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COGwriter

In an unexpected move, Germany’s top court has slightly slowed down the drive towards the European Union:

German court halts ratification of Lisbon Treaty

AFP – June 30, 2009

Germany’s top court on Tuesday said additional national legislation was needed before the EU’s Lisbon Treaty could be ratified, further delaying its adoption across the 27-member bloc. “The ratification document of the Federal Republic of Germany may not be adopted until the sufficient legal groundwork for parliamentary participation as foreseen in the constitution has been laid,” the Federal Constitutional Court said. “If one wanted to summarise this result, one could say: the constitution says ‘yes’ to the Lisbon Treaty but demands that parliament’s right to participation be strengthened at the national level,” the court said.

“The court is confident that the last barrier for adopting the ratification document will be cleared.”

The treaty — which aims to streamline decision-making in the EU and give the bloc a stronger voice on the world stage — must be ratified by all 27 member states before it can come into force.

Although the treaty was approved by a large majority in both houses of the German parliament, the country’s president Horst Koehler has held off on the final ratification step pending the judgement.

So far, 23 out of the 27 countries in the EU have ratified the document. http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.3ec79e2e7a25748f4b9623ac728de663.101&show_article=1

While the Bible shows that a European Beast power will ultimately arise, it also indicates that it will happen with a variety of changes.

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 Europeans and the Anglo-nations?
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?
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?

Brasilia, Brazil

COGwriter

As mentioned last month, China and Brazil are looking at dropping the US dollar for their trading (Brazil & China Dropping Dollar?).  Now, it looks like India may also be involved:

• JUNE 29, 2009, 9:25 A.M. ET

After China, Brazil Eyes Non-Dlr Trade With India -Estado

SAO PAULO (Dow Jones)–Brazil is considering using its own currency when conducting trade with India, the local Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper said Monday.

Central Bank President Henrique Meirelles met with Indian banking officials in Europe at the Bank for International Settlements meeting over the weekend to discuss the move away from the dollar in trade between the nations, Estado reported.

Brazil and China are also conducting studies on how to shed the dollar in trade, according to Estado.

A move away from the dollar could eventually do away with currency volatility. Although the dollar is considered the benchmark currency for trade and commodities pricing, many Brazilian companies have lost hundreds of millions over the last two years due to dollar weakness.

-By Kenneth Rapoza, Dow Jones Newswires http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090629-707133.html

The so-called BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, China, and India) continue to try to take steps that will ultimately weaken the US dollar (see also Russia Wants China, India, & Brazil Currency Cooperation).  And while these nations will likely not hold well together, these steps are likely to lead to the emergence of a non-USA dollar as the world’s trading and reserve currency.

The clock is ticking for the end of USA’s economic dominance of the world.  And four major nations, which represent about 40% of the world’s population are trying to speed up that process.

Prophecy moves forward.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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 (including those in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka).
Mexico, Central America, South America, and Brazil in Prophecy [Español: México, America Central, Suramérica, y el Brasil en profecíal] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What rule might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
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?
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?
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 his timing and at least one Shiite prophecy suggests?  This is the longest and most detailed of the articles here at COGwriter related to prophecy and Barack Obama.
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?
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?

COGwriter

The July-August 2009 edition of GCI’s (formerly WCG) Together just came out.  WCG used to observe the biblical Feast of Tabernacles in the Fall, but now offers a variety of humanly devised substitutes instead.  Here is what is expected in 2009 thus far:

“From Exclusion to Inclusion” –
Wisconsin Dells, Sept. 17-20

Everyone is invited to the annual Dells Celebration at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI, from September 17-20, 2009…

Fall Conference – Myrtle Beach, SC, Oct. 8-11

The Harvest Church is again sponsoring a conference in Myrtle Beach…

Women’s retreat in Alabama – Oct. 16-18

Last year’s retreat was so much fun that we’re having another one! Grace Covenant Fellowship is hosting a fall women’s retreat at the St. Bernard Abbey Retreat & Conference Center in Cullman, AL, about one hour north of Birmingham.

