Church of God News

Ancient Laodicea

COGwriter

In the Nov-December 2010 issue of its Bible Advocate magazine, CG7-Denver has an article from its former president, Calvin Burrell on the churches of Revelation 2 & 3:

Q: Do these churches of Asia Minor represent
seven church ages since Christ’s time?
A: Promoters of this theory have not agreed on
how each church is “fulfilled” over 2,000 years.
Rather, traits of each may be found in every age of
church history and in most churches today.
Q: How do these church letters relate to the prophecies
that fill the rest of Revelation?
A: The entire book was read by all seven churches,
providing support and hope in their struggles
against first century forces that were even then opposing
their faith.

Regarding the first question, I have seen Protestant answers like the one CG7 provided.  That is a “red herring” argument.  There is also debate amongst scholars as to what date and year Jesus was born, but just because there is disagreement about dates does not mean that Jesus was not born.  Thus, because there are differences of dates for the ages/eras of the church proposed does not mean that the doctrine should be discounted.

Several years back, the United Church of God (UCG) ran a series of articles that said essentially the same thing as the second question shown from CG7 above.  From January 2002 through August 2002, UCG ran a series of articles on the 7 Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 written by David Treybig. Unlike anything that WCG ever produced, these articles never say anything about Church eras, did not indicate which Church was predominant at any particular time, did not mention who or when the Church may have been primarily extant, never mentioned that Herbert Armstrong was used to raise up the Philadelphia era (or that he left the Sardis era), or anything else suggesting that UCG officially believed in Church eras (which is because officially UCG does not). If you disagree with what I wrote, then please ask yourself how United could allow a series of articles on the Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 and never mention Church eras, Herbert Armstrong, etc.

Here are some statements from UCG itself:

“You asked if the messages to the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3 can be applied to eras of church history. As Mr. Herbert Armstrong said in the past, there were seven churches in Asia minor during the life of the apostle John that had certain strengths and weaknesses. Those same strengths and weaknesses could be evident in any church congregation today. Some believe that they also described church eras that began with the apostolic age and until Jesus Christ returns. Since some have disputed this idea, it is a subject that needs more study to see what we can know for sure and what remains in the unknown.” (Internet Correspondence from info@ucg.com to Dr. Thiel. November 13, 1997)

“Since seven represents completeness, these seven lampstands seem to portray a composite picture of the Church of God, the light of the world. Paul explains that the Church is one body (I Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 4:4). However, it has multiple congregations and members scattered throughout the nations. Therefore, these seven specific assemblies of believers appear to effectively represent the totality of the Church. It appears likely that the prophecies of the Church in Revelation 2 and 3 have multiple meanings and applications” (Foster, Roger. God’s Church in Prophecy. Good News, expanded edition. Jul-Aug 2000; p. 8).

“Mr. Walker asked for the Council’s input on this question – how should the Church deal with honest differences in opinion on prophetic topics? Not every issue of prophecy will create this dilemma, he stated, but some will. How do we deal with alternate explanations? Richard Thompson: ‘It could be that the traditional teaching is that we allow three different explanations – for example, the seven churches of Revelation’ ” (Johnson, Doug. United Church of God, an International Association Council of Elders Meeting Report Monday, March 4, 2002 – Cincinnati, Ohio).

Which meant then (and is still true now) that while some in UCG probably believe in church eras, officially UCG will not teach them.

Actually, one of the last times I visited a UCG service, once again, even though the subject was the churches of Revelation 2 & 3, he did not in anyway teach the idea of “church eras” like the old WCG and the current LCG teach.

Basically, neither CG7 nor UCG officially teaches that the churches in Revelation 2 & 3 represent seven semi-sequential history of the church from the time of the apostles until the return of Jesus Christ.

