Church of God News

COGwriter in Philadelphia in Asia Minor

COGwriter

Yesterday, I noticed that the Living Church of God just published its audited financial statements for 2009 (they are in the July-August 2010 edition of LCG’s Living Church News).

LCG is the second largest of the COG groups that once had their origins in the old WCG.  UCG is the largest.

As many have asked me about how LCG differs from UCG, a comparison of how they spend their income, in my view, helps answer a lot of questions.

The groups have differing objectives and priorities (as well as prophetic and other doctrinal differences).

Brief Financial Comparison of US Income (Both Based on Audited Statements)

For its fiscal year ending 6/30/09, UCG claims a gross income of $24,735,699. It spent 5,649,925 (22.8%) for ‘public proclamation’; it spent 4,223,249 for managing its meetings and ‘home office’ (17.1%); and 14,072,730 (56.9%) for the field ministry/local churches/FOT/International support, and increased reserves by 789,795.  For its fiscal year ending 12/31/09, LCG grossed 13,589,128 and spent 6,107,774 on public proclamation, 876,628 on HQ administration, 6,408,459 to ‘feed the flock’ (including Living University) and increased reserves by 196,267.

Last year UCG spent $5,734,800 for ‘public proclamation’ and apparently decided to decrease that even though it indicated that it had planned to increase that portion of the budget.

If you gave $100.00 to the United Church of God or the Living Church of God, here is where your money went:

.......................................United Church of God....Living Church of God

1st Commission to Proclaim the Gospel to the World....$23.97........$44.95
2nd Commission to Feed the Flock (and Field Ministry)..55.90.........47.16
Headquarters/Home Office...............................17.67..........6.45
Change in Reserves......................................2.46..........1.44
Total................................................$100.00.......$100.00

Jesus taught:

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Mattew 6:21).

I went with LCG because of Gospel proclamation emphasis and biblical church governance. It is interesting that UCG spent almost 3 times as high a percentage on governance than LCG does (and almost 5 times as much in actual cash, UCG spent $4,226,695 vs. LCG’s 876,628).

Which form of governance is more cost-effective? Which form places the higher priority on proclaiming the Gospel?

With about half the income and membership, LCG spends more in actual cash as UCG does to proclaim the Gospel.  LCG also reaches many times as many people over television than UCG does (actually, in the last three months alone LCG has reached about as many people on television as UCG has since it began in 1995).  LCG also produces about twice the number of magazines (Tomorrow’s World vs. Good News) on a per member basis than UCG does.

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Some articles of related interest may include:

There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now basically the Living Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era was predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. Non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.

Bobby Fischer’s Grave

COGwriter

Bobby Fischer made the news:

19 Jun, 2010

Chess Master Bobby Fischer had a Filipino daughter?

The late American chess champion, Bobby Fischer, could have fathered a child to a Filipina lady years before he passed in 2008. A Filipina lady named Marilyn Young flew out to Iceland  with her 9-year-old daughter, Jinky Young, who she claims to be fathered by the late Bobby Fischer.

The remains of Fischer, will be exhumed for DNA testing to determine whether or not he is indeed the father of the 9 year old girl from the Philippines.

The reclusive chess master never left a will and his estate which is estimated to be worth $2 million is currently being contested by a Japanese chess official named Miyoko Watai who claims to be his former wife, two American nephews, the United States government who is seeking unpaid taxes from Fischer, and now Filipino lady Marilyn Young who claims Fischer is the father to her nine year old daughter Jinky…

Bobby Fischer died in Iceland at the age of 64.

Bobby Fischer, though probably not a real member, was once associated with the old Worldwide Church of God.  He failed to follow church teachings, especially after he ended his association.  His death and a little more information were covered here in an article titled Bobby Fischer Died.

World Currencies

COGwriter

The world economy situation is changing and the USA will not remain on top.  First notice two reports related to Russia’s goals:

Medvedev Pushes Ruble Reserve Currency to Cut Dollar Dominance

Bloomberg – June 19, 2010

Russia wants the ruble to be one of the world’s reserve currencies as President Dmitry Medvedev renews his push to reduce the dollar’s dominance and make Moscow a global financial hub.“Only three, five years ago it seemed like a fantasy” to create a new reserve currency, Medvedev said yesterday in a speech in St. Petersburg, Russia. “Now we are seriously discussing it.”Medvedev, who has repeatedly called for a supranational currency to match the dollar, said discussions with China are continuing on broadening the global options. Russia sold U.S. Treasuries for a fifth consecutive month in April, the U.S. Treasury Department said June 15. The world may need as many as six reserve currencies, Medvedev said.“It’s something that’s obviously needed,” he said at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. “Developing a financial center in Moscow will considerably help to strengthen the ruble’s position as one of the reserve currencies.”

