Church of God News

EU “Babylon” poster

COGwriter

The Vatican and the Russian Orthodox are looking towards more ecumenical cooperation to reverse what they consider to be the tide of secularism in Europe:

VATICAN LETTER Dec-11-2009

Ecumenical allies? Orthodox, Catholics take aim at European secularism

By John Thavis
Catholic News Service

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0905462.htm

The Bible clearly warns of a dictator rising up in Europe (Daniel 9:26-27; 11:27-39; Revelation 13), but contrary to the implication of the Orthodox Archbishop Hilarion, this dictator will feign some type of religious background (Daniel 11:36-38).   Both Catholic and Orthodox prophecies tell of a time when an ecumenical dictator (sometimes referred to as “the Great Monarch”) will rise up–we are getting closer to that time.

A news report shows that the Vatican was pleased with the Lisbon Treaty (for information on that treaty see European empire formed yesterday, but few in America seemed to notice) as it gives churches like it the opportunity to influence Europe:

The Lisbon Treaty came into effect this week, and first to celebrate was the Catholic Bishops Conference (COMECE) which issued a press release reminding EU members that religious groups — particularly the Vatican — are coming to claim the privileges that the Treaty promises them.

The Press Release says: “The Treaty introduces into EU primary law an Article of notable importance for the Churches. By means of Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, the EU recognises the identity and specific contribution of Churches and engages on this basis an ‘open, transparent and regular’ dialogue with them. Thanks to this Article, Churches and religious communities will be able to strengthen their Dialogue with the European Commission, Council and Parliament and so contribute more efficiently to reflecting on European policy. Inspired by Catholic social teaching and strengthened by their background experience, Churches will be enabled to pursue a critical and constructive Dialogue with EU decision makers on the policies put forward by the EU.”  http://www.secularism.org.uk/116177.html

The Bible warns of a coming European Beast power ridden by an ecumenical church (Revelation 17:1-3).  Events are lining up.

Russian and other Orthodox should not try to unite with the Vatican and Catholics should not try to unite with the Orthodox as the Bible warns against this upcoming ecumenical religious power.

Furthermore, private prophecies from both Orthodox and Catholic mystics suggest dire consequences as well.

For more information, please check out the following:

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 as unifying will make them part of the final Babylon.
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.
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?
European empire formed today, might it become Babylon? An examiner article about some of the ramifications of what happened on December 1, 2009 one the Lisbon Treaty became effective.

Flag of Korea, 1889

COGwriter

North Korea has agreed to hold peace talks with China, South Korea, and the USA:

Koreas, US, China to discuss peace treaty: report

( http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jKywwKDRrgZFSoqYa_9RVOT8pQ3Q

There is an ancient Chinese prophecy dating from the Tang Dynasty (June 18, 618 – June 4, 907) that tells of a time when China will have peace with Korea and Japan:

Beautiful people come from the West. Korea, China and Japan are gradually at peace (Pui-Hua R.  Ancient Chinese Prophecies Till the End of the World.  AuthorHouse, Bloomington (IN), 2008, p. 85).

The Bible tells of a time when the “kings of the sunrise” (Revelation 16:12 literal translation) will cooperate together militarily: and this would seem to include China, Japan, and the entirety of Korea.  And while those nations are not to that point yet, and the USA will probably not be the final Western power to be involved, today’s news suggests that the stage is slowly being set for more cooperation between the Koreas and China to occur.

Bible prophecy will be fulfilled, as it tells of “things which must shortly take place” (Revelation 1:1).

Some articles of possibly related interest (including the first announcement on one specifically about Korea) would include the following:

Korea in Prophecy, Any Witness? Does God have a plan for the Koreans? Is Korea mentioned in any prophecies? Will Koreans be among the first in the Kingdom of God? 한국의 언어로 : 한국 예언, 모든 증인에?
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?
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?

