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COGwriter

Here are the top ten more accessed articles (as opposed to news items or games) at the www.cogwriter.com website for 2010:

1. End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? How might Barack Obama be involved in 2012?
2. How is God Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient? Here is a biblical article by Wallace Smith which answers what many really wonder about it.
3. 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.
4. Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up, that the Great Tribulation began on December 14, 2008, and that Jesus will return on May 27, 2012. Why does the Bible show that Ron Weinland is a false prophet? He has other views which show he is not part of the Church of God.
5. Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations?
6. 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?
7. 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?
8. Why Not the Restored Church of God? This group, led by David Pack, claims to be the most faithful. The information in this article suggests otherwise.
9. 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.
10. 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?

If you have not read them lately, most of them (except the one written by some one other than me) have been updated with more and more information.

The above list still reflects a certain amount of popularity for Ronald Weinland and David Pack, but I should add that interest in both of them has tended to wane as more and more realize more about why they should not be followed.  Interestingly, on a few occasions in 2010, I noticed that RCG paid to have Google ads when certain searches related to me took place.

Other popular items include the following:

11. 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?
12. 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?
13. Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, did Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority? Statements from him changing and/or discounting 18 books of the Bible are included. Do you really want to know the truth?
14. 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?
15. 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.
16. 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?
17. 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.
18. The Ephesus Church Era was predominant from 31 A.D. to circa 135 A.D. The Church of James, Peter, Paul, and John, etc.
19. 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?
20. The Smyrna Church Era was predominant circa 135 A.D. to circa 450 A.D. The Church led by Polycarp, Melito, Polycrates, etc.

The next most popular article was one that I rarely mention in news posts:

21. Parable of the Mustard Seed Jesus told many parables. Why? What might this one mean?

It has always been a relatively popular article.

Overall, 2010 was a fairly decent year for this website with over a million visits and more articles being read.

On the news side, many false prophets were denounced, many world events lined up with the beliefs that we in the Living Church of God hold to, and various groups (especially the United Church of God) had newsworthy crises.  And more events are likely for 2011.  Some of these will be further reported about soon.

جامعة الدول العربية
Jāmaʻat ad-Duwwal al-ʻArabiyya Arab League Flag

COGwriter

In the Nov-December 2010 issue of its Bible Advocate magazine, CG7-Denver‘s former president, Calvin Burrell wrote the following

Islam can be summarized by six articles of faith:
• Indivisible oneness of God.
• Angels as the servants of God.
• Holy books, including the Taureh (Pentateuch); the Zabur
(Psalms); the Injil (Gospels); the Hadith (traditions of Muhammad);
and, holiest of all, the Qur’an.
• Major prophets: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and
Muhammad
— the last and greatest.
• Day of final judgment: Good Muslims will be automatically
saved; those who don’t believe in God (not meaning Jews
and Christians, according to the Qur’an) will descend to hell
forever.
• Predestination: Allah’s absolute sovereignty brings a sense of
fatalism to Muslim faith; everything happens because “God
wills it.”

I would like to go a bit more into how Muslims view end times.

Some of Islamic end time views are in my 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect book.  Here are a few quotes from it:

Now, it needs to be made clear that the Bible predicts the rise in the end time of a Future King of the South…—and this person may be the one that Muslims will consider to be their prophesied “Mahdi.”…

Notice the following from the New Encyclopedia of Islam:

The last days, as described in Islam, are marked by the figures of Gog and Magog (Juj wa Jajuj), the Mahdi, the Antichrist (Dajjal), and Jesus…Gog and Magog, representing the forces of chaos, have been kept at bay…At the end of time, chaos will break through the wall of Divinely imposed order, and the world will succumb to “outer darkness”. At the same time, it is believed, there will be a countercurrent, or a brief return to the state of spiritual lucidity and primordial integrity that obtained at the dawn of time. This is the reign of the Mahdi, the “rightly guided one”…

The reign of the Mahdi will be followed by that of the Antichrist… once the Antichrist has led away his followers, Jesus will then come to destroy the Antichrist in the closing moments of the cosmic drama.

Belief in the Mahdi has been rejected by noted Sunni authorities…

Some in Islam seem to believe that the reign of the Beast and Antichrist will happen after the Mahdi’s death. Now this is true, to a degree, for the Arab lands. However, the Beast (King of the North) and the final Antichrist (False Prophet) will rule in Europe and in some of the American land, prior to the European reign over Arab lands (hence the final Antichrist will have power prior to the death of the biblical King of the South, who seems to be the Islamic Mahdi).

The belief in a Mahdi is apparently a minority Sunni view, even though “the Muslim World League issued a fatwa in October of 1976 commanding Sunni Muslims to believe in the concept of an Islamic Savior called the Mahdi.” …

Shi’ites also would do well to recognize  that just because someone may claim to be the final Imam (or Mahdi), does not mean that God will agree that he should be followed.  Neither Sunnis nor Shi’ites should support one who will appear to possibly be the final Imam in the next decade; whoever claims to be will be defeated soundly (Daniel 11:40-43; see also Appendix B).

