, and hit Florida. A news headline stated ” ‘Nature’s gone crazy’: Winds, fire, floods and quakes plague North America.” Is there any tie to prophecy? Are heavy winds and rains discussed in the Bible? Any ties to homosexuality and other forms of immorality? What about Donald Trump and Jennifer Lawrence? Does God control the weather? What does God want people to do? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more. This is a video.
The Times of the Gentiles Has there been more than one time of the Gentiles? Are we in it now or in the time of Anglo-America? What will the final time of the Gentiles be like? A related sermon is available and is titled: The Times of the Gentiles.
Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected? What does the Bible really teach? Does the Church flee or is it taken up just prior to the great tribulation? Who really is left behind? There is also a YouTube video with information Did Jesus Teach a Pre-tribulation Rapture?
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Near Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory. There is also a video on the subject: Might Petra be the Place of Safety?  Here is something related in the Spanish language: Hay un lugar de seguridad para los Filadelfinos. ¿Puede ser Petra?
The Dangerous Rise of Preterists Has the Great Tribulation finished? What was the view of early Christians? Why is the preterist view dangerous?
Zephaniah’s ‘Gather Together’ Prophecy Is it safe to be ‘independent’ or in a non-Philadelphin Church of God? What did God inspire Zephaniah to write?
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, and COG-7th Day.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots. They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent.
Laodicean Warning for God’s People Is there really a place of safety? Do God’s people need to be warned? Warned for what?
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 teaches “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come ” will be fulfilled and RCG is not the group doing this. Who is leading the final phase of the work? What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets? Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set? What is the proof? What has the Continuing Church of God been doing? This is a sermonette length video.
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them. Here is a related article in the Spanish language ¿Por qué estar preocupado acerca de falsos y heréticos líderes?
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?
Who Are The Two Witnesses? What is their job? What does the Bible reveal? What has the Church of God taught on this subject? Might even Roman Catholic prophecies give some clues here?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2017, 2018, or 2019? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2016 o 2017? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter video is: Will the Great Tribulation Start in 2017?

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 20th, 2017 at 3:00 pm and is filed under Prophecy.

• World did not end & Christians were not raptured, but might the world be different in October?
• World to end, great tribulation to start, and Christians to be raptured October 15-21, 2017?
• WND: 9/23/17: More ominous, ‘biblical’ signs in the sky
• Doomsayers: Planet Nibiru to destroy Planet Earth in four weeks
• WND: Stunner! Eclipse aligns with biblical day of repentance
• Mark Biltz on the approaching Asteroid Apophis and the August 21, 2017 solar eclipse
• Planet X to allegedly destroy the Earth April 23rd; some Protestants look to be ‘raptured’ away
• ‘Super Blood Moon’ expected next week: Mark Biltz claims prophetic ramifications
• False prophecies: Planet X to destroy the Earth today and Jesus to return in 2018
• BibleNewsProphecy: Could Comet ISON be Wormwood of Bible Prophecy?