Church of God News

Earthquake Damage in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

COGwriter

In its weekly prophetic update that came out today, the Living Church of God had the following about the situation in Haiti:

New plague for Haiti.

As if the devastating January earthquake was not enough, displaced Haitian families living in tent cities now face a new threat–cholera–a disease that kills within 24-48 hours of contact if not aggressively treated with rehydration therapy. As of Thursday, more than 4,000 Haitians had been treated for cholera–a disease not seen in Haiti in 50 years. Two hundred ninety people have died from the disease and another 174 cases are suspected in hospitalized victims.The current outbreak is centered about an hour from the capital of Port-au-Prince. More than a million homeless people are living in camps in and around the capital. Public health officials fear that spread of the disease into these camps could create an epidemic, and that the disease could become endemic in Haiti–remaining for a very long time.

One aid worker in Haiti has observed, “There’s so much stagnant pools of water, it’s rainy season here at the moment, families are living on top of each other, with rubbish everywhere. It’s spread so fast, this disease.” Cholera spreads through contaminated water supplies, poor sanitation, and poor hygiene–a situation that is rampant in the vast, dirty, densely populated tent cities of refugees (Sky News online, October 28, 2010).

When Jesus was asked by His disciples about signs of the end of the age, He said that besides “earthquakes in various places,” there would be an obvious rise in pestilences or disease outbreaks (Matthew 24:7). These and other devastating events will be just the “beginning” of sorrows (v. 8). We need to pray fervently for ALL those made in God’s image around the globe, yet also realize that the tragic events we are witnessing with increasing frequency MUST come to pass before Jesus returns.

Here is another report related to Haiti that also came out today:

Hurricane Tomas is lashing parts Haiti, bringing heavy rain to the island nation struggling to recover from a devastating earthquake that left more than one million people living in temporary shelters and camps.

The storm was updgraded to hurricane status Friday morning, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

By 11 a.m. ET, the centre of the storm was passing between Haiti and southeastern Cuba, forecasters said.

Tomas had maximum sustained winds of about 130 km/h and some additional strengthening was expected, the hurricane centre said.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/11/05/haiti-hurricane-tomas.html#ixzz14Qj149Rx

LCG had the following information in its prophetic update concerning Indonesia:

Double disasters in Indonesia.

This week a deadly tsunami and volcanic eruptions struck different parts of Indonesia within a 24-hour period. So far, more than 300 people have been killed, hundreds are missing and more than 40,000 people have been displaced.The ten foot high tsunami, generated by an undersea 7.7 magnitude earthquake, smashed into coastal villages in the Mentawai Islands off western Sumatra. The volcanic eruptions occurred in central Java at Mount Merapi–Indonesia’s most active volcano. Rescue crews are still searching for survivors (Straights Times, October 28, 2010). These disasters occurred along a major fault line referred to as the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”

In light of this deadly geologic activity, it should be noted that Jesus Christ predicted that “earthquakes in various places” would be one of the signs of the approaching end of the age (Matthew 24:7). Events like this should motivate all Christians to pray more fervently, “Thy kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10, KJV)!

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The following news reports about Indonesia also came out today:

The death toll from Indonesia’s Mt. Merapi doubled Friday when rescue workers uncovered more than 50 victims who had succumbed to the latest blast of superheated gas from a fierce eruption that began late Thursday night. The eruption burned villages up to nine miles away from the volcano’s crater and forced authorities to widen the evacuation zone.

The volatile volcano has killed more than 100 people and left nearly 90,000 in need of shelter since it first began erupting 10 days ago.

Shelters closer than 12 miles to the summit have been relocated and many evacuees were forced to move for a second time in two days. On Friday afternoon, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono declared the eruption a national disaster and tasked the country’s disaster management agency with overseeing relief operations.

Read more: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2010/1105/New-Mt.-Merapi-eruption-in-Indonesia-raises-death-toll-into-triple-digits

MOUNT MERAPI, Indonesia (AP) — A surge of searing gas raced down the sides of Mount Merapi on Friday, smothering houses, cattle and villagers in its path. The death toll after the volcano’s largest eruption in a century soared to 122.

The worst hit village of Bronggang lay nine miles (15 kilometers) from the fiery crater, just on the perimeter of the government-delineated “danger zone.”  http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hsRIJSh-3KmHxpRWIhAi82eyhkGw?docId=d373df8ed59142ebabbb850b2ed44a6a

Both island nations have been having very tough times.

More disasters are biblically expected.

Yet, the Bible also tells of a time when these problems will be gone.

For more information, please see the following articles:

Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?  Is there a major earthquake prophesied?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it. Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?

Ancient Laodicea

COGwriter

UCG just posted a letter at one of its official websites from its president Dennis Luker that contains the following:

Sadly, I must state that there is a spirit of rebellion that has been brewing in the United Church of God for some time—but which is now rising to the surface. Some ministers and members have taken it upon themselves to hold meetings to undermine the authority in the governing structure of United, that all of them once endorsed. They are disseminating false information designed to discredit those in authority, and favor others that they desire to have as leaders instead.

