Beijing After Rain                  Beijing on a Normal Sunny Day

COGwriter

A lot has been happening in China.  So much so, that the government there is apparently becoming a little more accommodating of Western religions:

Beijing holds secret talks with banned churches as 100 million defy party rules
The Times – Jan 26, 2009

It is good that the Chinese government is changing to become a little more open towards religion.

However, the time will come that the Chinese will realize that the coming Western religion that most will ulitmately embrace (cf. Revelation 13:3-4) is not truly the religion of God.

The Chinese will be part of the force in Daniel 11:44 that will trouble the European King of the North as China is one of the Kings of the East mentioned in Revelation:

44 But news from the east and the north shall trouble him (Daniel 11:44).

12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared (Revelation 16:12).

China is currently the only nation that could potentially field a 200 million man army (in 2003, it was estimated to have about 206,000,000 males between the ages of 15-49), but as scripture mentions  kings (plural) of the east, it is likely that China will probably only supply the largest single part of this army (perhaps around half or maybe slightly more than that).

Now, while the Chinese flag itself is basically red and yellow, it perhaps should be mentioned that the colors of the Chinese flag for its navy and air force is military is red, blue, and yellow.  Also, notice the colors of the insignia that many of its troops wear:

Why is that potentially important?

Because these are colors mentioned in the Bible.  Notice some of what the Bible states about the 200 million man army:

16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. 18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed–by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths (Revelation 9:16-18).

Hence, presuming that China is the single leading provider of military men in this 200 million man army, it would make sense that it, and perhaps others, might march under colors like some of its military does currently.

I have long been warning readers of this page that although the Chinese will temporarily fall for the religion of the Beast and the final Antichrist, that they are a discerning people who will be among the first to realize that the religion of the Beast and the final Antichrist is NOT of God.

The positive steps that China is now taking, will sadly, end up with the Chinese temporarily being willing to accept a false religion.  And thus, its current change towards Western religions is likely to set it upon the path to fulfill that aspect of Bible prophecy.

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?
The Dramatic Story of Chinese Sabbathkeepers This reformatted Good News article from 1955 discusses Sabbath-keeping in China in the 1800s.
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”?

Northern Shore of Reykjavík, Iceland

COGwriter

As I have been reporting lately, Iceland and South Africa are having problems which seem to be worsening:

The government of Iceland today became the first to be effectively brought down by the credit crunch.

After several nights of rioting over the financial crisis, Prime Minister Geir Haarde, surrendered to increasing pressure and called a general election for May.

A poll would not normally be held until 2011.

Haarde also revealed that he had been diagnosed with a malignant tumour of the oesophagus and would not seek re-election.

‘I have decided not to seek re-election as leader of the Independence Party at its upcoming national congress,’ he told a news conference.

The global financial crisis hit Iceland, which has a population 320,000, in October, triggering a collapse in its currency and financial system under the weight of billions of dollars of foreign debts incurred by its banks

The economy is set to shrink 10 percent this year and unemployment is surging...

Special forces had to rescue Haarde from his car after he was surrounded by an furious mob hurling eggs and cans outside the government offices, in Reykjavik.

The seething crowd spattered the building with paint and yoghurt, yelling and banging pans, hurling fireworks and flares at the windows and even lighting a fire in front of the main doors.

‘There were a couple of hundred (protesters) when they had to use the gas,’ police spokesman Gunnar Sigurdsson said. ‘It went on for two hours or so. There were no arrests. Some injuries, but not serious.’

Latvia, Bulgaria and other European countries hit hard by the global economic meltdown have also seen unrest. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1126682/Icelandic-government-brought-credit-crunch.html

We seem to live in what the Apostle Paul referred to as perilous times:

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 3:1-7).

But, even with problems, according to Jesus, the end is not yet:

6 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).

But, also according to Jesus, the end will be soon thereafter (cf. Matthew 24:14-21).