WCG used to meet for the FOT in Wisconsin Dells (the Living Church of God still does, see LCG 2009 Feast of Tabernacles’ Information).  One of the differences between early Christianity and paganism was the the pagans were more inclined toward inclusivism, while the true Christians were considered to be more exclusive.  Hence, in certain respects, GCI’s theme is consistent with what pagans did in the past.

I believe that GCI hopes that having substitutes will work for them, like they did for Jeroboam:

26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom may return to the house of David: 27 If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam king of Judah.” 28 Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!” 29 And he set up one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. 30 Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan. 31 He made shrines on the high places, and made priests from every class of people, who were not of the sons of Levi. 32 Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast that was in Judah, and offered sacrifices on the altar. So he did at Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made. And at Bethel he installed the priests of the high places which he had made. 33 So he made offerings on the altar which he had made at Bethel on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, in the month which he had devised in his own heart. And he ordained a feast for the children of Israel, and offered sacrifices on the altar and burned incense (1 Kings 12:26-33).

Notice that Jeroboam wanted a Feast like the one in Judah.  The one in Judah was the biblical Feast of Tabernacles.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The 18 Restored Truths: Do You Know What the First Changes the Tkach Administration Made? Some have said healing, others other subjects, but probably the first change had to do with eliminating being part of the Philadelphia era. This article documents what those changes were and compares the Tkach list of restored truths to Herbert W. Armstrong’s list of restored truths. It contains many quotes from Herbert W. Armstrong.
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG/GCI 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?
LCG 2009 Feast of Tabernacles’ Information Here is information on many Feast of Tabernacles locations for this year.
Holy Day Calendar This is a listing of the biblical holy days through 2012, with their Roman calendar dates. They are really hard to observe if you do not know when they occur 🙂

Statue of “Paul” In St. John’s Lateran, Rome (June 2009)

COGwriter

The Pope is claiming that the bones of the Apostle Paul may have been identified:

Pope says tests support saga of St. Paul’s bones

Carbon dating indicates remains in Rome were from 1st or 2nd century

Associated Press – June 28, 2009

ROME – The first-ever scientific tests on what are believed to be the remains of the Apostle Paul “seem to conclude” that they do indeed belong to the Roman Catholic saint, Pope Benedict XVI said Sunday.

Archaeologists recently unearthed and opened the white marble sarcophagus located under the Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls in Rome, which for almost 2,000 years has been believed by the faithful to be the tomb of St. Paul.

Benedict said scientists had conducted carbon dating tests on bone fragments found inside the sarcophagus and confirmed that they date from the first or second century.

“This seems to confirm the unanimous and uncontested tradition that they are the mortal remains of the Apostle Paul,” Benedict said, announcing the findings at a service in the basilica to mark the end of the Vatican’s Paoline year, in honor of the apostle.

Paul and Peter are the two main figures known for spreading the Christian faith after the death of Christ.

According to tradition, St. Paul, also known as the apostle of the Gentiles, was beheaded in Rome in the 1st century during the persecution of early Christians by Roman emperors. Popular belief holds that bone fragments from his head are in another Rome basilica, St. John Lateran, with his other remains inside the sarcophagus.

‘Precious’ purple linen found

The pope said that when archaeologists opened the sarcophagus, they discovered alongside the bone fragments some grains of incense, a “precious” piece of purple linen with gold sequins and a blue fabric with linen filaments.

Vatican archaeologists in 2002 began excavating the 8-foot-long (2.5-meter-long) coffin, which dates from at least A.D. 390 and was buried under the basilica’s main altar. The decision to unearth it was made after pilgrims who came to Rome during the Roman Catholic Church’s 2000 Jubilee year expressed disappointment at finding that the saint’s tomb — buried under layers of plaster and further hidden by an iron grate — could not be visited or touched…

Monday is the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, a major feast day for the Roman Catholic Church…

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31599704/ns/technology_and_science-science/

There are at least two problems with this declaration.