Some pastors and elders are defying direct orders, withholding letters, videos and other communications sent from the home office. Instead, they are proliferating information on Web sites where they claim members and ministers can “get the facts.”…

I hope and pray that discontent has not been sown in your area, and that your congregation and ministry are at peace. However, because it is so easy to spread rumor and accusation, I am writing to the entire Church to warn you in case you hear things that are not supportive of the United Church of God and its duly appointed leadership…

I also want to remind you of the official links and Web sites where accurate and uplifting information can be found…

Brethren, spiritual wolves are in our midst, and this now-open rebellion on the part of some demonstrates this fact.

Well, in all due respect to Dennis Luker, most of what I have posted at COGwriter has come from the official links at UCG (all of which there is not uplifting on these matters).  My commentary, which does not, is based upon the facts of history and my understanding of scripture.

Now there is one particular statement in Dennis Luker’s letter that I wish to focus on:

Some ministers and members have taken it upon themselves to hold meetings to undermine the authority in the governing structure of United, that all of them once endorsed.

Thus, Dennis Luker is implying that those who are now rebelling against UCG’s form of governance are or were disingenuous or perhaps hypocritical.  What I wish to emphasize is that ALL OF THE TOP MINISTERS IN THE UNITED CHURCH OF GOD WERE ONCE PART OF THE OLD WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD.  AND AS SUCH, THEY ALL DENOUNCED THE TYPE OF GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE THAT UCG NOW HAS.  INSTEAD THEY ALL SUPPORTED A GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE MORE CLOSELY RESEMBLING THAT NOW IN PLACE AT THE LIVING CHURCH OF GOD.  Perhaps Dennis Luker may wish to consider that it was he and people like him who earlier rebelled against a governance structure that all of them once endorsed.

On related UCG matters, from a couple of sources, I saw the following:

Today, Thursday, November 4, 2010, I officially tendered my resignation as an employee of the United Church of God. I can no longer in good conscience support the current administration or the overall direction of the council majority…

Should it become necessary for me to provide additional information about my situation, I will do so. Thank you for your care, your concern and your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Ken and Kathy Giese

UCG’s problems have really expanded in 2010.  So in addition to losing Leon Walker, much of its Latin American brethren and ministry, changing presidents, changing chairmen, and eliminating regional pastors, it is also losing some of its leadership in the USA.

As I reported yesterday (see UCG 2010 Financial Statements Show Income Drop), UCG spends an inordinate amount of its income on its form of governance and administration.  And despite its relatively massive amounts of spending in this area, UCG continues to have major problems with its form of governance.

The “chickens are coming home to roost” (to cite an American cliche) as far as UCG’s governance is concerned.

I would add that while not all the fruits of UCG’s governance have been particularly good, not all the fruits have always appeared bad.  Others may disagree, but a more important point is that UCG simply has not had the fruits from its public proclamation of the gospel (including its telecast) that LCG has had.  In UCG’s entire 15 1/2 years of existence has gotten about the same number of respondents to its telecast as LCG gets every three or four months.  Considering that UCG has more money, more members, and more ministers, this should set off alarms in the minds of those who believe that the focus of the Church of God should be to fulfill Matthew 24:14 as well as follow the order of priorities that Jesus listed in Matthew 28:19-20:

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)

What about you?  Do you believe that you should support the group better fulfilling Matthew 24:14 in proclaiming the gospel of the world as a witness or a group with a form of governance that has been relatively ineffective in that mission?

Will you follow the criteria of the Bible or your own?  Please look at the UCG fruits, look at what the Bible teaches, and pray and ask what God would have you do.

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?
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?
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.

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg

COGwriter

The drop in the US dollar and the rise of the Euro in the past 40 hours has been partially blamed on the new “quantitative easing” program, often called QE2, announced by the US Federal Reserve Chairman yesterday.

Leaders from both Germany and China have commented about QE2:

Germany concerned by Fed stimulus measures

Reuters – Nov 4, 2010

German Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle said on Thursday he was concerned at U.S. efforts to stimulate growth by injecting liquidity into its struggling economy.“I view that not without concern,” Bruederle said, adding that a variety of measures were needed to solve the problem and it was not enough to pump in liquidity alone…Bruederle also said there was some truth to the criticism that the United States was influencing the dollar’s exchange rate with monetary policy and voiced concern about increased protectionism in different forms around the world…

Bruederle said China had been criticised for having an undervalued currency but Beijing argues that U.S. monetary policy is also artificially influencing its currency. The German minister said there was some truth to that. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE6A31EQ20101104

U.S. dollar printing is huge risk -China c.bank adviser

Reuters – Nov 4, 2010

Unbridled printing of dollars is the biggest risk to the global economy, an adviser to the Chinese central bank said in comments published on Thursday, a day after the Federal Reserve unveiled a new round of monetary easing.China must set up a firewall via currency policy and capital controls to cushion itself from external shocks, Xia Bin said…http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTOE6A301Q20101104

But at this time, there is no real “firewall” the Chinese can establish to fully protect itself from what the USA is doing to the value of its dollar.