Archbishop Fulton Sheen

COGwriter

Zenit.org, a pro-Vatican website, reported:

The “World’s Preacher” Remembered

Masses Mark 30th Anniversary of Archbishop Sheen’s Death

I mentioned Fulton Sheen in a couple of articles at COGwriter.  Here is a quote from him:

Archbishop Fulton Sheen (1950) We are living in the days of the Apocalypse–the last days of our era…. The two great forces of the Mystical Body of Christ and the Mystical Body of Antichrist are beginning to draw up the battle lines for the catastrophic contest. (Flynn T & L. The Thunder of Justice. Maxkol Communications, Sterling (VA), 1993, p. 20)

When he stated that, the Philadelphia era of the Church of God had started to rise up (the most faithful representation of “body of Christ”), the Vatican officially came out against the millennial doctrine, and the one who is likely to be the final Antichrist may have been born (and one who was going to, in a major way, support a doctrine of Antichrist had certainly been).  The stages for the final confrontation, which should occur in the 21st century, had taken place.

Here is a quote that mentions Archbishop Sheen:

Father O’Connor quotes from Holy Scripture, the stunning prophecies of St. Vincent Ferrer, Pope St. Pius X, St. Francis of Assisi, St. John Eudes, Sr. Lucy of Fatima, Pope Pius XII and Bishop Fulton J. Sheen. Father explains how God will and is punishing the world for sin, and that the Fathers of the Church all wrote that the False Prophet would be a Catholic Bishop who will become an invalid anti-pope while the real Pope dies a cruel death in exile. (REIGN OF THE FALSE PROPHET.  Catholic Treasures. Audio ITEM #20104.  http://www.catholictreasures.com/cartdescrip/20104.html 03/02/09)

Notice that the Catholic O’Conner indicated that Archbishop Sheen supported the idea that an anti-pope would rise up.

And that is a position that I too share.

And if the 12th century Malachy prophecies about the remaining popes is correct, there is only one pope left (there were 112 on that list and Pope Benedict XVI is number 111).  And since Malachy’s list contains anti-popes according to Catholic scholars and since various Catholic mystics have claimed that an anti-pope is coming (and they have none for centuries), then if they are correct, then the next pope will be an anti-pope and likely the final Antichrist.

We are living in the last days.  And although the Great Tribulation is not yet, events aligning with the Apocalypse are occurring regularly and are often reported at the COGwriter website.  Stay tuned for more updates.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Antichrist Quiz Do you really know much about the Antichrist?
Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”. Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy.
Do Certain Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus? Will the final “Anti-Christ” be Jewish, insist on Saturday, be opposed to the trinity, and bring in the millennium? Catholic writings indicate this, but what does the Bible show?
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.
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? How might Barack Obama be involved in 2012?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? 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

A new scientific milestone was just attained by the Europeans:

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

…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

This is the second record in as many weeks that the LHC has set.  Americans do not seem to realize that the USA is losing its status as the leader in major scientific developments.

It remains my strong opinion that the LHC will somehow produce technology that will either enhance Europe’s military potential or will even provide enough that LHC will help fulfill the prophecy of the Beast having astounding warring abilities in Revelation 13:3-4.  I even discuss that in my book, 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect.  And events since it has been published seem to confirm my positions on a fairly regular basis now.

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?

COGwriter

COGaic’s Peter Nathan reported the following:

Tom Shepherd, of Andrews University presented a paper on the Gospel of Mark which asked the question, how the implied reader of Mark’s Gospel was to understand the references to the Sabbath day included in the Gospel…

What Mark seeks to convey is the teaching of Jesus about the Sabbath day and how it should be properly kept as opposed to the accretion of traditions that people had imposed.  In Mark 2 and 3, two incidents relating to the Sabbath are provided.  Because of the way that the book has been divided into chapters and verses, long after the Gospel had been written, we can easily lose sight of the message being conveyed.  Mark presents Jesus as providing proper understanding for the listeners.  In the two cases, the instruction is given in response to a question.  Firstly the religious leaders asked one of Jesus (2:23-28), in the second, the roles are reversed.  Jesus asks the question of the leaders (3:1-5). The results of the two questions are not the abrogation of the Sabbath commands, but an understanding of the standards that Jesus and by extension, the Father expect in the Sabbath observance.

