World Currencies

COGwriter

The world’s economic order is changing as the G20 is moving up:

G20 replaces G8 as world’s major economic forum

Radio New Zealand News – Sept 26, 2009

World leaders at the G20 summit in Pittsburgh have agreed to give emerging economies a greater say in the global financial system.

The G20 will supersede the smaller G8 group of major industrial countries as the world’s main economic forum.

The Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who has been pushing for such a move, describes the development as an historic day for Australia, as it now has a seat at the top decision-making table on world economic policy.

The G20 members are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey and the United States.

They were joined in Pittsburgh by Spain, the Netherlands, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation. http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/09/26/1245c884670b

There have been a variety of steps in the past year or so for certain groups to rise up that have less USA/UK influence.

All the G20 are not equal, however.  And a force of ten kings/areas are prophesied to will rise up and give power to a future leader (Revelation 17:12) that cannot be trusted (the King of the North).

Biblical prophecies indicate that most of the G20 nations will temporarily prosper to a great degree, while four will be taken over, probably next decade.

To learn about which, please check out the following articles:

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?
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?
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?
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?
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).
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?
Korea in Prophecy, Any Witness? Does God have a plan for the Koreans? Is Korea mentioned in any prophecies? Will Koreans be among the first in the Kingdom of God? 한국의 언어로 : 한국 예언, 모든 증인에?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? This is a brief article about Japan. Have they had any witness?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan? Will God save the Japanese?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia? What will it do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?
Modern Nations and God’s Ancient Plan Many peoples are mentioned in the Bible. And other than the fact that the modern nation of Israel represents the ancient kingdom of Judah, do you know who any of these people are now?

Brasilia, Brazil

COGwriter

Apparently the arms accumulations among various nations, including one or more in South America, have gotten some in Brazil to consider getting nuclear weapons too:

Brazil VP says country should build nuclear arms

AP – Sept 25, 2009

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) – Brazil’s vice president says his country should develop nuclear weapons. Jose Alencar says “a nuclear weapon has great importance” to prevent attacks on Brazil because of its extensive borders and maritime holdings. Alencar tells Brazilian newspapers that Brazil doesn’t have a program to develop nuclear weapons, but should. Alencar’s influence is relatively limited and he is not a member of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s party. Brazilian officials insist they are developing nuclear energy only for peaceful means. Alencar aide Adriano Silva confirms the comments published Friday by newspapers including O Globo and O Estado de Sao Paulo. He says they are personal opinions and not a position of the government.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9AUCIKG0&show_article=1

Brazil has not been an aggressively militaristic power, thus I believe that only if it feels that it needs them for defense would Brazil decide it needed to develop nuclear weapons.  The world should wake up to the fact if nations like North Korea (which apparently has some) and possibly Iran end up with nuclear weapons, that nations that have not been internationally hostile may decide that they need to as well.

Some prophetic thoughts concerning Brazil are in the following article:

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 role might Brazil play?  What rule might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?

COGwriter

The following was of interest:

‘Joseph-era’ coins found in Egypt

Jerusalem Post – Sept 25, 2009

Archeologists have discovered ancient Egyptian coins bearing the name and image of the biblical Joseph, Cairo’s Al Ahram newspaper recently reported. Excerpts provided by MEMRI show that the coins were discovered among a multitude of unsorted artifacts stored at the Museum of Egypt.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1253820674074&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

This is simply more support in the historical record of the accuracy of the biblical accounts.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Bible: Fact or Fiction? This is a booklet written by Douglas Winnail that answers if the Bible is just a collection of myths and legends or the inspired word of God.
Read the Bible Christians should read and study the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading.
What is the Appropriate Form of Biblical Interpretation? Should the Bible be literally understood? What do the writings of the Bible, Origen, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Augustine show?
Bible and Historical Resources on the Internet Electronic bibles, Two Babylons, early Christian literature, photos, and even links to old Herbert W. Armstrong materials.

Dmitry Medvedev

COGwriter

Russia seems to realize that the ruble will not be the world’s reserve currency and that the euro makes more sense at this time:

The Ruble as a Global Reserve Currency? No!