However, the knowledge of church eras helps people understand the history of the true church, the situation with the churches of God today, and some of the prophetic ramifications about being associated with each era (as well as the surviving remnant on the non-predominant eras).  This is information that all who profess Christ should know.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 from 31 A.D. to present: information on all of the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3.
1. The Ephesus Church Era was predominant from 31 A.D. to circa 135 A.D. The Church of James, Peter, Paul, and John, etc.
2. The Smyrna Church Era was predominant circa 135 A.D. to circa 450 A.D. The Church led by Polycarp, Melito, Polycrates, etc.
3. The Pergamos Church Era was predominant circa 450 A.D. to circa 1050 A.D. An especially persecuted Church.
4. The Thyatira Church Era was predominant circa 1050 A.D. to circa 1600 A.D. The Church during the Inquisition.
5. The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, and COG-7th Day.
6. 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.
7. The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
Church of God, Seventh Day: History and Teachings Nearly all COG’s I am aware of trace their history through this group. Whaid Rose is the president of the largest CG7 group (Denver). Do you know much about them?
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.
Attending the Church of Choice This article discusses whose choice is important to worship God; should you attend the church of your choice or the church of God’s choice?
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it?
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.
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?

Vladimir Putin, Official Photograph

COGwriter

While Russia and China have decided to drop the US dollar for their bilateral trade (see Russia and China dropping US dollar for their trade), Russia also apparently expects to be in the same “currency zone” with Europe:

Russia’s Vladimir Putin said on Friday that closer ties with Europe were unavoidable, a day after his proposal for a free trade zone “from Lisbon to Vladivostok” met with a cool German response.”I do not know what forms our cooperation should acquire — will it be a common free market or will it be our associated membership in the EU,” the Russian prime minister said in the German capital Berlin.

“But a rapprochement between Russia and Europe is unavoidable, if we want to be preserved as a civilization, if we want to be successful and competitive.”

“Can we assume that Russia together with Europe will one day be in a single currency zone? I can assume that.”

Putin, who is scheduled to have talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel later on Friday, floated a bold idea of a vast free-trade zone from Russia’s eastern tip to Europe’s western extremities.  http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hmO9WZznPY1EO9-UbO7kk9aBi8ZA?docId=CNG.221f09c221a1979e755e0b0622ce97cd.ac1

Putin proposes Russia-EU union

EUobserver – Nov 26, 2010

Ahead of his two-day visit to Germany, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has projected a vision of a ‘harmonious economic community stretching from Lisbon to Vladivostok’ in reaction to the economic crisis. Chancellor Angela Merkel, however, said she will “pour some cold water” on the idea.  http://euobserver.com/9/31361

It needs to be pointed out, however, that the Europeans have not embraced either the idea of Russia being part of Europe’s free-trade zone or its currency zone.

Yet, Europe has mentioned that it would entertain something like an expanded free-trade zone if Russia changes some of its policies.

But my point is that the world is moving more and more away of relying on the US dollar.  Russia seems to be one of the major public proponents of dropping the dollar as the world’s reserve currency–and almost everyone looking to move away from the US dollar seems to at least partially be looking at Europe.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
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?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the German Defense Minister one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
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?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?

Judgment of Solomon (19th century engraving)

COGwriter

A documentary primarily (they normally have skeptics on them as well) providing additional proof that the biblical account in the Hebrew scriptures is reliable was focused on King Solomon and King David:

Return to King Solomon’s mines

MSNBC – Nov 24, 2010

Alan Boyle writes:Did King David and Solomon actually exist? The long-running debate over the accuracy of biblical accounts is resurfacing on TV and in print…

a few pieces of evidence that have emerged in recent years:

• An inscription on a stone monument found at Israel’s Tel Dan archaeological site has been dated to the 9th century B.C. and appears to refer to a royal “House of David,” although that interpretation has been disputed.
• Another inscription, found on a pottery sherd from the 10th century B.C., represents the earliest-known example of Hebrew writing. The inscription’s similarity to biblical texts suggests that at least some parts of the Bible really do go back to David’s day.
• The Israeli site where that shard was found, Khirbet Qeiyafa, appears to have been a fortified city taking in about six acres of area. Archaeologists found hundreds of bones from cattle, goats, sheep and fish — but no pig bones, which led them to claim that this was a Judean rather than a Philistine settlement.
• Researchers have also found the remains of a huge copper-mining operation in Jordan that could have gone back to the 10th century B.C. and provided Solomon with his wealth.