And while ultimately the entire world will be affected (cf. Revelation 3:10), the Anglo-American nations will apparently have the most troubles (cf. Jeremiah 30:7) at the  beginning of it.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
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”? What is ahead for Europe?
Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be devastated first?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Are there biblical and non-biblical prophecies about Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?  Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”. Might Bible prophecy be fulfilled since he is to be the USA president?

Ruins of Ancient Laodicea

COGwriter

The January 2009 edition of UCG’s United News arrived last night.  It contained some information on the size of the United Church of God:

Total worldwide Feast of Tabernacles attendance (including shut-ins who received tapes):

2005: 19,765
2006: 20,436
2007: 20,476
2008: 20,349

The following are the attendance figures from the Church Information System—the number listed as attending fluctuates from month to month.

U.S. Church attendance according to file Jan. 31, 2008: 15,498.
U.S. Church attendance according to file Nov. 26, 2008: 15,345.

U.S. baptisms 2007 through December: 178.
U.S. baptisms 2008 through November: 134.
(Ministerial Services Reports Church Statistics.  United News, January 2009, p. 2)

These reductions are relatively small.  And they seem similar to those that David Hulme (former UCG president) reported about his COGaIC (see COGaIC’s Size).

UCG also reported that in the entire life of its Beyond Today telecast it received 29,461 responses:

Through November, we have had 29,461 telephone and online responses to the programming. Beyond Today currently airs on 177 cable-access television channels, which air programs 267 times weekly. It is also broadcast on 10 radio stations in the United States and two nationwide cable networks in Canada. (Eddington, Peter.  100th Beyond Today Episode Recorded.  United News, January 2009, p. 1)

To show its relative impact, UCG’s total is about what LCG’s Tomorrow’s World telecast received every nine weeks in 2009 and is also about the same as the small ICG receives each year.  Hence, while improving its public proclamation of the gospel was a goal for UCG in 2008, it does not seem to have accomplished that to any significant degree.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
Intercontinental Church of God ICG was Garner Ted Armstrong’s last group; it is now led by Mark Armstrong.
The Laodicean Church Era was predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. Non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
Attending the Church of Choice This article discusses whose choice is important to worship God; should you attend the church of your choice or the church of God’s choice?
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it?
18 Truths Restored to the Churches of God Herbert W. Armstrong wrote that he felt he had restored at least 18 lost truths to the Church, here is Herbert W. Armstrong’s list given 12/17/83. This articles also has links to show that these truths were believed by professors of Christ in earlier times, hence they were not some invention of Herbert Armstrong.
Do You Believe God Used Herbert W. Armstrong to Raise Up the Philadelphia Era of the Church of God? Nearly everyone while in WCG used to believe this, most do not seem to anymore.
In Their Own Words: Doctrinal Differences Between the old United Church of God and the old Global Church of God Older quotes from the leadership and some of the membership of these two organizations are included without added commentary (until the end and the 7/31/98 update) which highlighted some of the differences between them.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.

Metropolitan Kirill (also spelled Kyrill)

COGwriter

A major leader of the Orthodox Church in Russia is warning against unity with the Catholics of Rome:

Likely Moscow patriarch stresses differences with Catholic belief

Moscow, Jan 23, 2009 / 07:03 am (CNA).- An Orthodox prelate considered to be the most likely successor of Patriarch of Moscow Alexy II has said that while Orthodox Christianity shares similarities with Catholicism, there are a “great number of differences” on which “there is no room for compromise.”

Metropolitan Kirill, Patriarchal Locum Tenens of Moscow, made the remarks in an interview recently published by Argumenty i Fakty (Arguments and Facts), SIR reports.

Discussing relations with other Christian confessions, Metropolitan Kirill said: “unfortunately, differences in religious doctrines and practices have increased between orthodoxy and other confessions.”

“With some Protestant communities, such as the Lutheran Church of Sweden and the Episcopal Church of the United States, we have come to a complete break, due to the official recognition of homosexual relations,” he continued.

While noting that the social positions of Orthodox Christianity and the Catholic Church are “more close,” the metropolitan said, “nevertheless, we have be accountable for a great number of differences in doctrine and practice between the Orthodox and the Catholic Churches and, in this regard, there is no room for compromise.” http://catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=14865

I have long warned that the Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics.  The Russian Orthodox have tended to be more likely to make public comments indicating their desire to NOT unify with Rome than the other Orthodox sees.