Moscow Times – Sept 23, 2009…

President Dmitry Medvedev…acknowledged the poor performance of the Russian economy in his web article of Sept. 10, in which he asked, “Should we drag ourselves also into the future with a primitive economy based on raw materials and endemic corruption?” After one year, not one single reform has been accomplished, although crises usually render necessary reforms politically possible.Berkeley professor Barry Eichengreen is the foremost researcher of reserve currencies and his conclusions are unequivocal. In the last two centuries, the world has seen three significant reserve currencies. The pound sterling dominated in the 19th century. In the course of half a century, the U.S. dollar gradually overtook sterling. In the last decade, the euro has emerged with 27 percent of global currency reserves, while the dollar still holds two-thirds. Sterling and yen account for 3 percent to 4 percent each, leaving less than 1 percent for other currencies.

The real question is whether the dollar will disqualify itself as a reserve currency and give way to the euro, or possibly the Chinese renminbi in a few decades. But the ruble hardly complies with any of the arduous demands for a reserve currency, having become convertible as late as July 2006…

Today, the euro has become a realistic alternative to the dollar…

Anders Åslund, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, has together with Andrew Kuchins authored “The Russia Balance Sheet.”

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/383916.html

The former Chairman of the Federal Reserve in the USA is realizing something similar:

Euro could replace dollar as top currency-Greenspan

Reuters – Sept 17, 2007

BERLIN (Reuters) – The euro could replace the U.S. dollar as the world’s primary reserve currency, a German magazine quoted former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan as saying on Monday.

Greenspan told weekly Stern it was “absolutely conceivable that the euro will replace the dollar as reserve currency, or will be traded as an equally important reserve currency,” the magazine said in a preview of this week’s edition.

The dollar no longer had much of a lead over the euro, he said, adding that the European Central Bank had “developed into a global economic force to be taken seriously.” http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSL1771147920070917

When the British pound ceased to the world’s reserve currency, that had negative effects on the British economy.  If the dollar is replaced (and it will be) this will have more profound effects on the US economy than most Americans realize.  The UK simply did not have anything like the type of debt the USA now has when the sterling was being replaced.

The Europeans have been more concerned about the value of the euro during this economic crisis and have refused to greatly increase debt.  This has raised the value of the euro among many as the logical replacement for the USA dollar as the world’s reserve currency.   And while that could change, right now it looks like the Europeans have taken steps for that to come to pass.

The Bible tells of a time when a European economic power will rise up, and we are starting to see this before our very eyes right now.  And even though there will sometimes be drops in the value of the euro, the long term outlook for the USA is that it will ultimately be worth nothing.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia? What will it do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? What is ahead for Europe?
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?
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?

Dresden Codex Picturing a Flood

COGwriter

Many have different views about what will happen next decade:

Apocalyptic Films Explore 2012 End of World Prediction

Mayan Calendar Predicts End, But Could That Mean a New Age of Aquarius?

ABC News – Sept 24, 2009  by SUSAN DONALDSON JAMES

The iPhone application Twenty12 counts down the moments until the world’s destruction — just three years, 89 days, 13 hours and 15 minutes until Dec. 21, 2012.

That’s the date that the ancient Mayan Long Count calendar marked as the end of a 5,126-year era, resetting the date to 0 and signaling the end of humanity…

In November, two apocalypse-themed films open — “2012,” starring John Cusack and “The Road,” with Charlize Theron. A whirlwind of interest in eschatology — the study of the end of times — has been escalating since the advent of the 21st century, according to Robert Thompson, professor of media and popular culture at Syracuse University. “When we got to the millennium, people tended to get exorcized to mark the end of time,” he told ABCNews.com. “Then they boosted the Y2K scare and having people in authority, smart leaders, predict planes falling from the sky, no money in cash machines and breakdown of the electric grid. We lived with those headlines.”

…Mayans Predicted End of World in 2012

But the Mayan predictions have held the most sway with believers.

At the height of that Mesoamerican civilization from 300 to 900 A.D., advanced mathematics and primitive astronomy flourished, creating what many have called the most accurate calendar in the world.

The Mayans predicted a final event that included a solar shift, a Venus transit and violent earthquakes.

Modern astronomy also confirms that on the winter solstice in 2012, the sun will be aligned with the center of the Milky Way for the first time in about 26,000 years.

Many point to similar end-of-times predictions among Native Americans, Chinese, Egyptians and even the Irish.