Normally, I would not tend to mix too many comments from the Germans and the Chinese, but there was another development yesterday that nudged me to do so.

Since prophetically,  a European-led force will take over the USA, the following development suggests that perhaps Europe may be inclined to give China something (like land) in the future as Germany and China are pledging closer ties:

BEIJING — China and Germany Wednesday pledged to strengthen bilateral military ties. The pledge came out of a meeting between Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping and visiting German Federal Minister of Defence Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg…

The Chinese government attaches great importance to relations with Germany and will, as always, deal with it from a strategic, long-term point of view, Xi said. (China, Germany agree to further develop military ties. Xinhua – Nov 3, 2010. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-11/03/c_13589422.htm)

Another reason the above is of interest is that there is a possibility that Karl-Theodor Guttenberg might become, or at least support, the final King of the Noth (please see the following article for more details Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North?).

I reported that the above meeting was going to take place earlier this week (Guttenberg to China and Mongolia).  And the more I think about the above, the more I believe it may lead to negative ramifications for the Australians, and probably New Zealanders.

How so?

Both Germany and China are understandably disturbed by QE2 (so apparently is the rest of the world as the price of gold hit a record high today).  Both nations believe that, at least to a degree, the USA has become reckless with its currency and is placing the global financial system at risk.  Both nations have been quietly taking steps to do something about this trend, and this latest “quantitative easing” will likely only accelerate whatever plans they have along those lines.

Until late 2009, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg was the Economic Minister for Germany.  And the impacts of USA debt, quantitative easing, stalled economy, etc. have likely not gone unnoticed by him.

I wonder if the effect of the “long-term” relationship between Germany and China may mean that the Germans may be inclined to tell the Chinese that they would not interfere should China decide that it may want to takeover Australia and/or New Zealand as partial compensation for losing the value of its US dollar investments after the Europeans eliminate the USA (near the start of the great tribulation).

And while some may consider that to be a bit far-fetched, this seems to be consistent with various biblical and non-biblical prophecies.

The USA has erred by once again deciding on increasing its electronic money supply as opposed to turning to God to deal with the problems it is facing.

In the short-run many high-level American leaders will be convinced they did the right thing.  In the long-run however, they will find that cheating the holders of US dollars will not pay (see Habakkuk 2).  QE2 is more dangerous than most Americans have imagined.

Some articles of related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?
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?
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? What will happen to the Jews in 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?

Ancient Laodicea

COGwriter

Today, I noticed that the United Church of God just published its audited financial statements for its fiscal year ending June 30, 2010 (they are in the November 2010 edition of UCG’s United News).

UCG showed a small income drop from US$24,735,699 to 23,870,107, which is a drop of about 3.5%.  Considering the state of the USA economy, that is not as bad as it may have been.  I have heard reports that UCG’s income is down more in the period since, but have not seen verifiable data to comment or post any specifics.

UCG is the largest of the COG groups that once had their origins in the old WCG.  LCG is the second 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 6/30/10, UCG claims a gross income of $23,870,107. It spent 5,368,289 (down from 5,649,925 the prior year) for ‘public proclamation’ (22.49%); it spent 4,992,351 (up from 4,223,249 the prior year) for managing its meetings and ‘home office’ (20.92%); and 13,420,477 (down from 14,072,730 the prior year) for the field ministry/local churches/FOT/International support (56.22%), and increased reserves by 88,990 (down from 789,795 the prior year) (0.37%).  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.

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

Based on the numbers in the financial reports of the two groups, 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....$22.49........$44.95
2nd Commission to Feed the Flock (and Field Ministry)..56.22.........47.16
Headquarters/Home Office...............................20.92..........6.45
Change in Reserves......................................0.37..........1.44
Total................................................$100.00.......$100.00

Jesus taught:

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

I went with LCG because of Gospel proclamation emphasis and biblical church governance. It is interesting that UCG spent over 3 times as high a percentage on governance/administration than LCG does (and over 5 times as much in actual cash, UCG spent $4,992,351 vs. LCG’s 876,628).

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

With not much more than 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 (and this is still true, despite the adding of superstation WGN by UCG recently).  LCG also produces almost the same number of magazines as UCG (330,000 Tomorrow’s World vs. 350,000 Good News) does, despite being so much smaller.

“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.