A coming leader is looked forward to in Islam, and needs to come before the end.  This leader seems to be the same one that the Bible refers to as the final King of the South.

A reader sent me the following on other Islamic positions:

Excerpt from Islam regarding “The Last Day“…

Resurrection and the Day of Judgment

A central doctrine of the Qur’an is the Last Day, on which the world will be destroyed and Allah will raise all people and jinn from the dead to be judged.

The Last Day is also called the Day of Standing Up, Day of Separation, Day of Reckoning, Day of Awakening, Day of Judgment, The Encompassing Day or The Hour.

Until the Day of Judgment, deceased souls remain in their graves awaiting the resurrection. However, they begin to feel immediately a taste of their destiny to come. Those bound for hell will suffer in their graves, while those bound for heaven will be in peace until that time.

The resurrection that will take place on the Last Day is physical, and is explained by suggesting that God will re-create the decayed body (17:100: “Could they not see that God who created the heavens and the earth is able to create the like of them”?).

http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/beliefs/afterlife.htm

The above is interesting, because, despite some differences, like the earliest professors of Christ, Islam believes that there will be a physical resurrection related to the Last Day, the time of the Great White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:5,11-13).

This may be because there was more acceptance of the Bible in the earliest formation of Islam than many Muslims now seem to hold.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

What Did Early Christians Understand About the Resurrection? Is there more than one future resurrection? Did early Christians teach a physical resurrection? Did early Christians teach three resurrections?
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?
Arabic Nazarenes May Have Kept Original Christian Practices Were their faithful Arabs who held to original Christianity?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims?

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

COGwriter

There are several who claim that the great tribulation will start (and at least one who claims it will end) in 2011.

Is this true?

Can the Great Tribulation begin in 2011?

No, it cannot, despite the emails I get from time to time here in Southern California from various ones who insist that I am wrong on the start of the Great Tribulation.  And while sorrows and tribulation are prophesied to happen prior (Matthew 24:4-12) to the “great tribulation” (Matthew 24:21), the Great Tribulation cannot start in 2011.

While there are many reasons why the Great Tribulation cannot start in 2011, today, I will mention just a few of them.

There is No Final King of the North or Final King of the South Yet

A final King of the North and King of the South need to exist before the actual great tribulation starts.

The Bible shows that one is coming called “the King of the North” who will make a deal with one called the King of the South just before the appointed time of the end:

27 Both these kings’ hearts shall be bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end will still be at the appointed time (Daniel 11:27).

Daniel chapter 11 tells much about the end times and it involves both a King of the South and a King of the North. And while there is a president of the South and a president of the North in the Union for the Mediterranean (see Deal Leading to Psalm 83?), these individuals are not kings and simply do not at this time hold to the type of power (nor perogatives) of the prophesied King of the North and the King of the South. Nor does the new head of the new European Union, Herman Van Rompuy, likely to be the final King of the North as he does not seem to fit that description as well as he may fulfill the person listed in Daniel 11:20 (Herman Van Rompuy: Might He Fulfill Daniel 11:20?).

Since the Great Tribulation will not start before there is an actual King of the South and an actual final King of the North)–and while the “prince” will apparently help make a peace deal with Israel (probably somewhat including the United States and some Arab lands as part of the “many” in Daniel 9:27), Daniel 11:27 requires two kings, which suggests that the future “prince” will gain more and more importance after the deal in Daniel 9:27 (for more information on the sequence of Daniel 11, please see the article the King of the North).

As far as the King of the South goes, there simply is not a confederation of Islamic nations that work close enough together yet in order to be led by the King of the South.  While it is true that there are two groups that ultimately may ultimately allow this (see Iraq & the King of the South and Mediterranean Union Makes Deal With Israel and Arab States).  The Islamic Mahdi has not yet been recognized, and while that is remotely possible to occur in 2011, the King of the South also will not be ready militarily to fulfill prophecies such as those in Daniel 11:40.

Perhaps it should be mentioned that there is an old 17th century Shiite prophecy that when a black man will lead the government of the “strongest armies” of the West, he will do something that results in the rise of an Islamic Mahdi, who is probably the final King of the South (see Barak Obama in Islamic Prophecy?). So, the end, even according to that “prophecy” seems to be getting close. But the great tribulation will not start in 2011.

A “Prince” Comes First

It needs to be mentioned that prior to being referred to as “the King of the North”, there is an individual who initially appears to be referred to as a “prince” in Daniel 9:26-27 (one is normally a “prince”, or rising leader, before one becomes a “king”).