Such trails of evidence are the focus of “Quest for King Solomon’s Mines,” premiering tonight on PBS public-TV stations; as well as “Kings of Controversy,” National Geographic’s cover story for the December issue. http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2010/11/23/5517293-return-to-king-solomons-mines

While I missed that particular documentary, some of the above findings have been reported here previously at COGwriter.

Throughout the centuries, various objections from skeptics raised about the Bible have been proven wrong as  over time time, archaeology continues to find more ancient artifacts.

Of course, for those of us who believe the Bible, no further proof is needed. But for some who have heard statements from pseudo-archaeologists that deny the biblical accounts, it may be helpful for them to realize that as time goes on, more and more archaeological evidence surfaces that supports the Bible.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The Bible: Fact or Fiction? This is a booklet written by Douglas Winnail that answers if the Bible is just a collection of myths and legends or the inspired word of God.
Read the Bible Christians should read and study the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading.
What is the Appropriate Form of Biblical Interpretation? Should the Bible be literally understood? What do the writings of the Bible, Origen, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Augustine show?
Bible and Historical Resources on the Internet Electronic bibles, Two Babylons, early Christian literature, photos, and even links to old Herbert W. Armstrong materials.

Angela Merkel

COGwriter

Germany’s Chancellor came out for a strong euro:

Germany wants strong euro, Merkel says

BERLIN Nov 25 (Reuters) – Germany will press for a strong euro which is why tough budget savings must be made, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday.   http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSBAT00580020101125

What many people simply do not realize is that the euro is part of Europe’s strategy to replace the USA as the world’s dominant economy.

In the short-run, companies in the USA who export to Europe will benefit from a stronger euro as it makes American goods less expensive for European consumers.  In the long-run however, the euro’s strength tends to be perceived as an indicator of the US dollars decline.  And a declining US dollar will make everything (including food) more expensive for those in the USA.

And while it is possible that the euro will fail and be replaced by something else (or perhaps pooled in with a basket of other international currencies), the reality is that the US dollar is losing its position as the world’s reserve currency.  Most of what I have read suggests that the euro is currently the world’s second reserve currency, behind the US dollar.  But with more and more countries trying to replace the US dollar for international trade (such as what China and Russia announced this week, see Russia and China dropping US dollar for their trade), the time may not be too long when the world will primarily rely on a European currency.

As I have written many times, THE EURO WILL HAVE PROBLEMS.  I suspect that the austerity programs combined with Islamic discontent in Europe will lead to civil unrest and more rioting (e.g. Civil Unrest in Europe and Civil War in Greece?) and that will at some point make the euro drop perhaps substantially again for a while.

Yet, Bible prophecy is clear that a beast power will emerge (Revelation 13).

The prophecies in both the books of Daniel (9:26-27; 11:20-44) and Revelation (13;17;18) point to this power to be based out of Europe (there are also European pointed prophecies in other books of the Bible, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc.).

For details on those prophecies, check out the following:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? What is ahead for Europe?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the German Defense Minister one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?

2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Portuguese Edition)

COGwriter

My book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect is now available in Portuguese.  It was translated by Carlos Duarte who attends the Living Church of God (Igreja Viva de Deus) in Portugal.

Here is some information about it in the Portuguese language:

Será possível que o calendário maia, as profecias católicas privadas, o I Ching, as tradições hopis, os escritos da Nova Era, as antigas escrituras, as interpretações do Talmud, os planos islâmicos, uma profecia budista, ou até previsões hindus tenham alguma relevância sobre acontecimentos futuros que possam vir a afectá-lo de forma significativa? Será possível que profecias feitas há milhares de anos possam prever acontecimentos actuais? Surpreendentemente, sim! Em 2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta o autor Bob Thiel, Ph.D., revela quais as previsões que poderão ocorrer, quais não poderão, e como o mundo inteiro será afectado. Após vários anos de pesquisa, o Dr. Thiel desvenda as verdadeiras fontes e a possível ordem de cumprimento de profecias antigas.

The book is also available in the English, Spanish, and German languages.

As an LCG supporter, I am trying to reach as many people as I can to get the warning message (cf. Ezekiel 3:17–19) and the true gospel of the kingdom out (cf. Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20).   I firmly believe that we in the Living Church of God have “a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed” (2 Peter 1:19, KJV).

