Church of God News

COGwriter

While many are familiar with the fact that the group calling itself “Jehovah’s Witnesses” knocks on doors, relatively few seem to understand how the JWs explain Daniel 11 and the Kings of the North and South.

In its booklet titled Pay Attention to Daniel’s Prophecy! the Jehovah’s Witnesses correctly teach,

The designations “the king of the north and “the king of the south” refer to kings north and south of Daniel’s people, who were freed from Babylonian captivity and restored to the land of Judah (p. 218).

However, they do not seem to keep that belief when it comes to explaining about them (at least not for the “King of the South”).

Regarding the “king of the north” the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that it was Germany from the late nineteenth century until in World War II (pp. 256-267) fulfilling Daniel 11:27-31a (this time period was not, however, the final end-time fulfillment of these verses in Daniel). Then they teach it became the Communist Soviet Block until around 1993 (pp. 275-280), fulfilling Daniel 11:31b-43 (we in the Living Church of God would contend that the Communist block did not fulfill these prophecies).

The JWs actually teach that the defeat in Vietnam was part of the result of the king of the north fulfilling Daniel 11:42,43. Notice:

(Daniel 11:42-43) Even the king of the south, “Egypt,” did not escape the effects of the expansionist policies of the king of the north. For example, the king of the south suffered a notable defeat in Vietnam (pp. 278-280).

The above “Egypt” is not, according to the Jehovah’s Witnesses the actual nation of Egypt but what they call the “Anglo-American World Power” (p. 247). Those of us in the LCG believe that the term “Egypt” means the area occupied by the current nation of Egypt.  Verses 40-43 of Daniel 11 are talking about more than  a nation giving up, they show that the King of the South is defeated and that it is itself overwhelmed.

But since the USA and UK are NOT south of Palestine/Israel, the JWs seem to have a problem with geography.

Currently, the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that they do not know who the final king of the north will be:

Who will be this king when Daniel 11:44, 45 is fulfilled? Will he be part of the former Soviet Union? Or will he change identity completely, as he has done a number of times before? Will the development of nuclear weapons by additional nations result in a new arms race and have a bearing on the identity of the king of the north? Only time will provide answers to these questions. We are wise not to speculate (p. 281).

The above differs greatly from LCG teachings. Essentially like Herbert W. Armstrong did, LCG teaches that Daniel 11 will have final fulfillment at the time of the end from Daniel 11:31, but probably prior (like vs. 21 or 27) as the final time of the end, the “appointed time”, begins no later than Daniel 11:29. LCG teaches that the king of the north is also the same power as the feet of the image in Daniel 2 (more information is in the articles Who is the King of the North and Europa and the Beast of Revelation).

Notice what else the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach in Pay Attention to Daniel’s Prophecy!:

When World War I broke out in 1914, Egypt belonged to Turkey…Britain…declared Turkey a British protectorate.  Gradually forming close ties, Britain and the United States of America became the Anglo-American World Power.  Together, they came into position of the king of the south (p.247).

This causes the Jehovah’s Witnesses several problems as they indicate with the image of Daniel 2 that the Anglo-American World Power formed over 100 years prior to WWI, plus the fact that since Britain and the USA no longer control Egypt, that they are not south of Judah (actually, all of Britain and the USA, with the exception of the Falkland Islands and some minor territories, are north of Judah).

A chart that the book Pay Attention to Daniel’s Prophecy! has on page 284 shows that the Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that “Anglo-American World Power” became the “king of the south” around WWI, were also the king of the south in WWII, were also the king of the south during the time of the “cold war”, and will be at the final end.

In addition, unlike the LCG, the Jehovah’s Witnesses teach:

Similarly, the king of the south is not destroyed by the king of the north (p. 285).

But the Bible is clear that the king of the south is destroyed by the king of the north in Daniel 11:40-43.

Sadly, the misunderstanding of prophecy that many groups (like the Jehovah’s Witnesses and even many who are affiliated with some of the Churches of God) will deceive them about end-time events.

Articles of related interest may include:

Similarities and Differences Between the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Living Church of God Both groups claim to represent the original Christian faith. Do you know much about them? Both groups have some interesting similarities, but many major differences. Would you like information on how to deal with Jehovah’s Witnesses?
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 Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
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?

COGwriter

By the end of US President Obama’s second year of office, the US government’s debt may hit (Debt has become America’s life blood by ABC’s John Shovelan), or even pass, $14 trillion dollars.

