Church of God News

COGwriter

It was reported that the Swiss have voted to ban minarets in their country as they feel that they are a display of Islamic power:

21:19 GMT, Sunday, 29 November 2009

Swiss voters back ban on minarets

Swiss voters have supported a referendum proposal to ban the building of minarets, official results show.

More than 57% of voters and 22 out of 26 cantons – or provinces – voted in favour of the ban.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8385069.stm

The building that once was the largest in the world, the Hagia Sophia, had minarets added to it after the Turks took over Constantinople centuries ago.

Interestingly, the person selected to take office as EU President tomorrow, Herman Van Rompuy, has publicly stated:

“The universal values which are in force in Europe, and which are fundamental values of Christianity, will loose vigour with the entry of a large Islamic country such as Turkey.”

The Swiss vote, following the selection of Herman Van Rompuy as EU President, seems to show that many in Europe are taking a negative posture towards Muslim growth in their lands.

This will cause problems, temporary cooperation, and disaster for the Muslims in the future according to biblical prophecies.

Four articles of possibly related interest may include:

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

COGwriter

Sony’s 2012 movie was #3 at the US box office this weekend (it was number 1 when it opened 3 weekends ago).  It is doing fantastically well in overseas markets like China (Chinese Pleased With China’s Portrayal in Sony’s 2012 Movie, Indonesia Less So) and Russia:

2012 Smashes Record in Russia
30.11.2009

The movie 2012 by Roland Emmerich has smashed box-office record among foreign feature films in Russia.

Since its premiere on November 12, 2009 the movie has made 870 million rubles, i.e. about 30 million dollars. The films went into general release on 840 screens. Within the first weekend it gathered more than 16 million dollars, which is also an absolute record novosti.err.ee informs.  http://www.russia-ic.com/news/show/9288/

Three people, who are supposed to be Russian, are featured in the movie (and others who are supposed to be Russian are in the movie).

It is my hope that those who watch the 2012 movie (in Russia and elsewhere) will realize that the end of the world is coming (though the focus of the COGwriter page is to view the future in the light of biblical prophecy).

For more about Russia and prophecies concerning it from a biblical perspective (as well as how certain Russian prophecies seem to line up with the Bible), please check out the following:

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.  The book contains documented prophecies as well as an end time sequence of events that Christians should study and understand.  Including the role of nations such as China and what Islam teach and where such line up with biblical prophecy.
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?

Rebuilt Gymnasium in Sardis

COGwriter

The December 2009 issue of CG7’s Bible Advocate has articles that again seem to be aimed at diminishing the role of prophecy.  But unlike previous articles, this issue contains more of them and seems to be sending a message that Christians should not give serious thought to considering that these are the end times, that persecution will come, or that the two beasts of Revelation 13 will still rise up against God and His people.

The issue starts with an article from Calvin Burrell, CG7’s former president and current editor for the  Bible Advocate:

I Think . . .

I’m in a confessing mood today, ready to admit my heresy. Here it is: I’m not sure that the whole world is becoming only worse and worse, as many Christians claim and a few Bible texts seem to say…we enjoy a higher quality of existence than did those in Bible times, those in the Middle Ages…

The recent spate of bad news about economy (not half as bad as the 1930’s), about government (mostly from one political perspective), and about church (Christianity is on the ebb in Europe and North America, where only 5-25 percent of people attend church) has convinced many folks that Armageddon is near…It may be slow or no growth for Bible-loving, Christ-sharing folks in America, but believers still have it good around here…

I think we should stop quoting a few prophetic clichés to support our negativism and let the Bible paint its own multi-hued version of our present and future. Jesus’ story of wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43) suggests this more realistic, balanced view. He planted good seed, and the Devil planted bad. Both grew together until the harvest…

…I think there’s enough good going on around the planet, thanks to Jesus’ seed, to keep us thanking God, sowing more good seed, and trusting that tomorrow will, in many respects, be better than today. What do you think?

What do I think?