Since this deal has still not been made, this would suggest that contrary to claims of various false prophets (Ronald Weinland of CGPFK and Harold Camping comes to mind) the great tribulation will not begin prior to 2014.

Notice that in the book of Daniel there is a prophecy related to the end times that states:

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 9:26-27).

There are several reasons that this “prince” is referring to the leader of the developing European empire (see King of the North and Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation). But perhaps the main one is that it was the people of the Roman Empire of the 1st century that fulfilled the portion of Daniel 9:26 as they destroyed the city (Jerusalem) in 70 A.D. And it is the “prince” coming from that people that verse 27 is referring to. Hence, this prophecy tells us that a leader will start to rise up about 3 1/2 years before the great tribulation (and yes, according to Jesus, some “tribulation” does happen prior to the start of the Great Tribulation).

This portion of scripture in Daniel seems to be discussing some type of peace deal that the Europeans will either propose or at least agree to. Such a deal did not exist as of July 3, 2010:

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit told the London-based daily Asharq al-Awsat on Saturday that no progress has been made in the proximity talks so far. (Egypt denies progress in peace talks. July 3, 2010. http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=133186&sectionid=351020202)

Since this Middle East peace deal has not been completed (at least not publicly), then if one adds 3 1/2 years to now, the earliest this could be would be the year 2014. We are simply not yet to the part that a “prince of the north” has come on the scene in that major way. Which of course means that there still is no final King of the North–though he is alive now, but not yet in that role.

A Peace Deal is Expected

The idea of this being a seven-year end-time deal was also understood by the Catholic theologian Hippolytus (died 235) in the third century:

…the iron and the clay shall be mingled together. Now Daniel will set forth this subject to us. For he says, “And one week will make a covenant with many, and it shall be that in the midst (half) of the week my sacrifice and oblation shall cease.” By one week, therefore, he meant the last week which is to be at the end of the whole world of which week the two prophets… will take up the half. For they will preach 1,260 days clothed in sackcloth, proclaiming repentance to the people and to all the nations…(Hippolytus. On Christ and Antichrist, Chapter 43. Online edition Copyright © 2008 by Kevin Knight).

While the leader in Daniel 9:27 is only referred to as a prince when he confirms the one week covenant, he probably will not be known as the “King” until shortly before he breaks the covenant at the mid-week point (most likely he will be considered simply one of several leaders negotiating a treaty when this deal in Daniel 9:27 is initially made). The two witnesses (who are prophets) rise up around the mid-point of the week. The iron and clay mingled together refers to a power (like Europe) that is not totally cohesive.

(It may be of interest to note that within Islam, there does exist the idea that an Islamic leader, Imam Mahdi, will be part of a seven-year golden age and will make a peace deal with the Europeans, that the Europeans will break–for details, please see The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy).

Although he has several events out of sequence, even the famed late-Protestant theologian John Walvoord understood the importance of the deal in Daniel 9:27:

The seven-year peace treaty with Israel; consumated seven years before the second coming of Christ (Dan. 9:27; Revelation 19:11-16). (Walvoord J. The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook. Victor Books, 1990, p. 551)

Why is this believed to be a peace deal? There are several reasons, but notice another scripture that discusses this leader:

25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:25, KJV).

So this leader gives people the impression that there will be “peace”. Term is translated as “peace” is from the Hebrew term shalvah and essentially means security. In other words, this leader will destroy “many” who are under the impression that they are secure because of some type of security arrangement. Such arrangements are now commonly referred to as peace deals.

Europe is Not Quite Ready to Support the King of the North Yet

Another reason that now is not quite the time for the start of the Great Tribulation (though the peace deal could happen very soon), is that I have traveled to Europe many times in the past few years, and can state that the Europeans are simply not unified enough to be ready to fulfill their role as the supporters of the King of the North – the Final Beast military power, yet. But they are looking at proposing peace deals in the Middle East (http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-13-voa26.cfm). It is likely that Europe will need to see “signs and lying wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9) to get fully ready–but that is expected.

Now, in order to be able to destroy the United States and its Anglo-allies (which will start the Great Tribulation), the Europeans would also benefit from having their own military satellite tracking system–and while that may not be an absolute requirement, they will not have their own ready until around 2013 or so. And oddly, the USA has decided to let the European Galileo system link to GPS (see US Cites China as Reason to Link to Galileo!), this will give the Europeans a unique military capability in a few years.

Additionally, Europe still has not benefited enough militarily from its Large Hadron Collider project–which may be where it will develop a major military advantage (September 10th is Not the End of the World), which it would seem to need to fulfill biblical prophecy (cf. Revelation 13:4) (for more details, also see Large Hadron Collider may result in military applications).  And as mentioned before, since the deal in Daniel 9:27 has not been made, it will be at least 3 1/2 years before the King of the North can stop the sacrifices.

