Church of God News

Dr. Douglas Winnail

March 17th is the day traditionally observed as “St. Patrick’s Day” by many Catholics, Irish, and others. But the celebrations are not limited to one day:

St. Patrick’s Day is practically celebrated all month on Long Island, with community parades, Irish music and dance events scheduled from Rockville Centre to Montauk. (http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/exploreli/ny-exmain6070532mar16,0,7906971.story)

But the question is, was Patrick the first to bring Christianity to the British Isles? And the related question is, does Ireland have the original Christian faith today?

The answer to both questions is no.

The one claimed to be St. Patrick by the Romans simply was not the first to bring Christianity to the British Isles. Hippolytus (an early Catholic saint), in the early third century, claimed that one of the seventy that Jesus sent out to preach ended up in Britain:

These two belonged to the seventy disciples who were scattered…Aristobulus, bishop of Britain (Hippolytus. Where Each OF Them Preached, And Where HE Met His End).

If that is so, Aristobulus could have have been placed in charge by one of the apostles as the seventy (Luke 10:1,17) had to have known the original apostles.But it is clear that by the early third century, it was known that some version of Christianity had made it into the British Isles. And as others have also indicated, this could have occurred earlier.

Eusebius, for another example, wrote in the 4th century that Jesus’disciples reached the British Isles:

His disciples…to preach to all the Name of Jesus, to teach about His marvellous deeds in country and town, that some of them should take possession of the Roman Empire, and the Queen of Cities itself, and others the Persian, others the Armenian, that others should go to the Parthian race, and yet others to the Scythian, that some already should have reached the very ends of the world, should have reached the land of the Indians, and some have crossed the Ocean and reached the Isles of Britain (Eusebius of Caesarea: Demonstratio Evangelica, Book 3, Chapter 5. Translated by W.J. Ferrar. Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. London. The Macmillan Company. New York 1920, p. 113).

Notice a sixth century account:

Venantius Fortunatus, A.D. 560, says: “St. Paul passed over the ocean to the Island of Britain, and to Thule, the extremity of the earth.” (Ireland) (Celtic Sabbath-Keeping Study No. 264, from Cherith Chronicle, April-June 1998, pp. 46-47. http://www.giveshare.org/BibleStudy/264.celtic-sabbath-keeping.html 6/24/06)

Thus, Aristobulus and/or others (like possibly Paul) came to the Isles well before “Patrick”.

The truth is that when they arrived, the Roman Catholics were unhappy to find a Christianity in the Isles that held to very non-Catholic beliefs (more on this is in the article The Pergamos Church Era ).

LCG’s Dr. Winnail wrote the following about Patrick and Ireland:

Facts vs. Fables

But what happened to the true Gospel that the Apostles brought to Europe’s western isles in the first century? How accurate are the widely accepted traditions that Patrick converted the Irish in the 400s and that Augustine brought Christianity to England in the 600s? When you dig beneath the surface of modern assumptions, you find scholars making very interesting admissions. Irish Catholic historians relate that “traditionally… Saint Patrick has been credited with converting the entire Irish race from paganism in the very short period between 432 and 461… however, we have to admit that there were certainly Christians in Ireland before Patrick arrived… and that the saint worked as an evangelist only in part of the island [the north]” (Walsh and Bradley, p. 1). Irish writer Liam de Paor states that “Ireland was not converted by one man [Patrick]… it may be that Christianity reached the west country [of Britain] and the southern Irish sea virtually independent of the Roman system, at a very early date… centuries before Patrick” (Paor, pp. 21, 23). There are traditions that the Apostle James preached the gospel in Ireland before returning to Jerusalem, where he was martyred (see MacManus, The Story of the Irish Race, p. 103). The widely accepted notion that Patrick first brought Christianity to Ireland is a fable—not a fact. Numerous historical sources state that the Apostles brought true Christianity to Ireland four centuries before Patrick!

The truth is that while Patrick probably worked to try to do what he felt was good, biblical Christianity had been to the British Isles before him.

