Church of God News

Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev: What Will the Russian President Do?

COGwriter

CNN just reported the following:

Russia to U.S.: Choose us or Georgia

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Russia pressed the United States on Wednesday to choose between “a real partnership” with Moscow or an “illusory” relationship with U.S. ally Georgia.

Washington said it’s sticking with Georgia…

Russia has likely moved additional troops into the disputed Georgian provinces and into Georgia proper over the past several days, several administration officials told CNN on Wednesday.

The officials said the United States now believes Russia may have 15,000 or more troops in the region. That would be an increase from the 8,000-10,000 the U.S. government estimated when the fighting began. A Bush administration official stressed that the scope of Russia’s military effort remains unclear.

Any violations of the cease-fire would call into question Russia’s “suitability” as an international partner, Rice told reporters before leaving on a diplomatic trip to Europe.

Bush administration officials told CNN the United States and its European allies were considering kicking Russia out of the G-8, the group of the world’s largest industrial economies, and other international organizations as punishment for its actions in Georgia.

Apparently the Russian President may have agreed to a cease-fire to build up troop levels.

There will be wars and rumors of wars–see that you are not troubled (Matthew 24).

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia? What will it do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
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”?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies 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?

Beijing After Rain                  Beijing on a Normal Sunny Day

COGwriter

Last night while my son Michael and I were watching some of the Olympics, NBC showed a photo of Beijing with its morning smog.

It did not look like a healthy place to have the Olympics.

And this is after China apparently closed something like 300 heavily polluting factories and has tried to reduce automobile driving by around 50% for the Olympics.

While it seems that China would like to show the world that it has made major economic progress (which it has), its air pollution is showcasing that it has other problems.

Actually, the air pollution problem in China is so bad, that according to a magazine article I read a couple of months ago, that if it continues increasing its air pollution as it has been, in a few years simply the amount of China’s air pollution that makes it all the way across the Pacific ocean will be enough pollution for the State of California to have unhealthy levels of PM10 (particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter) in its air–even if no human lived or contributed to air pollution in California.

Of course, if it can endanger the health of Californians, this means that this is not healthy for its own citizens.  Those who think that the 21st century will belong to China and not for a while to the Europeans are missing the fact that China has problems.  And while they could possibly fix them, thus far that is not apparent.

About a year and a half ago, LCG’s RC Meredith visited China and made this report:

…The Chinese people are very industrious and, on the surface, reasonably happy. But the poor air quality and the polluted water were obvious in the Chinese cities we visited. Especially in Beijing, the government is trying to put its “best face forward” in preparation for the 2008 Olympics. We found Beijing to be more pleasant than Shanghai, however, because there was a little less air pollution and somewhat less crowded conditions…

the tremendous pollution of the water, air and foodstuffs may bring about massive disease epidemics and other problems for the Chinese…

After seeing these various nations and seeing “God’s hand” in world affairs, I am impressed more than ever to pray fervently, “Thy Kingdom come!” (Meredith R.C. An Inspiring and Successful Trip. Living Church News. May-June 2007, p. 21).

You will notice that Dr. Meredith reported that even well before the Olympics, Beijing was less polluted than Shanghai–which means that Shanghai and other parts of China truly have tremendous pollution problems (and not just air pollution, water and land pollution are also significant problems there).

While China hopes to show itself as a major power in the world by hosting the Olympics and winning a lot of Olympic medals, the fact is that unless it figures out how to reduce its air pollution, its citizens will  have health problems that even its new found wealth will not be able to fix.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for China? Is it a “King of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where?

Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev

COGwriter

The following news item was of interest:

As I posted about this a few days ago (in ICG, Wars, and Rumors of Wars), Jesus said that there would be wars and we are not to be troubled.

The Georgia situation has been partially credited in reversing the downfall of the US dollar as the following shows (though with the announcement by the Russian president, this may reverse soon):

As I have long been reporting, there will be ups and downs with the US dollar, but its long-term trend is down. The 6,000 plan for humankind is almost up and the Great Tribulation will most likely begin next decade with the destruction of the US and its Anglo allies.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans and the Hindu Indians (who were not even on the same continent). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia? What will it do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
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”?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies 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?