However, at some point, the Russian Orthodox will probably temporarily accept at least some of the authority of Rome.  But I believe that they will ultimately reject it and that will set the path for the fulfillment of Russia’s prophecied role to turn against the future European beast power (see Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future).

Some articles of related interest may include:

Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Living Church of God Both groups claim to represent the original Christian faith. Do you know much about them? Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics The Bible warns the Orthodox against this unity as do some Catholic prophecies.  The Orthodox need to heed these warnings now.
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?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja viva do deus? Tambien Español: Cuál es fiel: ¿La iglesia católica romana o La Iglesia del Dios Viviente? Auch: Deutsch: Welches zuverlässig ist: Die Römisch-katholische Kirche oder die lebende Kirche von Gott?
Apostolic Succession What really happened? Did structure and beliefs change? Are many of the widely-held current understandings of this even possible? Did you know that Catholic scholars really do not believe that several of the claimed “apostolic sees” of the Orthodox have apostolic succession–despite the fact that the current pontiff himself seems to wish to ignore this view?  Is there actually a true church that has ties to any of the apostles that is not part of the Catholic or Orthodox churches?  Read this article if you truly are interested in the truth on this matter!

Official Photograph of Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States

COGwriter

In his latest commentary, LCG’s Wyatt Ciesielka wrote:

On January 20, 2009, Barack Hussein Obama assumed the leadership of a mighty but beleaguered nation.  Regardless of whether we are individually thrilled, indifferent, or dismayed about the new American president and his Democratic majority, perhaps we should ask ourselves an honest question: are we sincerely praying for President Obama?   A brief check of the world news and a brief analysis of President Obama’s inaugural speech show us that there is a lot we should pray about.

In the opening moments of President Obama’s speech, he stated that, “…every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms.  At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents.”

Do we really remain “faithful to the ideals of our forebears”?…

If we are really to evaluate ourselves by the “ideals of our forebears”, then let us look at President Obama’s concluding statement within the context of real, biblical Christianity:  “Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”

Indeed, there is “testing” on the horizon and we should seek God’s grace.  But, we should also pray that President Obama and all of the world’s leaders heed the warning of Daniel chapter 4.  It is not by our power, or because we refuse to let something end, but it is God who “rules in the kingdom of men” and “gives it to whomever He will” (Daniel 4:17).  America is not great because “we” are great.  It is not our strength that kept us from faltering in the past.  Instead, America has been great because God has fulfilled promises made thousands of years ago to the biblical patriarchs!

Let us pray that our leaders make wise decisions, that God blesses our nations, and that millions humbly return to the real God of the Bible.  God will not endure our sins forever, and, unfortunately, the Bible foretells that our nations won’t repent.  Consequently, a time of global suffering and Great Tribulation is coming, which God’s faithful and zealous Church will escape (Revelation 3:10).

Regardless of whether or not you believe President Obama personifies the “change” our nations need, your Bible instructs that a Christian is subject to “the governing authorities,” and understands “there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God” (Romans 13:1–2).  As Christians, we understand that our citizenship is in heaven (John 18:36), but we also understand that we must pray for those set in authority over us (1 Timothy 2:1–2).

For more on why America and British-descended nations have been so blessed over the last two centuries, and also why a very severe future is prophesied for our peoples, please request The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy.  For more on what you, as a true Christian should be doing now, request Do You Believe the True Gospel?

And praying for our new president is something that I have been encouraging readers of this page to do (e.g. see Bible Preaching to Be Criminalized Under Obama?).

Some articles related to that include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
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?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Are there biblical and non-biblical prophecies about Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?  Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.
Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy? There is actually a 17th century Shiite prophecy that some believe that Barack Obama will fulfill that will lead to a rising up of Islam.
Barack Obama Carries Hindu Monkey God Although there are some strange and false stories about Barack Obama, this one seems to be true.