Of the seven occurrences of the term Sabbath in the Gospel of  Mark, two record Jesus teaching in the Synagogue on the Sabbath Day (Mark 1:21, 6:1).  The consequence of both occasions was recorded as public amazement at the quality of teaching of Jesus.  Between these two Synagogue events, we have the teaching provided about the Sabbath in chapter 2 & 3, as though they are sandwiched between the two events to give the reader an insight into the reasons for the reaction to the teaching.  So easily overlooked is the fact that in both cases, they seek to undo the tradition associated with the Sabbath and not the Sabbath itself.  This would have been ideal place for Jesus to describe the Sabbath as being redundant, or for Mark writing years after the death of Jesus to editorialize that this was now all changed because the church now kept Sunday in memorial of His resurrection.  Such is not the case.

Actually, we find the followers of Jesus, including the Apostle Paul, keeping the Sabbath and Festivals along with the rest of the Jewish community.  The Scriptures such as Acts 20:7-11 and 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 which have long been used to justify Sunday observance have nothing to do with worship or Sabbath or Sunday keeping.

Andrews University describes itself as a “Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary” hence it would make sense that it would teach about the seventh-day Sabbath.

What was not in the above report, however, was specific information on the practices of the Christians after the apostles died.  And while the information is not always as clear as we would prefer to see, the fact is that the faithful in Jerusalem, Asia Minor, and elsewhere kept the Sabbath into the second century and other times.  And even after various councils condemned it, the Sabbath has always been kept throughout the ages (see The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church?
The Dramatic Story of Chinese Sabbathkeepers This reformatted Good News article from 1955 discusses Sabbath-keeping in China in the 1800s.
Sunday and Christianity Was Sunday observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians? Who clearly endorsed Sunday?
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity?
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.
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?

COGwriter

Since my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect came out, I have done approximately two dozen radio interviews across North America.  Last night I did one on out of Boston.  And the day earlier, I was on Ripley Radio.

Interestingly since 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect came out, at least eight world events aligning themselves up with the predictions contained within that book have occurred (including one that I reported at COGwriter yesterday, see EU Wants its Way for Jerusalem and a Middle East Peace Deal).  I discussed some of those on Ripley Radio and some of my other radio interviews.  Here is a link to the radio broadcast from Ripley Radio:

Dr. Thiel interviewed by Ripley Radio: An On-Demand Oddcast hosted by Tim O’Brien and Edward Meyer. Click here to listen.

My next scheduled radio interview (and schedules do sometimes change) is for The Poppoff Report by Mary Jane Popp this coming Friday morning December 11, 2009 in Sacramento, California.

World events that align with biblical prophecies are coming to pass and more and more people are starting to hear about them.  Not just from COGwriter of course, but through television, magazines, the internet, and public lectures.

Those who would like to see two highly documented sequential charts of end-time events should consider reading the book  2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect as it helps show what will and will not come to pass for those who are interested in their physical and spiritual futures.

Jerusalem

COGwriter

The foreign ministers of the European Union met today in an effort to determine the EU’s position on Jerusalem and peace in the Middle East:

EU: Jerusalem Should Be Joint Capital

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: December 8, 2009

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union foreign ministers called on Tuesday for the resumption of talks between Israel and the Palestinians…

”The EU will not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties,” said the ministerial communique…

”If there is to be a genuine peace, a way must be found (thru negotiations) to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of two states,” it said…

Some EU ministers supported the original Swedish proposal but others said it would risk undermining efforts to restart peace talks.