The first is if the bones are from the second century (as the Pope suggested that they may be), this would eliminate the Apostle Paul as even all Catholic sources say he died in the first century.

The second is that this declaration seems to be in contradiction to an 8th century Catholic report that Paul’s remains were in England:

“The letters of the Apostolic Pope…the following letter was sent back into Britain to King Oswy:…Nevertheless, we have caused the blessed gifts of the saints, that is, the relics of the blessed Apostles, Peter and Paul, and of the holy martyrs, Laurentius, John, and Paul, and Gregory, and Pancratius, to be given to your servants, the bearers of these our letters, to be by them delivered to your Excellency.”

Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of England Chapter XXIX, author: Bede, St. (“The Venerable,” c. 673-735) http://www.ccel.org/ccel/bede/history.v.iii.xxix.html

Thus, for the Pope to declare this “seems to confirm the unanimous and uncontested tradition that they are the mortal remains of the Apostle Paul” seems to be in error.  The “tradition” has been contested.

However, it is certainly possible that some of Paul’s bones were in Rome and as unlikely as it seems, if they were there, then some could possibly be found.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Apostle Paul He was a later apostle, but also an early Christian leader.
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?
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

Billy Mays, died today, age 50

COGwriter

TV pitchman, Billy Mays died today:

Mays was found unresponsive by his wife in his Tampa, Florida home on the morning of June 28, 2009. He was then pronounced dead at 7:45 am, appearing to have died sometime overnight (Wikipedia).

His is the fourth major American celebrity death within a week (after Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson).  Are these celebrities doomed?

Michael Jackson, 1984

LCG’s W. Bowmer wrote some comments related to Michael Jackson, and some of those comments are also applicable to the other celebrities that died:

Jackson spent much of his life searching for something he never found. Brought up as a Jehovah’s Witness, he briefly married a Scientologist, and professed to have converted to Islam before he died. Now that he is dead, what will be his fate?

Considering the often-debased lyrics in his songs and the troubling actions in his personal life, millions of “mainstream” Christians today will tell you with assurance, “Michael has gone to {gehnna fire} forever.” But is that true? Did God give Jackson a tragically unhappy childhood, an unnatural early celebrity and a miserable premature death as the prelude to an eternity of unspeakably painful torture?

God’s word says, “No!” Scripture tells us that the vast majority of human beings who have lived in this present age—who have never heard the true Gospel, living and dying while blinded by Satan, the “god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4)—will be raised again to physical life at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11). Jackson’s life certainly displayed many indications that he is among those who are “blinded,” who will be raised in the Great White Throne Judgment and for the first time experience a healthy society under God’s loving rule. Healed of his childhood traumas and his lifetime of suffering, Jackson will then be able to look back at the troubles of his life, compare them to the blessings of living God’s way—and, for the first time, be able to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior.

Anciently, King David sang and danced in praise of God. A time is yet coming when the former self-styled “King of Pop” will, like David, be able to use his talent singing and dancing in praise of the King of kings. No longer motivated by fear or the need to provide for his father, Jackson will finally be able to praise the Father who loves him more than any fan of The Jackson 5 ever has—or ever will.

To learn more about what will happen to Michael Jackson and billions of others like him, read our article “What Happens When You Die?” or our booklet Is This the Only Day of Salvation? Scripture reveals that God’s plan for human beings is both just and merciful.

I was not going to cover Michael Jackson at this page, but with all the recent deaths, including Billy Mays today, I decided that some might be interested in understanding how we in the Living Church of God view such things.

And although I am unaware of the religious beliefs of the other celebrities that recently died, as they were not part of the Living Church of God, they too will also should still have their opportunity for salvation.

Two articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
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.

COGwriter

China made another request for a world currency other than the US dollar:

China snubs U.S. dollar! Calls for new world currency!

Money and Markets – June 28, 2009

by Larry Edelson

If you think everything you’ve witnessed in the economy over the last two years is virtually unprecedented, think again.

