Church of God News

COGwriter

The United Church of God (UCG) sent the following in an email yesterday:

3 Bible Tips: Where and When Should We Fellowship?
1. We should fellowship at Church gatherings on God’s Sabbaths.

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25; see also Hebrews 4:4-9).

2. We should fellowship at God’s feasts.

“Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:8; see also Leviticus 23:2).

3. We should fellowship as often as possible and fellowship over meals together.

“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart” (Acts 2:46).

Those who went to UCG, including those that left it and went with COGWA, were the major factor in fragmentation amongst those that can be considered part of the COGs (those who supported J. Tkach Jr. were another factor, but they are not COG).  In my view, this fragmentation from a carnal perspective was unnecessary (from a spiritual perspective, the separation between those who accepted the Philadelphia era work and governance and those that did not had to happen). Ego and internal focus were big factors.

Why are You Where You Are?

Irrespective of what happens in or between the various groups, when was the last time you asked yourself why you affiliate with who you do (or don’t in many cases)? Since the Bible is to be the source of doctrine (II Tim 3:16), it is from the Bible that information to help deciding where one should fellowship can be found.

Perhaps the most fundamental is what Paul wrote:

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? (II Cor 6:14).

Jesus similarly taught that,

Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matt 7:22-23).

Thus, one should not be part of a group that practice (or teaches lawlessness)–the current GCI sadly is a group like that.

The Bible clearly indicates that one should not make their religious decisions on the basis of what family members decide (Luke 14:26).

Jesus also taught, And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:27)

Thus one probably should not chose one fellowship over another because one seems ‘easier’ to bear..

The Bible indicates that financial reasons are also unacceptable (Matt 13:22). Family reasons are also unacceptable according to Jesus (Mat 10:34-37). The fact that one likes the preaching style of one minister (or group) more than another also does not seem to be biblically sanctioned (I Cor 1:12-13), nor does the fact that one does not like aspects of the leading minister (II Cor 10:10).

Where Should One Be?

Other than avoiding churches that practice lawlessness, there are other biblical guidelines that give information on where one should be. Does the group “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3)? If so, great, but is this the only criteria?

Jesus taught:

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples…You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit (John 15:7,8,16).

Thus individual members are to bear fruit. And,

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them (Matt 7:15-20).

Thus groups should be judged by their fruits! The next verse says,

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven (Matt 7:21).

What is the will of the Father regarding fruit? That we bear much of it! Thus, whatever group you are affiliated with should be trying to bear fruit.

Jesus clearly indicates that this is not just talking about an individual improving one’s own life as He said,

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it (Mark 8:35)

But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty (Matt 13:23).

Therefore, it appears clear that one should be affiliated with a group that places a high priority of developing fruit through proclaiming the gospel! Even though this author has heard some say that this is the job of the two witnesses (Rev 11:3,7) or the ‘third angel’ (Rev 14:6), here is what Jesus says this to those who want to wait for someone else,

Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! (John 4:35).

Of course, I clearly feel that the LCG has done the best job of publicly proclaiming the Gospel (and this is documented in the article There are Many COGS: Why the Living Church of God?) and remaining faithful to doctrine of any of the groups, this does not mean that the efforts of others have gone unnoticed. Perhaps, if doctrinal differences can be resolved, we could combine together.

Attendance in Other Fellowships

So let us assume you have examined the teachings of the various groups. You have determined which group best contends for the the faith once delivered (Jude 3), is true to the Bible (II Tim 3:16), bears fruit (Matt 7:15-20), and is proclaiming the gospel (Matt 24:14;28:19-20; Mark 8:35).

So are there times it is proper to attend services of another fellowship?

The biblical answer is yes. The apostles often attended Jewish services when Christian churches were not around (e.g. Act 14:1). They also attended Christian church services when they were available (Acts 14:27;15:4).

I have attended with several other fellowships at various times primarily because he does not wish to, “forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some” (Heb 10:25). Yet, however, I do not believe that one should regularly fellowship with a group other than the one’s primary group if the opportunity to fellowship with one’s primary group exists. If one is truly in the group that is most appropriate, Ecclesiastes 9:10 would seem to apply, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might”.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Attending the Church of Choice This article discusses whose choice is important to worship God; should you attend the church of your choice or the church of God’s choice?
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.
Concerns about Church of God, a Worldwide Association This seems to be the largest group that came out of the United Church of God. Here is some history and concerns about it.
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.

The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

COGwriter

In today’s TW News & Prophecy, Living Church of God just reported the following:

Christian Values Under Attack.