World Currencies Including the Euro Can Have Problems

COGwriter

The following news items were of prophetic interest:

Why is this potentially prophetic?

The Bible teaches that a military leader will rise up in Europe (Revelation 13:4).

Catholic prophecies foretell that just prior to the emergence of their “Great Monarch” (also called the Great King below) problems will begin to afflict Catholics in Europe, essentially because the Catholics there tend to be lax.

Several Catholic writers have referred to this as the “minor chastisement”.  Notice the writings of one of them:

At some time in the future, the corrupt faithless age we live in now will come to an end either through repentance (immediately followed by an age of peace)–or there will be a chastisement. This would be a Minor Chastisement preceding an Age of Peace. It is not the Tribulation of the Antichrist…

Civil war breaks out in France and Italy at almost the same time. This is the sign given by many prophets that the Chastisement has begun…

This will spread to general wars, and, famine and pestilence (the usual by-products of war)…

Some Moslems will cause great trouble for the Church and Europe in general…

The Great King will lead his forces to…victory…

The Great King will be crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the reigning Pope.

(Birch, DA. Trial, Tribulation & Triumph: Before During and After Antichrist. Queenship Publishing Company, Goleta (CA), 1996, pp. 553-555)

Furthermore, this chastisement, to a degree, seems to be forecasted by some Catholic writers to begin in France.

Notice the following Catholic private prophecy:

Jeanne le Royer (Sister of the Nativity). The storm began in France, and France shall be the first theatre of its ravages after having been its cradle. (Dupont Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p.59)

The fact that there were riots in Paris in 2005, might eventually be pointed to as “the first theatre of its ravages”.  (For some other possibly related Catholic prophecies that involve France or simply Paris itself, see the news item Taliban Threatens France.)

Here are some other Catholic prophecies that seem to touch on civil unrest throughout Europe and a new leader rising up in Europe:

Birch Tree Prophecy (Old German) “When the world becomes Godless: revolutions will break out against kings; fathers will be against sons and sons against fathers; dogma will be perverted; men will try to overthrow the Catholic Church…A terrible war will find the north fighting against the south. The south will be led by a Prince wearing a white coat with a cross on the front…” (Culleton, R. Gerald. The Prophets and Our Times. Nihil Obstat: L. Arvin. Imprimatur: Philip G. Scher, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno, November 15, 1941. Reprint 1974, TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 143).

Monk Hilarion (d. 1476): The people of the Peninsula of Europe will suffer by unnecessary wars until the Holy Man comes (Culleton, p. 137).

Venerable Bartholomew Holzhauser (Born in the 17th century, in Germany). “The fifth period of the Church, which began circa 1520, will end with the arrival of the Holy Pope and of the powerful Monarch who is called “Help From God” because he will restore everything [in Christ]…The fifth period is one of affliction, humiliation, and poverty for the Church. Jesus Christ will purify His people…He will also afflict and weaken the Latin Church with many heresies (Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p.38)

Werdin d’ Otrante (13th century): “The Great Monarch and the Great Pope will precede Antichrist…All the sects will vanish. The capital of the world will fall…The Great Monarch will come and restore peace and the Pope will share in the victory.” (Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p. 33)

Brother Louis Rocco (19th century): “Terrible wars will rage all over Europe. God has long been patient with the corruption of morals; half of mankind He will destroy. Russia will witness many outrages. Great cities and small towns alike will be destroyed in a bloody revolution that will cause the death of half the population. In Istanbul (Constantinople) the Cross will replace the half-moon of Islamism, and Jerusalem will be the seat of a King. The southern Slavs will form a great Catholic Empire and drive out of Europe the Turks (Mohammedans), who will withdraw to North Africa and subsequently embrace the Catholic faith.” (Dupont, p.76)

Brother Louis Rocco (19th century): All over Europe there will rage terrible civil wars…The German sections of Austria will join Germany, so will also the commercial cities of Belgium and Switzerland. A Catholic descendant of a German imperial house will rule a united Germany with peace, prosperity and great power, for God will be with this sovereign (the Great Monarch?) (Culleton, p. 195).