I think that this particular issue of CG7’s Bible Advocate contains heresy as Calvin Burrell essentially admits.   Now it is true, even until the end, that the gospel should be preached to the world as a witness (Matthew 28:19-20).   But that of itself is not proof that the end is not near (actually it should be a sign that the end is near per Matthew 24:14).  And while it is true that not everything is getting worse, the Bible indicates that God is not pleased with humankind during the last days (2 Timothy 3:1-5; 2 Peter 3:1-12).  I also think that in the Great Depression the USA was not as vulnerable to collapse as it is now, that no nation in the history of the planet has been in as much total debt as the USA in the 21st century, and that Bible prophecy shows doom for the highly indebted at the time of the end (Habakkuk 2:1-8).  The Bible is clear that a dismissive attitude towards prophecy is dangerous (Revelation 3:3,16-19; 2 Peter 3:1-12, Luke 21:34-36).

Here is what is in an article from another former CG7’s president, Robert Coulter (bolding mine):

The dragon (Revelation 12:3) gave this beast its power and authority. The fact that crowns, on the heads of the dragon, are now worn on the horns of the beast (13:1) indicates that the dragon’s authority has been transferred to the kingdoms that developed in western Europe upon the fall of the Roman Empire.

One of the beast’s heads is fatally wounded, but to the astonishment of the world, the wound was healed (v. 3). This wound was to the head representative of Rome. It was initiated by Emperor Constantine, who divided the capital of Imperial Rome between the cities of Rome in the west and Constantinople in the east…

The wound was healed (v. 3) by the Frankish king, Charlemagne, a pretender of Christianity and supporter of the papacy…The second beast of John’s prophecy arose out of the earth (13:11), a succession from within the kingdoms described in Daniel 2 and 7. It had two lamb-like horns and spoke like a dragon, indicating the dual nature of a church (lamb-like) united with civil authority (a dragon). This beast represents the Holy Roman
Empire, the union of the Romish church with the political kingdoms of Europe…

Erecting an image in honor of the first beast because of the power it was given (v. 14b). This addressed the fact that the Roman church’s hierarchy was organized and operated much like Imperial Rome, even to emperor worship in the worship of its popes as “Holy Father.”…

Gave breath (life) to the image of the first beast so that it could spew its blasphemies and require the saints to adopt its heresies, or be killed (v. 15). It did this through the use of its clergy, puppet kings, and magistrates…

This beast forced people to receive a mark in their right hands or their foreheads as a prerequisite to pursuing the ordinary activities of life (vv. 16, 17)…

John calls for wisdom and insight in calculating the number of the beast (13:18a)…Many attempts are made to identify this mysterious figure, but speculation about his identity is unimportant because enforcement of his mark is now history. Although the manifold blasphemies, heresies, and antichristian ideologies of the beast still exist in this apostate church, it no longer exercises the authority to enforce its edicts either through papal decree or through the agency of the state…

Many teach that the mark of the beast is yet to be enforced by a latter-day antichrist. That is impossible if John’s time allocations are taken literally. The time God allowed the saints to be persecuted and overcome was 1,260 days, or three-and-one-half years (12:6, 14; 13:5), equaling 1,260 years. This period indicated by John is identical with the time given to Daniel’s little horn to oppress the saints (Daniel 7:25)…That time is now past.

For all practical purposes, the beasts of Revelation 13 have been rendered impotent, even if the dregs of their heresies and idolatries linger on in the world. (Coulter R. The Persecution of Christianity. Bible Advocate, December 2009)

Now while I personally like Robert Coulter, the teaching that Revelation 13 is completely past or impotent for the future is a major heresy.  The whole world has not yet worshiped the beast (Revelation 13:3-4), his mark is not past, and people were able to buy and sell without the “mark of the beast” during the Middle Ages, hence Revelation 13 has not yet been fulfilled.  A careful read of Daniel 7:25-27 shows that God’s kingdom is established right at the end of that particular, and future, persecution.  Persecution also clearly affects Christians just prior to and during the Great Tribulation according to what is recorded in Matthew 24:9-22, Mark 13:9-20, Luke 21:12-24,  and Revelation 12:13-17.  Daniel clearly teaches that this happens at the appointed time of the end (11:28-39, 7:25).  To teach otherwise is wrong, major heresy, and dangerous.