In what some are calling a “landmark decision,” two UK High Court judges recently ruled that a couple could not serve as foster parents because they believe homosexuality is a sin. The case was brought by a social worker who was worried when the couple would not condone homosexuality. Mrs. Johns, one of the potential foster parents, commented for herself and her husband: “We are prepared to love and accept any child. All we were not willing to do was to tell a small child that the practice of homosexuality was a good thing.”

In a summary statement, the Christian Legal Centre commented that the court ruling “sends out the clear message that orthodox Christian ethical beliefs are potentially harmful to children and that Christian parents with mainstream Christian views are not suitable to be considered as potential foster parents” (BBC, February 28, 2011; Telegraph, February 28, 2011).

This court ruling could become a major turning point for society in the UK. If people with “traditional” Christian beliefs–which has been the case for centuries in the UK–are not fit to be foster parents, what will come next? The court ruling essentially said that a homosexual couple could safely raise a child, while a traditional Christian couple could not do so because they might cause psychological harm to the child.

Long ago, the prophet Isaiah warned, “The leaders of this people cause them to err” and “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil” (Isaiah 9:16; 5:20). The prophet Hosea also warned, “Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6). Tragically, we see this happening today!

If you …would like to begin receiving your own copy click here to sign up for free.

Notice what happened there between three thousand and four thousand years ago:

24 Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens. 25 So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. (Genesis 19:24-25)

And why did it happen?

7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 7)

Why mention this in the 21st century? Because God turned:

6…the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6,
NKJV)

Thus, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah were to serve as an example to those who would live as they did.

Of course, not everyone in Sodom and Gomorrah were homosexuals as those that strictly practice that could not reproduce. Yet, notice that the destruction that hit their cities destroyed all that were there and notice that something like this is to happen again according to Jesus:

26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. (Luke 17:26-29)

The UK can pretend that increasing “homosexual rights” poses no risk, but the Bible suggests otherwise.

The following passage, written nearly two thousand years ago, essentially predicts resurgences of homosexuality and explains why this happens:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:18-32)

Many of those in the top governmental positions in the UK (and USA for that matter) do not wish to retain the word of God in their knowledge and endorse evolution instead of creation as the origin of life, so it is little wonder that increasing societal acceptance of homosexuality is occurring. Also notice that God warned that many would “also approve of those who practice” various forms of sin. This is what more and more UK government leaders are doing.

Keeping the Ten Commandments reflects love. Breaking them and/or condoning those that do is evil. This should be clear to those who believe the God of the Bible, as should be the coming destruction of the UK (and USA).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments? This article quotes what Jesus actually said about them (His words are in red).
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.
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.
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?
Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?

Hiroshima After the Atomic Bomb Was Detonated

COGwriter

The Japanese are admitting that their radiation is serious:

The moment nuclear plant chief WEPT as

Japanese finally admit that radiation leak is serious enough to kill people

Daily Mail, UK – March 18, 2011

The boss of the company behind the devastated Japanese nuclear reactor today broke down in tears – as his country finally acknowledged the radiation spewing from the over-heating reactors and fuel rods was enough to kill some citizens

Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency admitted that the disaster was a level 5, which is classified as a crisis causing ‘several radiation deaths’ by the UN International Atomic Energy.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1367684/Nuclear-plant-chief-weeps-Japanese-finally-admit-radiation-leak-kill-people.html

Some in California are wondering about this danger as well:

“Radioactive fallout from Japan’s crippled nuclear plant has reached Southern California but the first readings are far below levels that could pose a health hazard, a diplomat said Friday.”

“Initial readings are “about a billion times beneath levels that would be health threatening,” the diplomat told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because the CTBTO does not make its findings public.”

The diplomat called the level of radioactivity “irrelevant,” while another unnamed source told Reuters that the level was “very low.”

If the two individuals quoted in the reports are so confident that there is no threat, why are they so keen on remaining anonymous? http://www.prisonplanet.com/reports-of-harmless-radiation-reaching-california-are-a-whitewash.html

The world is changing.  Radiation will cause problems in the future, and apparently is causing some now.

But what is clear is that Jesus warned about a time with such issues:

8 … And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be…troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2011, 2012, or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? What is “the beginning of sorrows”? Have we begun or are we about ready for “the beginning of sorrows” to begin.
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? Where did the Japanese people come from? Have they had any witness?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan? Will God save the Japanese?
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?
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?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?