Jerusalem

COGwriter

A few weeks ago, Jordan called for the Europeans to be part of a Middle East peace deal (see Jordan Wants Europeans as Part of Peace Plan).  This morning, Zenit.org (a pro-Vatican news agency) reported the following:

Holy See: Palestinian-Israeli Conflict Needs a Solution…

NEW YORK, NOV. 4, 2010 (Zenit.org).- A solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a vital part of finding solutions to the numerous problems that bring “chaos” to the entire Middle East, many of which have serious ramifications around the world, says the Holy See.

Archbishop Francis Chullikatt, permanent observer of the Holy See at the United Nations, stated this Tuesday…

Jerusalem, a city for all

The Holy See, he added, “further underlines that a lasting solution must include the status of the Holy City of Jerusalem.”

“In light of the numerous incidents of violence and challenges to free movement posed by the Security Wall,” the archbishop said the Holy See renews its support for “internationally guaranteed provisions to ensure the freedom of religion and conscience of its inhabitants, as well as permanent, free and unhindered access to the Holy Places by the faithful of all religions and nationalities.”  http://www.zenit.org/article-30840?l=english

The Archbishop also called for the Palestinians to have more “”governing authority”.

Now, what appears to be a temporary peace deal is discussed in the Bible, but the same passage warns that it will be broken in the middle:

26…And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate.
(Daniel 9:26b-27)

(A detailed explanation of this passage in Daniel is found in the article Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012?)

The Bible warns that Jerusalem would become a problem for those involved with it at certain times:

2 “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. 3 And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. (Zechariah 12:2-3)

The Hebrew scriptures also warn:

22 Behold, the noise of the report has come, And a great commotion out of the north country, To make the cities of Judah desolate, a den of jackals. (Jeremiah 10:22)

6 Also the people of Judah and the people of Jerusalem
You have sold to the Greeks, That you may remove them far from their borders. (Joel 3:6)

Notice that Jeremiah wrote that a “great commotion” is to come “out of the north country”–this seems to be a reference to the empire that is now forming in Europe.  Joel’s writing about the idea of selling to “the Greeks” is interesting because not only are the Greeks part of the European Union, but also the Judaic nation of Israel currently does a lot of trading/selling with the nation of Greece.

In the New Testament, Jesus taught:

20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. (Luke 21:20)

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. (Matthew 24:15-17)

Yet, the reality is that the coming European power will, in fact, be a major player in this act to surround Jerusalem with armies.  Daniel wrote:

31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. (Daniel 11:31)

The “him” above is the final King of the North as is so identified as such a few verse down in Daniel 11:40.  It is believed by many biblical scholars that when Jesus was referring to Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, He was referring to the same incident that Daniel wrote about above.  The abomination will likely be something associated with the final Antichrist.

Certain Catholic prophecies themselves teach that a leader, often called the Great Monarch (or King), will go to Jerusalem essentially at the beginning and end of his reign:

Brother Louis Rocco (19th century): Terrible wars will rage all over Europe. God has long been patient with the corruption of morals; half of mankind He will destroy. Russia will witness many outrages. Great cities and small towns alike will be destroyed in a bloody revolution that will cause the death of half the population. In Istanbul (Constantinople) the Cross will replace the half-moon of Islamism, and Jerusalem will be the seat of a King. The southern Slavs will form a great Catholic Empire and drive out of Europe the Turks (Mohammedans), who will withdraw to North Africa and subsequently embrace the Catholic faith. (Dupont Y.  Catholic Prophecy, p.76)

Monk Adso (died 992): Some of our Teachers say that a King of the Franks will possess the entire Roman Empire. This King will be the greatest and the last of all Monarchs, and after having prosperously governed his kingdom, he will come in the end to Jerusalem and he will lay down his sceptre and his crown upon the Mount of Olives and immediately afterwards, Anti-Christ will come. (Culleton, The Prophets and Our Times, p. 137)

The Great Monarch/King seems to be same person that the Bible describes as the final King of the North.

We in the Living Church of God have long taught that Jerusalem would be divided and that the Vatican would likely, for a time, maintain a stronger physical presence in Jerusalem, with perhaps the pope/antipope moving there for a short time.  Here is an interesting Catholic prophecy that seems relate to that:

Priest E. Sylvester Berry (published 1920):  The two horns denote a twofold authority – spiritual and temporal.  As indicated by the resemblance to a lamb, the prophet will probably set himself up in Rome as a sort of anti-pope…Antichrist will establish himself in Jerusalem…with his ‘lying wonders’… (Berry ES.  The Apocalypse of St. John, 1920.  Quoted in Culleton RG.  The Reign of Antichrist.  Reprint 1974, TAN Books, Rockford (IL), pp. 199-200).

With the Vatican increasingly making comments about Israel, Jerusalem, and the wanting Jerusalem to be a city with “internationally guaranteed provisions to ensure the freedom of religion and conscience of its inhabitants, as well as permanent, free and unhindered access to the Holy Places by the faithful of all religions and nationalities”, this suggests that it hopes to work with everyone it can in the Middle East to obtain the objective of it having a stronger presence in Jerusalem.