John of the Cleft Rock (1340): The White Eagle (Great Monarch), by order of the Archangel Michael, will drive crescent from Europe where none but Christians will remain–he himself will rule from Constantinople. An era of peace and prosperity will begin for the world. There will no longer be Protestants {there were no “Protestants” then and author Connor of that book suggests that perhaps this word should have been translated as heretics} or schismatics…God will raise up a holy Pope (Connor, pp. 33-34)

Venerable Bartholomew Holzhauser (died 1658):…”Are we not to fear, during this period, that the Mohammedans will come again, working out their sinister schemes against the Latin Church? (Dupont, p.39).

“When everything has been ruined by war; when Catholics are hard pressed by traitorous co-religionists and heretics; when the Church and her servants are denied their rights, the monarchies have been abolished and their rulers murdered…then the hand of Almighty God will work a marvelous change, something apparently impossible according to human understanding. There will rise a valiant monarch anointed by God. He will be a Catholic, a descendant of Louis IX, (yet) a descendant of an ancient imperial German family, born in exile. He will rule supreme in temporal matters. The Pope will rule supreme in spiritual matters at the same time. Persecution will cease and justice shall reign. Religion seems to be oppressed, but by the changes of entire kingdoms it will be made more firm.

“He will root out false doctrines and destroy the rule of the Moslemism. His dominion will extend from the East to the West. All nations will adore God their Lord according to Catholic teaching. There will be many wise and just men. The people will love justice, and peace will reign over the whole earth, for divine power will bind Satan for many years until the coming of the Son of Perdition.

“The reign of the Great Ruler may be compared with that of Caesar Augustus, who became Emperor after his victory over his enemies, thereby giving peace to the world–also with the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great, who was sent by God, after severe persecutions, to deliver both the Church and State. By his victories on water and land he brought the Roman empire under subjection, which he then ruled in peace…

“The Great Monarch will have the special help of God and be unconquerable.

“The Fifth Epoch of time dates from the reign of Charles V until the reign of the Great Monarch.

“The Sixth Epoch from the Great Monarch until Antichrist. This Sixth Epoch of the Church–‘the time of consolation’–begins with the Holy Pope and the Powerful Emperor, and terminates with the reign of Antichrist. This will be an age of solace, wherein God will console His church after the many mortifications and afflictions she had endured in the Fifth period, for all nations will be brought to the unity of the true Catholic Faith.” (Connor, pp.35-36)

Hence, many Catholics are awaiting a time when some type of trouble starts in France and elsewhere in Europe–and when their Great Monarch (who we in the Living Church of God would identify with the King of the North and Beast of Revelation 13), will rise up and restore order.

While I do not believe that these Catholic prophecies are inspired by God, the fact is that if there is much civil unrest in Europe, I do believe that the Europeans will rise up and turn to one or more military leaders to deal with it.

And the Bible shows that a military leader (sometimes called the King of the North) will be rising up soon to fulfill the role of the prophesied Beast.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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”? What is ahead for Europe?
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?
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?
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?
Do Certain Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus? Will the final “Anti-Christ” be Jewish, insist on Saturday, be opposed to the trinity, and bring in the millennium? Catholic writings indicate this, but what does the Bible show?
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 (the Hindus may have some predictions for the next decade as well). 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?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?

COGwriter

As I mentioned two months ago (see Russia’s Financial Crisis), I thought that the economic situation in Russia may delay its military plans.  Well, that does seem to be the case:

However, notice that this delay means that if the Great Tribulation does in fact begin in 2013 or a few years later, that Russia expects to have more military might.

Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev, President of Russia

Hence, the comments by the Russian President Medvedev are lining up with what the COGwriter website has been stating.

Thus, it appears that even secular sources may be in agreement that Russia will have enough military might by 2016 or so (they may have various delays) so that they (along with other Asians, like the Chinese) can fulfill certain military objectives.  This strength will help Russia fulfill the following prophecy in Daniel 11 that comes probably 3 plus years after the Great Tribulation begins:

44 But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many (Daniel 11:43-44).

The “him” who is troubled is the European King of the North.