Medvedev’s comments underline Russia’s ambition to reassert its global power following the financial crisis. http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-06-18/medvedev-pushes-ruble-reserve-currency-to-cut-dollar-dominance.html

Medvedev sees chance for new world order

Financial Times – June 18, 2010

Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, said Moscow was bidding to help lead efforts to build a new world economic order after the old system collapsed in the global financial crisis.

Opening Russia’s annual economic forum in St Petersburg where hundreds of global chief executives have flocked, Mr Medvedev said the renewed interest in Russia this year was a sign of a changing world in which the institutions of the western-dominated world order had had their day amid thousands of corporate defaults and the threat of sovereign defaults.

“What had seemed untouchable has collapsed. The bubbles that created the illusion of flourishing economies have burst,” Mr Medvedev said. “For Russia this situation is a challenge and an opportunity. We are living in a unique time. And we should use it to build a modern, flourishing and strong Russia … which will be a co-founder of the new world economic order and a full participant in the collective political leadership of the post-crisis world.” http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/81a03be0-7ac0-11df-8549-00144feabdc0.html

So, Russia is trying to eliminate the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency.

Now, notice what the former US Federal Reserve Chairman is saying:

Greenspan Says U.S. May Soon Reach Borrowing Limit

Bloomberg – June 17, 2010

Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said the U.S. may soon face higher borrowing costs on its swelling debt and called for a “tectonic shift” in fiscal policy to contain borrowing.

“Perceptions of a large U.S. borrowing capacity are misleading,” and current long-term bond yields are masking America’s debt challenge, Greenspan wrote…“Long-term rate increases can emerge with unexpected suddenness,” such as the 4 percentage point surge over four months in 1979-80, he said.

Greenspan rebutted “misplaced” concern that reducing the deficit would put the economic recovery in danger, entering a debate among global policy makers about how quickly to exit from stimulus measures adopted during the financial crisis…

“The federal government is currently saddled with commitments for the next three decades that it will be unable to meet in real terms,” Greenspan said…

The swing in demand toward American government debt and away from euro-denominated bonds is “temporary,” he said.

“Our economy cannot afford a major mistake in underestimating the corrosive momentum of this fiscal crisis,” Greenspan said.

http://preview.bloomberg.com/news/2010-06-18/greenspan-says-u-s-nearing-limits-on-borrowing-capacity-restraint-needed.html

Now, carefully notice what the Bible predicts:

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).

The above prophecy will be fulfilled at the time of the end.  While Alan Greenspan correctly recognizes that the dollar is likely to drop suddenly and cause American problems, he does not seem to realize how badly this really will affect the USA–it will be much more than increased borrowing costs.  The USA itself will be eliminated as a country.

The reality is that because the US dollar has functioned so long as THE world’s reserve currency, it is currently “benefiting” from that status which is allowing it to borrow at unprecedented levels.  This is putting the USA at even greater risk than any other country in the history of the world probably has ever been at in the same way.

But eventually, the USA will end up with massive problems.  What Alan Greenspan neglected to say is that if the US has to pay 4-5 percentage points more to borrow, this will squeeze the USA to a breaking point.  This will result in even higher interest rates, and finally creditors will understand that there is no possible way that they will be paid back in a currency worth what their investments were worth.  And the creditors will rise up suddenly according the Bible.

While some sources point to problems in Europe, the reality is that the Europeans are taking steps to reduce their government spending–much more so than Washington, D.C. seems to be doing.  This does not mean that Europe will not have problems–I strongly believe it will have problems and have been reporting that for years.  But another reality is that although Europe will always tend to be strong and fragile (Daniel 2:42), Europe’s currency (which may or may not be the Euro) only has to be perceived as better than the US dollar for the US dollar to be dropped as THE world’s reserve currency.