The prophecies of the Irish saint Malachy, the 12th century bishop of Armagh, have said there will be only one more pope after the current one, Pope Benedict XVI, and during his reign comes the end of the world.

Nasty Things to Come, According to Bible

From a Biblical standpoint, the apocalypse paints a nasty picture of what’s to come: natural disasters, a pandemic, asteroid impact, alien invasion, global warming, eco-system collapse, global conflict and divine intervention.

Christians look to Revelations, the last book of the Bible, written in 90 A.D. by John the Apostle…

In the judgment day that follows “tribulation,”…

Coming Apocalypse Reflected in Headlines

Hotsenpiller packs in avid fans at his end-of-times workshops at the Yorba Linda Friends Church in Orange County, Calif., an evangelical megachurch that includes former President Richard Nixon as one of its founding members…

While the pastor believes in the literal description of the apocalypse, he knows the Bible has “poetic language” and hasn’t yet seen any immediate signs of the world’s demise.

“No, the world won’t end in 2012,” said Hotsenpiller. “But we are pretty…close.”

Even scientists may have some worries about the date, some say.

A 2008 report by the National Academy of Sciences “changed my life,” said Lawrence Joseph, author of “Apocalypse 2012.”

Joseph has worried about destructive solar storms that will be at their height at the winter solstice in 2012.

“The report said that the electric power grid was susceptible to solar blasts,” he told ABCNews.com. “They come as close to the Supreme Court of scientific opinion. It’s been an amazing validation of my work and my fears.”

…Baddeley heard from scientists and spiritualists who suggested seismic changes in the cosmos might lead to enlightenment, rather than disaster.

“Many end-of-times prophesies are being bandied about, and 2012 is a convenient date to glom on to, but it’s no more ominous than Y2K,” he said. “And if you go down to Mesoamerica and ask the modern Mayan what Dec. 21 means to you, it means tourism.”

Whether 2012 brings the end of the earth or the Age of Aquarius is anyone’s guess. But culture critic Thompson said upheaval makes one wonder.

“Human beings have spent a good portion of civilization looking over their shoulders for the end to come,” he said. “Horrible things could happen in 2012 or tomorrow. Life is so unpredictable, and we have incredibly sophisticated weapons in the world we live in. There are lots of bad things.”

So does he believe 2012 will be that end.

“No,” he said. “But one day, they will be right.”

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/apocalypse-fears-mount-film-books-2012/story?id=8653187

The Mayans have predicted a worldwide flood, such as one that Sony’s 2012 movie will depict.  And while the world will not end in 2012, we are getting very close.

Yet, I have known for some time that those in the New Age Movement intend to use a lack of a worldwide destructive flood on December 21, 2012 as proof that the world was about to enter into an age of peace that many of them consider to be the Age of Aquarius.  But that will be a false proclamation of peace–it is too soon.

With Sony’s upcoming disaster movie, the “Nostradamus Effect” on the History Channel, etc. end time prophecies will get some attention the next several months.  Many will be confused.

For those interested in learning more of the truth on these matters, please see the following articles:

End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans (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?
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.  Why might the next pope be the last pope?
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?

VS.

COGwriter

Ronald Weinland of CGPFK posted the following yesterday:

The “Prophetic” First Trumpet:

The impact of the “prophetic” First Trumpet is about to resound with its greatest intensity yet! As I stated a few months ago, people needed to understand that there would be a period of “false hope” that would be allowed to capture the hearts and minds of many people as they were led to believe that an economic recovery was now taking place. The Stock Market reflects much of that false hope as an economic balloon stretches out to its limits. This is prophetic as it enables the potential for a greater humbling process to follow once the balloon bursts. That balloon is soon to burst!

We have now entered a new era of time for this end-time. God has been merciful to the world and is extending that mercy so that the massiveness of final destructiveness on this earth, in the form of WWIII, is given the least amount of time possible in order to accomplish the impact necessary to usher in a new world government—His very Kingdom ruling the earth.

Not only is God altering the time sequence of end-time events (not the return of Jesus Christ) by shortening the actual time of man’s suffering, but He is revealing a pattern that testifies to His judgment being given to this earth at the end of 6,000 years of man’s self-rule and disobedience.

While Ronald Weinland is correct that the stock market reflects false hope and the end of the 6,000 years is coming soon, but his idea that we have entered “a new era of time for this end-time” should be clarified.