And that figure does not include personal or corporate debt.

Ultimately, the cost of borrowing money will go up.  Way up.

And when it does, the debt will go up as money will have to be borrowed just to pay the interest of the debt.  This will affect the overall economy as well as potentially devastate the real estate market.

Since the US has shown no signs of a real move towards national repentance, it seems to be placing its hopes on a plan that will likely lead to hyperinflation and a destruction in the value of the USA dollar.

While the government will talk about cutting its deficit (and will likely cut defense programs to do that), the reality is that increases in debt appear likely until the time that the USA will be no more–it will ultimately be taken over.

Now, for those of us with a Church of God background, this is no surprise.  Here are some excerpts from my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect related to this:

Additionally, one of the first things that Barack Obama has done as U.S.A. president is to sign into to a law a bill that will greatly increase the debt of the U.S.A.  He has also indicated that he will need to pursue policies that will increase that debt during at least his first administration, although he ultimately hopes to change that, as even he claims that the U.S. debt is “unsustainable.”

However, he and others may not realize that the Bible strongly warns about what will happen to a huge debtor in the end time.  Notice what the seer Habakkuk wrote over 2,600 years ago:

³ For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry…
⁶ “Will not all these take up a proverb against him, And a taunting riddle against him, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases
What is not his—how long?
And to him who loads himself with many pledges’?
⁷ Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. ⁸ Because you have plundered many nations, All the remnant of the people shall plunder you…” (Habakkuk 2:3,6–8).

Hence, Barack Obama seems to currently be fulfilling the part of that prophecy of increasing pledges/debt. And, of course, it is possible that the rest of the above prophecy might be fulfilled while he is U.S.A. president.  This prophecy, if it is applicable to the U.S.A, also suggests that American dollars will ultimately be of no value to creditors by then (or to probably anyone else)…

Since 1973, the U.S.A. switched from being a creditor nation and instead has become the greatest debtor nation in the history of humankind.   Because the U.S.A. owes alien nations trillions of dollars, it appears that the curse in Deuteronomy 28:44 of having to borrow from aliens is happening to it now. President Barack Obama has put forth economic policies that will (for at least several years) greatly increase that debt.  Yet, increasing national debt like this will lead to destruction at the appointed time of the end (Habakkuk 2:3, 6–8)…

Habakkuk 2 makes clear that at the appointed time of the end, a great borrowing people will be destroyed (Habakkuk 2:3,6-8).  Something similar is in Deuteronomy 28:42-51.  No nation in the history of humankind has ever accumulated as much debt as the United States of America (because the U.K. may have the highest amount of per capita debt, its fate would seem to be similar). Yet, the relationship between debt accumulation and prophesied destruction remains unapparent to many.

And although President Obama inherited a debt-laden nation, his policies, according to his own public pronouncements, will lead to greatly increased U.S.A. debt for several years.  These increases of debt are likely to go past the point of no return and become one of the final factors that will cause creditors to rise up and destroy the U.S.A.

The USA is the largest debtor nation in the history of the world and seems determined to fulfill the prophecies related to the end time debtor.  It cannot borrow like it has indefinitely.  And even the US President realizes that.  But if you are an American, do you understand how that may affect you?

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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 has a chapter titled Barack Obama, the Future Islamic King of the South, and the End of America.
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.

COGwriter

Since my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect came out, I have done over two dozen radio interviews across North America.

Yesterday, for the second time, I was on Ripley Radio.

Those who wish to listen to it should be able to go to the following link to check it out:  Ripley Radio.  I expect the next batch of radio interviews will likely be in March/April 2010.

Interestingly since 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect came out, at least ten world events aligning themselves up with the predictions contained within that book have occurred.

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.

COGwriter

While this page has reported about past, present, and soon-to-be false prophets, it is not that I do not believe that biblical prophecies will not come to pass.  At the COGwriter news page, world events are often reported that align themselves with end-time Bible prophecy.

When I wrote the book , 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, my primary focus was on what would likely happen during the years 2012 through 2020.  But of course, for many of the events to occur, other world events need to align themselves for them to come to pass.

Back in November 2009, it started to become apparent that several world events that aligned themselves with the predictions discussed in 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect were starting to come to pass.

The book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect was released in early September 2009, and today, perhaps a brief review of five noticed world events that align with the book should be mentioned.

1. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect teaches that the U.S. dollar will ultimately be worthless with another currency taking its place in the world (see Chapters 7-8 and Appendix B).

The Wall Street Journal reported that on September 7, 2009 a committee of the United Nations advised dropping the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency (Goldstein S. U.N. Panel Calls For Dollar Reserve Role To Be Eliminated.  Wall Street Journal Online, September 8, 2009.  http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090908-704507.html).  While there had been scattered discussions of this before, this was the first time such an important multi-national panel specifically called for the elimination of the role of the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency.

Others have agreed since then and many nations in the world are in the process of trying to develop a plan to eliminate the U.S. dollar’s reserve currency status (Nielsen B. Dollar Slump Persisting as Top Analysts See No Bottom.  Bloomberg,  November 23, 2009.  http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aUFExWDBKmew&pos=2).  Many Arab nations have decided to try to establish their own currency to get away from the US dollar as the world reserve currency (Evans-Pritchard A. Gulf petro-powers to launch currency in latest threat to dollar hegemony.  Telegraph, December 16, 2009.  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/6819136/Gulf-petro-powers-to-launch-currency-in-latest-threat-to-dollar-hegemony.html).

Replacement plans need to determined by many before the U.S. dollar is dropped completely.

2. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect explains that the Vatican will continue to expand its ecumenical policies and compromise in order to ultimately lure most of the Protestants and Orthodox into unity with the Church of Rome (see Chapter 3 & 10).

On October 20, 2009, CNN reported that the Vatican announced that it would allow Anglicans (and American Episcopalians) to become part of the Church of Rome without having to change much of their practices and rituals (Messia H. and Hanna J. Vatican welcomes Anglicans into Catholic Church.  CNN, October 20, 2009.  http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/20/vatican.anglican.church/).

Yet, Pope Leo XIII declared in 1896, “ordinations carried out according to the Anglican rite have been, and are, absolutely null and utterly void” (Pope Leo XIII: On the Nullity of Anglican Orders, Apostolicae Curae, 1896. Modern History Sourcebook. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1896leo13-apost.html)–which means for the Vatican to now accept those baptized, etc. by Anglican priests as Roman Catholic shows that compromise has occurred.   The Vatican of the 21^st century amended its constitution to accept the Anglicans.

On November 9, 2009, an Episcopal cleric explained how this would work and clearly stated that this allows for “the faculty to celebrate the Holy Eucharist and the other Sacraments … according to the liturgical books proper to the Anglican tradition” (Franklin. B. Vatican’s Apostolic Constitution explained.  Episcopal Life Online, November 9, 2009. http://www.episcopal-life.org/80050_116538_ENG_HTM.htm).  And much more compromised is expected.

3. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect clearly warns that a major united European power will rise up (see Chapter 5).

Although the Irish people had voted against the Lisbon Treaty in June 2008, in October 2009 20% more changed their mind and voted in favor of it (McDonald H.  Ireland votes yes to Lisbon treaty. The Guardian, October 3, 2009. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/03/ireland-votes-yes-lisbon-treaty ).

The Washington Post reported that on November 3, 2009, Czech President Vaclav Klaus was the last leader from 27 European nations to sign the Lisbon Treaty.  President Klaus, who was opposed to signing it, after doing so stated that this would eliminate the sovereignty of the Czech Republic as the Treaty forms a European supranational state (Janicek H.  Czech leader gives in, signs new E.U. charter.  Washington Post, Associated Press.  November 4, 2009.   http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/03/AR2009110303497.html).

The European nations became part of the new empire called for the European Union on December 1, 2009 (EU Constitution Comes into Force.  Voice of America,  December 1, 2009. http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/europe/EU-Constitution-78224062-01DEC09-.html).

But many in America did not notice it as the Wall Street Journal stated, “Like a tree falling in a forest with nobody around, the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty made barely a sound on Tuesday.  And that was in Brussels.” [December 1, 2009] (Fidler S. EU Treaty Could Ease U.S. Effort on Mission.  Wall Street Journal, December 4, 2009. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125988042088875605.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsSecond).  Yet the same article indicated that this empire will develop much more power over time.  And it will.

4. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect warns that U.S. President Obama will encourage the rise of a European power to the ultimate peril of the U.S.A. (see Chapter 8).

