Church of God News

COGwriter

A reader of the COGwriter page wanted me to look over a couple of “prophetic papers” of unitarian Wade Cox of CCG.  And while there were appeared to be a variety of points of error within them, the following statements really caught my eye in one of them:

From the Bible chronology we know that the sequence began in 4004 BCE with the creation of Adam. Bishop Ussher’s chronology, which determines the dates to 4004 BCE was issued with the early editions of the King James Bible.

Now I have written about Ussher’s chronology before, and it is flawed.  Hence any calculations based upon it should also be seen as flawed.  And I disagree with the way Wade Cox justifies going past 6000 years to come up with his “prophetic” time table (William Dankenbring’s TPM was the first I recall adding time to the 6,000 years, based upon his imagined reasons).  I believe that he simply does not rely enough on the Bible for his calculations or conclusions.

James Ussher, was the Anglican Archbishop of Armagh (in what is now Northern Ireland). He primarily based his calculations upon the chronologies and reigns of kings in the Old Testament to conclude that the world was created in the Fall of 4004 B.C. There are problems that can arise from using James Ussher’s method:

1) The first is that Ussher’s method did not seem to take into account that sometimes a son began the reign in a kingdom before his father king died (which, for one example, seems to started with with Solomon, see 1 Kings 1:32-43), hence the official chronologies often counted both co-reigns (hence this could contribute to possible over counting by Ussher).

2) He made some errors in some of his calculations.

3) James Ussher guessed that Solomon built the Jerusalem Temple in 1012 .B.C., but it was likely decades later.

4) It is probable that the 6,000 years for humans to rule over themselves apart from direct contact with God began after Adam sinned, and hence left the Garden of Eden. It is possible that this could have taken one day to twenty or so years–the Bible is not specifically clear on this point.

Thus, it is possible that even if Ussher’s calculations are close, that there still could be time left as he did not really attempt to prove when Adam and Eve were put out of the Garden of Eden–he only attempted to calculate the possible year of creation based upon his own limited understandings of biblical chronologies and other historical indicators (at least one of which seems to have been in error). Therefore, people who rely on Ussher’s 4004 B.C. calculations to claim that the 6000 years are up seem to be relying on assumption as opposed to fact.

I should state also for the record that various Catholic, Protestant, and Church of God writers have correctly believed that God does have a 6000/7000 year plan (6000 of human reign followed by 1000 years of God’s reign), and thus I believe that knowing approximately when the 6000 years began makes it easier to understand when the 6000 years will end.

Some articles of possibly related interest include the following:

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?  What does the Bible teach on this?  What about Catholic and Church of God writers?
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?
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?

COGwriter

In his weekly update, WCG/GCI’s J. Tkach wrote:

Jesus once asked his disciples, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered boldly, “You are the Christ.” But then Peter immediately showed that he had no idea what being the Christ was all about. Mark 8:31 tells us,

“Jesus then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.”

So Jesus had to rebuke Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Jesus came to take human sin and its consequences upon himself, to free humanity from the bondage of sin and restore us to a right relationship with God and one another, and doing that involved condemnation and death, followed by resurrection and ascension to the Father.

To follow him is not a path to national glory and power, nor to ease and prosperity, but a life of self-sacrificial love. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me,” Jesus told Peter.

All of us must face the question, “Who is Jesus?”

And that part of the update is correct: Jesus was the Christ.

J. Tkach’s article was fairly short, and here are some scriptures that I believe help explain a bit more about who Jesus was:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made (John 1:1-3, NKJV).

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14, NKJV).

Christ Jesus, who subsisting in (the) form of God thought (it) not robbery to be equal to God, but emptied Himself, taking (the) form of a slave, becoming in (the) likeness of men” (Literal translation. Green J.P. ed. Interlinear Greek-English New Testament, 3rd ed. Baker Books, Grand Rapids (MI), 1996, p. 607). Note that “emptied Himself” is the literal translation in the Greek (the Roman Catholic Church also teaches that Jesus “emptied Himself”–see Catechism of the Catholic Church, #461. Imprimatur Potest +Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. Doubleday, NY 1995, p. 129).

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved…(John 3:16-17, NKJV)

14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world (1 John 4:14, NKJV).

Jesus had been God, but emptied Himself of His divinity to live as a human.  The Father sent Him as savior to die for the sins of all humanity.  This is something that He did not have to do, but chose to do because of love for humanity.