Russia, China, and India are kings of the east and Russia also represents the northern power (just not the King of the North, which is European).

Thus, even with these delays, events are lining up for prophecy to move ahead.

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?
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? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
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?
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?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?

A slightly difficult uphill and narrow way in Tobago

COGwriter

CGOM,UK’s James McBride  sent out the following:

We in the Living Church of God believe in reincarnation in the sense that we believe in a bodily resurrection and that all those who never truly had an understanding of God’s plan of salvation will be provided with an real opportunity for salvation after the Great White Throne judgment that takes place on what the Book of John refers to as the Last Great Day.

A major reason that I became part of the old Worldwide Church of God and now the Living Church of God is that in addition to proving all things from the Bible, I truly believe that since “God is love” (1 John 4:16) that He has a plan of salvation that will ultimately result in everyone being called and nearly every one who ever lived being saved.

Two must read articles to demonstrate the truth of those doctrines are Hope of Salvation: How the COGs differ from most Protestants and Universal Salvation? There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis.

Articles related to doctrines brought up in today’s post include:

What Did Early Christians Understand About the Resurrection? Is there more than one future resurrection? Did early Christians teach a physical resurrection? Did early Christians teach three resurrections?
Did Early Christians Believe that Humans Possessed Immortality? What does John 3:16, and other writings, tell us?
Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?
Did the Early Church Teach Purgatory? Is there a place called purgatory? Does God have a plan to help those who did not become saints in this life?
Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today’s Christians? What is the Last Great Day? What do these days teach?
Last Great Day study paper Was Jesus speaking about the 7th or 8th day of the Feast in John 7:37? UCG says the 7th, but what does the Bible teach? This extensive paper reviews UCG’s LGD study paper and includes comments as to where it erred.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.

Greek 2 Euro Coin Shows the Woman (Europa) Riding the Beast (cf. Revelation 17:7)

COGwriter

In the latest edition of its WN&P, UCG’s Paul Kieffer wrote about the future of the Euro:

The euro’s future

In a time of turmoil in financial markets around the world and a deepening recession, it might seem a bit bold to attempt to predict the euro’s future. Even without the current crisis this could be a challenge, especially in light of the variation in the euro’s value during the first 10 years of its existence. However, two key factors provide guideposts for future observation.

The first is the dollar’s position as the world’s dominant reserve currency. Since currency reserves held by foreign governments are actually like an interest-free loan to the issuing government—exchanged either for currency or goods—foreign currency reserves act as a subsidy to the country issuing the reserve currency. The dollar has enjoyed this position since it replaced the British pound as the world’s main reserve currency.

The dollar’s use as a global means of exchange for goods and services contributes to its standing as the world’s reserve currency. Since about half of the value of the goods exchanged in international trade is denominated in U.S. dollars, the American greenback benefits even when the United States is not directly involved in the exchange. This is because foreign currencies have to be exchanged for dollars to complete the transaction. One highly visible example of this is, again, the oil market.

Any move away from the dollar as a benchmark for the price of oil would weaken the dollar’s value on world currency markets—and strengthen the euro.

The dollar’s decline has countries like China concerned about preserving the value of their large foreign currency holdings in U.S. dollars. The Chinese are already diversifying their vast foreign currency reserves, currently estimated to be worth some $1.4 trillion. However, they are being very careful not to just dump the dollar, which would hasten the decline and only further reduce the value of their remaining U.S. dollar reserves.

Another issue likely to affect the dollar’s position as the world’s reserve currency is America’s growing national debt, which has doubled in only eight years to total $10.65 trillion.

If corporate and private debt is included, the United States is awash in nearly $50 trillion of debt. (The amount is even larger if as-yet-unfunded benefits already earned in the U.S. Social Security System and other entitlements are factored in.)

The U.S. government is now making interest payments of $19 billion a month to its creditors—more than $200 billion a year.

The current crisis will only see America’s debt situation worsen. The national debt figure does not include the $700 billion bailout fund approved by Congress in September 2008. In October and November U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson borrowed over $400 billion, and Scott Minerd of Guggenheim Partners predicts that America’s budget deficit for 2009 will run as high as $1.5 to $2 trillion, adding upwards of 20 percent to America’s current national debt.

