Church of God News

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

COGwriter

Contrary to various claims of self-appointed ones (Ronald Weinland may be the one once associated with the old WCG getting the most coverage falsely claiming this), the Great Tribulation has not started and cannot begin in 2010.

Some criticized me when I pointed out previously that it could not start in 2008 (see Great Tribulation Will Not Begin in 2008 and James Malm Challenges COGwriter) nor in 2009 (The Great Tribulation Cannot Begin in 2009).  And although there were various troubles this year, the Great Tribulation did not begin then.

How did I know?

Because I tried to heed Jesus’ admonitions to “watch” (Matthew 24:42, 25:13; Mark 13:9, 33-37; Luke 21:36; Revelation 3:3) and to compare world events to biblical prophecies.

All should understand that before the Great Tribulation could begin that there needed to be a King of the North, a King of the South, and European military that would be quite strong (cf. Revelation 13:4).

Additionally, the deal mentioned in Daniel 9:27 had not then (nor yet) taken place:

27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate (Daniel 9:27).

Because of this deal not yet being made (that “he” will be the one who will become the final King of the North), there is at least 3 1/2 years (half of a prophetic week) before the Great Tribulation can begin–which means that the earliest year it could possibly begin is in 2013.  And I suspect it will be a bit later than that.

Additionally, while there are the beginnings of certain organizations that will probably contribute to the rise of both the King of the North and the King of the South in 2009 (see EU Parliament to Host Seminar for the Union for the Mediterranean States Tomorrow and European empire formed yesterday, but few in America seemed to notice), they are not ready yet.

It is true that there is a new European President and that he might fulfill Daniel 11:20 (Herman Van Rompuy Takes Office Today: Might He Fulfill Daniel 11:20?), if that verse has a 21st century fulfillment (which it very well may).

However, in order to be able to destroy the United States and its Anglo-allies, the Europeans would also benefit from having their own military satellite tracking system–and while that may not be an absolute requirement, they will not have their own ready until around 2013 (see EU Approves Galileo For Military Use) or perhaps later.  Additionally, Europe still has not benefited enough from its Large Hadron Colider project–which may be where it will develop a major military advantage (see September 10th is Not the End of the World), which it would seem to need to fulfill biblical prophecy (cf. Revelation 13:4).  And as mentioned before, since the deal in Daniel 9:27 has not been made, it will be at least 3 1/2 years before the King of the North can stop the sacrifices.

Of course, the sacrifices must start before they stop.  And while it is remotely possible that regular sacrifices will start in 2010, that is remote.  But even if they do, they will not be stopped by the final King of the North in 2010 (at least not in the manner to fulfill Daniel 11:31).

As far as the King of the South goes, there simply is not a confederation of Islamic nations that work close enough together in order to be led by the King of the South.  While it is true that there are two groups that ultimately may ultimately allow this (see Iraq & the King of the South and Mediterranean Union Makes Deal With Israel and Arab States)–the situation in the Middle East is not quite ready yet.  The Islamic Mahdi has not yet been recognized, and while that is remotely possible to occur in 2010 (and some suspect that Barack Obama may help that, see Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy? ), the King of the South also will not be ready militarily to fulfill prophecies such as those in Daniel 11:40.

And a point that few seem to recognize (including pretty much all those predicting the Great Tribulation in 2008/2009/2010) is that Matthew 24:14 still needs to be properly fulfilled.  Recall that Jesus said:

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).

Although God did use Herbert W. Armstrong as a witness, the 21st century world as a whole has not had an adequate witness for the end to come (see also Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work?).

I strongly believe that God will more powerfully use the remnant of the Philadelphia era of the Church of God to proclaim the good news of the The Gospel of the Kingdom of God and that the “short work” of Romans 9:28 will still happen–but even though the Living Church of God is busily continuing the Philadelphia-era work, and did very well in 2009 with that, it will not be able to complete this work in 2010.

And of course, since the 6000 years of God’s plan apparently has several years left (see Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?), the fact that all the other signs mentioned in this update are not ready yet (though events seem to be working towards that objective), the Great Tribulation simply cannot begin in 2010.