In the coming new world order, the USA which has been on top in the past, will not be in the future.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
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?
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?

The Above Map Show the Number of Internet Users By Country

COGwriter

The June 2010 edition of UCG’s United News arrived last night.  Page 5 was primarily devoted to UCG’s local internet program and related statistics.

To put those statistics into perspective, I thought I would show how the 12 months UCG reported compared to the 10.7 months statistics from COGwriter (I only used 10.7 months as there was a change to my statistics collection program at COGwriter).

…………………………………….UCG Local Websites……………COGwriter

Number of Reporting Websites… 187 ………………………………. 1
Volunteers…………………………….290…………………………………. 1
Number of Visitors……………… 205,000 …………………….. 915,602
Page Views………………………….855,000  …………………..  2,339,839

Thus, all the local UCG website efforts have a fraction of the results that one personal site of an LCG member has.  And of course, there are other LCG member sites whose statistics I have not included.  UCG also reported that those sites had visits from over 125 countries in the twelve month period; COGwriter in the past 5 1/2 months has had visitors from over 175 countries.  (BTW, it is not that no one ever helps me or sends me articles related to volunteers, it is just that since UCG is including sermons and other materials not produced by many of their volunteers, comparing “webmaster/associate webmaster” counts seems to be a better comparison.)

Why bother to bring this up?

Because many in UCG, seemingly to justify UCG’s poor television performance (LCG receives as many television responses in three months as UCG has apparently obtained in its 15 + years of existence), have pointed to its internet statistics as proof that it is other than lukewarm in its approach to gospel proclamation.

Notice the following from the website of UCG member, John D. Carmack:

UCG is hands-down the most effective COG organization at using the web.

The above is more of a hope than reality if reaching outsiders is the goal.  Now if the goal is to reach its own membership on-line, that seems to be different.

While it is true that the combined Alexa rankings of UCG’s top two official websites are better than for LCG’s top two official websites, the reality is that if you include LCG’s You-Tube results (which are mainly its telecasts also being available on the internet) and COGwriter, that UCG simply is not “hands-down” more effective than LCG even on the internet to reach those without a COG background.

This is not to say that UCG is not making efforts in various areas.  It is just that for a group about double LCG’s size, UCG, in my opinion, simply has not demonstrated that public gospel proclamation is what it truly is about.  It has always been a secondary or tertiary objective for the UCG organization as a whole.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Was it hierarchical? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.

Vladimir Putin, Official Photograph

COGwriter

Russia and India seem to be expecting to have a more advanced jet than the USA by 2015:

Putin boasts new jet fighter better than U.S. plane

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin climbed into the cockpit of Russia’s newest fighter jet on Thursday and said it would trump a U.S.-built rival, the F-22 Raptor.

Reuters – June 17, 2010

Putin watched a test flight of a “fifth-generation” stealth fighter, dubbed the T-50 and billed as Russia’s first all-new warplane since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

“This machine will be superior to our main competitor, the F-22, in terms of maneuverability, weaponry and range,” Putin told the pilot after the flight, according to an account on the government website.

Putin said the plane would cost up to three times less than similar aircraft in the West and could remain in service for 30 to 35 years with upgrades, according to the report…

Russia also plans to manufacture T-50s jointly with India…

Sukhoi has said the plane should be ready for use in 2015.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65G64820100617?type=politicsNews

Whether or not this jet will be technologically ahead at that time remains to be seen.  But the fact that the Russian Prime Minister boldly proclaimed it suggests, to me at least, that Russia feels that it will be able to eliminate much of the technological edge that the USA has had for decades.

The USA is declining and Russia and others are arming up.  The world is changing and may be changed to an almost unrecognizable degree by the end of 2015.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
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?
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?
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?

Depiction of solar particles interacting with Earth’s magnetosphere

COGwriter

Somewhat as a follow-up to the article from a few days ago, Solar problems are coming. NASA and other scientists raise concerns., a reader forwarded me the following:

Electronic Armageddon: How An EMP Bomb Would Be A Deathblow To Life As We Know It

Huffington Post |  Bianca Bosker First Posted: 06-17-10

Earlier this month, NASA warned that as the Sun wakes up from its “deep slumber,” a massive solar storm could wreak havoc on our electronics, from satellites to the electrical grid…National Geographic explorers the risk and consequences of the “electronic Armageddon” that could be caused by an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) bomb.