Some wonder whether America’s growing national debt will eventually make the country a credit risk. According to Pierre Nahm, an adviser for hedge funds, the United States won’t go bankrupt because a country has the option of simply printing enough money to pay its debts. In so doing, inflation takes its toll on the debt, and debtors would be repaid in devalued dollars.

Creditors apparently think that America will not swallow her wallowing debt so easily. The rate for “credit default swaps” (CDS) for U.S. treasury securities increased fourfold after the $700 billion bailout was passed in September. In other words, the risk premium for $10 million of treasury securities increased from $10,000 to $40,000, reflecting less confidence in the U.S. government’s ability to repay its debt.

For the time being, it seems that America’s largest creditor nation, China, has no choice but to continue to invest its dollar earnings in the United States. As long as the price of oil on world markets is pegged to the dollar and the Chinese continue to hold their dollar-denominated assets and invest in U.S. treasury securities, the United States will be able to keep running up the red ink.

If, however, either of these two factors changes, the dollar is in for rough times and its attractiveness as a reserve currency will be lessened.

The eurozone

The other key factor affecting the euro’s future is the cohesiveness of the eurozone itself. Several internal challenges hinder the euro’s further development as a competitor to the U.S. dollar as the world’s major reserve currency. National budget deficits of some eurozone members in excess of the 3 percent GDP limit, weak economies of its newest members and inertia on the path toward coordinated economic and taxation policies are important reasons the euro remains in second place among major world currencies.

When the euro was introduced 10 years ago, analysts warned that the internal structure of the eurozone might precipitate the collapse of the new currency. Sixteen countries are now members of the EU’s monetary union, but each country still determines its own economic policies and taxation rates. For example, income tax rates are not uniform within the eurozone, and VAT (value-added tax) on goods and services sold varies from 15 to 21 percent. (The EU mandates a minimum 15 percent VAT for all EU members.)

Predictions of the euro’s demise have been pro ven wrong to date, but the fact remains that the eurozone is not a homogenous economic unit. However, the worldwide financial crisis is forcing eurozone members to cooperate and coordinate their efforts more than ever before.

In October eurozone countries and the European Central Bank (ECB) announced their intention to prevent the collapse of any major financial institution within the eurozone. In a joint statement, eurozone countries pledged to coordinate their efforts and provide liquidity for banks for periods of up to five years.

The ECB agreed to create an unsecured lending facility to buy commercial paper from banks, similar to an earlier move by the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank. The ECB action guarantees the availability of funding for banks in the eurozone.

The eurozone action came only one week after an EU summit meeting that failed to produce an EU bailout plan for the entire EU. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown attended the eurozone meeting but was not involved in its formal decisions because his country does not use the euro and will not receive direct support from the ECB.

Last month eurozone finance ministers rejected a call by the European Commission to lower the standard EU VAT rate as an economic stimulus measure for Europe, which has been in recession officially since the third quarter of 2008.

The closer coordination among eurozone countries is a noteworthy development reflecting a “united we stand, divided we fall” attitude. Eurozone member states voluntarily became part of what is now a mutually dependent financial community, making it more than just an alliance that one could leave at any time.

Any country that exits the eurozone would be on its own, and the only country that could possibly afford to do that would be Germany. However, as a member of the eurozone, Germany’s multinational companies enjoy the benefit of simplified bookkeeping in one currency across national borders, making it highly unlikely that Germany with its trade-dependent economy would unilaterally withdraw from the eurozone.

With a country’s currency part of its national sovereignty, eurozone members have in effect transferred part of their own sovereignty to the ECB. Bible prophecy indicates that this pattern in Europe established by the introduction of the euro will continue and intensify, culminating in a final transfer of authority to a central power called the “beast” (Revelation 17:12-13).

I would take this a couple of steps further and state that despite the hesitation in the above article about the demise of the US dollar, Europe is certainly destined (not just indicated) to be the major economic player in the world.