Large Display of the Ten Commandments in Arkansas, 1998

The summer 2008 edition of CGI’s International News has the following in an article from its Mike Nolen titled Was Christ the “End” of the Law?:

Most suppose our Savior came to put an end to the law, and the passage typically quoted in support of this belief is Romans 10:4, which reads: “For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Am I to understand that the One who said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law” is taught by the Apostle Paul as the One whose coming abrogated the law as a way of righteousness, and therefore Christians are released from any obedience to the law? If the reader is not predisposed to entertain contradictions in the Word of God, then, let us endeavor to understand what Paul is actually saying. The controversy involves not the verse, but one word within the verse—“end.” The English word “end” typically invokes thoughts of cessation, or the point at which something is terminated. The word “end” in this passage translates from the Greek word telos, which has a variety of meanings. Not only can telos refer to the point at which a thing ceases, but it can also connote aim, outcome, purpose, and goal…

Before we address Paul’s objective, take notice of the following additional words by Paul regarding the law to the Roman church which, in context, contradict not Romans 10:4, but rather the antinomian termination view:

• “…For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified…” (Romans 2:13).
• “…Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid:yea, we establish the law” (Romans 3:31).
• “…Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just,and good” (Romans 7:12).

When we honestly study Paul’s analysis of the law, we find not abrogation of the law, but a clarification of the true intent of the law. In an effort to understand what Paul is saying in Romans 10:4, one must consider the broad context of Romans chapters 9–11, which primarily involves the rejection of Christ and a misunderstanding of the true purpose of the law by God’s people Israel. Instead of attaining righteousness by faith, Israel sought its own righteousness relying on obedience to law rather than recognizing God’s intention on their behalf through Jesus Christ (Romans 9:31–10:3)…

Paul presents Christ as the goal of the law Who offers righteousness to all believers and elaborates in verse 5 by quoting Leviticus 18:5, “whoever follows the way of righteousness taught by the Law shall live by it.” Paraphrasing Deuteronomy 30:12–14 in verses 6–8, Paul shows that achieving the righteousness required by the law in order to live (Leviticus 18:5) is not insurmountable, does not require extraordinary effort, like climbing to heaven to bring Christ down or descending into the abyss to raise Him up. This was Paul’s way of pointing out the Pharisees’ misinterpretation of the law, which created an impossible situation the Jews pursued via their own efforts. Question: Would God establish a law designed to be a yoke and bondage upon the people? The Apostle Peter did not believe so (Acts 15:10).

Jesus said, “… I have kept my Fathers commandments …” (John 15:10). He was the only human who was completely obedient to the law’s requirements (Philippians 2:8; Romans 10:5). During the Sermon on the Mount, He made the following enlightening statement, which has become a stumbling stone to many a prospective antinomian: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). The law of God has reached its fulfillment in Him. Jesus is the embodiment, the purpose, and the goal, of God’s holy righteous law. He was the object of all the promises, types, and sacrificial ceremonies (Hebrews 10:1–8). Paul understood this—thus his statement in Romans 10:4. Jesus and Paul were not incongruous. The righteousness required by the law is fulfilled through the Word, which is in the heart and in the mouth, in essence, by believing and confessing that Jesus is the Christ (Romans 10:8–10). Christ is not the end, but the goal of the law in the sense that without His presence in our lives, we are unable to live by the just requirements of the law.

Not only did Paul and Christ not do away with the ten commandments, perhaps Protestants (many of whom mistakenly believe that they are done away) should also consider what their leader, Martin Luther wrote on the subject of the ten commandments:

God threatens to punish all who break these commandments…Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him and gladly do what He commands” (Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, 1986, p.12).

The fruits of this sin are afterwards the evil deeds which are forbidden in the Ten Commandments…we hold that the Law was given by God, first, to restrain sin by threats and the dread of punishment, and by the promise and offer of grace and benefit (Luther Martin. The Smallclad Papers. 1537. Translated by F. Bente and W. H. T. Dau Published in: _Triglot Concordia: The Symbolical Books of the Ev. Lutheran Church_. (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921), pp. 453-529).

…teach them first of all these articles, namely the ten commandments…But as for those that will not learn, let them be told that they deny Christ and are no Christians…(Luther M. The Short Catechism, 1529. Cited in Bettenson H, ed., Documents of the Christian Church. London: Oxford University Press, 1943, p. 225).

So Martin Luther taught that those that will not learn, and apparently not try to keep, the ten commandments are not Christians–on that point he was correct.