Patriarch Kirill

COGwriter

As I have reported before, something is clearly going on with the Russian Orthodox Church and its position towards the Vatican.  This week another step was taken:

Vatican’s Ecumenism Leader Meets With Russian Patriarch

Note Points of Catholic-Orthodox Unity

MOSCOW, Russia, MARCH 17, 2011 (Zenit.org).- On his first official trip to Russia, the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity met Wednesday with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

A note from the Moscow Patriarchate described Cardinal Kurt Koch’s meeting at the patriarch’s working residence as focused on “major areas of cooperation” between the two Churches.

The two noted the issues under discussion by the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue.

The statement added that despite theological difference, “both Churches can already now come into close cooperation in areas where their positions coincide, namely, defense of traditional Christian values in Europe, advocacy of the Christian position in the socio-economic sphere and in the ethics of scientific research and bioethics.”

On this basis, it is “possible to develop cooperation in international organizations, such as the U.N., OSCE, and the E.U. structures,” the note continued.  http://www.zenit.org/article-32048?l=english

The Russian Patriarch also met with Bartholomew Patriarch of Constantinople in 2010 (announced in Orthodox Patriarchs of Constantinople and Russia to Meet). And while such a meeting is standard, the reality is that these two further nourished a relationship that they had when younger. Furthermore, Patriarch Bartholomew made it clear in his encyclical of February 2010 that he not only supports unity talks with Rome, he considers those opposed them as fanatics (see Bartholomew I Patriarch of Constantinople Opposes Those Who Warn Against Catholic Unity).

Thus, the idea of unity is becoming more and more public.

The reality is that while the Russian Orthodox want better relations with the Vatican, at this time they do not seem inclined to accept Papal authority. However, if they ever do, this will be dangerous for them AND the Church of Rome.

The other reality is that Pope Benedict absolutely does want to grow the Catholic Church in traditional Orthodox regions–but he has mainly taken the tactic of trying to foster better relations with the Russian Orthodox so that ultimately they will unify with Rome, and under Rome. Getting the Orthodox to accept Papal authority has long been a goal of the Roman Pontiff.

Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics often seem to forget their own, as well as biblical, prophecies that show how this would be a disaster.

Cannot the Russian Patriarch see what is going on?

Whether he does or not, those who claim to be Russian Orthodox need to consider if compromise for the sake of unity is what his church needs. In my view, Patriarch Kirill and his supporters need to spend more time on trying to learn the original faith of the Bible and less on getting involved in the ecumenical movement that is already starting to impact most of the Eastern Orthodox.

Cardinal Kurt Koch himself is a German-speaker from Switzerland that I have suspected could have an important end time role.

Cardinal Kurt Koch has claimed that he has a lot of understanding of the Protestants, and even stated that this is one reason he was chosen to be the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity by Pope Benedict XVI. Yet, he has indicated that he is much more comfortable with the Orthodox than the Protestants. He basically seems to feel that there needs to be one church voice–a concept that most Protestants would bristle at, especially since Cardinal Koch wishes the Vatican to primarily be that voice. The Orthodox, while they also would have concerns, are less concerned about the Vatican having an often leading role (the Orthodox believe that Rome has a certain “primacy” amongst what they consider to be the 5 “apostolic sees”).

I have reported about Cardinal Koch several timesin the past nine months (e.g. Kurt Koch Made a Cardinal: Might He Become the Antichrist? and Kurt Koch Spoke on Vatican II: More Compromise Coming?). I believe that if he lives long enough, Cardinal Koch will either become the final Antichrist, support the final Antichrist, or be decide that he will have to oppose him. To take this a step further, yes, this means that I believe that someone who calls himself “Catholic” and somehow may become pope will be the final Antichrist (Some Doctrines of Antichrist). And I also will add that it is NOT “Catholic bashing” to consider that the final Antichrist will call himself “Catholic” as this is the position of certain Catholic mystics and currently living Catholic priests. This ecumenical movement is a concern to many who consider themselves to be either Orthodox or Roman Catholics, especially in the USA.

Now, as I do not personally know Kurt Koch, I am not saying that he is necessarily anything other than a loyal Catholic bishop and cardinal. But historically, those in ecumenical leaderships make statements that suggest compromise.

Yet, it is becoming increasingly obvious to Cardinal Koch and the Pope that the Eastern Orthodox are much closer to them doctrinally and ceremonially than the Protestants. Most dedicated Protestants would NOT be comfortable with Eastern Orthodox or Roman Catholic liturgy, nor would they be comfortable in the church buildings as they tend to contain many icons that most dedicated Protestants would consider to be idols (even the Roman and Orthodox positions on this changed over the centuries, as several of their “saints” opposed practices that they now seem to embrace, see What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons?). Despite the distance from Protestantism, based upon biblical prophecy, I strongly suspect that many continental European Protestants will ultimately support the coming ecumenical church that will call itself “Catholic”.

