Church of God News

Demonstrators trampled and burned a European Union flag at one point, while a banner added to the anti-EU theme with the slogan “EU macht frei” (“Work makes you free” in German), a reference to the slogan over the gates at Auschwitz, according to the Telegraph.

Poland’s outgoing centrist government has agreed to accept about 7,000 refugees from Syria and Eritrea, a plan that has angered many Poles.

Germany, by contrast is accepting at least 1 million migrants from Syria and other countries in the Middle East and Africa. France has agreed to take 22,000, Britain 20,000 and Spain 17,000. Sweden has taken in more than 40,000 Middle Eastern refugees this year and Greece 88,000, according to Inquisitr.com.

In the wake of the migrant crisis, Poland’s anti-migrant Law and Justice party won in a landslide election Oct. 25. A new government will be sworn in within days. …

Some, such as American author Pamela Geller, have speculated Europe could be on the brink of civil war if the migrant crisis continues unabated and European politicians continue to hang out the “welcome” banner in face of growing opposition from their own people. http://www.wnd.com/2015/11/eu-flag-burned-as-thousands-protest-migrants/#1BPcLMuHRBIqGp3O.99

I have been warning for years at this news page that civil war may come to Europe.  Now, WND (World News Daily) and others are reporting the possibility.  Notice something from the EU Observer from earlier this week:

The migration crisis facing Europe could lead to the collapse of the European Union and even to war, the bloc’s longest-running foreign minister said in an interview published Monday (9 November).

Jean Asselborn, foreign minister of Luxembourg since 2004, told German press agency DPA that the core EU element of borderless travel, agreed in the Luxembourg city of Schengen in 1985, is under threat.

“We have maybe only several months time left [to save it],” he said.

“The European Union can break apart. That can happen incredibly fast, when isolation instead of solidarity, both inwards and outwards, becomes the rule.”

Asselborn is not the first European politician to warn of a break-up.

Slovenian prime minister Miro Cerar said last month he believed the EU would “fall apart” if no solution is found to slow down the influx of refugees and migrants. https://euobserver.com/migration/131019

Related to the European migrant crisis, LCG sent out the following today in its Tomorrow’s World News & Prophecy e-zine:

November 13, 2015

The migration crisis, according to the Foreign Minister of Luxemburg, Jean Asselborn, “could lead to the collapse of the European Union and even to war” (EU Observer, November 9, 2015). His concern is that Europe may have “only several months time left” before a collapse of the European Union which he believes “can break apart” (ibid.). Since Luxembourg currently holds the “six-month rotating presidency of EU” and counts itself “among the bloc’s six founding states, its words carry extra weight” (ibid.). France, which used to be the leading nation in Europe on foreign affairs and diplomacy, has little to no answers, and struggles to cope with the lack of influence it now holds as it is sidelined by a resurgent Germany (The Economist, November 7, 2015).

The confusion in Europe should be no surprise to individuals following Tomorrow’s World. Bible prophecies foretold these developments thousands of years ago. Explaining the final empire of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the prophet Daniel said, “Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided… And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile” (Daniel 2:41-42). This end-time European power will have links to the ancient Roman Empire. If a EU break-up does occur soon, watch for a smaller group of nations to emerge (possibly 10) that will form a close alliance with the Catholic Church (see Revelation 17).

Actually, because of its twists and changes in its own teachings, those who are following Tomorrow’s World will likely be confused about this. Unless LCG changes in several ways, I do not believe that LCG will know when Revelation 17:12-13 is being fulfilled or when the Great Tribulation will start, until it is too late.

LCG, via Tomorrow’s World, has taught that the EU would break up and that a ‘core Europe’ (without nations like Luxembourg) of 10 nations (or 11 depending on the LCG statement) would be the only ones supporting the final Beast power. At least now LCG only says that it is “possibly 10” nations instead of insisting like it has in the past.