Of course, the sacrifices must start before they stop.  And while it is remotely possible that regular sacrifices will start in 2011, that is remote.  But even if they do, they will not be stopped by the King of the North in 2011 in a way to fulfill the prophecies in Daniel.

Jesus was clear about several of the events that immediately preceded (Matthew 24:14-20) the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21), and they simply have not completely happened yet.

Some articles of related interest may include:

Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 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?
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?
Harold Camping’s Teachings About the End of the World Do Not Agree with the Bible Harold Camping teaches that the rapture will be on May 21, 2011 and the world will end on October 21, 2011. What does the Bible show?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012? How might Barack Obama be involved in 2012?

Laodicea is full of ineffective structures

COGwriter

Because of the United Church of God (UCG) crisis with Latin America and certain USA ministers, some of those that departed from UCG formed Church of God – America (which I reported about a few weeks ago, see COG America: A Group of Former UCG Ministers).

COGA, perhaps realizing that it may have tight finances, but definitely realizing that its heart is not into public proclamation of the gospel, listed the following at its website:

Having chosen to associate in a supportive way, we commit to the following:

1. To put Matthew 6:33 as the first priority.

2. To participate in a Daily Bible Reading program

3. To implement the Ephesians 4:12-16 model.

4. To practice Matthew 18:15-18 and 1 Timothy 5:19-20.

5. To manage finances responsibly.

6. To preach the gospel.

So gospel proclamation is admitted to be its lowest priority on public commitment.  It seems to have governance as third.

In what I consider to be an attempt to rationalize its low priority on gospel proclamation, it wrote the following its commitments:

What does this mean in practical terms?

1. To put Matthew 6:33 as the first priority.

It is always good to put first the things God and Christ say to put first—loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength; seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness.

If we fail to put these first, we can justify unrighteous actions–if they support something important to us such as doing a work. If we fail to reinforce the top priorities, we will fill those places with what seems right to us at the time.

At times the success of a church or of a minister has been measured on how much enthusiasm we have for preaching the gospel. Preaching the gospel is important, but it must not take precedence over the two things Christ said to put first: seeking the Kingdom and seeking God’s righteousness. Part of seeking the Kingdom is to preach it in preparation for Christ’s return. We will do this collectively as we have funds and manpower to do so…

6. To preach the gospel.

As part of preaching the gospel, we will build stable congregations to receive the people God calls. We will witness personally by being able to answer questions about our faith with confidence and accuracy. We will promote congregations sharing an Internet presence to preach the gospel. (Acts 1:8)

I consider that COGA’s approach is at best Laodicean.  This differs from what COGW put out last week (see New Group: Church of God, a Worldwide Association),  How closely the two groups, and for how long, will cooperate will be seen.  But since Ken Giese holds the position of  “Director: Advisory Board” for International Ambassador Outreach, is apparently a founding member of COGW, and apparently concurred with IAO’s funding of projects related to COGA, there is a link.  And this may be disturbing for those in COGW because it claims its “mission is to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God to all nations and make disciples from among those whom God calls.”

Yet, COGA’s priorities show that it had no real intention to fulfill Matthew 24:14, or the order of priorities in Matthew 28:19-20.

And while placing Matthew 6:33 as its first commitment may help some rationalize against placing proper priority on public proclamation, I believe that listing that actually shows significant carnality on COGA’s part.  Let’s quote and look at the context of that scripture:

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;  29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.  (Matthew 6:25-34, NKJV)

Notice that Jesus was telling His followers not to be worried about carnal matters like what they would eat, but instead be oriented towards the kingdom of God in their personal lives.  Yet, COGA suggests that this gets them out of gospel preaching commitments like Matthew 24:14; 28:19.

Notice what Matthew 24:14 states:

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)

COGA does not seem to feel that it needs to preach that gospel much to the world as a witness as long as it declares that simply seeking God’s kingdom is a top commitment.  This seems a bit on the selfish side.  In my view, COGA really is off track in its rationalization of its commitments.

Larry Salyer who is a director at COGA is also a director of International Ambassador Outreach (IAO).  IAO’s 12/01/10 press release began with:

International Ambassador Outreach (IAO) was formed in 2010 to help support the financial needs of congregations and care for members of the Church of God…

(For more details, please see the article UCG, IAOM, LCG, and Other UCG Options.)

It has been, and remains, my view that the first purpose of COGA is to keep ministers employed, and that pretty much everything else is a lower priority.  And this opinion is not only based upon its publicly admitted (as viewed on 12/23/10) list of commitments, but also on the fact that International Ambassador Outreach originally formed essentially to fund the Latin American ministers and then was expanded to include funding of other UCG ministers who might leave that organization.

This is not to say that the COGA ministers did not have any legitimate grievances against UCG (or UCG towards them, for that matter), but I see at best a Laodicean work is the goal for COGA.  If there are any Philadelphians considering COGA, they need to reconsider as COGA’s foundations seem to be highly Laodicean.