How sure?

Since the biblically-based book was originally written, world events have already begun to align themselves with at least 14 predictions in the book.  And more will also come to pass.

Those who do not yet own the book may wish to go to one of the following links in order to get a copy:

2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel em Português. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 14 já começaram a acontecer.
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 and the Rise of the Secret Sect- Kindle edition Dr. Thiel’s book is available via Amazon Kindle.
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

November 25, 2010 is the date for the American holiday of Thanksgiving this year.

Here is some of what LCG’s Richard Ames wrote about it:

On Thanksgiving Day, millions gather with their families and friends to enjoy good food and fellowship, and the blessings of living in a prosperous nation. They enjoy the blessings of freedom and opportunity. But do they thank God for their blessings? Do they understand why their nation has been blessed? In particular, do we who live in the United States and British-descended nations understand why we have received blessings unparalleled in the history of mankind?

Whether it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November as in the U.S., or the second Monday of October as in Canada, Thanksgiving Day is a time when people are supposed to count their blessings. We who live in these nations have received blessings unprecedented in the history of mankind. In the 20th century, the U.S. and British Commonwealth became the richest and most powerful nation and group of nations in the world. But that national power and prestige has greatly declined. The U.S. was once an economic powerhouse, and nations around the world eagerly bought its exports. Today, however, the U.S. is the world’s largest debtor…

Scripture records Jacob passing this blessing to his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh: “The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; let my name [Israel] be named upon them [Ephraim and Manasseh], and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth” (Genesis 48:16).

These blessings are called the birthright promises. These prophetic promises, which included wealth, abundance, military power, and international dominance, were to be fulfilled in the descendants of Joseph. It may be surprising to many of you, but those divine blessings given to Manasseh and Ephraim have been fulfilled in the U.S. and British-descended nations…

At Thanksgiving, we give thanks to God for the beauty and abundance with which He has blessed our countries. But at the same time we should be deeply concerned as our national character becomes more and more blemished with immorality. Will our Western nations continue to disobey the Ten Commandments and increasingly reject the biblical truths that once led to their prosperity—and that lead to true life, liberty and happiness?…

Today’s Christians are also thankful for the promised future. We are thankful for the true Gospel—the message Jesus preached about the coming Kingdom of God on earth, when all nations will learn the way to peace. We know that the world will not end in a nuclear holocaust or be snuffed out by a biological pandemic—because Jesus Christ promised that for the elect’s sake He would return, just in time to prevent us from destroying ourselves (Matthew 24:22)!

The world needs the Kingdom of God on earth. Do you realize how much you are blessed compared to many countries around the world? As of October 2008, the United Nations labeled as “Least Developed Countries” the 49 nations with annual per capita gross national incomes below $750. Many of those countries have annual per person incomes below $400! Can you imagine living in such poverty? How thankful are you? As Jesus said, “To whom much is given, from him much will be required!” (Luke 12:48). We must be faithful stewards of our blessings, and we must be willing, nationally and individually, to give to others. We especially need to be giving the good news of the Gospel to the rest of the world! Our national purpose should be to live God’s way of life—and to share that way of life with the rest of the world! God’s ways should be our nation’s ways.

The entire articles is available at http://www.tomorrowsworld.org/cgi-bin/tw/tw-mag.cgi?category=Magazine57&item=1225523144

And while the gospel warning message will be made quite clear to the English-speaking peoples (especially since the Living Church of God is based in the English-speaking U.S.A.) prior to Daniel 11:38 and the Great Tribulation, because the Anglo-American nations are not likely to heed that warning, they will have to answer for their lack of response (cf. Ezekiel 33:7-9).

Let’s briefly look at a warning in Isaiah 30:12-13:

12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel:

“Because you despise this word, And trust in oppression and perversity, And rely on them,  13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you Like a breach ready to fall, A bulge in a high wall, Whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant.