That’s who Jesus was.

Jesus is now at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 10:12), and Jesus is love as the Father is love (1 John 4:7). He now intercedes for humanity as the “one mediator” (1 Timothy 2:5).  That is who Jesus is.

Jesus will come again, but in glory, and will judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42) and of His Kingdom there will be no end.  And it will be a Kingdom of love with no more pain or sorrow (Revelation 21:4). That is what He will do in the future.

More on Jesus can be found in the articles:

Jesus is God, But Was Made Man Was Jesus fully human and fully God or what?
Virgin Birth: Does the Bible Teach It? What does the Bible teach? What is claimed in The Da Vinci Code?
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.
Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
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? Will God call everyone? Will everyone have an opportunity for salvation? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?

COGwriter

The USA is in the process of losing as the world’s largest economy:

Singapore’s Lee Says China, India to Rival U.S. in This Century

Bloomberg – Oct 24, 2009

The U.S. may have less than a half- century left as the dominant global economic power before it will share top billing with China and India, former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew said in an interview.

“The first half of the 21st century, a large part of it, will still be the American,” Lee, 86, said in an interview with the Charlie Rose television show on the PBS network. “But I believe the second half you’ll have to share top places with China and also with India. Make space for them, too.”

Lee was the founder of modern Singapore and the country’s prime minister from 1959 until 1990. He now holds the title of minister mentor in Singapore’s government, whose current prime minister is his son Lee Hsien Loong.,,

“In 30 years they’ll have an economy, not per capita but in total terms, bigger than the U.S.A.,” and China is now building political and strategic influence to protect its economic growth, Lee said…

India will take longer to challenge the U.S. position because it is more ethnically diverse than China, Lee said…

The U.S. should strive instead to be “a benign stabilizer” in the world, he said.

“The 21st century will be a contest for supremacy in the Pacific because that’s where the growth will be,” Lee said. U.S. President Barack Obama, he said, must understand this.

“If you do not hold your ground in the Pacific you cannot be a world leader,” Lee said, “That’s number one.”

“Number two, to hold ground in the Pacific, you must not let your fiscal deficits and dollar come to grief,” he said.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=ar_qG0k1oALI

Of course, China and India will surpass the USA economically.  But it will not take until the late 21st century as the USA will not be a viable nation by that time.  The Bible reveals a differently result than many world leaders seem to recognize at this time.

The USA appears prophesied to NOT get its fiscal deficits in order.  And while Asia will flourish, the most vibrant economy and the area that according to the Bible will temporarily dominate the world will be based in Europe, NOT Asia as Lee Kuan Yew suggested.

Some articles of 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).
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”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? 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?
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?  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.

Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople

COGwriter

In a letter just reported by Zenit, Pope Benedict XVI is calling for solidarity:

Pope Calls for Solidarity With the Future…

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 22, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI made a call for “intergenerational justice” and actions of solidarity with the world’s future generations, as they are also entitled to enjoy the beauty of creation.

The Pope stated this in a letter he sent to Orthodox patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I on the occasion of the Eighth International Symposium on Religion, Science and the Environment titled “Restoring Balance: The Great Mississippi River.”

The symposium, organized under the patronage of Bartholomew I, is under way through Sunday in Memphis, Tennessee.

In his note, the Pontiff expressed his appreciation for the patriarch’s “continued efforts to promote respect for God’s gift of creation and a sense of global solidarity for its wise and responsible stewardship.”

While the idea of solidarity amongst the Greco-Roman churches is not new, it is interesting in light of the fact that the deal for many Anglicans and Episcopals to become in solidarity with the Vatican was reported on Tuesday of this week (see Vatican Announced Plan for Anglicans to Become Part of the Church of Rome).

It remains my position that the leadership of the Eastern Orthodox “sees” will likely make a deal to reconcile with Rome (probably after some type of ecumenical council).  I also believe that the Lutherans and certain other “mainstream” Protestant denominations will, to a degree, become back into fellowship with Rome.

However, as the Vatican announcement about the Anglicans hinted, Rome will make certain changes for some of these “mergers” to occur.  Changes that ultimately will prove fatal to the Church of Rome.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics The talks for unification involve compromise and the apparent rising up of a changed religion that no one should accept.
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.
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.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the Living Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example?