The People’s Bank of China — the central bank for 1.3 billion people and America’s biggest creditors — has just issued an economic report calling on the world to replace the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency … and for the International Monetary Fund to issue a new, single “super-sovereign currency.”

Make no mistake about it: As China and other major nations with surplus reserves move steadily forward with this new mission, it could have massive implications for almost everything you own.

It could impact every single stock traded in the U.S.

It could affect the value of every long-term Treasury bond … corporate bond … and municipal bond.

It’s bound to send gold soaring through the roof … and could spark another rocket ride higher in the prices of oil and gas.

But as much as I don’t like it, it comes as no surprise to me, or to anyone who has been following the patterns of history over the years… http://www.moneyandmarkets.com/china-snubs-us-dollar-calls-for-new-world-currency-3-34385

Dollar Drops as China Repeats Call for New Reserve Currency

Bloomberg – June 26, 2009

By Oliver Biggadike and Ye Xie

The dollar fell against most of its major counterparts after China repeated its call for a supranational currency “delinked” from sovereign nations.

The greenback headed for its biggest weekly loss against the euro in four weeks after the People’s Bank of China said the International Monetary Fund should manage more of members’ foreign-exchange reserves. A rally in Treasuries this week pushed the yield on the benchmark 10-year note down the most since December, lowering expected returns.

“The dollar’s status as a reserve currency is being questioned,” said Benedikt Germanier, a foreign-exchange strategist in Stamford, Connecticut, at UBS AG, the second- largest currency trader. “Relative yield momentum is abating. There are reasons to sell the dollar.”

The U.S. currency declined 0.6 percent to $1.4078 per euro at 3 p.m. in New York, from $1.3988 yesterday, extending its loss this week to 1 percent. The dollar fell 0.8 percent to 95.17 yen from 95.95 and was poised for a 1.1 percent weekly decline, its third consecutive drop.

Brazil’s real was headed for a 2.1 percent gain versus the dollar this week as the sale of shares in the credit card network Visa Inc.’s local affiliate attracted foreign investors to the world’s biggest initial public offering in more than a year. The real advanced to 1.9356 today after earlier reaching 1.9240, the strongest level since June 12.

The Swiss franc rose against the euro and dollar on speculation traders will test the central bank’s resolve to keep its currency weaker. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=atc19lxb9_SE

Such moves would have been unthinkable 3-4 years ago.

The times, they are a changing, and the changes will NOT be good for the US economy.

What China has not fully figured out yet, however, is that it will be a European currency that the Bible indicates will ultimately dominate world trade.

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 Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, 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”? 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?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss 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?  Will Barack Obama lead the USA to its destruction?  This is the longest and most complete article on this page on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.

COGwriter

The Arab states apparently want back into the Union for the Mediterranean States:

Arabs Back On Board For Mediterranean Union

AFP – June 24, 2009

CAIRO (AFP)–Arab states will rejoin the Mediterranean Union, which has been frozen since the Gaza war in December-January, an Arab League official said Wednesday, despite reservations about sitting down with Israel.

“The whole Arab group will participate in the next meetings. We will not be the ones to block the process,” Mohammed al-Nasseri, who heads the Euro-Arab cooperation department at the Arab League, told AFP.

He said Arab members, which include the Palestinians, would attend the July 7 meeting in Brussels to formally announce the 43-member union’s relaunch.

The Arab members will first attend a Euro-Mediterranean ministerial meeting in Paris Thursday on sustainable development, Nasseri said.

Launched at a Paris summit in July, the Union groups E.U. member states with countries in North Africa, the Balkans, Arab world as well as Israel in a bid to foster cooperation. http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=200906241303dowjonesdjonline000681&title=arabs-back-on-board-for-mediterranean-union

France attempts to revitalise Union for the Mediterranean

EurActiv – June 26, 2009

Held up by the invasion of Gaza at the beginning of 2009 and the ensuing freeze in Israeli-Palestinian relations, France relaunched the Union for the Mediterranean at a meeting held in Paris yesterday (25 June). EurActiv France reports.