While 2009 had been a very shaky year, recall that Jesus taught:

6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:5-8).

The Great Tribulation does not come until a little later according to Jesus’ sequence:

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be (Matt 24:14-21).

The end is coming.  The end is soon.  But the end (meaning the beginning of the Great Tribulation) will not start in 2010.  Nor can the Great Tribulation start prior to 2013.

However, Jesus spoke of something that He referred to as “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8).  And this involves false religion, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, and war.  And that certainly could start in 2010 (and it is remotely possible that it started in 2009).  While 2010 is not going to be the start of the Great Tribulation, it certainly could be a very rocky year.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Why Prophecy? Because the World Will Not End Next Week Some question or downplay the role of prophecy. This article gives some of the biblical reasons what it is important and explains why the world cannot end for at least 3 1/2 years from now.
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?
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 This article explains how the LCG views this, and compares this to Ellen White.
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?
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. 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. W
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.
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?
Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected? What does the Bible really teach? Who really is left behind?
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?
Laodicean Warning for God’s People Is there really a place of safety? Do God’s people need to be warned? Warned for what?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.
Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy? There is actually a 17th century Shiite prophecy that some believe that Barack Obama will fulfill that will lead to a rising up of Islam.
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Are there biblical and non-biblical prophecies about Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? This is the longest and most detailed of the articles here related to prophecy and Barack Obama.
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? What is “the beginning of sorrows”?  Have we begun or are we about ready for “the beginning of sorrows” to begin.

Hiroshima After the Atomic Bomb Was Detonated

Who will be “left behind” for events like atomic devastation?

COGwriter

A while back, I read what is apparently supposed to be the major “nonfiction” book by Timothy LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, the authors of the popular fiction series Left Behind.

This book is titled Are We Living in the End Times? (Tyndale House, Wheaton (IL), 1999). In many ways it is similar to a book titled by John Walvoord titled The Prophecy Handbook (Victor Books, Wheaton (IL), 1990).

Additionally it may come as surprise to people who have actually studied the Book of Revelation, but both of these books falsely claim that the church is NOT mentioned in Revelation from chapter 4 through chapter 18 and that this somehow proves that the “pre-tribulation rapture” is the only viable explanation (see LaHaye & Jenkins, p. 112 and Walvoord, p. 544).

But this position is in extreme biblical error. The Book of Revelation most certainly does mention saints (which are those who make up the true Church, see 1 Corinthians 1:2) in these chapters. So perhaps it would make sense to quote and comment on some of them.

Notice:

18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth (Rev 11:18).

The above passage clearly shows that the nations will be angry when Christ returns and that they and the dead should be judged. It also shows that this is when the saints receive their reward.

Further notice:

14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent…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 12:14,17).

7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints (Revelation 13:7-10).

12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus (Revelation 14:11-12).

6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus (Revelation 17:6).

Notice that the above verses show that the dragon (identified as Satan in Revelation 20:2), causes the saints to suffer and some to be killed. One of the reasons that certain Protestant authors (like LaHaye and Walvoord) seem to wish to ignore these verses is that they show that the true saints are keeping the commandments—a concept that is not acceptable to many Protestant theologians.

However, since these verses clearly are referring to true Christians, it should be clear to any with “eyes to see” that Christians (who are those who compose the Church) will be around throughout the entire 3 ½ years of the tribulation (shown as the time, times, and half a time in Revelation).

Sadly, many millions seemingly have been deceived by this false “pre-tribulation rapture” hypothesis. And partially because of this, they will not understand the final events of the end-times until it is too late.  Those Protestants who believe in a pre-tribulation rapture are essentially certain to be left behind when the true Church flees as they do not realize that the Bible clearly shows that the most faithful flee to the wilderness (Revelation 12:14-17)–and heaven is not a wilderness.

Since the Bible shows physical protection only for the remnant of the Philadelphia portion of the Church during “the hour of trial” (c.f. Revelation 3:7.10; 12:14), those who accept the false “pre-tribulation rapture” hypothesis will themselves be “Left Behind”.