Additionally, the Bible is clear that the beast powers persuade the world through sorcery (Revelation 18:23; 13:12-15), and while some may have occurred during the Middle Ages, the reality is that it was a political-religious alliance that existed in the Middle Ages as opposed to a highly sorcery-based empire. The prophecies related to the sorceries have not come to pass as the merchants of the world did not mourn the fall of the “Holy Roman Empire” which they will for the coming Babylonian one (Revelation 18:23).

Another article stated the following in that issue from a CGOM-UK member:

Much of the Olivet prophecy (Matthew 24) came to pass in Palestine by AD 70… (McBride J. Prepare to Meet Your Doom? Bible Advocate, December 2009)

Now although there was some ante-type events in 70 A.D., the Olivet prophecy was NOT fulfilled in 70 A.D., the Great Tribulation in Matthew 24:21 still has not come to pass, nor have many other steps in that chapter of the Bible.  Pretty much all of the “Olivet prophecy” still has a future fulfillment.  Notice that it was events for, and leading up to, the end of the age that disciples were asking about:

3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3)

Thus, the focus of the Olivet message (when Jesus answered those questions) is the end, not mainly events that were to happen over 1900 years ago.

Yet, another article in this issue of the Bible Advocate also stated:

The Second Coming has been explored with many viewpoints since Jesus spoke directly to it in His Olivet Discourse (Matthew
24, Mark 13, Luke 21)…

Comparing Jesus’ words to events since He spoke tells us that most of those events have come to pass. (Kaeur DM.  Is Jesus Coming Soon? Bible Advocate, December 2009)

Luke 21 has not basically been fulfilled as that article indicates.  If it were, there would have been no reason for Jesus to state the following in Luke 21:

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34-36).

Those who get taken in by CG7’s message of future prophetic minimalization will likely not watch events as Jesus warned, will not be praying to escape all these things as Jesus advised, and will allow “that Day” to come upon them unexpectedly because they ignored what Jesus taught.

Now CG7 admits in another article, “Very possibly we do live in the last days.”  But the emphasis of this particular issue of its Bible Advocate is that these are probably not the last days, many things are improving, there are not two future beasts of Revelation 13, no great Christian persecution is coming, and be not concerned as Jesus will come some day.

But by dismissing most of Matthew 24, Daniel 7:25, Revelation 13, and other future prophecies as past, those in CG7 simply do not understand how world events are aligning with biblical prophecies.

Notice what Jesus warned the Church of God in Sardis:

3:1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,

‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you…” (Revelation 3:1-3).

CG7 seems more and more determined to minimalize end time prophecy.  Officially they seem to be teaching against following Jesus’ admonitions here, in the Olivet prophecies, and elsewhere to “watch” (Matthew 24:42, 25:13; Mark 13:9, 33-37; Luke 21:36; Revelation 3:3).

Perhaps those in CG7 who wish to hold to the teachings of the Bible will realize that the Bible teaches:

10 Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10).

The Bible is clear that prophecy is important or nearly 1/3 of its pages would not contain prophecies.

CG7 is no place of safety for former WCG members. The Bible is clear that just because one keeps the commandments and believes in Jesus that they still are subject to persecution during the end time by Satan the dragon and his supporters:

17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:17).

CG7-Denver has, in my opinion, clearly crossed the line on prophetic interpretations with this particular issue of the Bible Advocate.  Thus, unless its members individually repent, all associated with it will suffer the fate that Jesus warned of when He spoke about Sardis in Revelation and those who do not watch in Luke 21.  The specific fate that awaits is shown in Daniel 7:25, Revelation 12:17, and apparently Revelation 14:12-13.

The time to heed Jesus’ admonitions is now.