An EMP bomb, National Geographic explains, is “a bomb that’s designed to go above the atmosphere and release huge amounts of energy,” some of which in the form of gamma rays. Such a weapon would cripple electronics, but not kill people.

“In less than a billionth of a second, the electrical intensity on Earth’s surface would become so hot that microchips would fry, power lines would overload and the electric grid would collapse,” says National Geographic, describing . “Everything with microelectronics in it would stop: your car, your computer, the subway. There would be no electricity.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/17/electronic-armageddon-emp_n_615638.html

Now, while what the Bible describes as associated with “Armageddon” is military in a more conventional sense (Revelation 16:13-16), this does not mean that other problems will not also happen.

Jesus specifically warned about “troubles” (Mark 13:8) that happen PRIOR to the Great Tribulation and the time of “Armageddon”.  Electronic problems and/or electronic warfare would seem to qualify as “troubles”.

As my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect warns, it is possible that the USA and others could be severely affected by some event that could knock out computers and electricity like solar storms.  It also may be that an EMP bomb would hit the USA at or near the start of the Great Tribulation.  And as the above article indicates, it is not all that far-fetched.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something?There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. 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?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2010, or 2011? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?

COGwriter

Some in India fear its census because of the “mark of the beast”:

Fear of the Devil holding up census in Mizoram

Express India – June 16, 2010

The fear of the ‘Beast’ or the Devil in the Christian-dominated state of Mizoram has caused almost 1,000 families to refuse to enroll their names in the National Population Register (NPR) taken up along with the Census 2011 here from May 15. The dread stems from Chapter 13 Verse 17 of the Book of Revelations in the Bible which says “… and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark or the name of the Beast or the number of his name.” The problem has stemmed from the Unique Identification Authority of India stipulating that none one could buy or sell property without the Unique ID card. According to adherents of the belief, since buying or selling of property made one a follower of the Beast, one having the UID card, which authorised property transactions, automatically made one a follower of the Devil.

Those refusing to be enumerated belong to the Mizoram Presbyterian Church and the Baptist Church of Mizoram.

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Fear-of-the-Devil-holding-up-census-in-Mizoram/634530/

Such fears, however, are unfounded.

Revelation 13 teaches:

16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Note that to “buy or sell” one apparently only has to have one of three things.  Not necessarily all three.

Related to the mark, the late Herbert W. Armstrong wrote:

Those who receive the plagues are breakers of God’s Commandments, and also at the same time receivers of the MARK! It becomes more and more plain that the mark of the beast represents COMMANDMENT-BREAKING.

Notice this again in Colossians 3:5-6: “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry [transgressions of some of the Ten Commandments]: for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.”  (Armstrong HW.  The Mark of the Beast.  1952, booklet)

The above is important to keep in mind while reviewing some additional relevant biblical passages about the mark and those that worship the beast’s image:

20 ..he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. (Revelation 19:20)

11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name. (Revelation 14:11)

2 So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. (Revelation 16:2)

A striking part of the above is that those punished above do not necessarily include those who bought and sold while only having the number of the beast’s name.  If the number is on a national or supranational identification card, apparently those people could buy and sell and are not targeted by the first angel in Revelation 16:2.  National identification cards with numbers have existed for decades, and thus of themselves do not seem to invoke the wrath of God.  And while the Beast will apparently have one, that is simply not the mark of the Beast.

But, having the mark and worshiping the image of the Beast is something that generates wrath and punishment–this clearly violates at least two on the ten commandments.  But simply having an identification card with a number on it does not seem to be what the Bible is warning about.

(I have been researching the “mark of the beast”, “image of the beast”, and the end-time “abomination of desolation” lately and hope to post a lengthy article on it later this year.)

Until then, some items of possibly related interest may include:

Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 Who is 666? This article explains how the LCG views this, and compares this to Ellen White.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?
India, Its Biblical Past and Future: Any Witness? The Bible discusses the origins of those of Indian heritage and discusses some of the witness to them (including those in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka).
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.

The 220 kg Gold brick displayed in Taiwan

COGwriter

There apparently is even more gold in Egypt than recently thought:

Centamin Egypt ups resource estimates for Sukari

Reuters – June 8, 2010

LONDON (Reuters) – Centamin Egypt Ltd raised its estimated gold resources at its flagship Sukari gold project, lifting the miner’s shares to a record high.