After six months of slow motion, delegations from 43 member states were invited by the French environment minister to evaluate the condition of a number of sustainable development projects.

“The Union for the Mediterranean experienced a major slowdown after January […] We have convinced our partners to resume formal meetings,” indicated the technical counsellor responsible for the economy and finance at the Elysée’s Med Union unit, Gilles Mantré, during a conference organised by the Foundation for Policy Innovation on 19 June.

And if the process has begun anew, it is “solely because we’ve altered the parameters of cooperation,” he added. Contrary to the technical meetings of the Barcelona Process, which brought together ambassadors and experts, the meetings of the Union for the Mediterranean put heads of state and government in contact with one another.

According to diplomats, this was what allowed countries to overcome the Gaza crisis without leaving the Mediterranean Union. This point of view is shared by the president of the Arab World Institute, Dominique Baudis. “It was a mistake to launch the Barcelona Process solely at the ministerial level. When an initiative is taken at the level of heads of state and government, the political impact is stronger,” he said.

Launched with great pomp in July 2008, the Mediterranean Union was given a Franco-Egyptian co-presidency…

“The real assessment of the Union for the Mediterranean will need to be made two years after its launch,” added France’s Mantré. Concrete projects – such as solar power projects or sea highways – thus still have a year to bear fruit. http://www.euractiv.com/en/enlargement/france-attempts-revitalise-union-mediterranean/article-183525

While the deals in Psalm 83/Daniel 11:27-28 and Daniel 9:27 have not yet occurred, as I have been saying since its launch, the Mediterranean Union may be the organizational framework for possibly all such deals to take place (though the Mediterranean Union itself is not strictly necessary for any of them).

While the Mediterranean Union does have a co-president of the North and a co-president of the South (called a “co-presidency” in the above article), neither are yet in position to be the final King of the North nor the final King of the South.  But events seem to be lining up in a way that the top Mediterranean Union leaders may ultimately hold those positions.

Union for the Mediterranean

Blue: Members of the European Union in the Union for the Mediterranean States
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

Libya, which has been distant from the Union indicated that it may also become a full member.  Libya’s leader, by the way, has taken titles to suggest that he is the final leader that the Muslims are looking for.  Notice the following two items:

Ghaddafi’s historical visit to Italy paves way for Libya-EU ties

Xinhua – June 10, 2009

By Silvia Marchetti

On Thursday Ghaddafi will give a speech at the Italian Senate and at La Sapienza state university, while he will meet on Friday with the Italian association of entrepreneurs and a delegation of 700 women.

According to Arturo Varvelli, researcher at the Milan-based ISPI institute of international politics and author of Italy and the rise of Ghaddafi, “the Libyan leader’s trip to Rome will pave way for greater Libya-EU relations, especially in the fight against illegal immigration.”

“Closer bilateral ties between Italy and Libya can support Libya’s integration in the circuit of international cooperation,” said Varvelli.

“It’s a great historical opportunity to consider Libya’s official entry in the Mediterranean Union and accelerate the implementation of the framework agreement between Libya and the EU, launched in 2008.” http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-06/11/content_11523232.htm

Colonel Gaddafi is turning into a mellow megolamaniac…

Gaddafi, 68…he is the world’s third longest-serving head of state. He still talks himself a big role in the world -“I am an international leader, the King of Kings of Africa and the Imam of the Muslims” – and the world is happy to let him believe it. It’s a better Gaddafi now. Older, wiser, but not so crazy as to give the impression that he might be going sane. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/5524083/Colonel-Gaddafi-is-turning-into-a-mellow-megolamaniac.html

Although Colonel Gaddafi is not likely to be accepted as the Imam of the Muslims, as he gets older, it would not be a surprise if he endorses someone (possibly from Egypt) for that role–the role that would seem to be that of the biblical King of the South.

So, while much of the world is focusing on Michael Jackson and the Iranian situation, events in Europe and the Middle East continue to move forward in ways to be set to fulfill biblical prophecy.

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?
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?
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?