However, whether they know them or not, most people throughout the world seem to live as if the Ten Commandments do not exist.

Several articles on the Ten Commandments include:

Were the Ten Commandments in Effect Before Mount Sinai? Some have said not. This article provides biblical quotes to answer this important question.
Job and the Ten Commandments Was Job written prior to Mount Sinai? Did Job know about the ten commandments? This article provides biblical answers to those questions.
What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments? This article quotes what Jesus actually said about them (His words are in red).
Were the Ten Commandments Nailed to the Cross? Some have said so. This article provides some biblical quotes to answer this important question.
What Did Paul Actually Teach About the Ten Commandments? Many say Paul taught against the ten commandments. Is this true? This article quotes Paul with his words in green.
Are the Ten Commandment Still in Effect? This article quotes the ten commandments and combines some of the previous articles into one article about the ten commandments. The commandments are shown at Mount Sinai, before Mount Sinai, in the teachings of Jesus, after the crucifixion, and in the teachings of Paul. It addresses the most common “traditions of men” regarding them as well.
Were the Pharisees Condemned for Keeping the Law or Reasoning Around it? Many believe that the Pharisees were condemned for keeping the law, but what does your Bible say? If they were not condemned for that, what were they condemned for?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.

VS.
Ronald Weinland Says His Books and His Interpretations of the Bible Are What He Wants Potential Supporters to Study. The COGwriter Site Instead Urges Those Interested in Him and End-Time Prophecies to Spend More Time Checking His Writings with the Bible.

COGwriter

In yesterday’s sermon, Ronald Weinland again continued on his 1 John topic.  While 1 John talks about love, commandments, and not being a liar, Ronald Weinland had a much different focus in the beginning.

Ronald Weinland told his audience (in Vancouver, Washington) that on Friday (August 8th) he wrote more about the “50th truth” (essentially he seems to believe he has expanded the 18 truths that Herbert W. Armstrong claimed God led him to restore to the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God) he came up with.

And what does his “50th truth” have to do with?  It is complaining about his critics who he tends to term as mockers and scoffers.

Ronald Weinland said, “I look forward to them being shut up..mockers will die” (he has called for the deaths of those that point out his false prophecies before–please see, for example, Ronald Weinland Again Calls for Death).

Ronald Weinland stated that the reason that there are many COG groups today is that they all want to make God in their image so they can pick and choose.  And while I agree with much of that (please see The Laodicean Church Era ), it needs to be pointed out that Ronald Weinland now denies the pre-existence of Christ and thus quite literally has made a Godhead in his own image that differs from that of the real COGs (please see Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God).

He also asked something to the effect of why do his critics pick on him and his little group and not others?  Ronald Weinland then said,

“We understand why, but they don’t”.

Well I do understand why I report about him and he still does not get it.

First, let me state that at the COGwriter website this year, I have denounced at least 6 individuals who claim to be prophets and 2 who claim to be apostles that also claim to be part of the Church of God (thus I am not just reporting about him and his group), though not the Living Church of God. (For additional specific reasons as to why I do this, please see the article Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders?)  I have essentially reported why they are false, what they predicted, and why their predictions would not come to pass (and for those that the dates past, I tended to post that as well).

Secondly, Ronald Weinland is just another self-appointed false prophet.  He stated on two or more radio interviews and one or more sermons of his that I listened to that if what he predicted for 2008 did not happen between April and July 2008 that he would publicly admit that he was a false prophet, AND no longer preach.

He instead of being a man of his word and not changing meaning or dates, he did–even though he said publicly in December 2007 that he would NOT do that.

So why report on Ronald Weinland?

Because even though he is reaching significantly less on the internet than he was a few months ago (please see Ronald Weinland Keeps Dropping), he still is getting many to look at (and some to pay attention to) his false message.

By pointing out certain aspects of his false teachings, hopefully less people will be misled by him.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up and that the end will come in 2008. Is he a false prophet? He has at least one other view that suggests that he is not part of the COG.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies 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 ofthe 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?
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?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–and Ronald Weinland is one of them–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.

COGwriter

Living University announced that registration is open NOW for the Fall of 2008:

Below is the tentative 2008 fall schedule of classes. WC = Web Centered Course Delivery. SCH = Semester Credit Hours.