Measured and indicated resource estimates were increased by 699,000 ounces to 10.99 million ounces, while resources on a less certain inferred basis grew 74,000 ounces to 3.5 million ounces, the gold producer said on Tuesday.

“This resource upgrade remains consistent with our average discovery rate of approximately 500,000 ounces per quarter over the last few years,” said Chairman Josef El-Raghy.

“The drilling continues to confirm the consistency and scale of the Sukari orebody and places it firmly on the map as one of the major gold discoveries to come into production in recent times.”

Shares in Centamin were up 4.4 percent at 165 pence at 0721 GMT, outperforming a 0.9 percent rise in the UK mining index.

The shares have jumped 35 percent this year, boosted by the ramp up of production at Sukari and higher gold prices, and Centamin is a likely candidate to enter the FTSE 250 index in this week’s reshuffle. http://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFJOE65708L20100608

The reason that this is prophetically relevant is until a few years ago, Egypt was not considered to be a gold producer of any significance.  Yet, according to Bible prophecy, Egypt had to have significant amounts of available gold so the following can be fulfilled:

40 “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels.

Notice that the King of the North amasses gold from Egypt. This is consistent with three Orthodox prophecies that are supposed to be about someone that they tend to call the “Great Monarch”:

Emperor Leo the Philosopher (c. early 10th century): You will amass the gold of the nations…And you will be the leader of the surrounding powers…and those that are near will prostate themselves before your feet (Tzima Otto, H. The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Scriptural Prophecies. The Verenika Press, Rock Hill (SC), 2000, pp. 76-77).

To Emperor Manuel II (d. 1425): …upon the command of the the good Emperor they will go and discover treasures of gold and silver and all this will be offered as a gift to the pious ones; later on more and more valuable treasures will be found and the Emperor will do with those treasures likewise (ibid, p. 102).

Saint Andrew Fool-for-Christ (c. 4th century):  God will reveal to this king all the gold wherever it happen to lay concealed from view. And he will re-distribute it in a liberal manner to all his land. Due to the plentiness of wealth, the ruling class will live like kings, and the poor like the ruling class (ibid, p. 112).

Roman Catholics may wish to consider that those last three predictions sound a lot like a prophecy from two of their saints about Antichrist:

Saint Ephrem (died 375): Antichrist will use worldly goods as bait. He will entice many Christians with money and goods to apostatize…The devil will help him find all the hidden treasures of the world, even those at the bottom of the ocean. With those treasures he will attain greater success for the reign of Satan than at any other time in past centuries (Connor, pp.73.74).

Saint Mechtilda (died 1299): Antichrist will, through base and false strategem, and with presents of gold and gems, attain influence over the worldly princes. They will look up to him as their Lord and God (Culleton, The Reign of Antichrist, pp. 133-134).

So does the Great Monarch amass gold with God’s help like Orthodox prophecies suggest or does he amass and distribute gold with the help of Satan that two Catholic saints and certain biblical prophecies (Daniel 11:43; Revelation 18) indicate?

The answer should be obvious to all who wish to believe the God of the Bible.

By now, many of you have probably heard of the mineral deposits reportedly in Afghanistan.  Here is one brief report that just came out indicating that the minerals are even more valuable than believed a couple of days ago:

Afghan mineral wealth may be greater: $3 trillion

By DEB RIECHMANN and AMIR SHAH (AP)  17 June 2010

KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghanistan’s untapped mineral wealth is worth at least $3 trillion — triple a U.S. estimate, according to the government’s top mining official, who is going to Britain next week to attract investors to mine one of the world’s largest iron ore deposits in the war-torn nation.

Geologists have known for decades that Afghanistan has vast deposits of iron, copper, cobalt, gold and other prized minerals, but a U.S. Department of Defense briefing this week put a startling, nearly $1 trillion price tag on the reserves. Minister of Mines Wahidullah Shahrani said Thursday that he’s seen geological assessments and industry estimates that the minerals are worth at least $3 trillion.  http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ioK-lu36cQDY_czf7QCruGXjYOdwD9GD21Q80

Considering that the size of the entire annual Afghanistan economy is estimated to be less than US$20 billion, this should be hugely significant for that area of the world.  Some of this wealth may end up supporting the soon to arise King of the South.