Associated Press writer Barbara Schaeder and Mike Corder contributed from Brussels.  http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/12/08/world/AP-EU-EU-Mideast.html

As regular readers of the COGwriter page are aware, some type of Middle East peace deal will be confirmed by a rising European leader consistent with Daniel 9:26-27.  Today’s announcement shows that the European Union will insist that it will have a role in a Middle East peace plan.

And while the plan will ultimately appear to work for a while, it will not.  Notice what Dr. Douglas Winnail of the Living Church of God wrote over 8 years ago:

In recent years endless political negotiations have been launched, and prayers said, in pursuit of Middle East peace. Yet success has eluded every effort-just as the Bible predicted! The prophet Zechariah wrote, more than 2,500 years ago, that “it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy [burdensome] stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away [attempt to lift it, or burden themselves with it] will be cut to pieces [injured]” (Zechariah 12:3). For nearly a century, Jerusalem has fulfilled this prophecy. Britain, Israel and the United States have all tried-and failed-to bring peace to this troubled city and region. Now the Europeans, the Russians, the Pope and even the United Nations want to try to solve this age-old problem. According to Bible prophecy, all who try will fail-until Christ returns!…

Biblical prophecies describe two prominent individuals who will appear on the world stage in the end times (see Revelation 20:10). One is a powerful and persuasive political figure called the Beast (see Revelation 13:1-10; 17:12-13). The other is a highly influential religious figure known as the False Prophet or man of sin (see Revelation 13:11-18; 2 Thessalonians 2). The Bible reveals that they will focus their attention on Jerusalem-and on the Temple Mount in particular. These two Satan-inspired leaders will orchestrate two distinct events mentioned in Scripture. The daily sacrifices will be stopped, and the sanctuary will be defiled (see Daniel 8:11-13; 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; 2 Thessalonians 2; Revelation 13). These two actions will take place in Jerusalem just before Christ’s return (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14). However, before the daily sacrifices can be stopped, they must begin!…

Daniel writes of a coming leader who will deceitfully enter into a covenant (Daniel 11:31-32) with the Jewish people-a covenant which appears to include the resumption of sacrifices and the construction, or establishment of a sanctuary (Daniel 9:26-27), perhaps in exchange for ceding East Jerusalem to the Palestinians. This agreement, however, will be abruptly broken after three years (Ibid.)-probably in an effort to enforce religious uniformity.  (Winnail D. Jerusalem’s Sobering Future! Tomorrow’s World Magazine, Mar-Apr 2001, http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/cgi-bin/tw/tw-mag.cgi?category=Magazine11&item=1104075184

Now we have the situation where the EU has decided that it will set terms for peace in the Middle East.  And while the powerful political figure that Dr. Winnail mentioned has not yet arisen to the point of being identified as such, it is important to realize that the final Beast power will be European and various scriptures will be fulfilled.

Europe has, apparently on a fairly official basis, decided that it will be involved with a deal involving “peace” in Jerusalem and the Middle East.  Prophetic events are moving forward.

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?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?

Hut in Africa

COGwriter

While pretty much everyone is aware of the Euro for Europe, many are unaware that in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa monetary unions are in the process of forming.  Part of the reason for this is that nations see the risk in the US dollar being the primary world reserve currency.

Here is a report from LCG’s latest World Ahead Weekly Update concerning monetary plans in Africa:

Africans Are Uniting. In 1967, the East African Community (EAC) of nations debuted, collapsing 10 years later. In 1999, three African nations began a European-style common market, which has now grown to five. Last week, “The presidents of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda signed the East Africa common market protocol in the Northern Tanzanian town of Arusha, at a ceremony coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the East African Community’s (EAC’s) revival. The protocol is expected to come into force in July 2010… ” The 126-million-strong trade block was created to stabilize and improve trade and the economies of member nations. The new protocol will also allow for the free travel and residence of all citizens within the region. Plans include the completion of a monetary union by 2012, a trans-national railroad by 2013, and eventually a political union (Telegraph.co.uk, November 22, 2009). In an era of global ethnic struggles, regional trade unions are very popular. From the leading example of the European Union, we now see regional relationships in South East Asia, South America, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and now Africa. Although not every one of these “nation confederations” is directly mentioned in the Bible, the Scriptures do mention confederacies in Europe (king of the north), the Middle East (king of the south) and some type of confederation likely including China and Russia (kings from the east) – see Daniel 11 and Revelation 16:12). The recent news from East Africa appears to fit the pattern of end-time Bible prophecy.