Registration [August 11-12] • Late Registration (Add/Drop) [August 13-15]

Online Registration Instructions for All New Students Online Registration Instructions for All Returning Students

Click here for a PDF copy of the 2008 Fall Schedule of Classes

In its latest update, LCG announced:

Living University fall semester classes begin on Wednesday (August 13). At LU you can experience learning the way it was meant to be: enjoyable, meaningful, productive, fast and convenient. Take classes that fit your schedule. Registration is this coming Monday and Tuesday (August 11 and 12). Late Registration is Thursday through Friday. There is a charge for late registration, so please register right away. No registrations can be accepted after Friday.

Here is some good news: Online Orientation is now available on the university’s website. We encourage all new and returning students to participate in this online orientation program. It should take you about fifteen minutes. If you are a student, a person thinking about enrolling at LU, or one simply interested in learning more about the university, do not miss this online presentation. Visit the university website at www.livinguniv.com and select “Online Orientation.”

Also, please note that due to a website issue beyond our control, some of the applications for admissions to Living University may have been lost.  If you have not heard from the admissions office, please resubmit your application.  Registrations for specific classes have not been affected.

Living University is affiliated with the Living Church of God.

American and British Aircraft Carriers Are Used As Parts of Threats and Wars

COGwriter

Yesterday, the following was in the news:

2 US aircraft carriers headed for Gulf

Jerusalem Post – Aug 7, 2008

Two additional United States naval aircraft carriers are heading to the Gulf and the Red Sea, according to the Kuwaiti newspaper Kuwait Times…

Meanwhile, the Arabic news agency Moheet reported at the end of July that an unnamed American destroyer, accompanied by two Israeli naval vessels traveled through the Suez Canal from the Mediterranean. A week earlier, a US nuclear submarine accompanied by a destroyer and a supply ship moved into the Mediterranean, according to Moheet.

Currently there are two US naval battle groups operating in the Gulf: one is an aircraft carrier group, led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, which carries some 65 fighter aircraft. The other group is headed by the USS Peleliu which maintains a variety of planes and strike helicopters.

The ship movements coincide with the latest downturn in relations between Washington and Teheran. The US and Iran are at odds over Iran’s nuclear program, which the Bush administration claims is aimed at producing material for nuclear weapons…

Kuwait, like other Arab countries in the Gulf, fears it will be caught in the middle should the US decide to launch an air strike against Iran if negotiations fail…

The standoff between the US and Iran has left the Arab nations’ political leaders in something of a bind, as they were being used as pawns by Washington and Teheran, according to The Media Line analyst. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1218104233164&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull

In his update last night, ICG’s Mark Armstrong reported:

By now you know that a war is underway in the newly independent state of Georgia, a former possession of the Soviet Union. Georgia is a “staunch ally” of the United States, with two hundred of their own fighters contributing to coalition efforts in Iraq. Those troops are reportedly being called home as Russian fighter jets have begun bombing Georgian air basses in South Ossetia. Georgia’s leadership is accused of igniting the hostilities by attacking the breakaway province of South Ossetia, prompting the Russians to get involved. But they were already involved, since they had “peacekeepers” stationed in the province, reputedly supporting factions working against independent Georgia. The situation has a long history, and is complicated, as you can see.

Russia has shown irritation as eastern European provinces have independently established diplomatic relations with the U.S., and lined up to come under the NATO umbrella. The U.S. and Russia have seen relations grow increasingly chilly in recent years, lining up on opposite sides of Iran, Eastern Europe, and there has even been some chatter about the possibility of Russian nuclear equipped bombers using Cuban airfields. U.S./Russian relations seem to have drifted back to a type of Cold War standoff reminiscent of the pre-1989 fall of the Berlin Wall.

Iran remains the ultimate concern at the present time, despite some presidential campaign quips to the contrary. Iran’s potential for devastating the U.S.A. with an EMP attack has gained tremendous attention over the past couple of weeks, including discussion with John Bolton, former U.S. Ambassador to the UN on CNN Headline News. He gave the concern credence, as has the EMP Commission in its reports to Congress.

An Associated Press article yesterday ran with the headline, Israel Considering Military Strike on Iranian Nuclear Sites. It mentions that Israel has purchased ninety F-16’s that put Iran within range, and two Dolphin submarines from Germany, capable of firing nuclear warheads.