Of course, more and more, the Anglo-American nations are trusting in policies that encourage perversity. Prostitution is legal in New Zealand, Australia, and parts of the USA. New Zealand, interestingly, has the highest promiscuity rate for women in the entire world according to one study (New Zealand women most promiscuous Sydney Morning Herald AAP – Oct 13, 2007. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/13/1191696214489.html). The Anglo-nations have seen rises in homosexuality and are often changing laws to accomodate this biblically prohibited practice.

While there is oppression in these nations (especially racial), the Hebrew word used for it in Isaiah 30:13  can also be translated “unjust gain”.  This can include not just the historical exploitation of of various peoples, but can probably also include the fact that the economies of the Anglo-American nations for the past few decades has been benefiting from the gains of foreigners loaning money to it.

Since the Roe vs. Wade pro-abortion decision, the USA has became the greatest debtor nation in the history of humankind.

Yet, abortion is wrong (see Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose) and a terrible national sin. And on March 9, 2009 President Obama lifted a ban on embryonic stem cell research (see LCG on Stem Cells) another morally wrong sin.

Habakkuk 2:3,6,7, which is consistent with Isaiah 30:12-13, also teaches that the destruction America may face will be sudden. And it mentions that this destruction will happen to those that increased their debt at the end times:

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…5 Indeed, because he transgresses by wine, He is a proud man… 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 2:3,5,6-8).

The above prophecy will be fulfilled at the time of the end (cf. “The message was true, but the appointed time was long…in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come”, Daniel 10:1,14). Daniel 8:19, 11:27,29,35 use same the Hebrew term for “appointed time” as Habakkuk 2:3, while Daniel 10, using a different term, ties the latter days to the time in Daniel 8:19. Habakkuk 2 was not fulfilled in its entirety anciently. Also, it makes little sense that Habakkuk would be directed towards the modern nation of Israel as it does not have enemy creditors. It must be a nation or group of nations with some prominence at the appointed time of the end.

This problem will cause sudden destruction among those who are spiritually drunk:

3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. (1 Thessalonians 5:3-7)

Notice that both Paul and Habakkuk seem to have tied drunkenness in with this sudden calamity (so did Jesus in Luke 21:34-35). Truly the Anglo-nations are not spiritually sober.

Notice how Ezekiel’s writings confirm that those who made profits improper will be punished:

13 “Behold, therefore, I beat My fists at the dishonest profit which you have made, and at the bloodshed which has been in your midst. 14 Can your heart endure, or can your hands remain strong, in the days when I shall deal with you? I, the Lord, have spoken, and will do it. 15 I will scatter you among the nations, disperse you throughout the countries, and remove your filthiness completely from you. (Ezekiel 22:13-15)

Borrowing money that will not be paid back is a “dishonest profit” which the American and British peoples have been living on for the past several years. They will be scattered for this and their filthiness (see also Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided?). Sexual immorality and abortion are simply some outward signs of this filthiness.

While all should give thanks to God, those in the Anglo-American nations should also realize that because of who were the majority that they descended from, they will receive the blessings AND the cursings of the children of Israel.

And national repentance is needed soon as the cursings are starting to be realized.

Notice something from the Old Testament:

34 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
35 And say, “Save us, O God of our salvation;
Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles,
To give thanks to Your holy name,
To triumph in Your praise.”  (1 Chronicles 16:34-35)

This is a warning that even after the Gentiles take over, that those taken over should still praise God as He ultimately will deliver.  I would suggest that it is better to praise and thank God sooner than just later.

But specifically why else will the Anglo-nations be destroyed?

Why would God allow some of the greatest nations of all time to be destroyed as the Anglo-Americans have been in the forefront of distributing Bibles, helping in humanitarian matters, assisting with international disasters, etc.?

Because the New Testament clearly teaches:

48 For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required (Luke 12:48).

The U.S.A. and its Anglo-allies have been given much.

The Old Testament teaches:

6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.

7 “The more they increased,
The more they sinned against Me;
I will change their glory into shame.
8 They eat up the sin of My people;
They set their heart on their iniquity.
9 And it shall be: like people, like priest.
So I will punish them for their ways,
And reward them for their deeds (Hosea 4:6-9).

Notice that God promises to turn the glory of a people (like the Anglo-American powers) into shame because they have REJECTED knowledge and the law of God.