Perhaps I should also add that many of those in Ireland, even centuries after Patrick, refused to observe Sunday, but instead observed Saturday as the Sabbath until an English Queen (Margaret) passed a law against it (the Irish also used to practice foot washing like Jesus and His early followers did, for details see Passover and the Early Church).

Hence, even after Patrick was in Ireland, many in Ireland resisted his changes from apostolic Christianity. That is what those who wish to be truly faithful in Ireland and elsewhere should do today.

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day does not help that at all, as it encourages not only excessive alcohol consumption, but also blurs people’s abilities to realize that the religion of Patrick was not the true apostolic faith.  We in LCG do not celebrate it.

Those interested in the truth may wish to study the following articles:

Why The Living Church of God Does Not Wear Green on St. Patrick’s Day Should non-Catholics observe a Catholic holiday?
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?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja viva do deus? Tambien Español: Cuál es fiel: ¿La iglesia católica romana o La Iglesia del Dios Viviente? Auch: Deutsch: Welches zuverlässig ist: Die Römisch-katholische Kirche oder die lebende Kirche von Gott?
The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church?

Karl-Theodor von und zu Guttenberg

COGwriter

While both PCG and I consider that Germany’s Defence Minister Baron Karl-Theodor von und zu Guttenberg is someone to watch as both a potential future King of the North and final political leader known biblical as the Beast,  we currently disagree on many points related to that.  The one I would like to discuss today is about the devotion of Karl-Theodor von und zu Guttenberg to Roman Catholicism.

First here are several recent writings from PCG on this matter:

…zu Guttenberg hails from a staunchly traditional, moralist, right-wing, strongly Roman Catholic heritage…(Fraser R. Germany’s Future Foreign Policy.November 2, 2009 | From theTrumpet.com)

Germany’s new generation of conservatives is looking for charismatic, staunchly traditional, right-wing, Roman Catholic statesmen of the caliber of Edmund Stoiber and Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. (German Youth Celebrate Edmund Stoiber. December 1, 2009 | From theTrumpet.com)

Recently, religion has leaped into focus within the Bundeswehr courtesy of statements made by Germany’s minister of defense, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. During a recent interview with Germany’s Bild am Sontaag, Guttenberg confirmed that he is a “devout Christian” who prays regularly for his troops (Dec. 28, 2009). It is unusual for a senior minister of government in Germany to espouse his convictions so publicly and unashamedly…

The unabashed public declaration of his devout Catholicism by Germany’s minister of defense, Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, in direct association with his declared prayers for German troops, and the public announcement that the Catholic Church is engaged in a new initiative geared to preparing both German troops to handle combat and their families to prepare for casualties, are but harbingers for Rome stepping up its efforts in the new year for a more aggressive proselytizing push across Europe. (Fraser R. Rome and Berlin—Facing Up to War. January 4, 2010 | From theTrumpet.com)

The contrast between Guttenberg and Merkel is marked. He is a devoted Roman Catholic, she a somewhat diffident Protestant. (Fraser R.Germany’s Missing Person.February 1, 2010 | From theTrumpet.com)

The contrast between Guttenberg and Merkel is marked. He is a devoted Roman Catholic (Fraser R.  A Void at Germany’s Helm. Philadelphia Trumpet, March 2010).

Guttenberg is also connected through part of his family line to the house of Habsburg. Strauss and Otto von Habsburg shared a common dream of a united Catholic Europe. (Flurry G. The Holy Roman Empire Is Back! Philadelphia Trumpet, February 2010).

The above may sound enticing to certain audiences, but if Karl-Theodor von und zu Guttenberg truly will be the final King of the North, he will not be a staunchly “devoted Roman Catholic”.  PCG should not be relying on press statements (even if they actually say “Catholic”, which the one Ron Fraser referred to on December 28, 2009 apparently did not) about his faith if it really believes that Baron Karl-Theodor von und zu Guttenberg is a potential future King of the North.