For more information about CG7 and other subjects in this post, please prayerfully study the following:

Church of God, Seventh Day: History and Teachings Nearly all COG’s I am aware of trace their history through this group. Whaid Rose is the president of the largest CG7 group (Denver). Do you know much about them?
The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, and COG-7th Day.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now basically the Living Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation discusses the largest church since the second/third century, which in a real sense is the eighth church mentioned in the Book of Revelation (it also endorses “eighth day” worship). What church would support the Beast?
SDA/LCG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 The Living Church of God is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White.
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer.
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.

Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople

COGwriter

This morning I opened up an email that included the following information:

I saw you writing about Orthodox Church.
I don’t know if you are aware but the yearly miracles of Early Church like Holy Light, Jordan River going back, Cloud on Mount Tabor and such happen yearly in Orthodox Church until today…You may not know, but like prophets of Old Time Orthodoxs today have a way of speaking with God., namely Jesus prayer.

Anyway, there was a recommended website in the email which I visited.

The website has a photo that someone claims includes an angel.  And this is supposed to be part of the proof of the validity of Eastern Orthodoxy.  After discussing the “miracles” and selected abbreviated histories, the website also states:

The general idea is that Protestants and Catholics should clearly look into coming home at Orthodox Church.

Well, there are three problems with the above statement.

The first is that Catholics and Protestants claims to have a variety of signs and wonders themselves.   But some “Catholics” who had visions, stigmatas, and other visible signs also made pronouncements. supposedly on God’s authority, that were clearly later shown to be false.

Notice one such example concerning Therese Neumann:

Therese Neumann (1898-1962) mystic and stigmatist of Germany. She did not eat, drink, sleep, or have body functions for 40 years–a well documented fact in light of being so contemporary. She lived solely on the Eucharist. When asked in 1945 after World War II if America would ever be destroyed or invaded by war, she responded,

“No, at the end of this century America will be destroyed economically by natural disasters.” (Flynn Ted and Mary. The Thunder of Justice. MaxKol Communications, Inc. Sterling (VA), 1993, p. A259)

The Protestants have their own problems with signs and wonders which I will not go into right now.

The second problem is that the Orthodox themselves teach that they should not be swayed by signs and wonders, even if they supposedly involve apparitions of Mary (who the Orthodox clearly venerate).  Here is what once Orthodox priest wrote:

Given these Roman Catholic “evangelistic methods” of more than a century ago, it is it any wonder that contemporary “apparitions” of Mary are invariably accompanied by ecumenistic messages promoting the idea that all religions are equally valid and Orthodox Christianity is but one “path” among many?…

Today, as heterodox Christians become more and more ecumenist and work toward creating a “One World Church,” the search has begun for a Mary of universal recognition, one who will appeal not only to those who bear the name Christian, but apprently to Muslims and others as well, just as attempts are likewise being made to identify the “new Christ” with the Muslim concept of their coming Mahdi and with the Messiah still awaited by the Jews. This, of course, will be no Christ at all but the antichrist.

(Jackson P. ORTHODOX LIFE., No. I, 1997., Brotherhood of Saint Job of Pochaev at Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, N.Y. pp. 18-22.  http://fr-d-serfes.org/orthodox/theotokos.htm viewed 05/11/09)

The reality is that it is likely that false apparitions, claiming to be “Mary” may be among the signs and lying wonders that the Bible warns are coming (2 Thessalonians 2:9).

So, if the Orthodox teach that they themselves should NOT listen to seemingly clear signs from Catholic sources, then they should realize that Catholics will not be inclined to accept any signs (clear or otherwise) from the Orthodox.

But the third problem is that the Orthodox, Catholics, and Protestants all should realize that none of them hold to the teachings of the original apostles or their immediate successors.  Hence the Eastern Orthodox is NOT the place to come home to.

Those who wish to look into will realize that many of the early Christian leaders that the Orthodox, Catholics, and Protestants consider to have been saints held positions that agree with the Living Church of God, but contradict the current teachings of those other groups.