Other reports have a “massive armada” made up of American, British and French ships heading for the Persian Gulf to join the formidable carrier groups already stationed there. Those reports are a little sketchy at this time, and only featured on some lesser-known outlets. If the reports are accurate, they’ll be confirmed by the major wire services within a couple of days. The “war fever” we’ve pointed out is building.

Sounds like wars and rumors of war.

Jesus taught:

6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:6-8).

As I have been writing for most of this year, at most we are near the place that Jesus referred to as “the beginning of sorrows. The end is not yet–though it is getting closer.

Several documented articles of possibly related interest may include:

End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans and the Hindu Indians (who were not even on the same continent). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be 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.
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia? What will it do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies 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?

Union for the Mediterranean

Blue: Members of the European Union Union for the Mediterranean
Green: Other members (primarily from the African Union & Arab League)
Striped green: Libya is currently only an observer member in the Union for the Mediterranean

COGwriter

Two weeks ago, I posted information on the new Union for the Mediterranean (please see Deal Leading to Psalm 83?). The electronic version of UCG’s August issue of its World News & Prophecy came out today with an article by its Tom Robinson titled The Mediterranean Union: Another Roman Empire? where he wrote:

On July 13, leaders of 43 countries surrounding the Mediterranean (from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East) joined together in Paris, France, to launch a new regional union—the Mediterranean Union or, as it’s now officially called, the Union for the Mediterranean…

This was a dream come true for French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who championed the creation of the bloc upon assuming office just a little over a year before. Sarkozy chaired the meeting jointly with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak—the two serving as interim copresidents, as the union is to operate under a copresidency of north and south.

This is a stunning development, not only for the speed of the union’s formation—coming just over a year after it was proposed—but for its plausible ties to end-time events foretold in the Bible…

Return of empire foretold

Notably absent from the meeting was Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi, although he sent a representative.

Angry that original plans for only a few southern European and North African states were changed to include the whole EU and the Middle East, including Israel (making it, in his words, “very dangerous” for him to support), Gaddafi boycotted the meeting, saying, “We shall have another Roman Empire and imperialist design. These are imperialist maps and designs that we have already rolled up. We should not have them again” (quoted by Bruno Waterfield, “Gaddafi Attacks Sarkozy Plan for Union of the Med, The Daily Telegraph, July 10, 2008).

Indeed, you, too, may find that the map of this new union looks strikingly like the one in the back of your Bible of the ancient Roman Empire. That empire likewise surrounded the Mediterranean—the Romans taking pride in referring to it as Mare Nostrum, “Our Sea.”

Frankly, Gaddafi in this case is right. Another Roman Empire is indeed where things are headed even though most of the participants are themselves blind to it.

Bible prophecy reveals that the Roman Empire—the fourth in a succession of ancient empires—will be resurrected in the last days (see Daniel 2; 7; Revelation 13; 17). We have long seen this coming together in the increasing political integration of the European Union, which began with the Treaty of Rome in 1957. But in the past few years, integration has greatly picked up speed. And now we have a larger union encompassing the breadth of the ancient Roman Empire and then some.

Leaders of north and south also prophesied

Of further interest is the north-south copresidency of the new union. A lengthy prophecy in Daniel 11 details the historical struggle in the Middle East between powers to the north and south of the land of Israel . The “king of the South” of the end time will attack the “king of the North,” the ruler of Europe who will retaliate and occupy parts of North Africa and the Middle East, including Israel (verses 40-45).

While North and South here are often thought to be separate political entities entirely, they could initially be participants in some sort of union who subsequently turn against one another.

Worth considering in this regard is Gaddafi’s warning that the EU blueprint for the Mediterranean will be a pretext for a new generation of terrorists. “I believe this project of the Union for the Mediterranean would increase illegal migration and terrorism and give a justification to Islamist extremists to step up jihad attacks. These extremists would explain it [the Mediterranean Union] as a crusade against Islam and European colonisation,” he said.

While the Union for the Mediterranean appears to be an important step in the fulfillment of prophecy, it will not really be a Roman Empire, but a group containing supporters of both the King of the North and the King of the South.

UCG’s article did not list various scriptures (Psalm 83 and Daniel 11:27,39) which contain related prophecies that may better explain what the Union for the Mediterranean will ultimately be about–and that is the destruction of the Anglo-American nations.

After this destruction, the kings of the North and South will turn on each other (Daniel 11:40-43), but the South will lose. However, Russia, China, and apparently India, Japan, and others will then turn on the King of the North, who will come to his own end (Daniel 11:44-45).