COGwriter

Instead of repenting for being a false accuser of me, James Malm remains an accuser (cf. Revelation 12:10) as he continues to attempt to mislead people about me and my writings.  The latest such accusations from James Malm included the following:

Robert Thiel has just published a defense of his book, in which he justifies studying and applying the prophecies and beliefs of the heathan to the Word of God; by claiming that the Apostle Paul did so.…Paul does not quote false prophets or gods, or false religious beliefs; and Paul does not apply any false religion  to Christian doctrine.Is Paul studying and teaching pagan doctrine and prophecy, or is he teaching true Christian Doctrine?

In another place Paul tells the Athenians that they are much too superstitious and then proceeds to teach them about a new and unknown God.

Acts 17:22  22: Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
23: For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 24: God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

Is Paul studying and teaching pagan doctrine and prophecy, or is he teaching true Christian Doctrine?

The fact is: that neither Paul, nor any other apostle, nor any Godly person: has ever accepted the teachings of the pagans and heathans about their prophecies, doctrines or religious teachings; and applied them to, or mixed them with the Word of God.

Anyone who says otherwise is either IGNORANT, or he is deliberately attempting to DECEIVE people. And anyone who does mix paganism with God’s Word; is a false prophet and a false teacher, regardless of whether he claims to be a prophet or not. Deu 13.  This behaviour is something that inspires revulsion in anyone who has the spirit of God: for what has light to do with darkness?.

James Malm errs in NOT understanding my writings, the Bible, nor the history of the Church of God.  I have not accepted pagan teachings, though he falsely seems to so assert.  Nor can he prove that I have.  The Apostle Paul faced false accusers as well who could not prove their false accusations (Acts 24:13).

Furthermore, James Malm apparently misunderstood that the Apostle Paul referred to an altar dedicated to a pagan god as  “the unknown god” (Acts 17:23) as a way to reach people without a Jewish background.  The altar was clearly built by heathens probably because they were worried that they overlooked one of the pagan gods.   So it possibly could be suggested that in one sense, Paul mixed things together to reach Gentiles–but that did not change his biblical teachings, nor have I changed from biblical teachings either.

The reason why I have cited non-biblical prophecies is to reach people without a COG background.  I have not endorsed non-biblical prophecies as God-inspired.  I have explained Protestant (like the rapture) and other prophetic errors in my book–which perhaps James Malm should actually have read and understood properly BEFORE he inaccurately judged it.

Furthermore, James Malm states that no Godly person accepted the teachings of pagans about prophecy and hints that somehow I am ungodly because my book includes references to secular predictions.

What he fails to recall is that the old Radio Church of God clearly taught that Catholic prophecies were something that true Christians should have knowledge of.

On pages 9-12 of the April 1961 issue of the Good News was an article by David Jon Hill titled Christ or Antichrist?. The old Good News magazine article specifically quotes and explains some of the very same Catholic prophecies and mystics that are in my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect.  Since I believe that James Malm used to have a WCG/COG background, he appears ignorant of the fact that I am simply continuing a practice that Paul first began that the old Radio Church of God continued.  Furthermore, by relating prophecies to world events (which I have done with 2012 and reports from scientists) the late Herbert W. Armstrong personally tried to reach broad segments of society which I am also trying to do.

Anyway the 1961 Good News article, like my 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect book, clearly says to compare what is taught with the Bible.  And it specifically asks readers to compare Catholic writings and predictions with the Bible–which is also consistent with my book.

The fact that James Malm’s predictions have repeatedly been wrong makes him in no way a proper judge of matters that he still seems not to understand.  I am not a false prophet, nor have I deviated from teaching biblical truths.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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.
Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected? What does the Bible really teach? Does the Church flee or is it taken up just prior to the great tribulation? Who really is left behind?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This also has YouTube videos related to 2012.

COGwriter

In an email a few moments ago, UCG reported:

God unmasks Halloween

Does the Bible have anything to say about strange customs and holidays such as this? In fact, it does—and none of it is good.

While God’s Holy Days in the Bible celebrate the role of Jesus Christ in bringing mankind to salvation in the eternal family of God, Halloween is a celebration of the opposite—of demonism, witchcraft, death and evil spirits.

God’s Word makes it clear that no one should dare entertain witchcraft or act as a sorcerer. “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD” (Deuteronomy 18:10-11, emphasis added throughout).