Notice some of what the Bible teaches about the final King of the North:

36 “Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. 37 He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. 38 But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things. 39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain. (Daniel 11:36-39)

From the passages in Daniel we see that this king is not truly devoted to any existing religion, but that he somehow promotes another.  One way this could be done would be to come up with a new order within Catholicism (which is not that hard to do as my great-aunt Mary did that last century).  A new order allows one to have certain unique characteristics while still claiming to be part of the Roman Catholic faith.  And in the King of the North’s view, if he promotes an order that (at first at least) seems fairly Catholic, this ruse will work for some time.

In addition, notice this passage in the Book of Revelation:

7 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns…9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits…16 And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 17:7,19,16-18)

Since the Beast (who PCG and I suspect could possibly be Karl Guttenberg) turns on the woman of Rome, PCG is simply wrong in its analysis here about Karl Guttenberg’s devotion to Roman Catholicism.  (Note to Roman Catholics:  I am NOT trying to be offensive to Catholics in my analysis here.  Most Roman Catholic scholars acknowledge that the seven hills and the “great city” spoken of in the Apocalypse is Rome.  As I make clear in my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, I am concerned that some who do not truly believe the Catholic faith, including an antipope, will rise up in the end.  And this seems to be consistent with both biblical and Catholic prophecies for the end times.)

Furthermore, let me give a few facts about Karl-Theodor von und zu Guttenberg that suggest, to me at least, that he is NOT truly a devoted Roman Catholic:

1. He is married to a Lutheran.
2. His wife did not convert to Roman Catholicism prior to marriage, which is what a truly devoted Roman Catholic would have likely insisted upon.
3. Although he has been married since February 2000, he only has 2 children.  It would seem that a devoted Roman Catholic would have more children than that at this stage.
4. He seems to be a fan of “acid-rock” which suggests to me that he has a personally more casual view of conventional religions, like Roman Catholicism, as acid-rock seems to promote a nihilistic message.
5. He has the right to select the priest for his parish.  Hence, the idea that political leaders should be involved with religion is something he was raised up believing. A leader combining church and state is prophesied in Daniel 11:37-38 and Revelation 13.

Also, if certain Catholic prophecy about the “Great Monarch” is correct, this leader will change the Catholic faith and offend many of the Catholic clergy:

Francis also speaks in a series of letters to Simeon de Limena, Count of Montalto in great detail of a future Great Monarch who will be a Roman Emperor. Limena was a great patron of St. Francis’ order and also a great military protector of the Church…Several potentially confusing things are now told about this future Monarch. He is described as founding a new religious order. To the reader this may sound like he also become a priest. That is not the case. What happens is that he founds a religious order, part of which contains military men who take religious vows. He will be the head of the military arm of this order. In this sense it will be like the Knights Templar of the Middle Ages.

St. Francis of Paula (15th Century)…“He shall be the founder of a new religious order different from all others. (Birch, DA. Trial, Tribulation & Triumph: Before During and After Antichrist. Queenship Publishing Company, Goleta (CA), 1996, pp. 276-270)

Franciscan Friar (18th century). “All the religious orders will be suppressed, except one, the rule of which will be as rigid and severe as that of the monks of the past. During these calamities the Pope will die. As a result, the most powerful anarchy will prevail within the Church.”  (Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p. 79)

Sister Marianne Gaultier (18th century): “…the Prince shall reign, whom people did not esteem before, but whom they shall then seek.  (Dupont, p. 75).

D. Birch (commenting after the above in his book), “Many of the prophecies speak of the fact that the Great King at first will not be well-liked, especially by the French clergy” (Birch, p. 276).

Even if the above is in total error, the biblical fact is that the future King of the North and final political leader known biblical as the Beast will not truly be a devoted Catholic.  He will likely simply claim that religion, change it, and ultimately attempt to destroy it.

Those who are relying on PCG should pay closer to the teachings of the Bible as we in the Living Church of God do.