For those unfamiliar with him, let me state that Ronald Weinland is a self-appointed “prophet” who claims that he and his wife are the two witnesses.

Additionally, Ronald Weinland has claimed that the Great Tribulation began on April 17, 2008 and then he changed his date to December 14, 2008–and currently he is still insisting that his December 14, 2008 date was correct.

But, since nothing resembling the Great Tribulation has actually occurred, he has come up with various explanations as to why total disaster has not yet struck the USA, etc.  I consider him to be a false prophet.

He at first insisted in 2008 that the USA would suffer nuclear attack by the summer of that year and that “A little after April…a dollar bill won’t be worth anything”.  When those events did not occur in 2008, he then came up with his December 14, 2008 date.

And then when no major events took place, he apparently decided that the Great Tribulation was more of a spiritual event, but that eventually there would be physical signs associated with it.

It is not clear to me if he is now teaching that his “new era” teaching is a continuation of very little happening or if he will once again insist that major physical signs are about to happen.  He is expected to make some type of new explanation within the next couple of weeks, which presumably will clarify what he means.

Ronald Weinland has changed his positions so often that I do not understand how any can believe that he is one of God’s two witnesses.  God’s prophets simply could not make so many prophetic errors.  People need to compare the teachings of any so-called “prophet” with the Bible.

As I have stated for years, the Great Tribulation could not start in 2008, 2009, or even 2010.  It cannot start until sometime after 2012.  And it certainly did not start in 2008.

Those who wish to learn more on these subjects may wish to study the following articles:

Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up and that the end will come in 2008 (first April 17th, then June 2008, now December 14, 2008). Why is he a false prophet? He also has at least one other view that suggests that he is not part of the Church of God.
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?
Who Are The Two Witnesses? What is their job? What does the Bible reveal? What has the Church of God taught on this subject? Might even Roman Catholic prophecies give some clues here?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood?
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?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.

COGwriter

A new discovery near the Western Wall was announced:

Holy Temple Mikveh Discovered Near Western Wall

Israel National News – Sept 23, 2009

2,000-year-old mikveh (ritual bath) has been uncovered just 20 meters from the Western Wall.

Given its location just outside the Holy Temple – where untold numbers of Jews regularly immersed before entering – the newly-revealed pool is among the largest ever discovered in Jerusalem.

The mikveh was found at the site known as the Western Wall Tunnels, which has long been under excavation and study by the Israel Antiquities Authority, with the support of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation.

It is located about 30 meters past the entrance to the Tunnels, in the general direction of the Western Wall. Once it becomes open to the public, the 11 broad steps leading down to the mikveh will be seen approximately 8 meters below floor level.

Josephus, the famous…historian of the period, wrote that the administrative and governmental center of Jerusalem was located at the foot of the Temple, and that among the buildings there were the National Council and the Lishkat HaGazit, Chamber of Hewn Stone, where the Sanhedrin – Israel’s Supreme Court – convened. The archaeologists feel that it is possible that the luxurious hall aside the mikveh was originally one of these structures.

Archaeologist Alexander Ohn,  the director of the dig, explains: “It is interesting to note that in the middle of the first century, changes were made in the grand structure. It was no longer used for public administrative purposes, and in its western wall a large mikveh was installed – with 11 steps descending into the immersion pool.

It appears that Jerusalem was growing at this time, and with it the need to provide a solution for the increasing numbers of people who came en masse to Jerusalem, especially on the pilgrimage festivals (Passover (Pesach), Pentecost (Shavuot), and Tabernacles (Sukkot)). Ritual immersion in a mikveh and precise observance of the laws of purity were an inseparable part of Jewish life at this time; the importance of a mikveh, especially in this location, was great.”

Parts of the mikveh had been uncovered in the past, but now another hall – one of three – has been revealed. The structure was built of smooth stone hewn in a particularly intricate manner, with high-quality decorations and architectural style. Its importance can be determined by the fact that it is similar to other luxurious structures built by King Herod such as the Temple Mount, the Machpelah Cave, and one in Elonei Mamreh.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/133558

It is interesting that this mikveh was used for the Holy Days.

A lot has been reported about the discoveries in the Temple area this year (several are in the “Old Testament History” category for this page; some are in other categories).