The increasing debt and eventual devaluation of the US dollar is inevitable and the rise of a currency in Europe is the logical replacement.

In line with biblical prophecy, the events in the world show that we are witnessing a shift in economic power from the Anglo-American nations to those of continental Europe.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

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”? What is ahead for Europe?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.
Prophecy Obama: Prophecies of Barack Obama? Are there biblical and non-biblical prophecies about Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? This is the longest and most detailed of the articles here related to prophecy and Barack Obama.
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?
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?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
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 (the Hindus may have some predictions for the next decade as well). 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?

World Currencies Are Paper Backed By People’s Faith In Them

COGwriter

Ireland, the UK, and USA all had major news reports on their precarious financial conditions in the past couple of days:

IRISH BANK stocks crashed in trading yesterday, losing at least half their market value, as investors panicked that their shareholdings would become worthless if the Government’s banking recapitalisation scheme does not go ahead in its proposed form.

AIB’s share price fell 58 per cent, Bank of Ireland plummeted almost 55 per cent, and Irish Life Permanent closed down 50 per cent after a day of trading characterised by panic among shareholders.

Fears abounded yesterday that AIB and Bank of Ireland would have to be nationalised by the Government alongside Anglo Irish Bank. One Dublin-based equities dealer reported that “complete panic” had gripped the stock market, while other dealers described the plummets in share prices as financial “carnage”.

The immediate trigger was the announcement of a new recapitalisation scheme by the British government that would see its preference shares in Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) converted into newly issued ordinary shares or “straight equity” which would dilute the value of existing shares.

Investors feared that the same step may have to be applied to AIB and Bank of Ireland in order to recapitalise them. Under the Government’s recapitalisation scheme announced in December, both banks were asked to raise €1 billion each. It now looks increasingly unlikely that they will be able to raise this capital themselves.

Meanwhile, the forecast by some banking analysts late last week that the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank would bring stability to the rest of the Irish banking system failed to materialise. One dealer described such a suggestion as evidence that people were “living in cloudcuckooland” when it comes to Irish banking.

It now appears that Anglo’s failure and the intervention by the Government has further damaged the reputation of the Irish banking sector among international investors and heightened the “country risk” for shareholders. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2009/0120/1232059661975.html

Jeremy Warner: UK not drowning, only waving

Wednesday, 21 January 2009

Outlook Jim Rogers, former partner of George Soros and something of an investment guru in his own right, has again been sounding off about sterling and the UK economy, which he believes essentially finished. Sell sterling, he says. Sell all UK assets. The country is bankrupt. North Sea oil is all used up, and the financial services industry is now gone too. The country has nothing left to sell.

As if on cue, the pound took another hammering in foreign exchange markets yesterday, unnerved by the sheer scale of the latest bank rescue package and the growing realisation the crisis might end in nationalisation of one or more of the major high street banks.

No disrespect to Mr Rogers, but he’s not got this right. Nobody can say how far sterling might fall. Currency markets operate according to their own will, and the pound could yet devalue quite a bit further before it recovers.

Yet it has almost certainly already overshot fair value and will at some stage claw back some of its losses. I’m not sure I share the confidence expressed last night by Mervyn King, the Governor of the Bank of England, that the latest batch of policies to address the banking crisis “will eventually work”, but nor will they “bankrupt” the country, as some suggest.

Even if the Government eventually feels obliged to nationalise one or more of the major banks outright, national insolvency is a quite unlikely outcome. That’s not to underestimate the scale of the problem. Iceland has gone bust and Ireland appears perilously close to it. There is no reason to believe economies can remain immune to the death spiral of confidence that afflicts global capital markets simply because they are relatively large.

The world’s system is more and more clearly based upon people’s faith in their currencies, even though the governments that print them seem set on printing more of the currency–which ultimately can lead to it being recognized as worth less…

But though we may not be about to go bankrupt, we have to reconcile ourselves to a long and painful period of adjustment, involving rising taxes and declining relative living standards. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/comment/jeremy-warner/jeremy-warner-uk-not-drowning-only-waving-1452388.html