In an Asia News interview in December 2010, Cardinal Koch mentioned that Rome and the Eastern Orthodox share some type of “apostolic tradition” that the Protestants, in his view did not share. While the Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant faiths tend to all believe that they have some type of “apostolic traditions”, I would suggest that it can be better demonstrated from both sacred scripture (first century A.D. and prior) and early church literature (first through third centuries) that the Church of God, best currently represented in my view by the Living Church of God, has a much stronger claim to both consistency of teachings and other valid apostolic traditions of any of the world’s churches.

An ecumenical unity for the world is coming (cf. Revelation 13:3-4) and it will not be faithful to the early and true apostolic traditions or sacred scripture.   The Vatican and the Russian Orthodox should be concerned about where their ecumenical discussions are leading.

Earth cracked by quake in Japan (Danny Choo)

COGwriter

The major earthquake that hit northern Japan last week was just the latest that affected the planet:

The megaquake connection: Are huge earthquakes linked?

New Scientist – March 16, 2011

AT 2.46 pm local time on Friday last week, Japan shook like never before. The magnitude 9.0 earthquake wrenched the main island of Honshu 2.5 metres closer to the US and nudged the tilt of Earth’s axis by 16 centimetres. At the epicentre, 130 kilometres offshore, the Pacific tectonic plate lurched westwards, and a 10-metre-high tsunami sped towards the coastal city of Sendai and the surrounding region.

The devastation caused by the events is difficult to exaggerate – estimates suggest the number of fatalities could top 10,000. One of the few consolations is that quakes of magnitude 8.5 and above are rare: the Sendai earthquake is in the top 10 of the highest-magnitude quakes of the last 100 years.

Yet three of these – the December 2004 Sumatra quake, the February 2010 Chile quake, and now Sendai – have struck in just over six years. This presents a horrifying possibility: that there is a link between these megaquakes and that, as a result, more could strike…

“What is clear is that for the 6.2 years since 2004, there have been more great earthquakes around the world than in any 6.2-year period throughout the 110-year history of seismic recordings,” says Thorne Lay at the University of California, Santa Cruz. His colleague Emily Brodsky goes further: “The recent spurt of magnitude-8-plus earthquakes may be an extended aftershock sequence of the 2004 Sumatra earthquake.”

If any of these changes to the earth from earthquakes will affect weather patterns and/or food production in any significant way is not clear.  But the increase in major earthquakes (and tsunamis) hopefully will get more people’s attention.  And not to be overlooked, the deaths not only in Japan, but in Haiti last year and the tsunami of a few years prior (plus those in China) have been huge.

A geologist interviewed by Neil Cavuto seems to think another major earthquake could come very soon:

JIM BERKLAND, GEOLOGIST: The month of October, March, and April are the three most devastating earthquakes in terms of damage in the San Francisco Bay Area in history. And we are having on the 19th of this month not only the full moon, but within an hour the closest approach of the moon to the earth until the year 2016. The next day is the equinoctial tides. So you’re bringing together three of the maximum tide raising forces. We know about the ocean tides. But there is also an Earth tide. And there is a tide in the ground water. All of these help to release sudden, built up strain, and cause earthquakes.

CAVUTO: But that would seem to imply that we could be looking at a very imminent event in the United States within the next week or two? Is that right?

BERKLAND: Yes. My — what I call a seismic window, this top seismic window in years is developing between the 19th and 26th of this month. And this was 7.0 monster and it says geologist had warned about it. And a week earlier, the they were talking about the tides, not to worry about the really tides coming up. I think there is worry here too. http://www.foxbusiness.com/on-air/cavuto/transcript/major-earthquake-north-america-imminent

I do not know if an earthquake of major magnitude will happen next week, but felt that the above story was of enough interest to report it.

But what is clear is that Jesus warned about a time with such issues:

8 … And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be…troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)

We may be at this prophetic point as all the earthquakes and other problems that have happened in the past year or so could be considered as “troubles”.

Speaking of troubles, there are a couple of them related to radiation:

U.S. radiation experts try to decipher reports from Japan

USA Today – March 17, 2011

The Japanese government’s radiation report for the country’s 47 prefectures Wednesday had a notable omission: Fukushima, ground zero in Japan’s nuclear crisis. Measurements from Ibaraki, just south of Fukushima, were also blanked out.