This looks like it will come to pass.

Some articles possibly related interest may include:

Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”. Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy.
Is There an Islamic Antichrist?Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
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? What will happen to the Jews in 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?
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?

“Martyrdom of Polycarp” from Ceiling of the Church of St. Polycarp, Smyrna (now called Izmir, Turkey)

COGwriter

While most people are aware that many heresies afflicted the Church of God from the very beginning, few seem to know that the primary fighters of those heresies in the second century seemed to be based in Asia Minor.

And one of the most famous was Polycarp of Smyrna.

In the late 2nd Century, the Catholic historian Irenaeus recorded that the Bishops of Rome had problems with the heretics Valentinus, Cerdon, and Marcion.  He also recorded both the  Apostle John and Polycarp strongly renounced the Gnostic heretics:

Valentinus came to Rome in the time of Hyginus, flourished under Pius, and remained until Anicetus. Cerdon, too…Marcion, then, succeeding him, flourished under Anicetus.

But Polycarp also was not only instructed by apostles, and conversed with many who had seen Christ, but was also, by apostles in Asia, appointed bishop of the Church in Smyrna…always taught the things which he had learned from the apostles, and which the Church has handed down, and which alone are true. To these things all the Asiatic Churches testify, as do also those men who have succeeded Polycarp down to the present time — a man who was of much greater weight, and a more stedfast witness of truth, than Valentinus, and Marcion, and the rest of the heretics. He it was who, coming to Rome in the time of Anicetus caused many to turn away from the aforesaid heretics to the Church of God, proclaiming that he had received this one and sole truth from the apostles… John, the disciple of the Lord…exclaiming, “Let us fly, lest even the bath-house fall down, because Cerinthus, the enemy of the truth, is within.” And Polycarp himself replied to Marcion, who met him on one occasion, and said, “Dost thou know me?” “I do know thee, the first-born of Satan” (Irenaeus. Adversus Haeres. Book III, Chapter 4, Verse 3 and Chapter 3, Verse 4).

Valentinus, Cerinthus, and Marcion are considered by Catholics and others to have been Gnostic heretics, while Hyginus, Pius, and Anicetus were elders/bishops of Rome. Thus these quotes from Irenaeus show that the Roman bishops did not have a higher leadership role than Polycarp of Smyrna had, because it apparently took the stature of the visiting Polycarp to turn many Romans away from the Gnostic heretics.

Marcion was possibly the first heretic to attempt to do away with the Sabbath. Valentinus of Rome, who Polycarp denounced, who is believed to have been the first affiliated with Christianity to teach the Trinitarian concept of three hypostasis or make any clear statement of ‘equality’ regarding three alleged persons of God .

Irenaeus also reported

And when the blessed Polycarp was sojourning in Rome in the time of Anicetus, although a slight controversy had arisen among them as to certain other points…For neither could Anicetus persuade Polycarp to forego the observance [in his own way], inasmuch as these things had been always observed by John the disciple of our Lord, and by other apostles with whom he had been conversant; nor, on the other hand, could Polycarp succeed in persuading Anicetus to keep [the observance in his way], for he maintained that he was bound to adhere to the usage of the presbyters who preceded him. And in this state of affairs they held fellowship with each other; and Anicetus conceded to Polycarp in the Church the celebration of the Eucharist, by way of showing him respect; so that they parted in peace one from the other, maintaining peace with the whole Church, both those who did observe [this custom] and those who did not Irenaeus. (FRAGMENTS FROM THE LOST WRITINGS OF IRENAEUS. Translated by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. Excerpted from Volume I of The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, editors); American Edition copyright © 1885. Electronic version copyright © 1997 by New Advent, Inc.).

Apparently Anicetus conceded enough (such as about Polycarp’s position on that and probably about Marcion—who Anicetus agreed was a heretic) that no recorded major ‘blowup’ between the two survived. It appears that Anicetus, tried to satisfy Polycarp to some degree, and tried to appear not to be a complete heretic.

But were the churches in Asia Minor and Rome truly in peace after that?

The Catholic monk Epiphanius wrote,

For long ago, even from the earliest days, the Passover was celebrated at different times in the church…In the time of Polycarp and Victor, the east was at odds with the west and they would not accept letters of commendation from each other (Epiphanius. The Panarion of Epiphanius of Salamis, Books II and III (Sects 47-80), De Fide). Section VI, Verse 9,7. Translated by Frank Williams. EJ Brill, New York, 1994, p.411).

It appears likely that Polycarp, when he returned to Asia Minor, would have told the Christians there that he was successful in turning some away from heretics such as Marcion and Valentinus. He probably was so disgusted by his Roman experience that he let those in Asia Minor know that they should not receive doctrine or other instruction from any in Rome–he also specifically would not change Passover observance to Sunday. This seems to be confirmed by Polycrates’ writings a few decades later.