This, as well as information related to Marian apparitions, can be determined by prayerful honest study of the following documented articles:

Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Living Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
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?
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.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What might they mean for the rise of the ecumenical religion of Antichrist? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How do the Orthodox view Mary? How might Mary view her adorers?
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?
Apostolic Succession What really happened? Did structure and beliefs change? Are many of the widely-held current understandings of this even possible? Did you know that Catholic scholars really do not believe that several of the claimed “apostolic sees” of the Orthodox have apostolic succession–despite the fact that the current pontiff himself seems to wish to ignore this view?  Is there actually a true church that has ties to any of the apostles that is not part of the Catholic or Orthodox churches?  Read this article if you truly are interested in the truth on this matter!
Early Church History: Who Were the Two Major Groups Professed Christ in the Second and Third Centuries? Did you know that many in the second and third centuries felt that there were two major, and separate, professing Christian groups in the second century, but that those in the majority churches tend to now blend the groups together and claim “saints” from both? “Saints” that condemn some of their current beliefs. Who are the two groups?

Nagasaki Bomb

COGwriter

The world community tried to send Iran a message today, but Iran says it will basically ignore it:

VIENNA (Reuters) – U.N. nuclear watchdog governors voted on Friday to rebuke Iran for building a uranium enrichment plant in secret but Tehran dismissed the move as “intimidation” which would poison its negotiations with world powers…

Iranian Ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh called the resolution, which also urged Iran to immediately freeze the Fordow enrichment project hidden inside a mountain bunker, a “hasty and undue” step devoid of legal basis…

“The great nation of Iran will never bow to pressure and intimidation vis a vis its inalienable right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy,” he said.

“We will not implement any word of it because this is a politically motivated gesture against the Iranian nation.”  http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE5AQ1BZ20091127

It is certainly possible that Israel may decide that this UN condemnation is the only justification they need to launch some type of preemptive strike against Iran’s nuclear sites.

And, apparently to prepare for this, Iran recently held military exercises to see how it would respond if a nation like Israel tried to do that.

Three articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?  What role might non-Arab Iran play?
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

November 26, 2009 is the date for the American holiday of Thanksgiving this year.

Here is some of what LCG’s Richard Ames wrote about it:

On Thanksgiving Day, millions gather with their families and friends to enjoy good food and fellowship, and the blessings of living in a prosperous nation. They enjoy the blessings of freedom and opportunity. But do they thank God for their blessings? Do they understand why their nation has been blessed? In particular, do we who live in the United States and British-descended nations understand why we have received blessings unparalleled in the history of mankind?

Whether it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November as in the U.S., or the second Monday of October as in Canada, Thanksgiving Day is a time when people are supposed to count their blessings. We who live in these nations have received blessings unprecedented in the history of mankind. In the 20th century, the U.S. and British Commonwealth became the richest and most powerful nation and group of nations in the world. But that national power and prestige has greatly declined. The U.S. was once an economic powerhouse, and nations around the world eagerly bought its exports. Today, however, the U.S. is the world’s largest debtor, with a national deficit of more than $8.5 trillion—more than $28,000 for each American man, woman and child…

Scripture records Jacob passing this blessing to his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh: “The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; let my name [Israel] be named upon them [Ephraim and Manasseh], and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth” (Genesis 48:16).

These blessings are called the birthright promises. These prophetic promises, which included wealth, abundance, military power, and international dominance, were to be fulfilled in the descendants of Joseph. It may be surprising to many of you, but those divine blessings given to Manasseh and Ephraim have been fulfilled in the U.S. and British-descended nations…

At Thanksgiving, we give thanks to God for the beauty and abundance with which He has blessed our countries. But at the same time we should be deeply concerned as our national character becomes more and more blemished with immorality. Will our Western nations continue to disobey the Ten Commandments and increasingly reject the biblical truths that once led to their prosperity—and that lead to true life, liberty and happiness?…

Today’s Christians are also thankful for the promised future. We are thankful for the true Gospel—the message Jesus preached about the coming Kingdom of God on earth, when all nations will learn the way to peace. We know that the world will not end in a nuclear holocaust or be snuffed out by a biological pandemic—because Jesus Christ promised that for the elect’s sake He would return, just in time to prevent us from destroying ourselves (Matthew 24:22)!