(Perhaps it should be mentioned here that other professing Christians, like the Roman Catholics and others, are also confused about end-time events–details are in the articles Do Certain Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus?, Similarities and Differences Between the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Living Churches of God, and SDA/LCG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666).

Also it should be pointed out that the Bible shows that true Christians who are not “gathered together” (Zephaniah 2:1a) with the Philadelphians “[b]efore the decree is issued” (Zephaniah 2:1b) will themselves be left behind (Revelation 12:17) as only those gathered together may ”be hidden in the day of the LORD’s anger” (Zephaniah 2:3).

Articles of possibly related interest include:

Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected? What does the Bible really teach?
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.
Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a COG background.

Temple Institute Altar

COGwriter

The Temple Institute has completed an altar:

12/25/09

Model Altar of Unhewn Stones Completed at Temple Institute

by Gil Ronen

(IsraelNN.com) The Temple Institute in Jerusalem announced Friday the completion of a model of the biblical altar which G-d, through Moses, commanded the nation of Israel to build at the Mount of Eval (Ebal) overlooking Shechem:

“And there you shall build an altar unto Hashem your God, an altar of stones: you shall lift up no iron tool upon them. You shall build the altar of Hashem your G-d of unhewn stones.” (Dvarim / Deuteronomy 27:5,6).

For many years, the Institute has been examining ways of building a model of the altar from whole stones that had not been touched by iron tools. In the end, the Institute commissioned artist Assaf Kidron of Givot Olam Farm at Itamar, Samaria, to design and create a model which conforms with the specifications described by authoritative Jewish sage Rambam (Maimonides) – one cubit wide, one cubit deep, and three cubits high.

It has been placed in the Institute’s visitor center.

The rocks were collected from the Dead Sea (http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/135199).

The rest of the scripture in Deuteronomy talks about using the particular altar for burnt offerings and peace offerings.

An altar project was mentioned at COGwriter two weeks ago (see Sacrificial Altar to Be Built in Jerusalem–though it is unclear if these are the same altars as the other one is to be portable–though in the back of a flatbed truck, the above altar would be portable).  Altar construction represents an important step in biblical prophecy.

For while the goal of the Temple Institute is to build another temple, only an altar is actually necessary for sacrifices to resume.  For while an actual temple is not needed for sacrifices  according to the Bible (Ezra 3:6) and the Temple Institute (Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required?), a sacrificial altar is (Ezra 3:2-3).

And as watchers of biblical prophecy are aware, the Bible is clear that the final King of the North will stop sacrifices (Daniel 11:31) and then Christians are to flee per Jesus statements in Matthew 24:15-21 as the Great Tribulation will be ready to start.

Some articles of related interest would be:

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?  Do Jewish sources or the Bible mandate a completed temple for sacrifices?  What did Ezra do when there was no temple?
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?
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.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation 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

As the following article from Canada shows, many are concluding correctly that the USA is in decline.  Many believe that China is the likely replacement, but some suspect Europe:

The decline of America

The comfortable U.S. hegemony of the late 1990s has been upset by economic crises and military misadventure — the future may belong to someone else

Ottawa Citizen, Canada – Dec 24, 2009 by Karl Moore and David Lewis, Citizen Special

…The rise of China may in the future demand more forceful leadership in the West. Given the realities of geoeconomics it is not inconceivable that a far more dynamic leader such as German Economics Minister Karl Theodor von und zu Guttenberg might one day be in charge...If America declines, will Europe fill the vacuum, partly in response to the Chinese challenge? To some this seems unlikely but think back to the world of only a scant 10 years ago when the Anglo-American model of stakeholder capitalism stood triumphantly (and perhaps a tad arrogantly) and practically alone on the top of the heap, and how much has changed since then.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/decline+America/2377175/story.html

RC Meredith of the Living Church of God wrote:

Many publications have suggested that the 21st century will be “China’s century.” Even though the Chinese are fiercely moving forward, and their progress in developing their industries is obvious, these publications are dead wrong for two reasons. First, the inspired word of God describes specifically how a coming European Union will be the dominant force in this world—obviously within the next several years. Therefore, brethren, I would like to focus your mind on this matter so you can more intelligently “watch” world events along this line as they unfold before your very eyes. In the coming years, you will perhaps even see a revolt of the peasants in the outlying Chinese cities, who have lagged far behind the standard of living afforded those who have moved to Beijing and Shanghai. Plus, the tremendous pollution of the water, air and foodstuffs may bring about massive disease epidemics and other problems for the Chinese.