Several documented articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies 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?
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”?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for China? Is it a “King of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? This is a draft of an in-process article about Japan. Have they had any witness?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan. Will God save the Japanese?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia? What will it do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
India, Its Biblical Past and Future: Any Witness? The Bible discusses the origins of those of Indian heritage and discusses some of the witness to them.

6.7 Earthquake in Northridge California Destroyed the Above Building of Kaiser Permanente As Well as Various Freeway Overpasses and other Buildings on January 17, 1994. The Northridge quake was over 10 times as powerful as the Chino Hills 5.4 quake on July 29, 2008

COGwriter

As I posted before (see Yes, There Was An Earthquake, But…), Timothy Zimmerman Carpenter (of I Saw the Light Ministries) believes that when he claimed on a May 22, 22008 YouTube posting that there would be a major earthquake in the California region in June/July 2008 and not one that was only 3,5, or 6 points (on the Richter scale), that his prediction came to pass when a 5.4 magnitude quake hit in Southern California on July 29, 2008.

I disagreed with him then and now as I do not believe that God told him to give a wrong scale of magnitude for an earthquake. Yet eventually, someone like him will make some predictions that will come to pass (he also claims that several of his other predictions have came to pass as well).

On March 22, 2008, Tim Carpenter posted:

UPDATE: 3-22-2008: IT IS NOW TIME TO MOVE INTO THE PLACES OF SAFETY. THERE IS NOT MUCH TIME. YOU MUST MOVE NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW!!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU BELIEVE THIS AND HAVE REPENTED FROM YOUR PASS PAGAN CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS AND ACCEPT THIS WEBSITE AS GIVEN BY GOD AND ACCURATE, YOU MAY CONTACT ME FOR DETAILS. Everyone MUST be in place as soon as possible ASAP in 2008!

He posted on July 29, 2008:

Time is Short, the final 42 months start soon!!!

His home page currently states:

NOW is the Time to go into the Place of Safety / Safe Zones!!!! NOW!

Also, on his home page he tells people:

Step 1: Open Your Bible NOW!

And that is a very good first step.

So let’s open our Bibles and see when we are supposed to flee to a place, and how long the faithful are in a place of protection/safety in the wilderness.

Jesus taught:

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains (Matt 24:15-17).

That particular abomination has not yet happened.  So, now is not when the faithful are to flee.

Daniel wrote:

11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days (Daniel 12:11).

So the fleeing takes place after a prophesied event–after the 1290 days begins.

Timothy Carpenter does have an article at his website on the place of safety where he quotes Revelation 12 extensively–but never mentions months–but presumably that is where he got his 42 months.

In Revelation 12, the Apostle John was inspired to write:

13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent (Revelation 12:13-14).

The expression “a time and times and half a time” is considered by most scholars to mean 3 1/2 years, or forty-two months.  But if March 2008 or even today is the beginning of the time to be in the place of safety, then the 42 months should have started (they have not per Jesus’ comments in Matthew)–thus the “prophecies” from Timothy Carpenter to flee now are also in error.  (He also told me in May 2008 that it was time to flee as he falsely claimed God had revealed to him the locations of various “Cities of Refuge”.)

Similar to CGPFK’s Ronald Weinland, Tim Carpenter simply does not seem to believe what the Bible states about the abomination of desolation being set up or when the 1260/1290 days begin.

On the one hand, he has been telling people since March 2008 to go to the place of safety and on the other hand, he claims that the 42 month (1260 days) has not yet began.

He simply cannot be correct according to the testimony of the Bible.

Remember that the Bible teaches:

20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them (Isaiah 8:20).

Thus, I do not believe that Timothy Carpenter truly has “saw the light”.  Maybe he will now.

But whether he does or not, now is NOT the time to flee.

Those interested in learning from the Bible why the end cannot be before 2012, where the place of safety may be, and more on biblical prophecy may wish to read all of the following articles:

End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans and the Hindu Indians (who were not even on the same continent). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be 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.
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.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies 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?

This Will Happen to Those in the First Resurrection

COGwriter

Did the early church understand about the resurrection of the dead?

Polycarp of Smyrna was a disciple of the Apostle John, the last of the original apostles to die.