The world needs the Kingdom of God on earth. Do you realize how much you are blessed compared to many countries around the world? As of October 2008, the United Nations labeled as “Least Developed Countries” the 49 nations with annual per capita gross national incomes below $750. Many of those countries have annual per person incomes below $400! Can you imagine living in such poverty? How thankful are you? As Jesus said, “To whom much is given, from him much will be required!” (Luke 12:48). We must be faithful stewards of our blessings, and we must be willing, nationally and individually, to give to others. We especially need to be giving the good news of the Gospel to the rest of the world! Our national purpose should be to live God’s way of life—and to share that way of life with the rest of the world! God’s ways should be our nation’s ways.

The entire articles is available at http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/cgi-bin/tw/tw-mag.cgi?category=Magazine57&item=1225523144

While all should give thanks to God, those in the Anglo-American nations should also realize that because of who were the majority that they descended from, they will receive the blessings AND the cursings of the children of Israel.

And national repentance is needed soon as the cursings are starting to be realized.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Thanksgiving: A Time To Give Thanks and Praise the LORD Is this American holiday appropriate? Why or why not?
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.
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?
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?

COGwriter

A new scientific milestone was just attained according to a report produced late last night:

Large Hadron Collider Bangs Beams; Scientists Pleased

People need to realize that major physics projects have historically developed technologies that have military applications.  As my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect states:

…the Large Hadron Collider…is apt to provide the Europeans with unique military capabilities in several years…The Bible is clear that the final “Beast power” (which will be primarily European) will have such unique military capabilities that the entire world will marvel (Revelation 13:3-4). (Thiel Bob.  2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect.  Nazarene Books, 2009, p. 85).

The LHC was not functional when I wrote the above.  But it is now starting to be.  It is likely to produce unique military technologies that the Europeans will use.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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

COGwriter

The following was recently announced today:

UPDATE 1-US committed to completing India nuclear pact-Obama

WASHINGTON, Nov 24 (Reuters) – President Barack Obama told a joint news conference with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday that he was committed to completing a bilateral civil agreement that would open up India’s potential $150 billion market in power plants.

“I reaffirmed to the prime minister my administration’s commitment to fully implement the U.S.-India civil nuclear agreement, which will increase American exports and create jobs in both countries,” Obama said..  http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSN2431035420091124

The selling of civilian nuclear technology may also end up providing technology that India may use for military purposes.  It would not seem that this deal will please Pakistan, but it should somewhat improve ties between the USA and India.  I have reported about India’s military nuclear plans in the past (see India’s Nuclear Program).

While I expect India to have some ups and downs, according to Bible prophecy, its economy will outlast that of the USA’s.

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).
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? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
Barack Obama Carries Hindu Monkey God Unlike some of the odd stories about Barack Obama, this one is apparently true.
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.
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.

Herman Van Rompuy

COGwriter

Herman Van Rompuy has pledged to raise taxes.   And since he is not the final King of the North, if Daniel 11:20 has a final fulfillment and he dies early, the following may apply to him:

There shall arise in his place one who imposes taxes on the glorious kingdom; but within a few days he shall be destroyed, but not in anger or in battle (Daniel 11:20).

Could you comment on the article written by Ron Fraser in the latest Trumpet Weekly concerning the EU President, where he quotes Gerald Flurry,  who states that the  newly elected President is mentioned in Daniel 11:20-21 as a “ raiser of taxes”,  but will only be in office a short while and be superseded by a “vile person”?

I have not seen the article you mentioned, but it is likely that Herman Van Rompuy will raise taxes as he has already indicated that he would.  And as he is not the final Antichrist, he will be in office a short period of time.  And while I often disagree with PCG’s interpretations, this certainly is a possible understanding. While I knew that Herman Van Rompuy planned on raising taxes in the EU (and that he could not be in office for too many years as we are getting near the end of the 6,000 years of human rule), I had not seen PCG’s article about this.

How Long Will the New EU President Last?