Remember, it was Jesus who condemned the Laodiceans for their work (Revelation 3:14-19), but He praised the Philadelphians for theirs (Revelation 3:7-10).  Not only is COGA’s commitments at best lukewarm, they definitely are different than that of the Philadelphian church.

As regular readers of this page are aware, I strongly believe that it can be demonstrated that it is the Living Church of God (LCG) which holds fast to the truths that were restored to the Philadelphia era of the Church of God–all of them.  And that simply is not something that UCG has done–and that is an undisputed fact.  Furthemore, only LCG has kept up with the same proportionate results in television and other areas of public proclamation that the group that the late Herbert W. Armstrong once led under Jesus Christ did.  And COGA is publicly admitting that it will not only not do that, that it will barely ever try.

While trying not to question the sincerity of the ministers in COGA (or COGW for that matter), public proclamation statements from those in the UCG ministry over the past 15 years simply has not resulted in a public proclamation work that I would describe as any better than lukewarm.

Although there are other COGs (and there are articles on how about two dozen of them differ from the Philadelphia standard at the COGwriter home page), only the Living Church of God meets the two standards for Philadelphia that Jesus set and that were confirmed in more detail by the late Herbert W. Armstrong.  And historically, LCG has “put its money where its mouth is” when it comes to public proclamation of the gospel.

If you are in UCG, confused about UCG/COGA/COGW, or have nothing to do with UCG but wish to support the most faithful church on earth today, please pray, study, fast, and compare what LCG is doing with your own Bible.  Are you, or the group you may be associated with, cold or lukewarm?

The following articles may assist you in doing this:

18 Truths Restored to the Churches of God Herbert W. Armstrong wrote that he felt he had restored at least 18 lost truths to the Church, here is Herbert W. Armstrong’s list given 12/17/83. This articles also has links to show that these truths were believed by professors of Christ in earlier times, hence they were not some invention of Herbert Armstrong.
Do You Believe God Used Herbert W. Armstrong to Raise Up the Philadelphia Era of the Church of God? Nearly everyone while in WCG used to believe this, most do not seem to anymore.
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?
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.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

COGwriter

Iranian President Ahmadinejad may have stated that Iran has nuclear abilities:

TEHRAN, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that Iran is now a nuclear country implying that Iran has achieved nuclear know-how for energy purposes.

The United States and its allies have been exerting political and propaganda pressure and have issued resolutions against Iran over its nuclear program, however, all their efforts have failed and Iran has now become a nuclear country, Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying by the local satellite Press TV.  http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-12/29/c_13668208.htm

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that, just like in Geneva, his country will provide no concessions in next month’s nuclear negotiations in Istanbul, the ISNA news agency reported.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/ahmadinejad-iran-won-t-make-nuclear-concessions-in-istanbul-talks-1.333859

He may only have meant that Iran has nuclear power generation abilities.  The President of Iran does not wish to promote peace, as that is not his agenda (see Iran’s Ahmadinejad Does Not Want Peace).  He may be trying to tell the world that Iran has the ability to produce whatever nuclear technology it wants.

Perhaps it should be mentioned that the President of Iran believes that it is his special calling to create enough chaos in order to stimulate the arrival of an Islamic leader, known as the Imam Mahdi. This leader is supposed to unite Islam and root out problems within its religion.

And because of this, the President of Iran has no real interest in peace–only in delays to allow various Islamic nations to have enough arms to deal militarily with the non-Islamic nations. Especially the Western nations (specifically Europe).

For various reasons, the Imam Mahdi sounds a lot like the final King of the South that the Bible foretells (Daniel 11:40-43). And he may be part of a deal that will affect the USA and its Anglo-allies (Psalm 83). And this will not be good.  Yet, the President of Iran continues to make statements to suggest he wants conflict.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What does Islam teach about the Imam Mahdi?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Is he the Imam Mahdi? What does the Bible say?

Laodicea has many ineffective structures

COGwriter

John Carmack reported that Doug Johnson, UCG pastor of the Cleveland, OH and Meadville, PA congregations, sent out a resignation letter.  John Carmack reported earlier that Joel Meeker was fired after refusing a seat on UCG’s Council of Elders.

UCG seems to be having financial losses as well.

Last night the December 2010 issue of United News arrived.  It reported that compared to 2009, Holy Day offerings were down 7.9% (Trumpets), 3.7% (Atonement), 5% (Feast of Tabernacles), and 8% (Last Great Day).  Yet, attendance was only down 1.7%, 3.3%, 2.2%, 1.7% respectively.  So a greater drop  in income than attendees.  That cannot be helpful for UCG’s finances.

So possibly, UCG was having some financial strain even then.  Perhaps because it still seems to be losing ministers (whether from resignations or terminations) it is having more now.  This may affect UCG’s public proclamation efforts.