What these writings in this section seem to show is that the aged Polycarp went to Rome to primarily deal with Gnostic heretics that claimed to be Christian. It was Polycarp, and no “bishop of Rome”, who was successful in turning Christians away from these heretics. It was Polycarp, and no Roman bishop, who was the faithful “heretic fighter” in the second century.

Other leaders in Asia Minor also are recorded as fighting heretics–heretics that Rome often tolerated for decades or even longer.

For more details on those and other historical points, please see the following articles:

Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians Did Polycarp refer to all the books in the New Testament? This is Roberts and Donaldson’s translation, corrected by me in one place, where they made a small error in translating Latin by omitting one word.  It is also annotated with scriptures to demonstrate that Polycarp did have the New Testament canon.
Polycarp of Smyrna: The Heretic Fighter Polycarp was the successor of the Apostle John and a major leader in Asia Minor. Do you know much about what he taught? Does the Living Church of God or the Church of Rome more faithfully follow his teachings and practices?
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not
Melito of Sardis Who was this 2nd Century Church Leader? What Old Testament did he list? What did he teach that most who call themselves Christian later change?
Thraseas Thraseas died circa 160 in Smyrna, but oversaw the churches from Eumenia.
Sagaris Sagaris died circa 166-167 and oversaw a church in Laodicea of Asia Minor.
Papirius He died circa 170 and oversaw churches from Smyrna.
Polycrates of Ephesus He was an early church leader that claimed to continue the practices of the Gospel, John, Philip, Melito, and Polycarp, while refusing to accept traditions that came from Rome.
Apollonius of Ephesus He died circa 210.
Theophilus of Antioch This is one of the second century leaders of some Christians in Antioch and is considered a Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch.
Serapion of Antioch He was possibly a faithful third century leader in Antioch.
Apollinaris of Hierapolis He was an early church leader that may have known Melito and Polycarp; he also wrote about the Passover. 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?
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church.

COGwriter

Yesterday, I received an email from a source identified as “prophecykeepersdotcom@yahoo.com”.  This email was telling me that a year ago, someone named John Hogue said he had learned something from an “oracle” that basically predicted that the Republicans would take control of the House and Senate in the United States yesterday (though the “Tea Party Republicans” would not always cooperate).  After the election results started to come in, I followed up on that by going to visit the website of John Hogue.

At his website, John Hogue had the following post Monday, 11/01/10:

Time and events catching up to my oracle’s cryptic prediction make clear to me what the message of that prophecy was…

Obama does not feel our pain in these economically dire times nor has he yet found his voice or figured out how to use this crisis to galvanize citizens to action. That doesn’t mean he won’t learn his lesson after tomorrow’s historic shocker.

In tomorrow’s midterm election, he will lose the House and by the slightest of margins, lose the Senate too.

It appears that Obama’s party (the Democrats) lost the House last night.  Although the final results are not known for sure yet today, unless the Democrats have 49 or less seats in the Senate, they still will control the Senate.  A count of 50 means that the Vice President can also vote to break ties, and since Joseph Biden is a Democrat, unless the count goes to less than 50, the Democrats will keep control of the Senate (unless one or more of them switch political parties).

Speaking of elections, in November 1980, a few weeks after Ronald Reagan was elected, I happened to have been visiting Sacramento.  On what I believe was the last Sabbath of that month, the late WCG evangelist Herman Hoeh was speaking.

Herman Hoeh stated that because of Ronald Reagan’s election, he and the church felt that the United States likely would last at least another eight years.  And that was so.

After it became clear last night that the Republicans would take control of the House of Representatives, I saw a Republican congressman named John Boehner gave an emotional speech.  In that speech he stated that the results of the election were a  “mandate for Washington to reduce spending.”

And while reducing spending is a nice goal, the reality is that without national repentance, the USA is doomed.  Unlike the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980, I do not believe that last night’s election is any assurance that the USA has eight more years to survive.  And while it may (and perhaps longer), it also may not survive as a nation past 2015.

Cutting debt is, biblically, a good idea.  But even if the Republicans succeed in that (which in terms of total debt seems impossible in the next few years, but they may slow the increase in the debt), as early as today, the Federal Reserve is expected to announce its plans for potentially more “quantitative easing” (essentially increasing electronic dollars without producing goods to back the dollars up).  And that will result in even more debt.

The USA needs national repentance.  Changing control of the House does not change that need.  But even if the nation will do not repent, you can.

Some articles of potentially related interest may include the following:

Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
Prophecies of Barack Obama? This article has eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. It includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? This is the longest and most complete article at the COGwriter website on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”. Might Bible prophecy be fulfilled since he is to be the USA president?
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? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2018 or 2019?
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?