(Note to PCG members:  BTW, I did notice that just after my post titled “PCG Gerald Flurry: EU to be Smaller“, your church did post a statement where you no longer limited the EU to ten nations.  That was a step in the correct direction.  Your church may also wish to modify its position that Karl-Theodor von und zu Guttenberg is a devoted Catholic if it does believe that he may be the final King of the North as the final King of the North will not be a truly devoted Roman Catholic.)

Some items for further related study 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?
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.
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.
2012 y el surgimiento de la secta secreta Nuevo libro del Dr. Thiel en Español.
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?

The Above Map Show the Number of Internet Users By Country

COGwriter

There are many people who ignore biblical prophecies.  But the reality is that many have come to pass.   Jesus, for example, was prophesied to come, to be born in Bethlehem, to suffer, etc.

Scoffers have often claimed that the Book of Daniel was written AFTER the various kingdoms that are prophesied in it arose.  Some apparently feel that it was simply too accurate.

But the truth is that it was and is.

But now, let’s focus on two prophecies, both in the same portion of the Book of Daniel:

4 “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” (Daniel 12:4, NKJV)

With the advent of jet travel, human beings have traveled more than anyone in Daniel’s day could have imagined, unless inspired by God.

Furthermore, with the advent of computers, and then the internet, there has been a near explosive increase in knowledge.

These prophecies in the Book of Daniel are being fulfilled right now.  And since are to be fulfilled in the time of the end, then we are in the last days of the end.

Others prophecies in Daniel are about to be fulfilled as well.

Perhaps I should mention that even scoffers of biblical prophecies were also foretold:

1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  (2 Peter 3:1-7, NKJV)

But we in the true church should have a ” sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19, KJV)–and many more events will come to pass.

Bible prophecy can be relied upon.

The following two articles, which include many of Daniel’s prophecies, will shortly come to pass:

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?
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”? Does Daniel 9 provide clues?  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

The inappropriately named “Christianity Today” has several articles that endorse the Catholic holiday of Lent.  But one started off fairly interestingly that I would like to quote here:

While Israel’s neighbors celebrated the cycle of seasons as shadows of the realm of the gods, Israel celebrated the interventions of God in historical events of judgment and deliverance. The major feasts include Passover, Firstfruits (Pentecost), the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and Tabernacles (Sukkot). In commanding these feasts, God was incorporating them into his unfolding drama, anchored in his promises and their future fulfillment in Christ.

Unlike the Old Testament, however, the New Testament does not prescribe a church calendar…

Lent is a 40-day preparation for the observance of Christ’s passion and Easter. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/february/15.55.html

Notice that Christianity Today acknowledges that the “church calendar” is clear in the Old Testament.  And while it misunderstands the New Testament, if it would have paid enough attention to it, it would have realized that Jesus and the apostles (including Paul) observed the same “church calendar” in the New Testament.

Furthermore, since Christianity Today acknowledges that “superstitions” are attached the observance of Lent, perhaps it should have reported that even the Church of Rome did not formally adopt the 40 day Lenten observance until centuries AFTER Jesus and His original disciples died.

No forty day lenten period followed by a Sunday Easter was observed by the early Church.  The biblical holy days, however, like Passover were.

Those who want more details on this may wish to check out the following documented articles:

Is Lent a Christian Holiday? When did it originate? What about Ash Wednesday? If you observe them, do you know why?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Easter? If not, when did this happen? What do scholars and the Bible reveal?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
Passover and the Early Church Did the early Christians observe Passover? What did Jesus and Paul teach? Why did Jesus die for our sins?
Melito’s Homily on the Passover This is one of the earliest Christian writings about the Passover. This also includes what Apollinaris wrote on the Passover as well.
The Night to Be Observed What is the night to be much observed? When is it? Why do Jews keep Passover twice and emphasize the wrong date?
Should Christians Keep the Days of Unleavened Bread? Do they have any use or meaning now? What is leaven? This article supplies some biblical answers.
Holy Day Calendar This is a listing of the biblical holy days through 2012, with their Roman calendar dates. They are really hard to observe if you do not know when they occur 🙂

The Above Map Show the Number of Internet Users By Country

COGwriter

Throughout the fourteen years I have been writing religious items on the internet, many have asked how do I do it (especially since I have a job, family, etc.).  Today, I plan to reveal some “secrets” to this web page.