If so, or even if not, since I do not believe that this has ever been a top priority for the organization (though it may have been for some of its leaders), I still believe that those affected by this crisis who wish to support a more effective gospel-proclaiming organization should consider checking out LCG.

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.

Ephesus

COGwriter

Although the Roman and Eastern Orthodox Catholics generally only recognize 5 primary (there are a couple of minor ones that are also semi-accepted) locations as “apostolic sees”, there was a sixth that they used to recognize: Ephesus of Asia Minor.

Ephesus of Asia Minor had what they tend to call “apostolic succession”.  And this succession was accepted by early Roman Catholic supporters such as Irenaeus and Tertullian. It was recognized as actually one of only two specified groups that allegedly had “apostolic succession” towards the end of the third century (the other “sees” kind of were put together after the fact and even the Church of Rome has no actual proof that it had the type of succession that it now claims prior to the mid-second century).

Here is a list of early, apparently faithful leaders:

Peter/Paul/James through death circa 64-68 (mainly oversaw churches from Asia Minor and Jerusalem)
John through death circa 95-100 (oversaw churches from Ephesus of Asia Minor)
Polycarp through death circa 155-156 (oversaw churches from Smyrna of Asia Minor)
Thraseas through death circa 160 (oversaw the churches from Eumenia, but died in Smyrna)
Sagaris through death circa 166-167 (died in Laodicea of Asia Minor)
Papirius through death circa 170 (oversaw churches from Smyrna of Asia Minor THIS DATE IS APPROXIMATE AND BASED ON THE LOGIC THE CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA USED FOR THRASEAS)
Melito through death circa 177-180 (oversaw churches from Sardis of Asia Minor)
Polycrates through death circa 200 (oversaw churches from Ephesus of Asia Minor)
*Apollonius of Ephesus through death circa 210 (oversaw churches from Ephesus of Asia Minor).
*Camerius of Smyrna through death circa 220 (possibly oversaw churches from Smyrna of Asia Minor).

So what happened to change its influence?

In the first century, apparently a false apostle, who is now called Mark, preached an allegorical interpretation of scripture in Alexandria. Alexandria was one of the most important intellectual centers of the Roman Empire in ancient times and had much influence in the Greco-Roman world. The falsely titled “Epistle of Barnabus” came from Alexandria in the early second century and also preached allegorical interpretation of scripture (see its chapter 10:2). The second century Gnostic heretics Valentinus and Basilides were Alexandrian.

Within the Roman Empire the religion of Mithraism was increasing in popularity while versions of Christianity also were. Some considered that the two religions were in competition with each other (though that was really only the case with the compromisers and the followers of Mithras). Mithras was a pagan sun-god. Many beliefs and practices associated with Mithraism started to rub-off on many who professed Christ in the second through fourth centuries.

According to the 18th century historian E. Gibbon, around 135 A.D., many who professed Christ in Jerusalem chose to be led by a Latin leader who urged them to compromise with God’s law (which Gibbon calls “the Mosaic law”, see article on the Ephesus Church era) in order to be tolerated by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Certain compromises in Rome apparently occurred around the same time, apparently for the same reason (see articles Arab Nazarenes and Passover).

The acceptance of some of the doctrines held by other heretics (such as Simon Magus, Marcion, and Montanus) spread to many who professed Christ. Various allegorical heretics, such as Valentinus, went from Alexandria to Rome and elsewhere and began spreading various Gnostic and semi-gnostic teachings. And while history shows that second century leaders from Asia Minor opposed these heretics and their teachings, many of them were tolerated, at least for decades, by the main churches in Rome and Alexandria.

Part of the reason for that acceptance of certain Gnostic teachings was that it greatly increased the number of Gentiles into those churches. Notice what one historian wrote:

The Gnostics blended with the faith of Christ many sublime but obscure tenets … the Gnostics were imperceptibly divided into more than fifty particular sects, of whom the most celebrated appear to have been the Basilidians, the Valentinians, the Marcionites… Each of these sects could boast of its bishops and congregations, of its doctors and martyrs; and, instead of the Four Gospels adopted by the church the heretics produced a multitude of histories in which the actions and discourses of Christ and of his apostles were adapted to their respective tenets. The success of the Gnostics was rapid and extensive. They covered Asia and Egypt, established themselves in Rome, and sometimes penetrated into the provinces of the West. For the most part they arose in the second century…

The Gentile converts, whose strongest objections and prejudices were directed against the law of Moses, could find admission into many Christian societies, which required not from their untutored mind any belief of an antecedent revelation. Their faith was insensibly fortified and enlarged, and the church was ultimately benefited by the conquests of its most inveterate enemies (Gibbon E. Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume III, Chapter XXVII. ca. 1776-1788).