The religious leaders in these nations have by and large failed to warn their followers that they need to keep the law of God.  This is knowledge that the people and the leaders should have as the Anglo-American powers have likely printed up more Bibles than the rest of the world combined.

The Bible warns that those that are obese and eat too much will suffer (for details see Obesity and Prophecy). The Bible also seems to warn that polluters will be punished (cf. Revelation 11:18).

Also notice what the Prophet Ezekiel was inspired to record:

23 The Gentiles shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they were unfaithful to Me, therefore I hid My face from them. I gave them into the hand of their enemies, and they all fell by the sword. 24 According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions I have dealt with them, and hidden My face from them. (Ezekiel 39:23-24)

Thus, unfaithfulness, uncleanness, and transgressions (sins) are major reasons.

The Great Tribulation itself will initially mainly be directed to those who are descended from Jacob/Israel:

6 Ask now, and see,
Whether a man is ever in labor with child?
So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins
Like a woman in labor,
And all faces turned pale?
7 Alas! For that day is great,
So that none is like it;
And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble,
But he shall be saved out of it. (Jeremiah 30:6-7)

25… Gentiles, who do not know You…they have eaten up Jacob, Devoured him and consumed him,
And made his dwelling place desolate. (Jeremiah 10:25)

23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (Luke 21:23-24)

2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. (Revelation 11:2)

Notice that Jeremiah, Jesus (whose words are recorded in Luke), and John (who penned Revelation) are talking about the same time. Also notice that “it is the time of Jacob’s trouble” and that the “Gentiles” are dominating. This means those that are descended from Israel or have the name of Jacob (cf. Genesis 48:14-16) will be mainly be trampled. One of the peoples that God says He will use to punish the descendants of Israel, Assyria (Isaiah 10:5-11), are a Gentile people.

And while all peoples everywhere should thank and praise God, unless the USA and its Anglo-allies repent nationally, they will soon find out what the times of the Gentiles will be like.  And events, including the national debt of the USA, are lining up with the fulfillment of end time prophecy.

But God does have a loving plan that many simply do not understand (see The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church and Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Thanksgiving: A Time To Give Thanks and Praise the LORD Is this American holiday appropriate? Why or why not?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? Has the Roman Catholic Church allowed abortions? What about the Living Church of God?
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?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?  Will the Gentiles dominate?  What happens when the Gentiles take over?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Are there biblical and non-biblical prophecies about Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?
Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?

Vladimir Putin, Official Photograph

COGwriter

It is being reported today that Russia and China announced that they will no longer use the US dollar for trading amongst each other:

China, Russia quit dollar

China Daily – Nov 24, 2010

St. Petersburg, Russia – China and Russia have decided to renounce the US dollar and resort to using their own currencies for bilateral trade, Premier Wen Jiabao and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin announced late on Tuesday.

Chinese experts said the move reflected closer relations between Beijing and Moscow and is not aimed at challenging the dollar, but to protect their domestic economies. “About trade settlement, we have decided to use our own currencies,” Putin said at a joint news conference with Wen in St. Petersburg.

The two countries were accustomed to using other currencies, especially the dollar, for bilateral trade. Since the financial crisis, however, high-ranking officials on both sides began to explore other possibilities. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-11/24/content_11599087.htm

This is another move in the direction to drop the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency.  Russia and China do a lot of trade with each other and dropping the US dollar will affect the USA in many ways.

First, it will reduce the need for both nations to keep as many US dollars.  And while they still have a lot of them, less will be tied up in their bilateral trading.

Second, getting rid of the US dollar for this will reduce the role of the US financial system in international trade.

Third, it will make it easier for other countries to follow suit as Russia and China are major players on the world scene.

Fourthly, food prices likely will continue to rise as the USA imports more food now than it did in its past.

Fifthly, although there will likely be problems for those that decide to not use the US dollar for international trade (and I expect a few to surface from time to time), once enough countries do this, a “tipping point” will be reached.  This “tipping point” will happen near the time when nations decide that they are not able to buy “a dollar’s worth of goods” for a US dollar.