Radiation experts in the USA say that the lack of information about radioactivity released from the smoldering reactors makes it impossible to gauge the current danger, project how bad a potential meltdown might be or calculate how much fallout might reach the USA. http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-03-17-japanradiate17_ST_N.htm

A United Nations forecast of the possible movement of the radioactive plume coming from crippled Japanese reactors shows it churning across the Pacific, and touching the Aleutian Islands on Thursday before hitting Southern California late Friday.  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/17/science/17plume.html

Many here in California are concerned about the radiation risk, though the government indicates that there is no real risk from this (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1366920/Japan-earthquake-tsunami-UN-predicts-nuclear-plume-hit-US-Friday.html).

Whether there is or not, perhaps the earthquake, radiation, and tsunami issues can serve as a wake-up call to the Japanese and others that the world can change very quickly and that the time to repent is now:

30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead. (Acts 17:30-31)

There are troubles and repentance is needed.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
Read the Bible Christians should read and study the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2011, 2012, or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? What is “the beginning of sorrows”? Have we begun or are we about ready for “the beginning of sorrows” to begin.
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? Where did the Japanese people come from? Have they had any witness?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan? Will God save the Japanese?
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?
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?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012? How might Barack Obama be involved in 2012?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This link also has YouTube videos. This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, world events have aligned with at least 14 predictions in the book and many more will to come to pass.
2012 y el surgimiento de la secta secreta 2012 libro del Dr. Thiel en Español.
2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Edition) 2012 Buch von Dr. Thiel in deutscher Sprache.
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel em Português. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 14 já começaram a acontecer.

COGwriter

Clyde Kilough, of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association (COGWA), posted the following at COGWA’s website:

Circumstances today, of course, find God’s people in a general state of being unsettled. We have taught for years that THE Church of God is the spiritual body comprised of all those who have received and are “led by the Spirit of God” (Romans 8:14). But over the last 20 years, the many regrettable circumstances that have led to the fragmentation of His people into various organizations have hurt and unsettled everyone.

Those who went to UCG, including those that left it and went with COGWA, were the major factor in fragmentation amongst those that can be considered part of the COGs (those who supported J. Tkach Jr. were another factor, but they are not COG). This “fragmentation” is more than “regrettable”.

In my view, this fragmentation from a carnal perspective was unnecessary (from a spiritual perspective, the separation between those who accepted the Philadelphia era work and governance and those that did not had to happen).  Ego and internal focus were big factors.

I believe that the UCG/COGWA crisis of the past year was a wake up call, a “knocking on the door” (cf. Revelation 3:20) if you will, for those in or formerly in UCG. Yet, it seems that most who are or were part of UCG have not truly understood this warning as they have tended to be satisfied with a work that was not hot (Revelation 3:14-17). This crisis affecting UCG/COGWA could be part of the final warning to those who have rejected Philadelphia-era governance and gospel proclamation priorities to get them to consider their state (Revelation 3:17-19).

I believe that COGWA’s financial priorities have confirmed my concerns here.

For example, in the rest of the 3/15/2011 letter, Clyde Kilough discusses financial matters related to COGWA.  Here is one related to public proclamation and the internet:

The obvious affordable vehicle we have for immediate use to launch gospel proclamation efforts is the Internet, and what a tool it is—the tool that reaches literally the entire world! We’ve never come close to tapping its full potential, but we certainly can begin carving out our niche. It doesn’t matter that we may be a small flock; with the power of the Internet, the gospel message has the very real capability of reaching farther, and with greater impact, than ever before. Furthermore, this is the media device that offers the greatest opportunity for broad-based ministerial and member participation. We should note that by no means does this exclude other formats of media presentation—print, radio, television, etc.

He also wrote:

…this is something we are delighted to announce—we are dedicating the first holy day offering of the Feast of Unleavened Bread entirely to preaching the gospel. This will provide the “seed money” for sowing our future efforts. In a time when we don’t have an annual budget in place and there are many hungry mouths, it will also assure that the gospel is guaranteed its seat at the resources table and that its share isn’t gobbled up before it even has a chance to get started.

Some will consider that the above is a good first step.  Those who compare that to the gospel proclaiming financial priorities of the old WCG under Herbert W. Armstrong, what was done at the start of the old GCG, or the start of the Living Church of God (LCG) will realize that COGWA obviously is relegating gospel proclamation a relatively low financial priority.  COGWA does not want to be so cold as to not do it, but neither so hot that it is a top priority (cf. Revelation 3).