Here is some of what Polycarp wrote:

But He who raised Him up from the dead will raise up us also, if we do His will, and walk in His commandments, and love what He loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness, covetousness, love of money, evil speaking, falsewitness; “not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing,” or blow for blow, or cursing for cursing (Polycarp. Letter to the Philippians, Chapter II. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1as edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885).

Polycarp taught that the body and soul were to be resurrected, hence he taught against the immortality of the soul doctrine:

I bless you for because you have considered me worthy of this day and hour, that I might receive a place among the number of martyrs in the cup of your Christ, to the resurrection to eternal life, both of soul and of body, in the incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit (The Martyrdom of Polycarp, 14:2. In Holmes M.W. The Apostolic Fathers, Greek Texts and English Translations. Baker Books, Grand Rapids (MI), 2004, p.239).

Theophilus of Antioch in the mid-late second century wrote:

But you do not believe that the dead are raised. When the resurrection shall take place, then you will believe, whether you will or no; and your faith shall be reckoned for unbelief, unless you believe now…Moreover, you believe that the images made by men are gods, and do great things; and can you not believe that the God who made you is able also to make you afterwards? (Theophilus of Antioch. To Autolycus, Book 1, Chapter VII. Translated by Marcus Dods, A.M. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 2. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

But the moon wanes monthly, and in a manner dies, being a type of man; then it is born again, and is crescent, for a pattern of the future resurrection (Theophilus of Antioch. To Autolycus, Book II, Chapter XV. Translated by Marcus Dods, A.M. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 2. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

Notice that Theophilus is teaching that there will be those born again at the resurrection. And that he taught that unbelievers would be raised whether they believed him or not–which is a different resurrection.

Polycrates of Ephesus in the late second century wrote and told the Roman Bishop Victor:

For in Asia also great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again on the last day, at the coming of the Lord, when he shall come with glory from heaven and shall seek out all the saints. Among these are Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who sleeps in Hierapolis, and his two aged virgin daughters, and another daughter who lived in the Holy Spirit and now rests at Ephesus; and moreover John, who was both a witness and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the Lord, and being a priest wore the sacerdotal plate. He also sleeps at Ephesus (Eusebius. Church History, Book III, Chapter 31. Translated by Arthur Cushman McGiffert. Excerpted from Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Series Two, Volume 1. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. American Edition, 1890. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

Why need I mention the bishop and martyr Sagaris who fell asleep in Laodicea, or the blessed Papirius, or Melito, the Eunuch who lived altogether in the Holy Spirit, and who lies in Sardis, awaiting the episcopate from heaven, when he shall rise from the dead? (Eusebius. Church History, Book V, Chapter 24).

Hence, second century Christian writers understood that death is like sleep and that there would be actual resurrections.

Do Modern Scholars Know This?

Notice that even in the 21st century, non-COG scholars acknowlege that the early church taught the resurrection and that the Bible supports the idea that death is like sleep:

Malcolm Jeeves, an honorary professor of psychology at the University of St. Andrews, is one of many believing scientists…Jeeves says. “Furthermore, the original Christian view was not the immortality of the soul but the resurrection of the body.” (Tolson J. Is There Room for the Soul? New challenges to our most cherished beliefs about self and the human spirit. US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT, October 23, 2006).

The following is from an interview with N.T. Wright, a high-ranking bishop in the Church of England:

Wright: …St. Paul is very clear that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead already, but that nobody else has yet. Secondly, our physical state. The New Testament says that when Christ does return, the dead will experience a whole new life: not just our soul, but our bodies. And finally, the location. At no point do the resurrection narratives in the four Gospels say, “Jesus has been raised, therefore we are all going to heaven.” It says that Christ is coming here, to join together the heavens and the Earth in an act of new creation.

TIME: Is there anything more in the Bible about the period between death and the resurrection of the dead?

Wright: … Paul writes that …it will be like being asleep. The Wisdom of Solomon, a Jewish text from about the same time as Jesus, says “the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,” and that seems like a poetic way to put the Christian understanding, as well (Van Biema D. Christians Wrong About Heaven, Says Bishop (N.T. Wright). Time, February 7, 2008. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1710844,00.html viewed 02/08/08).

It is nice when prominent theologians sometimes come and speak out in favor of biblical, Living Church of God, doctrines.

But early Christians taught more than that, they taught three resurrections according to other scholars.

The above and more is in the article What Did Early Christians Understand About the Resurrection?