This will result in historically unheard inflation for the USA (at least at rates higher than the USA has ever had).  The immediate affects of that would include the crashing of the USA economy and poverty and/or near poverty for the majority of the people in the USA.

Americans simply do not realize that their standard of living has been subsidized for many years by borrowing (directly through Treasury Bills, etc. and indirectly as the world’s financial system uses un-backed US dollars for international trade) from foreigners.

And while some will argue that the announcement by Russia and China to “quit the dollar” is of little consequence, it needs to be understood that for the US dollar to be completely dropped as the world’s reserve currency, it will take a lot of steps to make it happen.  The situation now with Russia and China appears to be one of those steps.

The USA thought that it could get away with more “quantitative easing”, but the international community has taken several steps in the past few weeks to try to distance itself from the US dollar (for one such step, see QE2: LCG, France, China and the End of the Dollar).

The world financial order is changing which means that the USA will no longer remain on top.  When foreigners stop lending money and enough want it back, this will spell doom for the USA (cf. Habakkuk 2).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What is the “beginning of sorrows”?  When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
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?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters Where did the Chinese people come from? This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
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?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?

European Parliament,  Strasbourg, France

COGwriter

Ireland, the country that voted against the Lisbon Treaty, then had to have the vote again because the powers behind the European Union would not stand for that, is now getting the “benefits” as well as some of the “costs” of approving that agreement.

LONDON – Desperate to seal a deal for an international bailout, the government in Ireland on Wednesday unveiled a painful, four-year plan for $20 billion in spending cuts and new taxes that would slash unemployment benefits and cut welfare payments for the already hard-hit Irish public.

The move came as the near-bankrupt government scrambles to show negotiators from the International Monetary Fund and European Union that it can cut spending and raise more revenue to meet the conditions of a $115 billion rescue package.

E.U. officials are eager for Ireland to close the deal quickly to ease concerns that troubled Portugal and Spain – two nations now facing renewed pressure from investors – might be next in line for financial lifelines.  (Faiola A.  Irish government unveils $20 billion in spending cuts.  Washington Post, November 24, 2010.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/24/AR2010112401510.html?hpid=topnews)

The nations in the European Union are starting to learn that the EU is a supranational government that has benefits that come with a price.  Americans will learn that this price will affect them as well (Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided?).

Most of the nations of Europe have given up their sovereignty, though most have not fully realized that yet.  Greece learned it earlier this year, Ireland is starting to realize it, and apparently Spain and Portugal are next.

As I reported here last Friday, the head of the IMF told the Europeans that they needed to give more authority to the central EU government (IMF tells Europeans to give up more sovereignty).  Also, as I reported less than two weeks ago, the President of the European Union told the Europeans that the age of the “nation-state” in Europe was over (EU President Declares End of Nation State, Britain Skeptical).

While all have not yet grasped that fact, more and more nations (like Ireland) are starting to realize that.

Furthermore, it is not just monetary control that the nations are losing, they are also in the process of giving up military control to the EU as I reported here yesterday (see EU to increase overall military role).

And the Bible shows that a further restructuring of Europe will occur as the Europeans will give up pretty much all power to a leader the Bible calls the Beast:

12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 These will make war…(Revelation 17:12-14)

The Irish situation is simply one more step that moves closer to the fulfillment of the above prophecy.

And while I am not questioning the motivation of those who are currently trying to deal with Europe’s financial and other problems, the Bible warns that a truly militaristic power will emerge (cf. Revelation 13:1-4).

But I will ask, how many events have to happen before more people will take the emergence of this coming European empire seriously?

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”?
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? What MUST happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Could He Become “the Beast”? What makes the German Defense Minister a candidate?

Crown of Original “Holy Roman Emperor”

COGwriter

The European Union took steps today to consolidate more military power for its union:

EU unveils New Security Plan

UPI – Nov 23, 2010

BRUSSELS (UPI) — The European Commission has presented an “Internal Security Strategy” aimed at implementing extra powers acquired under the Lisbon Treaty.

The plan includes everything from a method for fighting cyber fraud to tracking potential terrorists through European Union data systems, the EUobserver reported Tuesday.  http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2010/11/23/EU-unveils-new-security-plan/UPI-55901290525326/

The Bible tells of a revival of a militaristic beast power:

1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”  (Revelation 13:1-4)

For many reasons, including the ties to the old Roman Empire, Europe best fits many prophecies for this Beast.