As far as the internet goes, many groups have claimed that they would utilize this form of media to have an impact on the world.  FWIW, as of this morning, the Alexa popularity rating of COGWA’s website is 259,815, while the ranking for COGwriter.com is 147,066.  Essentially what this means is that even though COGWA has claimed about 8,000 members and 170 ministers/elders, its now preferred gospel proclamation vehicle is considerably less popular than the website of a member of the Living Church of God (let alone LCG’s websites, telecasts, magazines, etc.).

Sadly, thousands associated with COGWA seem to be satisfied with that type of work. While I do not doubt that pouring a Holy Day offering into the internet will not widen COGWA’s reach, the approach espoused so far by COGWA is consistent with the concerns I have had about that group from its formation.

Of course, if gospel proclamation was truly the priority for people in COGWA, they would not have fragmented and formed COGWA in the first place, but would have supported LCG, as an LCG minister’s wife told me a few days ago.  And yes, I believe that she was right about that.  But because of groups like UCG and COGWA, gospel proclamation efforts, in my view, have been unduly fragmented.  And from a physical perspective, I do not believe that it was necessary.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Attending the Church of Choice This article discusses whose choice is important to worship God; should you attend the church of your choice or the church of God’s choice?
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.
Concerns about Church of God, a Worldwide Association This seems to be the largest group that came out of the United Church of God. Here is some history and concerns about it.
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.

Wheat

COGwriter

Food prices in the USA are rising:

March 16, 2011

Food prices increase most in 36 years

Labor Department says Producer Price Index rose 1.6 percent on higher food costs; doubled from previous month

(AP)  WASHINGTON – Wholesale prices jumped last month by the most in nearly two years due to higher energy costs and the steepest rise in food prices in 36 years.  http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/16/business/main20043737.shtml?tag=stack

According to Bible prophecy, the price of certain foods will ultimately raise even more:

5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.” (Revelation 6:5-6, NKJV)

The above scripture is indicating that a man will only make enough in a day of work to pay for a quart of wheat. While that may be enough for him, it really will not be enough for his family, the elderly, and others. That is how bad things are expected to get. Inflation, especially for the USA because of its fiscal policies, will terribly affect the price of food and other necessities for Americans in the future.

National repentance is what is needed (though this looks unlikely for the UK, USA, and their Anglo-allies like Canada, New Zealand, and Australia).  Some suspect that food riots may soon hit the United Kingdom (see Food Riots for the UK?).

Yet, there is good news as ultimately, God’s kingdom will come and food shortages will be gone:

16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore (Revelation 7:16).

But a terrible hour of trial is coming first (Revelation 3:10; Jeremiah 30:7).  But it too will end.

As Jesus said:

37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! (Mark 13:36-37)

Tougher times are coming. And for some parts of the world these tougher time may be here now. People who can prepare, should. Both spiritually and physically. Westerners need to realize that this will not only affect people in places like Africa, Asia, and the Middle East–the Anglo-descended nations of the West will themselves suffer hunger, civil unrest, famine, and worse.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2011 or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What is the “beginning of sorrows”? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
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?
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?
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 and Have People Taken as Slaves? 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?
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?

COGwriter

Cecil Maranville, of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association (COGWA), posted the following at COGWA’s website today:

Crisis is overtaking crisis in the stream of news coming out of northeastern Japan. First, the fourth or fifth largest earthquake in recorded history struck the region, literally moving the entire Japanese island chain approximately 8 feet to the west and shifting the earth’s axis 6.5 inches, according to the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory…

A black swan event within Fukushima

Japan is perhaps the most prepared nation in the world for earthquakes. It has the best tsunami warning system on earth. And yet neither could prevent disaster. One U.S.-based Japanese citizen encapsulated the reactions of all who saw these awesome scenes: “We are humbled by the power of nature.”

Japanese architecture is designed to withstand the magnitude of the largest likely earthquake in the region of the building being built. Of course, a “black swan magnitude” would change everything.

The Fukushima nuclear plant includes a series of six General Electric nuclear reactors, built between 1971 and 1979. They were built not only to withstand the largest anticipated earthquake in the area, but also the largest anticipated tsunami.

However, Fukushima was not designed to withstand the worst anticipated earthquake and tsunami simultaneously, according to a BBC interview of a Japanese engineer. One might wonder today why this scenario wasn’t included, but hindsight is 20/20.

A black swan event—completely unforeseen—overtook the nuclear industry.