On October 15, 2009 it was reported that Czech President Vaclav Klaus was the lone EU leader still opposed to the Lisbon Treaty (Waterfield B. Czech President Vaclav Klaus ‘to continue’ lone resistance to Lisbon Treaty.  Telegraph, October 15, 2009.  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/czechrepublic/6329690/Czech-President-Vaclav-Klaus-to-continue-lone-resistance-to-Lisbon-Treaty.html).

The Obama administration worked to get the Lisbon Treaty approved as President Obama “wants a strong and united Europe” (Source: Baldwin T, Reid T., Coates S. Obama Administration worried about Cameron effect in Europe.  The Times, October 21, 2009. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6883075.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=797093).

On October 23, 2009, US Vice President Joseph Biden visited the Czech Republic and gave it security reassurances (U.S. foreign policy aware of threats – Havel after meeting Biden.  CTK, October 23, 2009. http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/zpravy/u-s-foreign-policy-aware-of-threats-havel-after-meeting-biden/404375).  This could have possibly had some limited influence on some of the Czech leadership.

On November 3, 2009, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported that USA President Barack Obama publicly expressed his support for the Czech President’s signing of the Lisbon Treaty and for now having a  ‘strengthened’ EU (Obama welcomes ‘strengthened’ EU. AFP, November 3, 2009.  http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hJ8OzJSh0xfKow8z47RGCYQu1nsg)

5. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect teaches that a peace deal involving the Middle East with confirmation from a European leader must come to pass (see Chapters 5 & 8).

It was reported on November 5, 2009 that a deal involving the USA, EU, and Russia with the Middle East is something that Mrs. Clinton has tried to keep secret (Source: Hillary Clinton gives Obama’s Middle East game away.  WSWS., November 5, 2009. http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/nov2009/pers-n05.shtml).

On November 13, 2009, Voice of America reported that French President Sarkozy held meetings with Middle Eastern leaders for some type of peace deal (Byrant L. Sarkozy Leads Charge in Reinvigorating Stalled Mideast Peace Talks.  Voice of America,  November 13, 2009.  http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-13-voa26.cfm).

The EU foreign ministers insisted on parts of a future European Middle East peace plan on December 8, 2009 (Schaeder B., Corder M. EU: Jerusalem Should Be Joint Capital. New York Times,  December 8, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/12/08/world/AP-EU-EU-Mideast.html).

There were many other world events in 2009 that aligned themselves up with the prophetic understandings of me and the Living Church of God (I plan to highlight 5 more that align with my 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect book).  Readers who click on the prophecy articles to the side of this page can learn about many world events that have aligned themselves up with biblical prophecies.

More events are expected in 2010.

Those who wish to learn more about end-time prophecies may wish to check out the following book and compare what it teaches with Bible prophecy and world events:

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 prophecies.

COGwriter

While the COGwriter page tends to focus on the teachings of those with a COG background, it is not just those who have become heretics that have made false predictions.  Others who CLAIM to believe the Bible without a COG background have frequently done so.

Here are a few from a so-called biblical prophecy website related to a David Wilkerson:

Russian/China Invasion of USA Begins WW III (WW3) (T-6.0, 2009?) Russia’s war with the USA comes between 2005 and 2010
The infiltration onto American soil of enemy bands of soldiers to begin World War III
Bush, and a situation that will enable China and Russia to attack the USA (U.S., America)
George Washington’s Vision (Third Peril, Phase 1): USA is Invaded by Foreign Troops(The final countdown begins: to bring the USA citizens under the UN.) http://www.888c.com/PrEvents.htm#yDW20090323

The above scenario will not come to pass.  Russia will not invade the USA and start the Great Tribulation in 2010.  Nor will the other details shown below from the same site:

Persecution of those standing for JESUS CHRIST (about 2 years, up to 28 months)
Spring’10	Satan makes war against Christians
”	2 Witnesses prophesy (in Jerusalem)
”	Antichrist revealed (leads & promotes New World Order)
	Worldwide earthquake kills millions
	Weather chaotic (Crops perish, Droughts, Famines, Pestilence)
	Britain, Russia, China fall, leaving Germany as the last beast power that devours the whole world
	For awhile, many backslidden “Christians” return to Jesus Christ in total surrender
	Avoid getting the Mark, regardless of the consequences!
	The Lord’s people do Awesome Miracles worldwide for about 6 months
	Christians Martyred (the “New Order” plan is to totally eliminate all Christians)
	“… the only way to be saved was to die for Jesus” (don’t deny Jesus)

The real Two Witnesses will not be officially preaching in Jerusalem in 2010 as this year is not the start of the Great Tribulation.