Interestingly, Daniel 2:42-44 warns,

42 And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. 43 As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. 44 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

So, the Bible warns that there will be a fragile lack of cohesiveness in the final Beast kingdom. Does not Europe still have that problem?

It may be of interest to note that the crown of the first “Holy Roman Empire” includes iron and clay amongst its materials:

…one of Europe’s great symbols of power the Iron Crown of the first Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne…The Iron Crown, made of gold and iron and set with precious stones, is held in the Cathedral at Monza, near Milan, in Italy…a recent refurbishment of the crown it was discovered that its precious stones were held in place by a mixture of beeswax and clay, a common adhesive of the times…

Charlemagne was crowned the first Holy Roman Emperor, reputedly with the Iron Crown, by Pope Leo III in Rome on Christmas Night, 800 AD. He lived from 782-814 and, as King of the Franks, established and ruled over a kingdom that spanned virtually all the Christian States of western Europe, including what is now France, Switzerland, Belgium, The Netherlands, half of Italy and Germany, part of Austria and a small part of Spain. His role in uniting much of Europe is regarded as having an impact that remains until today (source Australian Government: http://old-www.ansto.gov.au/info/press/pr1.html 11/30/07).

And while I am not questioning the motivation of those who are currently trying to deal with Europe’s military situation, the Bible warns that a truly militaristic power will emerge.

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”?
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? What MUST happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Could He Become “the Beast”? What makes the German Defense Minister a candidate?

Flag of Korea, 1889

COGwriter

North Korea just attacked South Korea:

November 24, 2010…NORTH KOREA has burnished the leadership credentials of its 26-year-old dictator-in-waiting with a deadly artillery attack on South Korean territory, causing its neighbour to return fire and scramble F-16 fighters.

Two South Korean marines died, and at least 12 were wounded. There were reports of civilian injuries and houses were set ablaze as scores of shells fell on Yeonpyeong island…

A North Korea expert at Beijing’s Central Party School, Zhang Liangui, told the Herald that Kim Jong-un was deliberately destabilising the environment in order to mobilise the military and consolidate his power.  There have been previous skirmishes along the border – including the deaths of 46 South Korean sailors when the corvette Cheonan was torpedoed on March 26 – but the stakes are getting higher.  http://www.smh.com.au/world/north-korean-dictatorinwaiting-linked-to-deadly-artillery-attack-20101123-185p1.html

North Korea claims that South Korea fired first (North Korea also suggested months ago that South Korea sunk its own ship in March to try to blame North Korea).  South Korea, at this instant, has apparently decided that it does not now want to retaliate in a major military manner.  North Koreans would be so much better off if their government would change its focus from confrontation to cooperation.  People in North Korea are hungry and need our prayers.

Back on July 24, 2010 I wrote the following in a post titled North Korea Talks Nuclear Response:

North Korea’s latest statements may inadvertently help fulfill that prophetic understanding.  Hopefully, the Red Horseman of war (Revelation 6:3-4) will not have to visit them first–but something like this may happen later this year.

We will see if this escalates further now.

The North Korean politicians have been playing a dangerous game in 2010, and one that they are very likely to lose. This latest incident is likely to get South Korea to come up with some type of plan to overwhelm North Korea militarily.  And while North Korea continues to act like it has a nuclear deterrent, if enough North Koreans get hungry and disgusted enough about the situation there, civil unrest could break out and South Korea may see that as an opening to solve the North Korean problem once and for all.

Biblical prophecy seems to suggest cooperation in Korea in the final time just prior to the return of Jesus Christ (Revelation 16:12).  North Korea’s latest actions and statements may inadvertently help get the Koreas to fulfill that prophetic passage.

Two articles of possibly related interest would include the following:

Korea in Prophecy, Any Witness? Does God have a plan for the Koreans? Is Korea mentioned in any prophecies? Will Koreans be among the first in the Kingdom of God? 한국의 언어로 : 한국 예언, 모든 증인에?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, Koreans, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?