Late today, the Guardian reported the following:

Japan battles to contain nuclear crisis and relieve quake survivors

• Radiation hits harmful levels at Fukushima plant
• Prime minister urges public to remain calm
• Struggle to supply food, fuel, water and medicine

Related to the disasters, in his co-worker letter of March 14, 2011, Dr. Roderick Meredith of the Living Church of God (LCG) wrote:

As we swiftly approach the end of this age, prophetic events are certainly speeding up! The unprecedented upheavals against authoritarian governments in the Middle East, the massive earthquakes which have recently struck Christchurch, New Zealand, and now Japan, the continued flooding affecting vast parts of Australia and many other so-called “natural” disasters—all this is beginning to shake millions of people into an awareness that “something big is up!”

If we truly study the inspired Word of God, we can genuinely understand.

For this world really has turned its back on the true God of the Bible. If we try to cry out and “tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” as God commands (Isaiah 58:1), then it is we who become “guilty” of being “too judgmental, too selfish, or homophobic” in the eyes of a very confused world! For most of this world is rushing head first into almost every perverted and deviant practice imaginable. Absolutely gross examples of indecency are often reported in our newspapers. Yet, instead of a national day of prayer and fasting being called, most professing Christians go on as if nothing unusual is happening in our truly “sick” society! Yet disaster after disaster is beginning to strike our peoples. And although millions go to their “mainstream” churches, sing songs and clap their hands, their prayers are usually not being heard.

Why?

Because Almighty God’s inspired Word tells us, “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2). Later in this chapter, God describes the exact situation facing us today as we proclaim God’s Truth to an increasingly rebellious and hostile society, “Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. So truth fails, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey” (vv. 14-15).

Yes, we will become a “prey” if we continue to dedicate our lives to “crying out” with God’s message to a deceived world. However, by earnest Bible study and fervent prayer, we must summon the faith and the courage to act. Through this very Work of the living Christ, we must reach out with increasing power to make “all” the nations aware—at least as a “witness”—that the God of heaven will soon intervene. That He will set up a righteous government here on this earth (Revelation 5:9-10). And that His government, under the direct rule of Jesus Christ, will be the “stone” of Daniel 2:44-45…

May God grant each of you the understanding to do your part, right now, in His Work among men. May He inspire you to act on the full Truth and be one of those “overcomers” to rule this world under Jesus Christ and help to bring about a depth of peace and joy beyond what the world has ever experienced!

While bad “black swan” events happen, all should understand that the need for humankind is to repent and turn to God.

Notice something that Isaiah was inspired to write:

8 Now go, write it before them on a tablet,
And note it on a scroll,
That it may be for time to come,
Forever and ever:
9 That this is a rebellious people,
Lying children,
Children who will not hear the law of the Lord;
10 Who say to the seers, “Do not see,”
And to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us right things;
Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits. (Isaiah 30:8-10)

Many people prefer to hear “smooth things”, but I believe that pointing out these matters shows love as Jesus seemed to have pretty strong messages in the end for the people of God, including their works (cf. Revelation 3, the entire chapter) and/or approach to it.  National and personal repentance are needed.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
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.
Concerns about Church of God, a Worldwide Association This seems to be the largest group that came out of the United Church of God. Here is some history and concerns about it.
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.

Muammar al-Gaddafi

COGwriter

Events still are happening in the Middle East:

King of Bahrain declares state of emergency

Telegraph.co.uk – ‎15 March 2011

The king of Bahrain has declared a three month state of emergency following weeks of unrest in the kingdom.

Saudi sends troops, Bahrain Shi’ites call it “war”

Reuters – March 14, 2011

Saudi Arabia sent troops into Bahrain on Monday to help calm weeks of protests by the Shi’ite Muslim majority, a move opponents of the Sunni ruling family on the island called a declaration of war.

In Libya itself, its problems seem to be getting even more difficult for those opposed to Muammar Gaddafi:

Libyan rebels lose last stronghold west of Tripoli

CBS News – Hadeel al-Shalchi – ‎15 March 2011

(AP) TOBRUK, Libya (AP) — Rebels say they are fortifying the town of Ajdabiya against a possible assault by advancing forces loyal to Libya’s longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi. Rebel spokesman Ahmed al-Zwei said Tuesday that “intermittent” fighting…

Gadhafi threatens to join forces with al-Qaida if West attacks Libya

Libyan leader says he is shocked by betrayal of European leaders, his former allies, who have slapped economic sanctions on Tripoli following a violent crackdown on protests in the country.

Reuters – March 15, 2011

Embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi has warned Western leaders that if they dare to attack the North African country, he would form an alliance with al-Qaida – who he previously claimed are responsible for the domestic rebellion currently taking place in Libya – and together declare holy war against the West.