Perhaps it should be mentioned that the Fall Holy Days, such as the Day of Atonement and Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles in English) are rapidly approaching.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required? Although people like Timothy LaHaye teach a third Jewish temple is required, who is ‘the temple of God” in the New Testament?  What does the Bible teach about the temple in the end-times?
Solomon’s Temple This is a a 5 minute animated film that shows one artist’s understanding of the details about Solomon’s temple.
Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? Did they? Did Jesus? Should you?
The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets? Are they related? Is so how? If not, where not?
The Day of Atonement–Its Christian Significance The Jews call it Yom Kippur, Christians “The Day of Atonement”. Does it have any relevance for Christians today?
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?
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

COGwriter

This morning, residents of Sydney, Australia woke up to a dust storm that had some wondering if it was the end of the world:

Red mist blankets Sydney as dust storm blows in

City dwellers woke to red, apocalyptic skies with visibility down to a few feet…

The Times – Sept 23, 2009   excerpt…

A huge outback dust storm swept across eastern Australia today, leaving most of New South Wales, including Sydney shrouded in a thick red cloud of dust.

Flights were diverted and Sydney’s iconic ferries were suspended as city dwellers woke to red, apocalyptic skies with visibility down to a few feet, and thick dust coating cars, buildings and beaches.

The emergency services were inundated with calls from people fearing a major bushfire in the city while dust particles triggered scores of fire alarms and, in one Sydney train station, an emergency evacuation.

The extraordinary weather conditions also fanned several bushfires across NSW.  “This is unprecedented. We are seeing earth, wind and fire together,” said Dick Whitaker from the Weather Channel.

“An event like this is extremely rare,” Mr Hanstrum said. “It’s one of the worst, if not the worst.”

Callers to ABC radio likened the scenes to the end of the world.

A housewife from Sydney’s inner west said she woke up to find the red dust had covered her floors and birds had been blown out of their nests.

“It did feel like Armageddon because when I was in the kitchen looking out the skylight there was this red, red glow coming through,” she told the ABC.

Two small earthquakes measuring 3.0 and 2.6 on the Richter scale rattled Melbourne, although there were no reports of damage.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article6845490.ece

Dust storm chokes Sydney

Australian Broadcasting Corporation – Sept 23, 2009

Sydneysiders are being warned that a huge dust cloud will continue to affect the city through the day, after they woke to an eerie red dawn this morning.

The huge dust storm which has settled over the city and much of New South Wales was carried east overnight by gale-force winds of up to 100kph…

‘Like Armageddon’

Karen from Dulwich Hill, in Sydney’s inner west, says she woke up to find the red dust had covered her floors and birds had been blown out of their nests.

“It did feel like Armageddon because when I was in the kitchen looking out the skylight, there was this red, red glow coming through,” she said.

Mick told ABC Online: “In Sydney’s south-western suburbs I’ve just woken up to a glowing red window! Thought it was Armageddon! Either that or South Korea [sic] had nuked us!” http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/23/2693643.htm

Of course, as regular readers of this page are aware, “the end of the world as we know it” cannot happen until after 2012.  And red skies do not mean Armageddon (which, while related to the end, is a staging place for a battle–it is not described as a place with a red sky in scripture).

But there are end time prophecies about the moon looking like blood (which is red):

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD (Acts 2:20).

12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood (Revelation 6:12).

And while these have not had their final fulfillment yet, this morning’s display in Sydney shows that they can happen.  And of course, Bible prophecy will be fulfilled.

Some articles of possibly related interest may 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?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? 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? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? 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? How might Barack Obama be involved in 2012?

Angela Merkel

COGwriter

Apparently Al-Qaeda does not like German Chancellor Angela Merkel:

Al-Qaeda Threatens ‘Rude Awakening’ for Germany

Israel National News – Sept 22, 2009

A new Al-Qaeda recording threatens the start of “jihad in Germany” should the electorate return Chancellor Angela Merkel to power next week. The spokesman in the video appeared again one day later in a second video discussing his personal devotion to Islam and death for Allah.

German authorities and most terrorism analysts are taking very seriously the mounting threats to Germany by the international terror organization.

In a video released into jihadist forums on Friday, an Al-Qaeda spokesman known as Abu Talha al-Almani (“the German”) warned that if Angela Merkel wins the German national elections on September 27 2009, the result will be “bitter” for the German people. They can expect a “rude awakening,” he said in a German-language recording. If Merkel is reelected, Abu Talha warned, Germans “have [signed] their own verdict.”