The COGwriter page did not have much in the way of world news until about five years ago.  Prior to that time it was mainly news of the various Churches of God.  For that, I mainly was on the mailing list of many groups and since I am a fairly fast skim reader, kept up that way.  Additionally, because of the popularity of the COGwriter website, some sent me emails and other information that helped (and this still happens, including for world news–I have one really good source for this out of Georgia).

But for world news, church history, etc., there are a few “secrets” that I would like to share today’

The first is that our son Michael is very internet savvy.   He developed a multiple search engine, called Multiz that I use several times per day.  It allows me to use different search engines, if need be, for research.  Without the various links and tools within Multiz it would not have been possible for me to do much of what I now do.

Multiz also has a foreign language translator ( Translator) which allows me to translate various languages into English.  In the past couple of months, I have probably used it mainly to translate German into English.

Multiz has a news search feature.  Many mornings, I simply go to the News Search link and then hit the “Enter” key.  Many news stories will come up, and sometimes I will pick one of them to comment on.  Furthermore, if I actually type in a word to search such as “China” it will bring up news items related to that–which I often will select.

Also, in the right column of the COGwriter news page are headlines of news stories.  I look at them for news ideas.  Also, since this section refreshes frequently, I will use the refresh button on my computer to see if some new news items have been reported.

If I am doing historical research, Multiz has a research link (Research).  This link also has direct link into Google Books, called Google Print.  Within this, I can type in words and search tens of thousands of books to see much of what published historically on a subject.  This is a great tool for a researcher.  I also use other research tools at the Research page.

Also, I try to understand news in the light of the Bible.  Most news people are not as grounded that way.

Additionally, since the Bible teaches “in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14) I regularly consult with at least seven in the upper to top ministry of the Living Church of God.

The biggest “secret” of COGwriter is probably that I pray that God’s will will be done and that He will guide me through His Holy Spirit in both subject matter and content.

So, the “secrets of COGwriter” are now exposed.

COGWriter

In less than two weeks, according to Zenit, the Vatican intends to meet about expanding its dogmas about Jesus’ mother Mary:

Is the Time Ripe for a 5th Marian Dogma?…

By Robert Moynihan…

Presently, the Church has proclaimed four dogmas regarding the Mother of Jesus: (1) her maternal role in the birth of Christ, the Son of God, making her truly Mother of God (“Theotokos,” Council of Ephesus, 431); (2) her Perpetual Virginity (First Lateran Council, 649); (3) her Immaculate Conception (Pius IX, “ex cathedra” proclamation, 1854); and (4) her Assumption into heaven (Pius XII, “ex cathedra” proclamation, 1950).

For almost a century now, there has been a small but growing movement in the Church in favor of the proclamation of a fifth Marian dogma regarding the role of the Blessed Virgin as the Spiritual Mother of All Humanity.

While there is no doubt that Mary was the mother of Jesus, the other “dogmas” that have already been adopted do not have biblical support.

Also, the idea of anyone being a co-redeemer is opposed to scripture.

While the virgin Mary was the mother of Jesus (for details see Virgin Birth: Does the Bible Teach It?), Jesus is God (for details see Jesus is God, But Was Made Man), and Mary can biblically be called blessed (Luke 1:27,48), going beyond this should not be dogma.

I, and even some Eastern Orthodox, believe that it is likely that apparitions claiming to be Mary will deceive people into accepting a changed and more ecumenical religion that will likely call itself “Catholic”.  This is not a good thing, nor should more non-biblical dogmas concerning Mary be adopted.

For more information, please check out the following:

Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What might they mean for the rise of the ecumenical religion of Antichrist? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How do the Orthodox view Mary? How might Mary view her adorers?
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.