Here is another one:

If 2017 AD is the 70th Year of Israel, the 70th year of Jubilee years (50 years), AND GOD IS USING THIS JUBILEE SYSTEM for the End Times, this means that JESUS WILL RETURN TO EARTH AND SET UP THE KINGDOM IN JERUSALEM in 2017 AD or 5777 HEBREW CALENDAR.

5777 (2017) = GREAT JUBILEE YEAR

Now when we subtract SEVEN YEARS for the Great Tribulation, (2017 – 7) we get 2010 AD (5770 HC) for the START of The Tribulation. http://www.satansrapture.com/2010jub.htm

While it is possible that Jesus may return in 2017, the Great Tribulation cannot start in 2010.

The same website also claimed the following based allegedly on the so-called “Bible Code”:

COMET IMPACT: 2010 AD

I have found a Bible Code that may give us the clearest window ever as WHEN The First Rapture will Happen and The Great Tribulation will start.

This Code Matrix is based upon a Fixed Event found In The Book of Revelation, chapter eight.

LOCATION: LEV:3:5:17:14
WORMWOOD — STRIKES — 5770 AD

5770 AD is The Hebrew Year for 2010 AD…
Pastor Harry/Church of Philadelphia Internet http://www.satansrapture.com/comet2010.htm

The reality is that the wormwood comet-like event in Revelation will not happen in the first year of the Great Tribulation, nor will it happen in 2010.

Pastor Harry also claimed at the same page:

The First Rapture (Rev:4) and The Coming
Of Antichrist (Rev:6) will Happen Before
The Year: 5770 or 2010 AD.

Although Jesus will ultimately return, there is no pre-tribulation rapture (for details see Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected?). Thus, it is not possible for it to occur in 2010.  And it certainly did not happen PRIOR to 2010 as his webpage claimed when I viewed it on 12/11/09.

Someone who calls himself a “Roman Catholic lay theologian and Bible translator” (Ronald L. Conte Jr.), but who apparently does not share the Vatican’s prophetic views claims:

2010: In the year 2010 A.D., New York City will be struck by a nuclear bomb explosion.

The explosion occurs sometime between June 1st and December 31st of 2010, inclusive. This bomb will be an actual nuclear bomb, not merely ‘dirty bomb.’ It will not be sent by a missile. The city will not be totally destroyed, but the effects of the explosion will be devastating. The radioactive fall-out will devastate the surrounding area, particularly New Jersey. The bomb will be sent by the group of Arab/Muslim nations formed during the year 2009, led by Iran and Iraq. This nuclear attack marks the start of World War 3.  http://www.catholicplanet.com/future/nuclear-attacks.htm

If WWIII is supposed to be the start of the Great Tribulation, it will not happen in 2010.  Robert Conte, Jr. is not God’s prophet.

While the end of the world as we know it will occur, it cannot happen in 2010.  As I have documented in my article Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? while the events necessary for the “beginning of sorrows” are there, those necessary for the Great Tribulation to begin simply have not progressed far enough for it to begin this year.

Those who seriously would like to compare various predictions and how they align (or in certain cases do not align) with Bible prophecy should check out my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect as it seems to be the most documented book on the market to do so.

VS.

COGwriter

Regular readers are aware that I frequently denounce false prophecies by people who claim to be in or associated with the Church of God–and I did that several times in 2009.

One the most widely known false prophets is Ronald Weinland of CGPFK. He declared that the Great Tribulation began on December 14, 2008 and declared himself as an apostle on November 14, 2009 (see Ronald Weinland Apostle? Another False Declaration)–he had previously claimed to be one of the “two witnesses”.  However, if the final 3 1/2 years, the time, times, and half a time, began in December 2008, massive Church of God persecution would have began on an unprecedented scale in late 2008 and continued throughout 2009 according to Daniel 7:25, but it did not.  Thus, the Great Tribulation did not begin in 2008, nor 2009.

Additionally, Ronald Weinland claimed the following in 2008 and 2009 as a “restored truth” (bolding in the original):

God restored the following 18 truths to His church through Herbert W. Armstrong during the Philadelphia Era. These truths that are foundational to God’s Church also served to reveal that Herbert W. Armstrong was the prophesied end-time Elijah…

Herbert W. Armstrong was the prophesied “Elijah to come” who restored all truth essential to salvation to the Church of God during the Philadelphia Era. Very few in the Church that was scattered teach this today. Mr. Armstrong described himself as a voice crying out in the wilderness and stated in Mystery of the Ages that he had fulfilled the prophecies of the Elijah to Come.