COGwriter

In the current (June 2009) issue of its Bible Advocate Magazine, CG7’s former president, Calvin Burrell wrote:

The twentieth chapter of Revelation mentions a thousand-year reign of Christ six times (vv. 2-7). This period, called a millennium, is not found elsewhere in the Bible, leading some to accept it as symbolic, not literal.  Our understanding is that the millennium is a literal age that begins when Christ returns to Earth (Rev. 19:11-21) and the righteous dead are raised (1 Cor. 15:20-23; 1 Thess. 4:16). The nature of this period, according to the primary source in Revelation 20, may be summed up as the binding of Satan (vv. 1-3), a judgment scene (v. 4a), and the reign of the righteous with Christ (vv. 4b, 6). Revelation 5:10 confirms that this happens here, not in heaven…

Combining texts that foretell Christ’s millennial kingdom of peace, we conclude that

1. Redeemed persons will be transformed to immortality at Christ’s return, to rule and reign with Him for one thousand years.
2. Jesus will rule all nations with a “rod of iron” when He comes. Many unredeemed will live on to be taught God’s truth from Zion during this age.
First Thessalonians 4:16, 17 describes the “catching up” of the righteous at the fi rst resurrection. We will rise to meet Christ in the air at His coming and then return with Him to the earth. We reject the popular rapture notion that Jesus comes secretly for the church and takes believers to heaven for three-and-a-half or seven years prior to His public coming with the church.

The above is consistent with something that we in the Living Church of God also teach.  However, Calvin Burrell continued with:

Will the multitudes that never heard God’s Word or knew the gospel of grace have a chance to repent during the millennium, or just after? This tantalizing question finds no direct answer in Scripture. Based on God’s nature of justice and love, many of Christ’s followers believe the answer is yes.

And this is the problem that CG7 and many others have–they know that God somehow needs to deal with the vast majority who have never heard the true gospel as well as those whose understanding of what they heard was blinded–but they are really not sure how the Bible teaches this.

I believe that the Bible does teach when and how the vast majority who ever lived will be offered salvation (it is after the millennium).  Those in CG7, as well as others who are uncertain of the related scriptures, should read the article Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis.

To learn more about the millennium and when it should occur, please consider studying the following articles:

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 Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it. Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?
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?

“Orthodox” 16th Century Representation of the “Apocalypse”

COGwriter

With December 21, 2012 less than 3 1/2 years away and Sony’s movie on it due in less than five months, some are wondering about 2012:

2012: A Y2K for the New Age

Newsweek by Lisa Miller

…One of the most popular authors in the 2012 category is John Major Jenkins, a self-described “independent researcher” whose 1998 book “Maya Cosmogenesis 2012” helped usher in this craze.

“Around the year we call 2012,” he writes, “a large chapter in human history will be coming to an end. All the values and assumptions of the previous World Age will expire, and a new phase of human growth will commence.”

David Freidel is an archeologist at Washington University in St. Louis. He recently agreed to speak at a New Age conference on 2012,…”I immediately said yes so I could get to the podium before the charlatans do,” says Freidel. He has studied the Mayan calendar (actually, calendars), and while he agrees that what’s called the “long count” calendar does end in 2012, he believes that the Maya—were they still living by their ancient system of dates—would not have seen it as any kind of cataclysm…

Quetzil Castañeda makes a similar argument…In Mexico…the real Maya think of 2012 as “a gringo invention.”

In America, we have always been uniquely receptive to end-times prophesy—Y2K is the most recent example.  What’s unique about 2012 is that it appeals not to fundamentalist Christians but to the New Age set. http://www.newsweek.com/id/195688

The truth, of course, is that the modern Mayans do not seem to have been the ones to popularize “2012” in recent days.   According to Wikipedia, it appears that 2012 was first popularized by José Argüelles as a date, when he indicated it could mark the beginning of a new age of peace. Dr.Argüelles was one of the original founders of “Earth Day” in 1970 and is considered a leader with New Age beliefs. Here is some of what he has recently written:

When we look at the calendar…the thirteenth subcycle of this beam, began in 1618 and runs to 2012…

There are actually many points of convergence among the Mayan galactic code, I Ching, the Book of Revelations, and many other systems…

you have the mathematical code of the Book of Revelations, which is based on 7 and 13, and 144 and 144,000; it’s the same number of the Mayan Code. The Mayan Code is the master code. It’s the galactic code. It’s the master program.