While I do not agree with Gibbon that the true church “ultimately benefited” from this compromise as he indicated, this compromise did allow the mainstream Greco-Roman churches to “enlarge” as Gibbon wrote and become the majority of those who professed Christ.

In the second century, one or more semi-gnostic schools developed in Alexandria, including the one headed by the semi-gnostic Clement of Alexandria and then Origen, whose teachings greatly influenced professing Christians in the Greco-Roman world. However, many of the teachings of the main school there have been condemned as heretical, even by Catholic and Protestant sources.

Notice what Dr. John Walvoord, who taught at the Dallas Theological Seminary for fifty years wrote about it:

In the last ten years of the second century and in the third century the heretical school of theology at Alexandria, Egypt advanced the erroneous principle that the Bible should be interpreted in a nonliteral or allegorical sense.  In applying this to the Scriptures, they subverted all the major doctrines of faith…the Alexandrian school of theology is labeled by all theologians as heretical…(Walvoord, John F.  The Prophecy Handbook.  Victor Books, Wheaton (IL), 1990, pp. 9,15).

Over time, some of the more obvious Gnostic concepts (like Aeons) were never formally adopted as the Gnostics taught them, but others that the allegorists felt had some type of support from tradition and/or scripture were adopted by the forming Greco-Roman “Catholic/Orthodox” confederation. And although leaders stood up to the early allegorists (for two see What is the Appropriate Form of Biblical Interpretation?), the allegorizers continued to increase their influence. The Orthodox and even the current Pope Benedict XVI have praised Origen (who ran that Alexandrian school in the early third century) even though some his beliefs have been portrayed as heretical by the same Pope Benedict (see Did The Early Church Millenarianism?).

After a local persecution by Roman Emperor Septimius Severus who died in 211 A.D., the church in Antioch ended up a leader (Asclepiades) that was acceptable to those who compromised in Jerusalem and apparently other areas. Also in the early third century, a compromising Roman leader (Callistus) allowed abortion and generally lowered moral standards, which resulted in great increases among his and related churches.

Around 244 A.D., one “Gregory the Wonder Worker” of Neocaeseria claimed to see apparitions and apparently had mystical powers (Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions). Through the combination of his influence, Imperial persecutions, the rise of the allegorists, and doctrinal compromise, changes occurred in Antioch and Asia Minor.  Allegedly “he could cast his cloak over a man, and cause his death…he could bring the presiding demons back to their shrine” (Roberts A, Donaldson J, Volume 20, p. 3).

Around 250 A.D., during the severe empire-wide persecution by the Emperor Decius, the most public leader of the church in Smyrna (Eudaemon), apostatized. Shortly after this persecution, something new happened: A new leadership was installed throughout Asia Minor that was commended by the allegorist tolerating Bishop of Alexandria (Dionysius) who reported:

But know now, my brethren, that all the churches throughout the East and beyond, which formerly were divided, have become united. And all the bishops everywhere are of one mind, and rejoice greatly in the peace which has come beyond expectation. Thus Demetrianus in Antioch, Theoctistus in Cæsarea, Mazabanes in Ælia, Marinus in Tyre (Alexander having fallen asleep), Heliodorus in Laodicea (Thelymidres being dead), Helenus in Tarsus, and all the churches of Cilicia, Firmilianus, and all Cappadocia. I have named only the more illustrious bishops, that I may not make my epistle too long and my words too burdensome (Cited in Eusebius. Church History, Book VII, Chapter V, Verse I).

Notice that the Alexandrian Bishop acknowledged that those in the East (Asia Minor) had been divided from the Alexandrian and Roman churches, were no longer divided. This is because there were no longer any original Christians leading them, but only those who tended towards allegory and non-biblical traditions. Is your religion one that followed the faithful or those who followed the compromisers?

And shortly after this time is the first recorded instance of the Italians being able to influence a Roman Emperor enough so that they could install a bishop of their choice (probably either Dmonus or Timaeus) in Antioch (circa 270-273 A.D.) (please see the article The Smyrna Church era).

Hence, essentially due to compromise and persecutions, the semi-gnostic allegorizers tended to become the main group of professing Christians. For example, by the third and fourth century, the Roman Church no longer taught many apostolic teachings that it once had and instead included more and more teachings that did not originate in the Bible (this is documented in the article Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Church of God?).  And after the third century compromise and takeover in Asia Minor, Ephesus lost most of the rest of its influence to Constantinople in the fourth century.

While true Christians remained throughout history (please see the article The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3), they were often a persecuted minority (see also Persecutions by Church and State), and were more specifically persecuted by the State beginning after the Council of Nicea in the fourth century and the subsequent “edicts against heretics” by Emperors Constantine (who had been a follower of Mithraism) in 331 and Theodosius in 381 (prior to that the Roman state normally persecuted Greco-Roman professors of Christ and original believers together)–so they fled into the wilderness for 1260 years (cf. Revelation 12:6).