COGwriter

The United Kingdom and France made a historic defense deal that was announced today:

France and UK plan unprecedented military cooperation

Reuters – Nov 2, 2010

LONDON/PARIS (Reuters) – Britain and France will launch a broad defense partnership on Tuesday that includes setting up a joint force and sharing equipment and nuclear missile research centers, a French government source said.

Treaties to be signed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron at a meeting in London will pave the way for an unprecedented degree of military cooperation between the two neighbors.

The NATO allies, western Europe’s biggest defense spenders and its only nuclear powers, have a centuries-old history of military rivalry and, more recently, have differed sharply over issues such as the Iraq war.

Their new partnership is driven by the desire to maintain cutting-edge military capabilities while at the same time reducing defense spending to rein in big budget deficits…

Britain and France will work together in developing technology for future generations of nuclear submarines, missiles, aerial drones, maritime anti-mine systems and military communications satellites, the source said.

They will also seek to strengthen their cooperation in cyber security and the fight against terrorism. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101102/wl_nm/us_britain_france

But the following was also reported today:

Commissioner envisages robust EU crisis centre

EUobserver – Nov 2, 2010

BRUSSELS – EU aid commissioner Kristalina Georgieva is keen to set up a 24-hour-a-day disaster-monitoring centre with access to classified information on EU foreign policy and the authority to call in military assets from EU countries where necessary…

Ms Georgieva was speaking after her proposal last week to set up a new European Emergency Response Centre in Brussels to better cope with natural and man-made disasters around the world…

When asked by this website if the European Emergency Response Centre will need the services of men and women with guns, she answered: “Of course, yes.” http://euobserver.com/9/31179

Notice that at least one Brussels-based European leader is calling for the ability to call out national militias.

The reality is that a power from the continent will end up getting control of the military according to Bible prophecy (Revelation 17:12-13).  The UK may believe it has taken steps to improve its security, but what is happening is that Britain is recognizing that it cannot afford to properly defend itself, and ultimately it will find out how costly it is to not rely on God, while also not having enough military capability of its own.

Without national repentance, the UK is doomed.  The cooperation between France and the UK will not prevent it.  And according to both biblical and Catholic prophecies, Britain will apparently be divided by the Europeans in the not too distant future.

Europe will ultimately not allow Britain to exist as it now does.  It will get that serious.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
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 Catholic and non-biblical prophecies that also support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
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?
Is Tony Blair Apocalyptic? The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom converted to Catholicism shortly after leaving his office and has been active in European affairs. What role might he play?

Ben Bernanke

COGwriter

The U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman is expected to take actions this week that will accelerate the trend to move away from the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency.

Notice the following:

QE2 risks currency wars and the end of dollar hegemony

As the US Federal Reserve meets today to decide whether its next blast of quantitative easing should be $1 trillion or a more cautious $500bn, it does so knowing that China and the emerging world view the policy as an attempt to drive down the dollar.

Telegraph – Nov 1, 2010  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/currency/8103462/QE2-risks-currency-wars-and-the-end-of-dollar-hegemony.html

Fed Poised To Buy More Bonds To Try To Aid Economy

by The Associated Press WASHINGTON November 2, 2010

On Tuesday, Chairman Ben Bernanke opens a two-day meeting where he will help craft a Fed plan to buy more government bonds. The idea is for those purchases to further drive down interest rates on mortgages and other loans. Cheaper loans might then lead people to spend more. The economy would benefit. And companies would step up hiring.

That’s the plan, anyway. But many question whether the Fed’s new plan will provide much benefit…

“Bernanke is trying to strike a balance,” said Lou Crandall, chief economist at Wrightson ICAP.

It’s a gamble, though…

Bernanke doesn’t want to see super-low inflation turn into deflation…The notion of letting inflation run higher makes some Fed members queasy.  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130995906

It is a “gamble” that is virtually guaranteed to ultimately devalue the US dollar and its financial dominance throughout the world.

And here is a partial explanation of some of the international impact from this “quantitative easing”:

U.S. “Quantitative Easing” is Fracturing the Global Economy

by Michael Hudson  Global Research, November 1, 2010…

What is reversing trends that seemed irreversible for the past 65 years is the manner in which the United States has dealt with its bad-debt crisis. The Federal Reserve and Treasury are seeking to inflate the economy out of debt with an explosion of bank liquidity and credit – which means yet more debt. This is occurring largely at other countries’ expense, in a way that is flooding the global economy with electronic “keyboard” bank credit while the U.S. balance-of-payments deficit widens and U.S.  official debt soars beyond any foreseeable means to pay. The dollar’s exchange rate is plunging, and U.S. money managers themselves are leading a capital flight out of the domestic economy to buy up foreign currencies and bonds, gold and other raw materials, stocks and entire companies with cheap dollar credit.This outflow from the dollar is not the kind of capital that takes the form of tangible investment in plant and equipment, buildings, research and development. It is not a creation of assets as much as the creation of debt, and its multiplication by mirroring, credit insurance, default swaps and an array of computerized forward trades…

Countries on the receiving end of this U.S. financial conquest (“restoring stability” is how U.S. officials characterize it) understandably are seeking to protect themselves…

On October 15, 2010, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke explained that he wanted the Fed to encourage inflation – his of program of Quantitative Easing – and acknowledged that this would drive down the dollar against foreign currencies.  http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=21716

Now, Michael Hudson is correct that this increase of debt encourages inflation and will hurt many nations.  And these nations will feel financially plundered through this bizarre “financial conquest” know as quantitative easing.