While many in North America do not think much about the impact of Africa on the economy, the fact is that if Africa, Asia, and the Middle East all decide that they should use something other than the US dollar for most of their international trade, this will ultimately contribute to a massive devaluation of the value of the US dollar. And this will have more severe affects on the US economy (and probably also the Canadian one) than most have considered.

Some links of possibly related interest may include:

Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans?
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?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012? How might Barack Obama be involved in 2012?
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.  What prophecies will happen and in what order?  Get the book and compare it to the Bible to find out.

Dresden Codex Picturing a Flood

COGwriter

The last page of the Mayan book known as the Dresden Codex suggests a flood coming from the mouth of a serpent.  Some Canadians have reported about 2012.  And a lot of the filming for the Sony 2012 movie took place in Canada.

Here an article from a Canadian reporter concerning a North American author:

2012 scholar predicts cataclysm

By Jamie Portman, Canwest News ServiceNovember 26, 2009

Daniel Pinchbeck doesn’t know if Dec. 21, 2012, will spell out Doomsday for the planet.But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t fear cataclysmic disaster the likes of which the world has never seen…

He does feel the world is heading for disaster and that primitive cultures are capable of possessing mystical portents of the future — themes he explored in his controversial book, 2012: The Return Of Quetzalcoatl, now available from Penguin in a new, best-selling paperback edition. http://www.canada.com/2012+scholar+predicts+cataclysm/2268757/story.html

Daniel Pinchbeck was one of the people that made the idea of disasters in 2012 popular.

Here is a report mainly from a Canadian archeaologist:

Canadian archaeologist Kathryn Reese-Taylor, who teaches at the University of Calgary, says in a statement that although the monument, called the Tortuguero Monument Six, refers to the date Dec. 21, 2012, it is not an end-of-the-world prophecy. She says the translation of the text essentially says that something will occur on Dec. 21, 2012 and that it will be similar to something that occurred on another date in the past.”We don’t know what that past occurrence was or what the future occurrence will be. At no point do any of the Maya texts actually prophesize the end of the world,” she said. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza/2009/11/kenneth-turan-reviews-2012-the-latest-disaster-movie-portraying-the-end-of-the-world-the-movie-is-directed-by-roland-emmeri.html

While the Tortuguero Monument Six does not necessarily point to disaster, it needs to be pointed out that the Mayans absolutely did predict the end of the world happening when their calendar ended, no later than sometime in the 16th century:

But when the law of the katun has run its course, the God will bring about a great deluge again which will be the end of the world. When this is over, then our Lord Jesus Christ will descend over the valley of Jehoshaphat besides the town of Jerusalem where he redeemed us with his holy blood. (Chilam Balam, cited in 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect)

Although I do not believe that the world will end in 2012 or that Jesus will return then, it is important to realize that that particular Canadian scholar was in error.  The idea that the world would end was part of some portion of the Mayan religion.  The report related to Daniel Pinchbeck is more accurate as far as Mayan predictions are concerned than Kathryn Reese-Taylor’s denial.  FWIW, I noticed that as of last week, Sony’s 2012 movie (which is based upon the Mayan predictions with Hollywood’s interpretations) earned $620 million worldwide according to a Reuters’ report.  So many are seeing the Hollywood version of the Mayan prophecies.