Consistent with the way of the Franco-German agenda for the European Union, Germany and its lackey, France, got their leader of choice appointed to the new position of EU president.As has been the case with this most undemocratic of institutions from its inception, the whole process leading to the appointment of the Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy to be the first permanent European Council president lacked transparency. It was anything but openly democratic. Negotiations were conducted in secret. The outcome was always going to be a Franco-German fait accompli…

Enter Herman Van Rompuy, raiser of taxes and ultimate EU fall guy. The Times reports (November 17, emphasis mine throughout): “The man tipped to be Europe’s firstpresident is already considering new EU taxes to fund the rising cost of Brussels and the welfare state…

Yet, Mr. Van Rompuy may be in for a short term in office. To those who understand end-time prophecy, there’s an intriguing verse in the book of Daniel. Our editor in chief has commented on this verse (June 2000): “Let’s turn to the Bible to see where all this is leading. Antiochus Epiphanes came to the Jerusalem temple in 167 b.c. From the spring of 167 b.c. to the autumn of 164 b.c. it was a terror-filled time for Palestine—3½ years of tribulation.  “It was only a type, however, of the end-time Great Tribulation, also to last 3½ years, to be inflicted on America,Britain and Palestine. “‘Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle. And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries’ (Daniel 11:20-21).

The Companion Bible states that the historical portion ends with verse 20. Verse 21 ‘passes on to the time which is still (1912) future to us.’ And it is still future as we write in 2000.”

That was written over nine years ago. On Thursday evening, Nov. 19, 2009, a man was appointed to the chief presidential post in the European Union whose first promise, even prior to gaining that office, is to be a “raiser of taxes”!

Join the dots!

(Fraser R.  How Long Will the New EU President Last? The Trumpet Weekly, November 21, 2009, pp. 1,10)

In Daniel 11::21, referring in original, typical fulfillment to Antiochus Epiphanes, there shall stand up a vile person…So once again before the second coming of Christ, a vile leader will stop the daily sacrifices being offered…This same prophecy spoken by Jesus is also reported by Luke…21:20-24 (Armstrong HW. Personal, Plain Truth magazine, June 1967).

Within days of taking office in January, the former Belgian prime minister will put his weight behind controversial proposals already floated by the commission’s head, José Manuel Barroso, for a new “Euro tax”…

Mr Van Rompuy, 62, who was appointed to the newly-created £320,000-a-year post at last week’s special EU summit, set out his stall on direct Euro-taxes during a private speech at a recent meeting of the Bilderberg group of top politicians, bankers and businessmen.  (Herman Van Rompuy: Europe’s first president to push for ‘Euro tax’, November 22, 2009  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/6622886/Herman-Van-Rompuy-Europes-first-president-to-push-for-Euro-tax.html

.

COGwriter

As those of us who have seen Sony’s 2012 movie may have expected, many in China are very pleased with how China is portrayed in the movie:

Associated Press – Nov 20, 2009  By CHI-CHI ZHANG

BEIJING — When the apocalypse comes, China will save the world.

Or at least that’s how Chinese audiences are interpreting “2012,” Hollywood’s latest blockbuster disaster movie.

“It’s about time the world sees us as a dominant ally,” said Liu Xinliang, 27, a Beijing-based computer programmer who watched the movie twice.

The movie, currently No. 1 in the U.S., is also No. 1 in China, grossing $17.2 million here since it opened Nov. 13.

Associated Press writer Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gBYH6FvSiCoM9lMbs5bqu9WXsbKgD9C38RBO0

Now despite Hollywood hype, according to the Bible China is not expected to save the world in 2012.

However, the Bible does tell of a time when the Chinese will turn against the European Beast power and attempt to bring an end to that horrific system.

Muslims also believe in an end of the world scenario–but it, like the biblical version–differs from how Sony portrays it (Sony’s is based upon a particular interpretation of Mayan prophecies).

But the end of the world as we know it will come.  And all nations, including China, the USA, and Indonesia will be affected.

More about China and prophecies concerning it from a biblical perspective (as well as how certain Chinese prophecies seem to line up with the Bible), please check out the following:

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.  The book contains documented prophecies as well as an end time sequence of events that Christians should study and understand.  Including the role of nations such as China and what Islam teach and where such line up with biblical prophecy.
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?