Also, notice what Ronald Weinland published in 2004:

He was not only the end-time Elijah that was prophesied to come before Jesus Christ’s coming, but he was also the only apostle that God would give to the world at the end time…

Who was this man?…In January of 1986, the work of the end-time Elijah came to an end when he died. His name was Herbert W. Armstrong…the spirit of Elijah…One would come at the end time…

The end-time Elijah…That man was Herbert W. Armstrong—the very one who would fulfill the role of the prophetic end-time Elijah…It will become far more significant later, but Herbert W. Armstrong understood that he fulfilled the prophecies of the end-time Elijah to come, that he was the end-time apostle to the Philadelphian Era, and that his commission was summed up in Matthew 24:14.  (Weinland R.  The Prophesied END-TIME. 2004, pp. 73, 75, 85, 89, 106, 108)

Now this is a major problem for Ronald Weinland.

Notice that he wrote that there would be one Elijah to come, not two. Notice that he taught that God would only raise one end time apostle, not two. And since Ronald Weinland wrote that Herbert W. Armstrong was the one for both of those roles (and that the work of the end-time Elijah ended in 1986), then Ronald Weinland’s later declarations show that he has again contradicted himself.

Notice his writing of December 24, 2009:

Mr. Armstrong was a “type” of the Elijah:
Herbert W. Armstrong fulfilled a “type” of the Elijah to come as prophesied in the Old Testament and as prophesied by Jesus Christ…

Mr. Armstrong fulfilled a “type” of the prophetic Elijah to come. Yet, former pastors and evangelists in God’s Church are uncertain or fully disbelieving of this great truth!

The Fulfillment of the “Elijah to Come”:
The truth is that neither John the Baptist nor Herbert W. Armstrong fulfilled the complete prophecies concerning the “Elijah to come,” but they fulfilled a “type” of that prophetic fulfillment…

As God has made me both an apostle and a prophet for this end-time, He has also given me to fulfill prophecies being the spokesman of the two end-time witnesses of Revelation 11. In addition, He has given me to fulfill the prophecies of the “Elijah to come” and of Zerubbabel…Yes, I have come in the full spirit and power of Elijah…

God has clearly revealed to His Church that I am the “Elijah to come,” and not in “type,” but in fullness of spirit and power…Yes, time will prove I am who I say I am. And that is my commission to proclaim such a message!

Actually, time and his own pronouncements have proven Ronald Weinland wrong so many times.  But he and his followers seem to overlook that.

Another who had claimed that the Great Tribulation would have to begin in 2008 or 2009, James Malm was also denounced by me (here is one example James Malm Now Predicts October 19, 2009).  But at least he is not as delusional as Ronald Weinland appears to be as although Ron Weinland still seems to be claiming that the Great Tribulation began in 2008, James Malm admitted that it did not then or in 2009 (see James Malm Gets Something Right).  But that did not stop James Malm from complaining about me (he misunderstood about my 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect book and made a bigger deal about his misunderstanding than he did about his repeatedly being wrong and I right about matters prophetic, see James Malm Continues to Mislead).

The person, however, who probably made the most erroneous specific predictions that I reported about in 2009 was COGMT’s Tim Carpenter.  He, for example, claimed that Joe Biden would become USA President and the Antichrist.   Here are several others that he had for 2009 that I also declared would not come to pass in 2009 (see COGMT: 2009 Erroneous Prophecies):

2009…

-Start of the final 42 months
-7 cities attacked, They call it “terror” and blame it on Iran. These 7 cities may come in the form of 3 attacks and then the other 4 at a later date. This is an inside job. “False Flags”. Ezek. 9…
-Dan. 11:20-21 will be fulfilled and the raiser of taxes will take his fall.
-Prince of the Covenant, the one they call Anti-christ, comes to power as an American president. Dan. 11:21-rest of chapter.
-Mark of the beast program announced  (http://www.isawthelightministries.com/2008.html viewed 07/16/09)

Now, he was also wrong in 2008, but tried to imply that he was somewhat correct about his predictions then (Yes, There Was An Earthquake, But…).  It would seem less likely that he will try that about his 2009 predictions, but those who make false prophecies have seemed to have had a tendency to continue their practices without proper repentance as far as I have been able to tell.  Here are some other predictions that Timothy Carpenter made for 2009:

2009…

-Death rate of church (especially the Elders of the church) increases…
-8 pointer earthquake in California or off the coast…
-Rev. 12 Earthquake/Tsunami event occurs. This will either be the california 8 pointer or a later quake of 9 points in/around Oregon or Washington State…
-War against Iran.