God pronounced death on any Israelites who would dare dally with demonism or Satanism: “A man or a woman who is a medium, or who has familiar spirits, shall surely be put to death; they shall stone them with stones. Their blood shall be upon them” (Leviticus 20:27). “You shall not permit a sorceress to live” (Exodus 22:18).

Why such a harsh penalty? God did not want such perverted, demonic practices to spread among His people and corrupt others. “But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has spoken in order to turn you away from the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage, to entice you from the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk. So you shall put away the evil from your midst” (Deuteronomy 13:5).

Would God be against something as harmless as Halloween, especially since it allows children to have fun and enjoy a little entertainment? Can’t we let them have a little harmless fun?

Frankly, Halloween is anything but harmless. It focuses one’s attention on witchcraft and demonism, which flies in the face of the holy God Almighty! When parents not only allow but also encourage their children to celebrate witches and goblins, they are teaching them that it’s acceptable to deal in demonism.

And we have seen what God thinks of that. God is a God of light and truth (1 John 1:5). Satan, “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4), is a very real being—a being of darkness, deception and death (Revelation 12:9; John 8:44). We are to have nothing to do with his ways.

Of course, many Catholics and Protestants also understand this about Halloween.

To learn more please refer to the following article:

Is Halloween Holy Time for Christians? This article provides some historical and biblical insight on this question.

The Galileo Logo Contains 12 Stars That Come From an Icon of Mary

COGwriter

Regular readers of the COGwriter page are aware that the Europeans intend to have their own “GPS” system called Galileo operational in 2013.  However, they have another space program with military applications that they expect to have functional in 2012:

EU’s other little-known Military Space Project:  “GMES”

Five families of EU satellites called “Sentinels“, to be launched beginning in 2012, will soon be monitoring global activities.

“By 2013, analysts at the EU Satellite Centre will be studying images from GMES. Europe opened the center in 2002 on the site of the United States’ former Torrejón Air Base, Spain.” – C4ISR Journal

GMES: Serving environment and security

Europolitics – Oct 14, 2009New advances will be made soon in Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) with the European Commission’s imminent publication of a communication on development of the space segment of this European system of Earth observation in the areas of the environment and the security of people and property. Indeed, GMES is not an exnihilo creation…

Security and defence: The importance of European space capacities as a strategic strength is highlighted in the 2008 report by the high representative for CFSP and the European Commission on the impact of climate change on international security. Space programmes, such as GMES and Galileo, have a civilian definition, unlike the American GPS and Russia’s GLONASS, for example, but it is obvious that their multi-use capacity means they can be used by security services and military forces. A horizontal action concerning information security is being implemented to prepare the plan for data exchange in the field of security.

The system already includes land, air and even space tools developed in Europe at national level

http://www.europolitics.info/sectorial-policies/gmes-serving-environment-and-security-art251053-46.html

The reality is that although the USA is currently the undisputed military power in the world, this is likely to change next decade as prophecy indicates that the European will have that.

Interestingly, USA President Obama has repeatedly encouraged the Europeans to increase their military strength.

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”?
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 This article explains how the LCG views this, and compares this to Ellen White.
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? What MUST happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans and the Hindu Indians (who were not even on the same continent). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?
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? Will Barack Obama lead to the Destruction of the USA? 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.

COGwriter

Despite the fact that James Malm tried to persuade me in 2007 that the Great Tribulation would begin in 2008, challenged me on that in 2008, and claimed that the 1335 days would possibly start on October 19, 2009, in his post yesterday, he got something right:

The abomination was NOT set up on the 19th of Oct and the trend of events seems to point to continued slow progress toward the Time Appointed.  God is working to His time table; NOT OURS…

The more time passes the less likely it becomes that the elderly Benedict XVI will become the final false prophet.

On those points quoted above, James Malm got a couple of things right.

However, if he would have properly understood the points in the Bible that I brought to his attention on more than one occasion, he would have realized that IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE 1335 DAYS TO START ON OCTOBER 19, 2009.

Furthermore, James Malm still has not apologized for erroneously labeling me a false prophet or for providing a misleading slant on my 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect book.

I have repeatedly pointed out how his, Ronald Weinland’s  (someone who claims to be one of the two witnesses), and others predictions COULD NOT COME TO PASS awhen they overlooked critical scriptures and world events.  Thus far, on those matters, I have not made any errors.