Of course, the Mayan Code is NOT the master program.  But some wonder if it might be.

The reality is that while there is likely to be some hysteria reminiscent of Y2K, when the world does NOT end in a flood shortly on December 22, 2012 (the 2012 alignment takes place the day before at 11:11 am GMT), some people associated with the New Age Movement (as well as some associated with certain forms of Buddhism) will likely declare that a new age of peace is dawning on the earth.

However, it is possible that this may be one of the four periods of false peace declarations that the Bible warns about.  Specifically the following one:

8 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you,” says the Lord GOD. 9 My hand will be against the prophets who envision futility and who divine lies; they shall not be in the assembly of My people, nor be written in the record of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord GOD. 10 Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace (Ezekiel 13:8-10)

Anyway, whether or not the ancient Mayans meant to teach disaster or change or anything else to happen when their long-count calendar ended cannot be determined as those who produced it have long been dead.

But some Mayans apparently did believe in disaster as the following from near the early 16th century suggested one:

But when the law of the katun has run its course, the God will bring about a great deluge again which will be the end of the world. When this is over, then our Lord Jesus Christ will descend over the valley of Jehoshaphat besides the town of Jerusalem where he redeemed us with his holy blood (José Hoíl J, Roys R. The Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel. Roys Publisher,    1933. Reprint Forgotten Books, 1967, p. 67).

So, something bad (which biblically cannot happen per Genesis 9) is expected by some.

Since many people believe that something was predicted (and there are peace predictions from New Agers, Buddhists,  Astrologers, and others), this very belief could have various ramifications for those of us who will be alive next decade.

Also, because the 6000 years that God has given humankind to rule itself will be over shortly past 2012, the next decade is likely to be very turbulent and even usher in the Great Tribulation.

Some 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 (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?
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.
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.
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? What happens before the Great Tribulation? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?

Laodicea is Composed of Many Ineffective Structures

COGwriter

In a teleconference, UCG reported the following concerning its finances:

Council of Elders Meeting Report – June 22, 2009…

Cost of Living Adjustment Proposal

Treasurer Jason Lovelady updated the Council with the latest financial information for this current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2009.  He noted that the income should end the year between a 1 and 2 percent increase over last fiscal year, and that the total income should level out at $23,800,000.

Mr. Lovelady said that we had originally budgeted for an income of $24,500,000, and that even though the income is below that figure, we have done a good job of controlling expenses. He said that we should end this fiscal year “in the black.”

During the December 2008 Council meetings, Mr. Lovelady had suggested that because of the lower than expected income levels at that time, the budgeted cost of living adjustment (COLA), which had been approved in May 2008 and scheduled to take effect in January 2009, should be postponed. In the February Council meetings, he proposed that a bonus could be given to the employees in lieu of a COLA if the income levels increased during the remaining months of the fiscal year.

Mr. Lovelady also noted that it has been three and a half years since the last COLA was given, in January 2006. He further stated that it would not be wise to entertain a discussion of a COLA until at least the end of June 2010, with an implementation to begin in January 2011. In this scenario, it will then be at least five years before employees would have received a cost of living adjustment.

Therefore, Mr. Lovelady asked the Council to consider providing a bonus in lieu of the COLA to help the employees. He reiterated that the bonus would still be within the approved budget for salaries, and that this bonus was not based on cutting back any other programs. He also said this decision would still allow for a surplus to be placed in reserves, which would allow for a strong financial beginning to the next fiscal year.

After further discussion, the Council, by unanimous consent without resolution, approved the proposal to provide employees with a one-time year-end bonus, in lieu of the COLA.