Addressing Muslims in Germany, the jihadist warns, “Stay away from anything vital for two weeks after the election” if the electorate refuses to take his warning seriously. However, he also personally guarantees that “the city of Kiel will remain safe irrespective of how long the conflict will last in Germany.”

“I am telling the youth of Islam in Germany: my dear brethren in Islam, should the jihad begin in Germany, let Al-Qaeda do its job first,” Abu Talha said. “If there should be any need later and we would have to move on to the next phase, we will tell you, inshallah (‘Allah willing’), what every one of you can do to participate in the jihad in Germany.”

The Al-Qaeda jihadist places an additional condition on ending the organization’s conflict with Germany: “With the withdrawal of the last German soldier, the last mujahedin (‘jihad fighter’) will also be withdrawn from Germany.”

The Abu Talha release gives additional weight to an earlier jihadist communication this month that included an explicit threat of a 9/11-like attack in Germany. The communication declared that “everyone knows” that the “next strike is very near, a strike that will surprise everyone in its effect, which will be much more shocking than that of 9/11/2001.” At the time, analysts from the Institute of Terrorism Research and Response commented that the recent Al-Qaeda communications have been unusual in explicitly specifying the timing and type of an attack on Germany and German assets…

Germans Defiant or Unaware?

Current polls would seem to indicate that the German people are either unaware of or defiant against Al-Qaeda’s latest threats.

A public opinion survey by Forsa for Germany’s RTL Television released Tuesday showed that Angela Merkel’s parliamentary bloc (Christian Democratic Union, Christian Social Union, the Bavarian CSU, and the Social Democratic Part) and the Free Democrats Party (FDP) could form a leading coalition in next week’s elections.

No combination of major left-wing parties was able to garner enough support in the public opinion poll to indicate that a serious coalition challenge could be mounted.

In light of the increased jihadist chatter and activity focused on Germany and the coming elections, Berlin has raised the national terrorism alert level.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/133540

These threats are unwise on many fronts.  First, they would more likely have the opposite effect that Al-Qaeda wants as they would tend to rally support around Angela Merkel.  Secondly, an attack would galvanize Germany to take stronger steps against Al-Qaeda, as well as to get it to likely strengthen its military.

But thirdly, the Bible warns of a time when a likely Muslim leader (called the King of the South) will push at a European leader (called the King of the North) and this will result in a taking over of lands by the European power.  Notice the following:

40 “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels (Daniel 11:40-43).

Muslims need to be cautious about pushing against the Europeans in general and Germany in particular–as the European economy is being driven by the Germans.  And the Germans will have major roles to play in the emerging European military power.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? What is ahead for Europe?
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?
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?

COGwriter

The worst droughts in decades have hit both Kenya in Africa and Guatemala in Central America:

Kenya drought taking its toll

BBC – Sept 20, 2009

One of the worst droughts in living memory is taking its toll on both people and wildlife in Kenya.

Clashes over land and water lead to the deaths of 32 people last week, with community leaders warning there will be more violence. Meanwhile, in Samburu district at least 24 elephants have either starved or been shot by poachers looking for food.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8265988.stm

Guatemalan drought causing hunger

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 19 (UPI) — Guatemala’s worst drought in 30 years is affecting an estimated 2.5 million people, especially children

and pregnant women, the United Nations said.

Drought conditions have been exacerbated by pest infestations, which have reduced the food supply, especially in the so-called dry corridor along the Pacific Ocean, U.N. officials said in a release Friday.

An estimated 30 percent of all pregnant women in the corridor are malnourished and 25 children have died in recent weeks, Guatemala’s Ministry of Health said.  http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/09/19/Guatemalan-drought-causing-hunger/UPI-20891253382320/

There are also droughts in other areas (including California where this page is based).  Droughts lead to food shortages, chaos, and often death.

Famines are one of the things that Jesus prophesied would occur during the beginning of sorrows. The situations in Kenya and Guatemala are bad, but worse droughts also seem to be prophesied that will likely include the Israelite-descended nations (Deuteronomy 11:16-17), as well as elsewhere (Revelation 11:6).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
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?
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?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?