Throughout time, God raised up faithful Church of God leaders and groups that kept “the faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3)–for documentation please see the article The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3.

The Living Church of God specifically traces its history through the early leaders of the Church of God in Ephesus, and best represents the teachings of the early faithful in Asia Minor today.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
News Articles Related to Church History This link is to articles on Church history that were once published on the COG News Page.
The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 Do they matter? Most say they must, but act like they do not. This article contains some history about the Church of God (sometimes referred to as the continuation of Primitive Christianity) over the past 2000 years. It also discusses the concept of church eras.
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.
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Should Christians be Nazarenes today? What were the practices of the Nazarenes.
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?
Apostolic Succession What really happened? Did structure and beliefs change? Are many of the widely-held current understandings of this even possible? Did you know that Catholic scholars really do not believe that several of the claimed “apostolic sees” of the Orthodox have apostolic succession–despite the fact that the current pontiff himself seems to wish to ignore this view?  Is there actually a true church that has ties to any of the apostles that is not part of the Catholic or Orthodox churches?  Read this article if you truly are interested in the truth on this matter!
Early Church History: Who Were the Two Major Groups Professed Christ in the Second and Third Centuries? Did you know that many in the second and third centuries felt that there were two major, and separate, professing Christian groups in the second century, but that those in the majority churches tend to now blend the groups together and claim “saints” from both? “Saints” that condemn some of their current beliefs. Who are the two groups?
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity?

Nicolas Sarkozy

COGwriter

France just made a military deal with Russia:

MOSCOW, Dec. 27 (UPI) — After long and arduous negotiations, Russia has decided to buy at least two of France’s Mistral-class helicopter carriers in an unprecedented military deal between the Kremlin and the West…

“It marks the first time in modern history that Russia has made such a major defense acquisition abroad, illuminating a fast-evolving relationship with former Cold War enemies,” The Washington Post reported…

Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. Still, the sale signaled a triumph for French President Nicolas Sarkozy who pushed for the purchase to boost France’s sagging defense industry and rising unemployment rate.

Medvedev and French President Nicolas Sarkozy hail the realization of the unprecedented cooperation, which will benefit industry and employment in our two countries, and which illustrates the will and capacity in France and Russia to develop large-scale partnerships in all areas, including defense and security,” the Elysee said.  http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2010/12/27/Russia-France-seal-deal-on-Mistrals/UPI-52601293459421/

The world is changing.  The fact that Russia is being seen as a potentially significant help to the French economy and needs its military hardware is a sign of that change.

Europe and the Gentile nations are rising up.

Bible prophecy suggests that Russia will cooperate with the coming European beast power for a while, then once it realizes that it is not what it claims to be, Russia will turn on it.  Perhaps even with French military hardware.  The French may wish to ponder that.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. 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”?
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?
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 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?

UNASUR member states, map includes the claimed Antarctic territories by Chile and Argentina and the Falkland Islands (though it is currently British). Countries in white are not part of Unasur. (Illustration by Camilo Sanchez)

COGwriter

In its announcements yesterday, LCG had the following:

South America Moves Away from USA: In late November, representatives from a dozen South American nations gathered in Georgetown, Guyana, for a meeting of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR). The meeting focused on unity and working more closely together as neighboring nations. Leaders pledged to the spread of democracy in the region, as well as efforts to “…construct our economy through democratic institutions, making decisions to open our economies, reconstruct our social services, and promote common infrastructure.” Comments were made about the success of UNASUR and the lack of success of the U.S.-led Organization of American States (VenezuelanAnalysis.com, November 29, 2010). The U.S. has traditionally had a major impact on the political and economic environments of South America. However this influence is not only weakening, but is being shunned by many South American nations. Long ago, God warned the Israelites that He would “break the pride of your power” if they chose to ignore His commandments and statutes (Leviticus 26:14-19). Bible prophecies also warn of a time when Israelite-descended nations will “chase after” their former allies (lovers), only to be rejected by them (Jeremiah 3:1; 4:30; Hosea 2:5-7). We are watching these prophecies being fulfilled today!

The USA is losing influence all over the world, including the Western Hemisphere.   Most in the USA do not realize this nor understand the ramifications.  But to be blunt, the reality is that the rest of the world (by and large, not all yet) are getting wealthier and the USA is losing influence.  The USA is getting poorer and it mainly being sustained (from a carnal perspective) by its past reputation, the dollar’s role as the world reserve currency (which is being challenged around the world, including in South America), and its military.

It is my belief that based upon biblical prophecy that most of South America will align itself with the rising European power.  And moves away from the USA make this much more likely.

An article of possibly related interest may be:

Mexico, Central America, South America, and Brazil in Prophecy [Español: México, America Central, Suramérica, y el Brasil en profecíal] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What rule might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?