Why?

Because as I have written many times, unless God clearly has spoken to them (and I do not believe that He has to any in this century, yet), people who make predictions need to be sure that the Bible supports those predictions. Hopefully, in the future James Malm, Ronald Weinland, and others will follow that advice.

Those interested in learning the truth about prophetic matters related to the end may wish to study the following:

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?
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?
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.
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?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This also has YouTube videos related to 2012.

COGwriter

It is time to announce my latest book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect.

Other than perhaps 4% of it, it is nothing like the other “2012” books on the market.  It has more predictions, from more sources, and shows how many line up (or are the mirror image) of biblical prophecies.

The release of this book was intentionally timed in order to be out PRIOR to the release of Sony Film’s upcoming 2012 movie.  The book is also available in Spanish and German.

My brief article on 2012 (End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something?) has been fairly popular as it has had approximately 100,000 page views since I wrote it last year.  The 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect book has more details, more prophecies, and is a lot longer (about 384 pages) than my online article.

As of this morning, the book is now available now from Amazon.com in English, Spanish, and German.  I hope regular readers of this page will read and study it as it contains numerous prophecies and explains which will, which may, and which will not come to pass.

St. Peter’s Basilica

COGwriter

The Vatican announced today that it has a plan for accepting dissatisfied Anglicans back in the Church of Rome:

Vatican welcomes Anglicans into Catholic church

CNN – Oct 20, 2009

ROME, Italy (CNN) — The Vatican said Tuesday it has worked out a way for groups of Anglicans who are dissatisfied with their faith to join the Catholic Church.

The process will allow groups of Anglicans, including bishops and married priests, to join the Catholic Church some 450 years after King Henry VIII broke from Rome and created the Church of England.

The number of Anglicans wishing to join the Catholic Church has increased in recent years as the Anglican church has welcomed the ordination of women and openly gay clergy and blessed homosexual partnerships, said Cardinal William Joseph Levada, the head of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Their talks with the Vatican recently began speeding up, Vatican officials said, leading to Tuesday’s announcement.

“The Catholic Church is responding to the many requests that have been submitted to the Holy See from groups of Anglican clergy and faithful in different parts of the world who wish to enter into full visible communion,” Levada said.

Levada said “hundreds” of Anglicans around the world have expressed their desire to join the Catholic Church. Among them are 50 Anglican bishops, said Archbishop Joseph Augustine Di Noia of the Congregation for Divine Worship.

The Anglicans will be able to retain their Anglican rites while recognizing the pope as their leader, Vatican officials said. The British monarch is the head of the Anglican Church.

While married Anglican priests may be ordained as Catholic priests, the same does not apply to married Anglican bishops, Levada said.

“We’ve been praying for this unity for 40 years and we’ve not anticipated it happening now,” Di Noia said. “The Holy Spirit is at work here.”

The Church of England said the move ends a “period of uncertainty” for Anglican groups who wanted more unity with the Catholic Church.

Both groups have a “substantial overlap in faith, doctrine and spirituality” and will continue to hold official dialogues, the archbishops of Canterbury and Westminster said in a joint statement.

“Those Anglicans who have approached the Holy See have made clear their desire for full, visible unity in the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church,” Levada said. “At the same time, they have told us of the importance of their Anglican traditions of spirituality and worship for their faith journey.”

Preserving Anglican traditions, such as mass rites, adds to the diversity of the Catholic Church, he said.

“The unity of the church does not require a uniformity that ignores cultural diversity, as the history of Christianity shows,” he said. “Moreover, the many diverse traditions present in the Catholic Church today are all rooted in the principle articulated by St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians: ‘There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism.'”

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/20/vatican.anglican.church/

Catholic prophecies tell of a time when “Protestantism will cease”.  Today’s announcement is a step towards that direction.

The fact that married priests apparently will be allowed may make it easier for the expected re-unification with the Eastern Orthodox Church, which will likely happen next decade.

However, as I have reported here in the past, I believe that those who are in the Church of Rome as well as those who are Eastern Orthodox or Protestant should individually heed Bible prophecies and NOT engage in the compromise necessary for such mergers.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics The talks for unification involve compromise and the apparent rising up of a changed religion that no one should accept.
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.
Was Celibacy Required for Early Bishops or Presbyters? Some religions suggest this, but what does the Bible teach? What was the practice of the early church?