Notice, for example, the following from LCG’s Tomorrow’s World in 2014:

In recent years, as the EU grew to 27 members, skeptics criticized the biblical idea that ten nations would form the nucleus of a final Beast power in Europe (Daniel 2:41-43). However, the Bible clearly states that at the time of the end, “ten kings… will give their power and authority to the beast” (Revelation 17:12-13). If this Beast is led by a particular nation (e.g., Germany), then the total number involved could well be 11! While it is not yet clear which nations will make up the final Beast power prophesied by Daniel and the Apostle John, world events indicate that a group of 10 or 11 nations coalescing to form the final Beast power is not far-fetched, fictional, or even a far-off idea-it is a soon-coming reality! (TW News & Prophecy, May 16, 2014)

Bible prophecy reveals that the final leader of the end-time European Beast power will be an influential person who is both self-confident and arrogant (Daniel 11:36-39). This charismatic leader will lead ten nations who give their “power and authority” over to him (Revelation 17:12-13). (A Young Face Among Old European Leaders. TW News & Prophecy, July 11, 2014)

Despite its confusing/contradictory messages, it is good that LCG is no longer publicly insisting on 10 or 11 nations like it did before. Yet, the fact that LCG is still apparently focused on the 10 nation possibility, in my view, shows that unless certain matters change there, it will not known when the Great Tribulation will start until it is too late.

For more information on Revelation 17:12-13 (including other LCG and other COG writings) can be found in the article Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?

As far as Europe goes, at this news page, I first reported that we may see civil unrest in Europe on November 3, 2007.   And back in September 2010, I posted:

Furthermore, it may partially because of civil war/unrest/riots that a de-Islamization of Europe will take place.  The situation in Europe will change and the leader known biblically as the ten-horned Beast or the final King of the North will rise up. (Thiel B. Civil War in Greece? September 5, 2010)

Now France is apparently taking the steps it has related to Al-Qaeda, burqas, and Romanian gypsies for reasons of safety, economics, and culture.  But its positions often incite opposition.  It may be that enough opposition will rise up and cause civil unrest and possibly civil war in France. (Thiel B. Civil Unrest in France? September 12, 2010)

As well later in December 2010 (see Civil Unrest in Greece (and it was predicted) where my warning included Poland.

Civil unrest in Europe is expected. Places such as France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Eastern Europe have potential for this occurrence. In addition to austerity measures, Islamic protests and immigration related issues will also likely be factors in flaming protests and devastating riots. Expanded civil unrest will have major impacts on the euro and on Europe itself.

We are seeing Islamic immigration issues raising concerns throughout Europe, and this is not done yet.

Civil unrest and/or civil war will erupt in Europe. Places such as France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Greece, and Eastern Europe (like Slovenia, Croatia, Moldova, and Bulgaria) have potential for this occurrence. In addition to Islamic protests and immigration related issues, trade and austerity will also likely be factors in flaming protests and devastating riots.

Europe will likely lose the UK and perhaps some other nations, but others still want to join it.  While borders may be redrawn into ten regions/kingdoms, I do not expect that the final Beast will be composed of only ten currently existing nations.  Those that teach that (PCG also comes to mind) may not realize what is rising in Europe until it is too late.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
Ten clues tying Belgium and Luxembourg with the tribe of Asher Who did some in Belgium and Luxembourg descend from?
Ten clues tying Zebulun with the Dutch Who did some in the Netherlands descend from? Here is a link to information about doctrine in the Dutch language Verklaring van geloofspunten van de Continuing Church of God.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people?
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the former German Defense Minister (who is also the former German Minister for Economics and Technology) one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
WTO/TTIP and the Babylonian Beast Will international trade agreements like WTO/TTIP/CETA lead to the fulfillment of end time prophecies concerning the Babylonian Beast power that the Book of Revelation warns against? What does the Bible teach? A related video would be WTO Trade Deal and the Rise of the European Beast Power.
Satan’s Plan Does Satan have a plan? What is it? Has it already been successful? Will it be successful in the future? Here are links to a two-part sermon series: What are Some of the Parts of Satan’s Plan? and Satan’s Plan is More Dramatic than Many Realize.
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
The ‘Lost Tribe’ of Reuben: France in Prophecy? What is the origin of this in France? What is prophesied to happen to them? A two-part sermon related to history and prophecy is available online: The ‘Lost Tribe’ of Reuben and France and Prophecy.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? The Book of Revelation tells of a beast power that will rise up. Some think that this must be Russia or could be Islamic, while others say that this power is European. The Book of Daniel tells of the rise of an end time King of the North that some think must be referring to a Russian leader, while others say that this power is European. How can you be sure? This YouTube video has all the scriptural proofs that you should need to prove that this power must be a European one.
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer. There is also a YouTube video sermon you can watch: The Coming Persecution of the Church. Here is information in the Spanish language: Persecuciones de la Iglesia y el Estado.
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?