But a fuller explanation of the real cause of why this is happening is sin.  Because of it’s increasing secularism, greed, and tolerance for sexual, abortive, and other sins, the USA is getting closer to reap what it has sown:

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (Galatians 6:7-8)

One of the many cursings that were prophesied in the Bible to be reaped for disobedience was that of accumulation of debt:

43 The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. 44 He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail. 45 Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you (Deuteronomy 28:42-45).

As the Anglo-American nations have not kept God’s commandments, they have become the greatest debtor nations of all time!

Quantitative easing is another way that the USA is plundering nations.  It is producing currency without the production of goods to back it up.  And because of the financial conditions in the world, this is being allowed to continue at this time, it cannot continue indefinitely.

At some point in time, the USA will start to experience massive inflation.  And then its creditors will rise up.

The world is changing and the USA and its Anglo-descended allies are losing their financial dominance in the world.  And while there will be some temporary rises in the value of the US dollar for a while (and likely when there is more civil unrest in Europe), the trend for the US dollar and economy is clearly down.

The moves from the US Federal Reserve, while apparently well intended, will have massive consequences much worse than I believe Ben Bernanke has ever even imagined.

Quantitative easing will apparently help fulfill the prophecy in Habakkuk 2:3,6,7.  Notice that God mentions that that destruction will happen to those that increased their debt at the end time:

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 and seems to be directed to one  or more nations like the USA. It makes little sense that it 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.

Since the USA has the most debt of any nation of all time, it seems to be a leading (though not necessarily only) candidate to be included in it.  Increasing deficits puts the USA in a dangerous position that Bible prophecy indicates that it will not be able to recover from.

Let’s briefly look at another 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 for it 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.  Since the USA owes alien nations trillions of dollars, it appears that the curse in Deuteronomy 28:44 of having to borrow from aliens is happening to it now.

US President Barack Obama has put forth economic policies that have and will increase that debt–even more than former President Bush.  Additionally, one of the first actual changes that Barack Obama implemented was reversing one or more executive orders that will likely lead to more abortions (see Obama’s Abortion Changes).  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.

Without massive national repentance, the Bible is clear that complete destruction of the economy, and even government, of the USA is certain.  Quantitative easing may be a major step to accelerating the end of the USA and its financial dominance.

Ben Bernanke and others may wish to consider studying the following prophetically-oriented articles:

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?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?  Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests?  This is the longest and most complete article on this page on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.
Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Is abortion sin?  What exactly are a woman’s reproductive rights?  Do you know what the Bible teaches on this?

Young Grasshopper

COGwriter

Australia may be facing another, perhaps more menacing, locust problem:

Unusual locust swarm bugs NSW central west

Sydney Morning Herald – Nov 2, 2010

Authorities are alarmed by the unusual presence of a large swarm of spur-throated locusts threatening to destroy crops in the NSW central west.

The pests, which are larger and can consume more than the more common plague locust, are usually only found in Queensland and NSW’s far north…

The adult female spur-throated locusts can grow up to 6.5cm long compared to 4.2cm for an adult female plague locust, according to the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/unusual-locust-swarm-bugs-nsw-central-west-20101102-17bdr.html

Spur-throated locusts swarm in NSW

ABC, Australia – Nov 2, 2010

Livestock Health and Pest Authority staff are consulting with the Australian Plague Locust Commission, to try and find a way to treat a large swarm of spur-throated locusts which have been sighted north of Nyngan.

The spur-throated locusts are much bigger than plague locusts and authorities say they will cause more damage to crops. http://www.abc.net.au/rural/regions/content/201011/3054919.htm?site=centralwest

Pestilences (like locusts) and famines are, according to Jesus, expected:

6 See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.  8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.  (Matthew 24:6-8)

We may be very near that time.  But the end (meaning the Great Tribulation) is not yet.

The Great Tribulation is coming, but not for a few years.  But many difficulties, including famines and pestilences (Matthew 24:7) are expected BEFORE the Great Tribulation begins (Matthew 24:21).  Australia, despite is relatively booming economy, will be affected by the difficulties ahead.

Some articles of related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
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 happens in the “beginning of sorrows”? What is the Day of the Lord?