Now with the above, I had written that he could get lucky on them, but that I did not believe he had any prophetic ability (many have indicated that, for example, a war involving Iran was possible).  Perhaps it should also be mentioned that Tim Carpenter wrote the following for 2009/10/11 that will not come to pass:

estimated: 2009 OR 2010 OR 2011

-Gog/Magog War. Russia and China and their partners invade USA. Ezek. 38

There are some better known leaders who claim to be in the COGs who made other predictions in 2009 that will not come to pass (they did not put dates on them).  And perhaps I will cover them later.

The problem that these self-appointed “prophets” have is that they are not appointed by God and their predictions do not properly line up with world events and/or the prophecies in the Bible.

Notice the warning from God about people claiming prophetic abilities:

…when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him (Deuteronomy 18:22).

At this time, I do not believe that Ronald Weinland, James Malm, nor Timothy Carpenter are God’s prophets nor do they have particular prophetic insight.  And according to the Bible, none of you should believe that they do either.

Some articles of related interest may include the following:

Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up and that the end will come in 2008 (first April 17th, then June 2008, now December 14, 2008). Why does the Bible show that Ron Weinland is a false prophet? He also has at least one other view that suggests that he is not part of the Church of God.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 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?
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. The book is for those truly interested in understanding how prophecies inter-relate and who want to see a real sequence of end time events.

Herman Van Rompuy

COGwriter

Herman Van Rompuy became the first permanent President of the European Union of the Lisbon Treaty a month ago, but he assumes office today.  Here are excerpts from a modified electronic translation of a German news report about him:

The Talented Mr. Europe

12/29/09

Herman Van Rompuy…The pale Belgian will soon be Europe’s first husband, but he is still underestimated…

(Proissl W. Der talentierte Mr. Europe. 29.12.2009, © 2009 Financial Times Deutschland. http://www.ftd.de/politik/europa/:agenda-der-talentierte-mr-europe/50054817.html)

It would appear that most in the world have never even heard of Herman Van Rompuy, yet he is now the president of a 500,000,000 person European empire (which is what the post-Lisbon Treaty implementation-date European Union is).

Readers will note that in addition to being a truly practicing Catholic, Herman Van Rompuy publicly has declared that he wants to raise taxes in Europe.  Herman Van Rompuy is also looking at possible “green taxes” that could affect even non-EU nations.  Hence, his tax raising could affect the whole world.  And while many may dismiss the tax-raising intentions of the European Union’s first post-Lisbon President, those interested in end-time prophecy may find the following writing to be of interest:

²⁰Then 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 (Daniel 11:20, KJV).

The above suggests that a leader will rise up, raise taxes for the glory of some kingdom (apparently a European-based one, as the other references in that chapter of the Bible are to a leader called the “King of the North” such as verses 13 and 14).

Could Herman Van Rompuy fulfill that prophecy?

If that prophecy has a 21st century fulfillment, Herman Van Rompuy raises taxes as he has indicated that he will, he is somehow “destroyed” (other translations use the terms “shattered”, “slip out of history quietly”, “die”, “be broken”, “come to a sudden end in some mysterious way”, and “killed” so the precise way this leader comes to his end is subject to interpretation) shortly thereafter, he might.  Especially if he is replaced by one the Bible calls the vile person.

Notice the type of leader that is to follow the “raiser of taxes”:

²¹And 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 11:21, KJV).

Herman Van Rompuy does not seem to be the leader warned about as the “vile person” (the “vile person” may be the “Beast” of Revelation 13).

But should Herman Van Rompuy be destroyed/shatterd/broken/etc. shortly after getting certain taxes imposed, and he not be killed in a battle or in anger, and the “kingdom” discussed is the new European Union, AND Herman Van Rompuy is followed by a vile leader who will be the final King of the North, AND if Daniel 11:20 has a future end-time fulfillment, then it may well be that Herman Van Rompuy’s role was prophesied by Daniel over 2,500 years ago.  And while that is a lot of ANDs, it seems like they may be possible.

Stay tuned.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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