COGwriter

The Prime Minister of Russia went to India:

Russia’s Putin to India for First Time as PM

Jessica Golloher

The Bible indicates that Russia and India (along with China, and probably Japan, Korea, and others) will form an end-time military alliance.

The foundations for such an alliance are being built now.

Some articles of possible interest may include:

India, Its Biblical Past and Future: Any Witness? The Bible discusses the origins of those of Indian heritage and discusses some of the witness to them (including those in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka).
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? 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 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 about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?

Berlin Reichstag

COGwriter

The following news item was of interest:

Euro Unity? It’s Germany That Matters

New York Times – March 9, 2010

Bloomberg News http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/world/europe/10iht-letter.html?hp&ex=&ei=&partner=

While the author says it was not supposed to be that way, we in the Living Church of God have long believed (and taught) that the EU would be dominated by Germany.

Now, others are starting to catch on.

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?

COGwriter

The following is of interest for many reasons:

March 10, 2010

Chief exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth says Devil is in the Vatican

Richard Owen in Rome

Sex abuse scandals in the Roman Catholic Church are proof that that “the Devil is at work inside the Vatican”, according to the Holy See’s chief exorcist.

Father Gabriele Amorth, 85, who has been the Vatican’s chief exorcist for 25 years and says…the consequences of satanic infiltration included power struggles at the Vatican as well as “cardinals who do not believe in Jesus, and bishops who are linked to the Demon“.

He added: “When one speaks of ‘the smoke of Satan’ [a phrase coined by Pope Paul VI in 1972] in the holy rooms, it is all true – including these latest stories of violence and paedophilia.”  http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article7056689.ece

I had heard this priest’s claims before.  The reason I decided to post about it today was the line above that I bolded.

The next pope will likely be a cardinal and/or a bishop.  Since an “antipope” is expected, having a pope who does not even believe in Jesus would fit with the descriptions of the final Antichrist of the Bible.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
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.
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). What is ahead for 2012-2020.  What do biblical, Catholic, and other prophecies warn about the antipope/anitchrist?  This link has YouTube videos related to 2012.
2012 y el surgimiento de la secta secreta Nuevo libro del Dr. Thiel en Español.
2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Edition) 2012 Buch von Dr. Thiel in deutscher Sprache.

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

COGwriter

A Canadian Cardinal explains a little about ecumenicism:

Cardinal Levada Explains Ecumenism

Says the World Is Longing for Symphonic Unity

KINGSTON, Ontario, MARCH 9, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The goal of ecumenism is union with the Catholic Church, a union that transforms the Church by enriching it, the leader of the Vatican’s faith congregation says.

Cardinal William Levada explained this when he gave a speech Saturday at Queen’s University on “Anglicanorum Coetibus,” the document which paves the way for Anglicans to join the Catholic Church in groups…

The second part of Cardinal Levada’s talk focused on what ecumenism is really about.

“Union with the Catholic Church is the goal of ecumenism,” he said…

The Cardinal (who also holds a position, leader of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, that Cardinal Ratzinger held) made clear something that I have been saying for years.

And that is, it is the Vatican’s ecumenical objective to get others to come into union with it.  This will give the Church of Rome the dominance that many in it, strongly long for.  While certain Eastern Orthodox leaders seem to ignore that (see Bartholomew I Patriarch of Constantinople Opposes Those Who Warn Against Catholic Unity), the reality is that the Vatican has tended to make that goal clear.

I personally am watching people such as Cardinal William Levada and Cardinal Walter Kasper to see how much the Church of Rome will compromise to get others to flock to it.  Both biblical and Catholic prophecy suggests that a pope will come who will compromise greatly–Catholic prophecy suggests he will possibly be a properly-elected antipope.

Such a pontiff will likely be one who is believed to be ecumenical for the sake of Catholicism, but will more likely actually be ecumenical for the sake of political power.

Prophecy watchers need to take such warnings seriously.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics The talks for unification involve compromise and the apparent rising up of a changed religion that no one should accept.
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.  And some will come to pass (though not quite as many believe).