And while there is no specific prophecy that comes to mind about minerals and Afghanistan, it is certainly likely that this will at least play into the wealth, specifically the “precious stones”, that “Babylon the Great” is expected to be involved with in the end times (Revelation 18:12).

End-time events are lining up.

Several articles of 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?
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? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi?
Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
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? 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. This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, many have already started to come to pass.
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.

COGwriter

The latest issue (print date June 17, 2010) of The Journal just came out.  This is the first issue since the February 28, 2010 issue, and is the first I recall coming out, both on and with a mid-month date.

This particular edition has many pages related to a debate by a couple of former WCG pastors who have tended to teach against COG practices (Dennis Diehl and Art Mokarow) since they left WCG.  It also discusses UCG’s latest elder’s conference, CGI’s baptisms in Jamaica, another injury of CEM’s Ron Dart, Waco, a car incident, David Havir on tongues, Ken Westby’s unitarianism, limited 2009 Feast of Tabernacles reports, at least one article misinterpreting prophecy, Norman Edwards promoting macroministries, some 2010 Feast of Tabernacles’ sites, and other items.  There are also advertisements in it by various groups.

While The Journal is available only by paid subscription (though some subscriptions are free to those who cannot afford it), you can view the pdf. of its front and back page is available at:  www.thejournal.org/issues/issue139/jf061710.pdf

COGwriter

Some have alleged that “sacred names” in Hebrew must be used for deity.  Was this the practice of the early Christians?  Here is some of what COGaIC’s Peter Nathan reported yesterday:

Should we use the Greek name Jesus to refer to the Son of God?

A feature of the 20th century has been the rise of a movement known as the Sacred Name Movement (SNM). Adherents believe that the Hebrew divine names are the essential names of God, and that those names should be used and not translated into other languages. For instance, the English name Jesus is considered a pagan name that should only be used in its Hebrew form of Joshua or more correctly Yehoshua.

The past century has seen a bonanza of early texts become available through archaeology. Today we have the benefit of being able to read and analyze texts that were written before and shortly after the time of Jesus Christ. This provides us with a new window into this idea. What do these texts tell us about the question of sacred names?

P52 is a fragment of papyrus that records part of John 18 and 19, while P66 contains most of the Gospel of John. P52 is considered the oldest New Testament text known presently, but both manuscripts have been reliably dated to the early part of the 2nd century. The Gospel of John was not written until late in the first century, so P52 and P66 are very early copies–within 50 years of the original. They show that the Greek name ‘Jesus’ was being used and treated with reverence…

That the likes of P52 and P66 are valid texts to consider is made clear by the way in which they continue to abbreviate the names of the Father, God and Jesus Christ. They are normally reduced to two or three letters in which the last letter changes according to the grammatical use–see above–and the name is highlighted with a line over the abbreviation. Jesus is abbreviated as Ιη-, (transliterated into English as Je- or Ye-).  Christ is abbreviated as Χρ- (literally Chr-). The word God is recorded as Θ- while Father is shown as Πρ- and Lord as Κ-. These abbreviations clearly derive from the Greek terms and not the Hebrew…

This is clear documentary indication that the early followers of Jesus Christ did not place any importance on the Hebrew names as the Sacred Name Movement would claim, but translated the names into the language that was being used for the proclamation of the Gospel and the instruction of the Church.

We can therefore conclude that the earliest available texts of New Testament writings deny the validity of the sacred name concept.

The reality is that the so-called “sacred name movement” has always tended to ignore certain biblical and other manuscripts to support its position.  And that is what I originally concluded when I first looked into this in the 1970s.

And the few times I have looked into it since, I have come to similar conclusions.

For more information on this subject, please check out the following:

Why the Names Jesus and Christ in English? Was the New Testament Written in Hebrew or Greek? Various groups believe that the name Jesus should not be used, but instead other pronunciations and spellings. This is an article, which appeared in the The Living Church News by the late evangelist John Ogwyn, addresses this, as well as if the New Testament was written in Hebrew or Greek.
God’s Names and the Jewish Reading Tradition This article which appeared in the The Living Church News by John Wheeler, addresses this, as well as a few other Hebrew and Greek points.