In addition, distracting wars and other events may— as God chooses to guide it—greatly undermine the material progress now being made by the Chinese. Meanwhile, you will soon see the European Union evolve into an absolutely powerful and dynamic force in the world— ultimately to become the “Beast” as revealed in Revelation 17 in your own Bible!

So the 21st century will not be the “Chinese century!” Rather it will appear to become the European century for a few years, until the magnificent return of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. From then on, the 21st century will be, indeed, “Christ’s century!” And all of us who are able to understand the “Big Picture” of world events from God’s point of view should be preparing to help straighten out the appalling degree of suffering, starvation and misconduct we find on this earth today in virtually every nation (Meredith R.C. An Inspiring and Successful Trip. Living Church News. May-June 2007, p. 21).

The Bible tells of the rise of the “daughter of Babylon”.  Babylon is place that the Europeans tend to consider is appropriate as a reference to their union.  And according to biblical prophecy, the description of the future “Babylon” fits Europe much better than China (though it will apparently trade with it).

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”? 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?
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?

COGwriter

There are several news items related to dark matter and antimatter and its potential for those who wish to be aware of it.  New Scientist reported:

2010 preview: Will a neutralino steal Higgs’s thunder?

New Scientist – Dec 26, 2009

…And the neutralino, it turns out, is a perfect candidate to account for dark matter – the mysterious stuff that far outweighs ordinary matter in the universe. http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20427396.500-2010-preview-will-a-neutralino-steal-higgss-thunder.html

Here are some excerpts from some others on the potential for dark matter, some part of which may be antimatter:

Antimatter underestimated

Nature, Vol. 325  – February 26, 1987

Andre Gsponer, Jean-Pierre Hurni

(Submitted on 19 Jul 2005)

We warn of the potential nuclear proliferation’s consequences of military applications of nano- or microgram amounts of antimatter, such as triggering of high-yield thermonuclear explosions, laser pumping, compact sources of energy, directed-energy beams, and portable sources of muons. http://arxiv1.library.cornell.edu/abs/physics/0507139v1

Antimatter factory opens at CERN

Physics World – Aug 11, 2000
Richard Hendricks http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2797

Now despite arresting an Al-Qaeda operative at CERN in October 2009, CERN insists that the Large Hadron Collider is a ONLY peaceful project:

Hadron Collider Scientists Arrested , Suspected of links to Al Qaeda

Jason October 9, 2009

The arrested man had been working on an experiment in particle physics as a contractor since 2003, Cern said… Le Figaro newspaper reported earlier that the man had been in contact with Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and had suggested several French targets for militant attacks…

In a statement, the European Nuclear Physics Organization (CERN), which oversees the Hadron Collider project, said that “none of [their] research has potential for military application,” and that the suspect “had no contact with anything that could have been used for terrorism.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/09/hadron-collider-scientist_n_315570.html

It makes little sense to claim that the Hadron Collider has no “potential for military application” when Al-Qaeda seems to be involved.  Furthermore, notice something from the American military:

Air Force pursuing antimatter weapons

Program was touted publicly, then came official gag order

San Francisco Chronicle – Oct 4, 2004  by Keay Davidson, Chronicle Science Writer

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/10/04/MNGM393GPK1.DTL

Apparently the American military considers that this type of project has major military potential, and others in the USA seem to agree.  The fact that USA military wants to keep quiet about it may be a reason that CERN denies the military potential of its own project.

But if the Large Hadron Collider does have military potential, all should understand that it is likely that the Europeans and not the Americans will benefit from it:

Collider Sets Record, and Europe Takes U.S.’s Lead

By DENNIS OVERBYE

Published: December 9, 2009…

Those spinoffs now will invigorate the careers and labs of Europe, not the United States, pointed out Steven Weinberg, a physicist at the University of Texas in Austin, who won the Nobel Prize for work that will be tested in the new collider. Americans will work at CERN, but not as leaders, he said in an e-mail interview.