While Muammar Gaddafi, in the past, has indicated that he wanted to lead Islam and Africa (see Qaddafi Hailed as “King of Kings”), I never really felt he would be the final King of the South. But in the current Middle East turmoil, the seeds seem to be being set for the rise of that leader.

Military moves, civil unrest, and the toppling of governments (like Egypt) show that change is occurring in the Middle East.

Of course, the President of Iran, already claims that the Imam Mahdi (a prophesied Islamic leader) is currently managing and apparently responsible for the turmoil and other events that have been happening in the Middle East (for some details, please see Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: World Order About to Collapse, Mahdi Behind it).

Though not all Muslims expect the Imam Mahdi, many still seem to long for a leader to unify the Arab World. Some Muslims are looking for a political-spiritual leader, sometimes called the Caliph in English, to rise up (Caliph is a shortened version of “Khalifah rasul Allah” meaning “Successor to the Messenger of God”). The title caliph has been given to the head of state in Muslim-governed countries in the past, though the latter ones lacked the power of the earlier ones:

The supreme office of caliph, originally elective, became hereditary…Eventually…caliphs became figurehead or “puppet” leaders…Many Arabs…seek to re-create the political and theological unity of the early Islamic caliphate (Stump K. The Arab World in Prophecy. Plain Truth, December 1979, pp. 9-10).

Today this pattern is repeating itself, as a “third wave” of leaders is sweeping across the Middle East. Rejecting both the capitalism of the West and the discredited Marxism of the former Soviet Union, these would-be “third wave” leaders have emphasized a fundamentalist brand of Islam that leaves no room for compromise. Looking back to the glory days of Arab conquest and dominance in the first centuries after Muhammad, they also dream of a pan-Arab union. This will not be a union under a monarch from one of the old Bedouin dynasties, or a secular-educated army officer turned dictator, but rather a new Caliph who will unify the Faithful under the banner of purified Islam. This, they reason, is the only way that Western influence can be expelled from their region, and that Israel can be subjugated…The yearnings across much of the Middle East for a new Saladin—one who will restore Arab glory by conquering the Jews and expelling Western influence—were foreseen by Bible prophecy. In Daniel 11:40, we read of a future “King of the South” who will ultimately “push at” a coming European superpower at the time of the end. This individual, called in Bible prophecy the King of the South because his center of power is south of Jerusalem, will undoubtedly be a charismatic person who will whip up much of the Muslim Middle East into a frenzy against Israel and Europe. (Ogwyn J. Conflict Over the “City of Peace”. Tomorrow’s World magazine, March-April 2002).

Perhaps it should be mentioned that for the past couple of years I have wondered how a pan-Arabic entity would form.  And over the past couple of years at least two somewhat have.  One is the Union of Mediterranean States which includes nearly all the Arab nations in somewhat of a pack with Europe.  The other is the monetary union that the Gulf-oil states have been working on (on December 15, 2009 Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar announced the creation of a Monetary Council to come up essentially with their own currency and to get away from the US dollar).

The tie of religion, which has existed for centuries among most of the Arabs, has always been in the back of my mind.  There have been supranational groups like the Taliban, Al Qaeda, Hamas, and the Muslim Brotherhood, but the time was not right for any of them to bring about pan-Arabic unity.  The first three groups have tended to be considered too radical, while many have considered that the Muslim Brotherhood was not radical enough (though this seems to be changing).  The Muslim Brotherhood, which was formed in Egypt in 1928, has long been banned in Egypt (which is why its members/leaders are sometimes jailed there).

As far as what the Muslim Brotherhood wants to accomplish, Wikipedia reports:

In the group’s belief, the Quran and Sunnah constitute a perfect way of life and social and political organization that God has set out for man. Islamic governments must be based on this system and eventually unified in a Caliphate. The Muslim Brotherhood’s goal, as stated by Brotherhood founder Hassan al-Banna was to reclaim Islam’s manifest destiny, an empire, stretching from Spain to Indonesia.

To bring enough Arab nations together, I have felt that some type of “strongman” needed to rise up.  One who Arabs would tend to respect.  The time may be now and the Muslim Brotherhood may play an important role.  The Muslim Brotherhood is is the world’s oldest and largest Islamic political group and has been called the “world’s most influential Islamist movement” (http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/2010/11/2010111681527837704.html)

Given enough turmoil, people make odd decisions and the situation in the Middle East may change beyond what Western analysts truly believe.

Watch (cf. Mark 13:33-37).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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? What does the Bible say?
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?
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?
Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans?