Church of God News

COGwriter

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

Watching meteorologists on television tracking the storm was both terrifying and fascinating. You could not help but be awed by the live footage of massive tornadoes rolling by—even though you knew that video and reports would soon follow with nothing but bad news. At the same time, you could not help but be grateful for the advancements in radar technology that now provide accurate information warning people well in advance to seek shelter or escape the path of these twisters. How many more lives would have been lost in this storm system without this amazing technology?

In this lies a powerful analogy for us today and the work that lies before us! On the first holy day you gave some $370,000 in the offering, and I cannot help but conclude that this outstanding outpouring was because your hearts are in the very cause for which this offering was dedicated—preaching the gospel! Yes, we have been through a time of difficulty; but as we are resettling, our focus has quickly come back to a deep, pressing desire to share, with everyone who will listen, the same message that changed our lives…

God has now instantly opened a door through the generosity of your offering! All of a sudden we now have the financial means to start putting into place things we need to do to move forward with our media efforts…

In reality, though, we haven’t even begun to tap the potential of the Internet. We need a steady flow of content, and that will require us ramping up our efforts in both written and video form. We have already begun to tap the considerable pool of talent we have in the Church, but there is much more we can do.

I was hoping that COGWA would have directly announced how many people were supporting it as opposed the amount of the first Holy Day offering.   I have not yet seen any official reports related to UCG’s attendance or income for any of this Spring’s Holy Days.

Now, the first Holy Day offering is intended to be used by COGWA to start to make some efforts to proclaim the gospel according to what Clyde Kilough reported about that on March 15, 2011:

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!

…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.

Considering COGWA’s size, this is a fairly large Holy Day offering and perhaps suggests that some in COGWA hope to place a higher priority on gospel proclamation.   And some will consider that the above is a good first step.  Yet those who compare COGWA’s plan to the gospel proclaiming financial priorities of the old WCG under Herbert W. Armstrong, what was done at the start of the old GCG (on radio proclaiming the gospel within weeks of forming), or the start of the Living Church of God (on super-station WGN proclaiming the gospel within weeks of forming) will realize that COGWA obviously has been 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 evening, the Alexa popularity rating of COGWA’s website is 287,088 (the lower the number, the more popular), while the ranking for COGwriter.com is 159,190. 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 an individual 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 suspect that pouring a Holy Day offering into the internet will widen COGWA’s reach, the approach espoused so far by COGWA is consistent with the concerns I have had about that group from its official formation in December 2010 (it is a split from the United Church of God, seemingly now led by its past president Clyde Kilough).

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.  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.

Speaking of LCG, today at services the following was announced:

Against this backdrop of grief and destruction, God’s people have been faithfully observing His commanded Spring Holy Days—with an increase of 8.2% in attendance over last year.

LCG seems to be having two years in a row of fairly significant growth in attendance.

LCG did not announce income today, but from what I have heard, LCG seems to be having a decent year that way despite the problems with the USA’s economy.

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.

Muslim Brotherhood
الإخوان المسلمون
Al-Ikhwān Al-Muslimūn

COGwriter

The situations in Egypt and the Middle East continue to be of prophetic interest:

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood to run candidates for half of Parliament

CNN International – Mohamed Fadel Fahmy, Nima Elbagir – ‎30 April 2011

Cairo (CNN) — Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood will run candidates in about half of the Parliamentary seats in the September elections, the group announced Saturday.

Egypt’s Muslim Brothers plan big political role The Associated Press

CAIRO (AP) — The once outlawed Muslim Brotherhood says it will contest half of the seats in Egypt’s parliamentary elections in September, revealing plans to become a major force in the country’s post-revolution politics…The Brotherhood remained Egypt’s best organized opposition group despite a campaign by Mubarak’s regime to suppress it. It successfully fielded candidates in previous parliamentary elections as independents.

At a news conference Saturday, the Brotherhood named the leaders of its new Freedom and Justice party.

Notice also the following:

Muslim Brotherhood cries genocide in Syria

UPI.com – ‎29 April 2011

UPI UNITED NATIONS, April 29 (UPI) — The exiled Syrian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood described alleged attacks by Syrian forces on protesters as an act of genocide

So, the Muslim Brotherhood that was prohibited in Egpyt, and is rising up there, and prohibited in Syria, is speaking out there.

The timing seems to be right for such a group to start rising up. The events in primarily Sunni Egypt, Lebanon, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Jordan, and Yemen, as well as somewhat Shi’ite Syria seem to be setting the stage of the Arabic peoples to be willing to consider some type of confederation with a strong leader to represent them.  The Bible tells of such as leader as the final King of the South (Daniel 11:27), but he will not end up well (Daniel 11:40-43).

Notice some of what some write that the Muslim Brotherhood wants, according to writing about a decade ago (but relatively recently translated into English):

…the Islamic Ummah [nation] can regain its power and be liberated and assume its rightful position which was intended by Allah, as the most exalted nation among men, as the leaders of humanity…Today we witness the [Muslim] Brotherhood joining their brothers, the Mujahideen (Jihad warriors) in Afghanistan, and fighting against the infidel and repressive regime in Syria…

He [Hassan al-Banna] felt the grave danger overshadowing the Muslims and the urgent need and obligation which Islam places on every Muslim, man and woman, to act in order to restore
the Islamic Caliphate and to reestablish the Islamic State on strong foundations and to liberate the Muslims and defend them from any attack, and to spread the Da’wa (Islamic missionary activity) of Islam in the world and to establish this great religion, which Allah wanted for his servants…

Some think that Shahada (Martyrdom) causes loss and damages the [Muslim Brotherhood] Society, since it has lost influential people in action and Jihad. This is wrong, since the fall of the
Shahid (Martyr) for the sake of Da’wa (Islamic missionary activity) is [seen as] provisions and fuel for the [next] generations, and as a symbol of self sacrifice in the way of the Da’wa until realization of the goals which the [Muslim Brotherhood] Society was established for, that is, establishing the State of Islam, headed by the Islamic Caliphate, in order to establish Allah
religion on Allah’s land…

(Source: The Muslim Brotherhood – in its own words Translation of “Jihad is the way” by Mustafa Mashhur Leader of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, 1996-2002 by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik.  http://www.palwatch.org/STORAGE/special%20reports/Jihad_is_the_way_by_Mustafa_Mashhur.pdf viewed 04/30/11)

The Muslim Brotherhood basically wants to install the pan-Islamic leader, that the Bible refers to as the final King of the South.  And the elections in Egypt and problems in other Arabic lands are steps towards that goal.  The fact that many years ago, the Muslim Brotherhood wanted to change the regime in Syria is also of interest.

As protests and rebellions expand in the Middle East, these apparently will help trigger the events which will likely contribute to both the King of the South and the King of the North rising up and/or gaining power. Watch.

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? 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?
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?
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.

The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

COGwriter

In his report last night, ICG’s Mark Armstrong had the following:

Now what?

This may be lost in the shuffle of things considered more important news, but “gay acceptance training” is well under way in all the divisions of the U.S. military. The story is linked here, so I won’t try to spell out the details here. They say that there’s no resistance, even from the Marines. If that’s true, it is likely that such resistance could end one’s military career in the current environment. To oppose anything “gay” is considered an outrage akin to bigotry, so sacrosanct are “gay rights” in our society. The only time in recorded history where God actually rained down fire and destroyed a whole city was over a behavior that has become so protected that no one dares speak anything negative about it or those who advertise the practice, without risking massive retribution across the whole liberal/conservative/independent spectrum.

Against all hope, it’s beginning to look like our country is determined to delve into the things that God hates the most, breaking every natural law, physical law and spiritual tenet, until you have to wonder if there’s any hope of a recovery and a restoration. It’s looking a little bleak.

Last month, LCG reported:

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 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!

Apparently judges and other government officials do not really understand, not only morality, but they also misunderstand history.

Speaking of history, here is California, gay history, is going to be a required subject to be taught to children.

Homosexual History, 101

What I would propose is that the Bible be the textbook and that the verses in this article be cited as this will help people understand real homosexual history.

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

Homosexual acts are clearly prohibited in the Bible:

22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.  (Leviticus 18:22)

13 If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. (Leviticus 20:13)

The following passage, written nearly two thousand years ago, essentially predicts resurgences of homosexuality and explains the history behind why homosexuality develops:

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 USA and UK 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 Anglo-government leaders, including the non-Anglo US president, are doing.

Also, one more peace of history.  The Apostle Paul shows that even if someone had been homosexual, they could come to Christ and be washed and changed:

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

While certain “gay groups” act like people cannot change, the Bible takes a very different view–a view that should be taught in schools and by government officials.

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 USA and UK.  While homosexuals are people, and we are to love all people, Christians are not suppose to promote lifestyles that go against biblical morality.  Government leaders, especially in the USA and UK, should know that.

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?

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad (Source: Agência Brasil, Wikipedia)
بشار الأسد

COGwriter

In today’s TW News & Prophecy, the Living Church of God (LCG) reported:

Syria is now the latest nation experiencing a bloody interchange between a ruling family–the Assads, in power for 40 years–and citizens desirous of democracy. The Assad government has attempted to put down the rebellion through the use of force–an action which appears to be solidifying the people’s resolve.The regime in Syria has banned foreign journalists. In response, EU nations–led by Germany–have issued several powerful statements condemning the government-backed violence against their own people. EU nations as well as the UN Security Council are considering sanctions against Syria (Associated Press, April 22, 2011). In an attempt to violently end protests and hang on to his power, President al-Assad appears to be dividing his own government (Wall Street Journal, April 27, 2011).

The current unrest throughout the region is creating a power-vacuum that will need to be filled one way or another. God prophesied through the prophet Amos that He would bring His wrath against many different Middle Eastern nations, including Syria (Amos 1:3-15; 2:1-16). God is bringing to pass His plan throughout the Middle East and elsewhere. God is the one who raises up kings and puts them down (Daniel 2:21). We can rest assured that, even in these sobering times of great turmoil, God is working out His plan here below, in Syria and beyond!  If you received this E-Zine from a friend and would like to begin receiving your own copy click here to sign up for free.

There were other developments in Syria today:

At Least 32 Dead In Syria As UN, Washington Take Action Against Damascus

29 April 2011

RadioFreeEurope/RadioLibertyThe United Nation’s top human rights body has passed a resolution that “unequivocally condemns the use of lethal violence against peaceful protestors by the Syrian authorities” and “urges the Syrian government to immediately put an end to all human rights violations.”The vote in the Geneva-based body was 26 countries in favor of the resolution and nine against, including traditional Syria allies Russia and China. Seven abstained and five delegations — including Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain — were not present for the vote…Meanwhile, in Washington, U.S. President Barack Obama signed an executive order imposing financial sanctions against three top Syrian officials…

US slaps sanctions on top Syrian officials

CNN International – Elise Labott, Adam Levine – ‎29 April 2011…

“I have determined that the Government of Syria’s human rights abuses, including those related to the repression of the people in Syria … constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States,” President Barack Obama said in a letter to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.

The situation in the Middle East is changing and the US President is encouraging it.  It will likely be chaotic until a strong leader rises up in that region that will transcend current national boundaries.  The ituation in Syria seems to be a step towards that.

Those of us in the Living Church of God believe that Bible prophecy tells of a time when the Arab nations will unite under a leader shown as the final King of the South in the Book of Daniel (e.g. Daniel 11:40).   Many Muslims seem to be looking for such a leader, though they tend to use the title Caliph or Mahdi.

Mosque in Damascus

Interestingly, at least two Islamic sources that I have found state that the Mahdi will end up being based in Damascus (the capital of Syria):

“Having done this his next step would be to proceed on to Damascus, where the bulk of the Nasara (Christian) forces along with the tribe of Kalb would be deployed, as was previously mentioned. In Damascus, the Imam will set up his headquarters. From here, he will conduct military operations against the enemies of Islam and defeats them (such as the ones in Jerusalem), and from here, he will rule.”

“The Mehdi will be very just and his capital will be Damascus. The Mehdi is NOT a prophet but he is the final Rightly Guided Khalifah. The Mehdi will lead Muslims to a great victory against the Sufyaani and the Romans. This great war or Armageddon…”

If the final King of the South ends up being based in Damascus, this may be part of the reason that it gets destroyed (Isaiah 17:1).  Other the other hand, it is also possible that as an act of desperation, Syria will support Iran in a battle against Israel that probably will not turn out well for Syria.

What is happening in Syria seems to aligning with the idea of a pan-Arabic confederation that all should watch for.

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?

Vladimir Putin, Official Photograph

COGwriter

While Russia and China have decided to take steps to try to prevent inflation from heating up as much in their countries:

Russia raises interest rate to fight inflation

Forbes

AP , 04.29.11, 09:02 AM EDT The Russian Central Bank said in a statement Friday that it lifted the refinancing rate from 8 to 8.25 percent in order to address “the persistent level of high inflation expectations, which exceed targets for this year”

Putin Raises Russia’s Gasoline Export Tax to Fight Shortage

Bloomberg – Stephen Bierman – 29 April 2011

Russian Prime Vladimir Putin raised the export taxes on gasoline by 44 percent to fight regional motor fuel shortages as parliamentary and presidential elections approach.

Beijing turns to currency to cool inflation

The Associated Press – ‎2 hours ago‎

BEIJING (AP) — Surging inflation that helped trigger protests in Shanghai is prompting China’s leaders to turn to a tool they long resisted: Speeding up the rise of the country’s tightly controlled currency.

Rising prices are a political threat to China’s communist leaders and they have declared taming inflation their priority. But they suffered a setback in March, when a double-digit jump in food costs pushed inflation to a 32-month high of 5.4 percent. That was despite four interest rate hikes since October, curbs on bank lending and government orders to producers to hold down price increases…On Friday, the central bank set the yuan’s exchange rate at 6.49 to the U.S. dollar — its highest official level since a currency revaluation in 2005.

While those steps may help reduce certain forms of inflation in Russia and China, they are likely to contribute to increased inflation in countries like the USA which import a lot of goods from China.  And even the Russian gasoline export tax may as well as it will tend to increase the price of oil around the world.  Not only would fuel shortages within Russia hurt politically, they also could contribute to an increase in inflation over there as well.

Furthermore, increases in interest rates (which both the Russians and Chinese are doing) will ultimately affect the USA and UK which are borrowing heavily and who will need to continue to refinance their debts.

What is happening in the Russia and China today are just small additional steps that will have negative ramifications on the USA and its dollar.  And this is consistent with Bible prophecy.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters Where did the Chinese people come from? This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?

Oklahoma Tornado

COGwriter

Violent storms, including tornadoes, have killed hundreds:

Alabama, Southern states pounded by ‘catastrophic’ storms; at least 250 dead

Los Angeles Times – Richard Fausset, Michael Muskal –

Officials in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and Kentucky begin an intense search-and-rescue effort and massive cleanup in the wake of the violent weather.

Tornadoes and Storms Tear Through South; at Least 292 Dead

ABC News – Leezel Tanglao, Ben Forer -28 April 2011

A tornado moves through Tuscaloosa, Ala., Wednesday, April 27, 2011. The Tuscaloosa News, Dusty Compton/AP Photo The death toll approached 300 tonight from the tornadoes and thunderstorms that tore through the South…

Tornado Warning Over New Jersey as Violent Weather Continues

Wall Street Journal (blog) – Eric Holthaus – ‎‎28 April 2011

AP The historic tornado outbreak ravaging the US prompted a tornado warnings for New Jersey and the Hudson Valley and sent thunder rumbling over Greater New York. On the fourth day of tornadoes the activity will shift from the South and Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic, where severe weather is already underway.  A tornado warning means that a tornado has been spotted, either by local authorities or weather radar.

Violent storms, earthquakes, and other major catastrophes are getting more people’s attention. The people in the USA’s South, Mid-West, and North-East are in my prayers.

Weather problems and disasters were something that Jesus warned about.

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

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

Weather related issues should serve as a wake-up call 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.  For more information on weather and the Bible please review LCG’s intriguing booklet, Who Controls the Weather?

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.
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 Jerusalem and 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 about Jerusalem? 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?
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.

Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton

COGwriter

Tomorrow, the royal wedding between Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton is planned.  But high level European Union officials have not been invited:

EU chiefs snubbed by UK royals

LEIGH PHILLIPS

27.04.2011 @ 17:43 CET

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – All three EU presidents and the bloc’s foreign policy chief – one of the most senior UK dignitaries – have been snubbed by the British royal family.

While the great and the good from around the world have been invited to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on Friday, not a single European Union representative has been sent a gold-embossed wedding request to attend the occasion…

On Saturday, it emerged that Queen Elizabeth may believe the EU is too large…

If Great Britain’s monarchy is wary of the Union, the Holy See is more than pleased to recognise the importance of European leaders, who are set to attend the beatification of the late pope, John Paul II, in the Vatican this coming weekend.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek are all heading to Rome to witness the final step before the Polish ex-pope is transmogrified into a saint.  http://euobserver.com/9/32236/?rk=1

Although the Queen seemed to support the Lisbon Treaty, the fact that she is having misgivings over the size of the EU and the fact that top EU leaders are not invited to the royal wedding is evidence, to me at least, that the UK and the EU are not expected to stay close.  And that is consistent with both biblical and Catholic prophecy.

The fact that the Vatican and EU did not snub each other is further evidence that both sides think that they need each other and hope to be able to work together in the future.  And that is also consistent with both biblical and Catholic prophecy.  (Though the Bible specifically points out that the end-time European beast power will end up turning against the city of seven hills, Revelation 17:9-18, yet they will cooperate before then.)

Notice what one Catholic has written about the punishment for America and Britain:

Priest G. Rossi (19th century):  But boastful pride and presumption always go before a fall. With her large share of guilt, America cannot avoid her due share of punishment…If the world is not yet entirely converted to Christianity, the blame is not on the head nor in the conscience of the Catholic Church… Ah! wretched Protestantism shall have to answer for the loss of faith… English schism and heresy have squandered their treasures and abused their great temporal power, not only in persecuting-the faith in Great Britain and Ireland, but also in banishing the true religion of Jesus Christ from their vast American possessions…Their long-deserved punishment, however, is approaching from the North! (Rossi, Gaudentius. The Christian Trumpet: Or, Previsions and Predictions about Impending General Calamities, the Universal Triumph of the Church, the Coming of the Anti-Christ, the Last Judgment, and the End of the World; Divided Into Three Parts, 4th edition.  Patrick Donahoe, 1875. Original from Oxford University. Digitized Sep 1, 2006, pp. 16, 255).

So, at least one respected Catholic priest published that a northern power will punish Britain, and its descendants, including  the U.S.A. and Canada, for their “pride” and Protestantism.

Notice how “Protestantism” has been viewed and what is expected to befall the nominally-Protestant English as far as Catholic writers have indicated:

Priest P. Kramer (21st century): Pope St. Pius V teaches in his Catechism, the Roman Catechism — also known as the Catechism of the Council of Trent — that all of the Protestant religions are false religions, they’re inspired by the devil; and therefore their fruits are evil…The Protestant religions, as such, are inspired by the devil, as Pope St. Pius V teaches in his catechism. (Kramer P. The Imminent Chastisement for Not Fulfilling Our Lady’s Request. An edited transcript of a speech given at the Ambassadors of Jesus and Mary Seminar in Glendale, California, September 24, 2004. THE FATIMA CRUSADER Issue 80, Summer 2005, pp. 32-45 http://www.fatimacrusader.com/cr80/cr80pg32.asp viewed 4/15/08 )

Father Laurence Ricci, S.J. (died 1775): … a valiant duke will arise from the ancient German house which was humiliated by the French monarch. This great ruler will restore stolen Church property. Protestantism will cease… This duke will be the most powerful monarch on earth. At a gathering of men noted for piety and wisdom he will, with the aid of the Pope, introduce new rules, and ban the spirit of confusion. Everywhere there will be one fold and one shepherd.” (Connor p.37)

St. Malachy (12th century): … the English in turn must suffer severe chastisement. Ireland, however, will be instrumental in bringing back the English to the unity of Faith.” (Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p.15)

Saint Edward (d. 1066) “The extreme corruption and wickedness of the English nation has provoked the just anger of God.  When malice shall have reached the fullness of its measure, God will, in His wrath, send to the English people wicked spirits, who will punish and afflict them with great severity…” (Culleton, p. 137).

Saint Cataldus of Tarentino (c. 500): “The Great Monarch will be in war till he is forty years of age….he will assemble great armies and expel tyrants from his empire. He will conquer England {the Anglo-Saxons, possibly referring to the USA} and other island empires {possibly referring to the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand}” (Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p.30).

The Great Monarch is a prophesied leader (consistent with the final King of the North, Beast power in Bible prophecy) that is expected to work with the final pope (who I believe that biblical and Catholic prophecy show is an antipope) and is expected to eliminate the English, as well any who may be Protestant elsewhere.

Many events, even this week, are aligning with end time Bible prophecy.  The EU and UK will end up separate and for a while, the final European power and the Vatican will be very close.

Some articles of related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and 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 about Jerusalem? 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?
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? Who is the Great Monarch?  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?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the German Defense Minister one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). What will happen to the UK, USA, and Europe?  This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, world events have aligned with at least 14-15 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

Australia has another problem with food production:

Australia Pistachio Disaster Hints at Agricultural Breakdown

Wired – April 26, 2011

Australia’s pistachio farmers expected a bumper crop this year. Instead they had a harvest of horrors, with nuts blackened by a fungus that had never before caused an outbreak in pistachios.

The culprit was anthracnose, a fungal disease best known for infecting mangoes. It raced through the industry, resulting in a harvest some 50 percent smaller than expected — and half of that was inedible.

What the disease means for the future of Australia’s pistachio farmers remains to be seen, but for the rest of the world it’s yet another cautionary example of fragility in modern agriculture.

“The wide cultivation of genetically uniform plant populations fosters rapid evolution among the pathogens,” said Scot Nelson, a plant pathologist at the University of Hawaii. “Because of this greed, new pathogens or newly reported host-pathogen combinations arise almost daily around the world.” ,,,As for whether the disease might spread to California, Themis voiced concern.  http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/04/pistachio-disease/

I have long warned that “modern” agricultural practices, such as genetically-modified organisms and mono-culture, are setting the Anglo-nations up for a food disaster.

And while pistachios are not among the most important food crops in the world, Australia continues to have problems with aspects of its food production.  Some of which I have reported about in the past (see Australia and USA Food Supplies Affected by Storms).  It would not surprise me if food shortages and food inflation start to become more common later this year.

Jesus, of course, warned about a time with such issues that many in the world are now facing:

7…And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.  8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.  (Matthew 24:7-8)

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 “sorrows”.

The “beginning of sorrows” that Jesus referred to could have already started. Food shortages will affect North Americans and Australians more than most believe.

Jesus also said:

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

Food prices, crop failures, and weather matters are something to watch.

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.

To learn more, please check out the following articles:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Are there biblical and non-biblical prophecies about Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? This is a lengthy article with many prophecies that Barack Obama may end up fulfilling.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”. Might Bible prophecy be fulfilled by him?
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?

COGwriter

President Obama has released his birth certificate:

Breaking: Obama releases birth certificate

CNN – ‎27 April 2011

By the CNN Wire Staff Washington (CNN) — The Obama administration is releasing copies of President Barack Obama’s original long-form birth certificate, White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer announced Wednesday…See a copy of the certificate

So perhaps this will end this controversy (although, unlike mine, the released birth certificate has no foot/toe prints, so maybe it will not; part of this depends on what were the practices at the hospital staff that completed the form were doing back then, as well as comments from certain relatives/associates in Kenya).

Why report on this here?

Mainly, because I believe it is an indication that Barack Obama is more likely to get re-elected than many have tended to believe.  And, as I have written before, I have suspected that he could be president when the USA is taken over (chapter 8 of my 2012 book is titled Barack Obama, Islam, and the End of America).  He has already fulfilled several predictions made about him in my book and at COGwriter.

Now Barack Obama may not be the last USA president, and there could have other presidents past him.  But maybe not.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Prophecies of Barack Obama? This article has eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. It includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? This is the longest and most complete article at the COGwriter website on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”. Might Bible prophecy be fulfilled since he is to be the USA president?
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?
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?
Does God Have a 6,000/7,000 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, 2012, or 2013? 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? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
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 14-15 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.

Beijing After Rain Beijing on a Normal Sunny Day

COGwriter

The IMF is indicating that the age of America may end in 2016:

IMF bombshell: Age of America nears end

MarketWatch, Dow Jones & Co – April 25, 2011

The International Monetary Fund has just dropped a bombshell, and nobody noticed.For the first time, the international organization has set a date for the moment when the “Age of America” will end and the U.S. economy will be overtaken by that of China.

And it’s a lot closer than you may think. According to the latest IMF official forecasts, China’s economy will surpass that of America in real terms in 2016 — just five years from now.  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/imf-bombshell-age-of-america-about-to-end-2011-04-25?link=MW_home_latest_news

China is rising up.  And the Bible strongly indicates that China will be involved with Armageddon and certain other end time matters (cf. Revelation 9:16).

Yet, China will not be number one. Notice what LCG’s Roderick C. Meredith has written:

Many publications have suggested that the 21st century will be “China’s century.” Even though the Chinese are fiercely moving forward, and their progress in developing their industries is obvious, these publications are dead wrong for two reasons. First, the inspired word of God describes specifically how a coming European Union will be the dominant force in this world—obviously within the next several years. Therefore, brethren, I would like to focus your mind on this matter so you can more intelligently “watch” world events along this line as they unfold before your very eyes. In the coming years, you will perhaps even see a revolt of the peasants in the outlying Chinese cities, who have lagged far behind the standard of living afforded those who have moved to Beijing and Shanghai. Plus, the tremendous pollution of the water, air and foodstuffs may bring about massive disease epidemics and other problems for the Chinese.

In addition, distracting wars and other events may— as God chooses to guide it—greatly undermine the material progress now being made by the Chinese…

So the 21st century will not be the “Chinese century!” (Meredith R.C. An Inspiring and Successful Trip. Living Church News. May-June 2007, p. 21).

China’s pollution, potential for significant social unrest, and how it is discussed in biblical prophecy demonstrate that the 21st century will not belong to China. China will not become number 1, but Europe, whose economy is possibly larger than the USA’s currently, will be.   America itself will decline, and may be history by 2016, presuming that the Great Tribulation starts by then.

Watch and see.

Some articles involving the Asian peoples that may be of interest may include the following:

China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters Where did the Chinese people come from? This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
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?
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? 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?
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?