But of course, it is biblical predictions that are important than scholars or Hollywood.  And interestingly the Bible does predict not only the end of the world, but disaster to the nation that is highly indebted at the time of the end.  And while the USA is the most indebted nation in the history of humanity, its neighbor to the north (Canada) is prophesied to experience most of the same disasters that will hit the USA.  And speaking of debt, Canada has the 13th most amount of external debt of any country according to a report I viewed yesterday and according to a report from ATF “Canada is set to post a record deficit this year of 55.9 billion Canadian dollars (53.4 billion US)”.  Canada will not long outlast the USA, if it does at all.

Those who wish to learn more about 2012 may wish to check out the following articles:

End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012? How might Barack Obama be involved in 2012?
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?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This contains some concepts related to 2012 and a book.  This also has YouTube videos related to 2012.

COGwriter

Despite realizing that it is depreciating, China is claiming that it will continue its dollar reserve policies for now:

China sought to reassure the world that it is taking a conservative approach to managing its massive foreign-exchange reserves, with officials saying it hasn’t made big changes to its strategy and the dollar remains a central asset.The statements by a senior regulator, later supplemented by a book published by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, seem intended to reassure investors that Beijing isn’t selling its vast holdings of U.S. Treasurys, despite worries the dollar is likely to depreciate…

Mr. Wang said the “depreciation of the U.S. dollar is a long-term trend.” In the near term, however, the dollar’s key role as the global reserve currency won’t change, SAFE said…http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125997791348677673.html#articleTabs%3Darticle

Why would China claim it will stay with the US dollar despite its belief that it is depreciating?

Two reasons.

The first is that the US dollar is still the world’s reserve currency.  And while that is in the process of changing, it will take some time for the world to be willing to completely eliminate the reserve status of the US dollar (though many want it to be eliminated such as the UN, EU, Russia, China, India, Brazil, and others-see Dollar Losing Reserve Status, EU Becoming a “Legal Personality” and India, Russia, & China Questioning US Dollar and Brazil Wants Non-Dollar Trade With India for some examples).  Thus, in order to keep its economy moving for now, China is somewhat supporting the US dollar.  Somewhat because it is diversifying as the article states (China is buying up natural resources, etc. around the globe).

The second is that if China declared it was going to dump the US dollar, its holdings would become worth much less (so instead it is saying it won’t make a MAJOR CHANGE–but even that is an admission of planned changes).  A wiser strategy from the Chinese perspective would seem to be to slow its accumulation and try to figure out how it will get out of most of its US dollar holdings.  But that will probably not be completely accomplished.

What people in the USA and elsewhere need to realize is that the US economy is truly being propped up by massive amounts of borrowing from China, Japan, the Middle East, and elsewhere.  Additionally, the stock and currency holdings in Europe essentially are a form of US debt.  Technically it could be asserted that every US printed currency note is a “note payable”–a debt.  And the USA has been increasing the printing of its currency (known as monetizing its debt).  Without doing that, the USA economy would appear to many to be much worse than it has been

The Bible is clear that the indebted at the time of the end will have their creditors “rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty” (Habakkuk 2:7).  And while China and others hope that they will be able to eventually get paid for their US dollar holdings, it is almost impossible that the US will ever properly repay its debt.  Without national repentance in the USA combined with changes in economic practices and policies, the US is heading down the path to fulfill the biblical prophecies against debtors.

And many of the nations outside the American-Anglo alliance will temporarily prosper after the USA falls.

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?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? What is ahead for Europe?
Mexico, Central America, South America, and Brazil in Prophecy [Español: México, America Central, Suramérica, y el Brasil en profecíal] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What rule might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
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?
India, Its Biblical Past and Future: Any Witness? The Bible discusses the origins of those of Indian heritage and discusses some of the witness to them (including those in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka).
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
Korea in Prophecy, Any Witness? Does God have a plan for the Koreans? Is Korea mentioned in any prophecies? Will Koreans be among the first in the Kingdom of God? 한국의 언어로 : 한국 예언, 모든 증인에?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? This is a brief article about Japan. Have they had any witness?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan? Will God save the Japanese?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia? What will it do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?