“There is also a depressing symbolism,” he added, “in the fact that the hottest new results in fundamental physics will for decades not be coming from our country.”  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/10/science/10collide.html

So, whatever technologies are spun-off from this project are expected to primarily benefit the Europeans and not the Americans.  A book that came out in 2009 points that the Large Hadron Collider may be used to give the future European military power that the entire world will marvel at:

2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect

Bob Thiel
…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). 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect.  Nazarene Books, 2009, p. 85

My book also discusses the destruction of the USA and certain others by the Europeans sometime after 2012. The Large Hadron Collider is discussed as one of the items that may provide the Europeans with the ability to overcome the USA’s military might.

The Large Hadron Collider set one or more speed records in 2009 (Europe’s Large Hadron Collider Sets Another Record, USA is Losing Lead in Physics).  It is likely to set other records and help scientists learn more about physics in 2010.  And this data may lead to the development of military technology of unbelievable power–but for the Europeans.

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?
Large Hadron Collider may result in military applications The Europeans have the largest physics project on the planet. Some scoff, but might it result in military applications? May the Large Hadron Collider help fulfill Revelation 13:4?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This page contains some concepts and prophecies related to 2012 and a book.  This also has YouTube videos related to 2012 and beyond.

COGwriter

The following news item should not be a considered as a surprise:

Canadian Christianity – Dec 22, 2009

No longer worldwide

Worldwide Church of God–Canada is in the process of changing its name to Grace Communion International-Canada. In a recent survey, Canadian congregations voted 60 percent to 20 percent in favour of the change. The US branch of the church made a similar change in 2009. The denomination was founded by radio preacher Herbert W. Armstrong in 1934 and was widely considered a cult at one time but has since become accepted as a mainstream evangelical denomination.

http://www.canadianchristianity.com/nationalupdates/091222briefs.html

The fact that the WCG of the USA earlier switched to GCI suggested that foreign affiliates would likely change their names as well.

Despite the fact that mainstream groups applaud WCG’s changes since the death of Herbert W. Armstrong, the reality is that the new GCI is no longer a real “Church of God” and the group that was led by the late HWA was.

COGwriter

In his update very late last night, ICG’s Mark Armstrong reported:

You are all aware by now of the attempt by a Muslim extremist to blow up a Delta airliner.  The attack is believed to be in retaliation for the US bombing of an Al-Qaida stronghold in Yemen just yesterday.  Thank be to God it didn’t succeed.  The massacre at Fort Hood and now this incident during the landing approach of the Delta airliner in Detroit shows that Muslim terrorists intend to continue to target unsuspecting Americans.  It appears both Yemen and Nigeria may be implicated in this incident.

The Bible shows that “terror” is one of the cursings that God said that those He blessed would experience if they did not not obey Him.  Notice:

¹⁴ ‘But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments,

¹⁵ and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant,

¹⁶ I also will do this to you:
I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart.
And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.

¹⁷ I will set My face against you, and you shall be defeated by your enemies.
Those who hate you shall reign over you, and you shall flee when no one pursues you. (Leviticus 26:13-17)

The reality is that Al-Qaida intends more terror, likes to pick dates of Western significance (yesterday being Christmas), and has no intention of stopping.

According to the Bible (Psalm 83; Daniel 11:39; etc.), the USA is going to fall–perhaps in the next presidential term.  And it appears that terrorism will be one of the actions that will help it fall.

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?
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.

Pope Benedict XVI

COGwriter

Pope Benedict XVI was attacked last night:

Pope Unhurt After Being Knocked Down

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 24, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is unhurt after he was knocked down tonight as he entered St. Peter’s Basilica to celebrate the Christmas vigil Mass, reports a Vatican spokesman.

There are many violent people in the world.

An article of possibly related interest may be:

Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare? Here are current and historical perspectives on a matter which show the beliefs of the true church on military participation. Is war proper for Christians?