Church of God News

Photo in New Orleans by Bart Everson (from Wikipedia)

COGwriter

All regular readers of this page realize that I denounced Harold Camping and his followers as wrong for a long time and with detailed biblical-based rationale.

There was someone arrested in Malawi for promoting his false date:

Malawian pleads guilty over failed Rapture

AFP – June 12, 2011

A Malawian man has pleaded guilty to circulating false documents, after distributing leaflets predicting the end of the world would happen last month, a court official said Sunday.Saduki Mwambene, a 39-year-old bicycle repairman, was arrested on April 21 for circulating leaflets published by American televangelist Harold Camping, who had predicted the so-called “Rapture” would occur on May 21.

“Police opened a case for him for circulating false documents that threatened the peace and security of citizens,” said an official with the magistrate’s court in Chitipa district, on the border with Tanzania…

Mwambene was said to be repentant over his action and told police that he would never again be influenced by “false prophets,” the official said, apparently referring to 89-year-old Camping, the US preacher who has since rescheduled Doomsday to October 21.  http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hT7FP-LrAkmFKE7n5isi2jH55ZKw?docId=CNG.33f73aac61534e7a7f117cf94214bf7a.321 .

Saduki Mwambene was given six month suspended sentence as he was a “first time offender”.  My concern is that I hope that officials in other governments will not try to arrest those of us in the Living Church of God when we start to indicate a probable start for the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21) and the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7).  Yet, something like this is likely to happen, though, as we in LCG have long been concerned that a round of persecution directed towards us will occur prior to the start of the Great Tribulation (see also Who is the King of the North? and Persecutions by Church and State).

As I have mentioned here before, the one thing that the Bible guaranteed about May 21, 2011 is that it was not going to be the date of the return of Christ, but that Harold Camping and his followers would be judged to be wrong.  Of course, instead of actually admitting that he was wrong, Harold Camping claimed that instead of a rapture, which he had taught would happen then, that the judgment did come, but that it was spiritual.  As for Harold Camping’s third false date of October 21, 2011, I know of at least one of his followers who has switched to that date, even though as I reported here before (see Harold Camping Now to be Wrong About His Third Date: October 21, 2011), that date will also be wrong.

Of course, a kind of physical judgment occurred to Harold Camping himself as he was somewhat struck down health-wise shortly after his May 21, 2011 date was shown to be false:

Harold Camping’s Stroke Punishment From God? A Biblical Response

Christian Post – Katherine T. Phan, Christian Post – ‎Jun 14, 2011‎

Harold Camping, 89, suffered a mild stroke last week that affected his speech. Could this incident be a sign or punishment from God for his false rapture predictions?…The stroke has reportedly only affected his speech, which has become slurred as a result.For many observers, the stroke – while tragic – seemed like a divine act to punish the radio preacher for his false predictions or at the very least warn him not to do it again.

It reminded me of a scripture that I had frequently quoted related to him and Ronald Weinland:

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. (2 Peter 2:1-3).

Hopefully, those who followed Harold Camping will not turn away from the Bible, just from him and his false predictions–hopefully, instead they will study it enough to realize why the Bible still is true and why Harold Camping could not have been right.

Those who follow Ronald Weinland of CGPFK may wish to ask themselves how they will feel on May 28, 2012 when Jesus does not return the day before as well (Ronald Weinland, like Harold Camping, also seems to excessively allegorize away prophetic scriptures and has already said that many events of the Great Tribulation are “spiritual”).

False prophets result in an increase in scoffers, yet despite them, Jesus will return (2 Peter 3:1-14), but not in 2011 or 2012.  Please do not allow false prophets to turn you aside from the prophetic and other truths in the Bible.  But sadly, because of people like Harold Camping and Ronald Weinland, the way of truth has been (and probably still will be) blasphemed.

Those who are interested in the truth about Harold Camping, Ronald Weinland (who also claims to be one of the two witnesses), Mayan prophecies, and when the Bible shows that Jesus can return, may wish to study the following articles:

Harold Camping’s Teachings About the End of the World Do Not Agree with the Bible Harold Camping teaches that the rapture will be on May 21, 2011 and the world will end on October 21, 2011. What does the Bible show?
What is the Appropriate Form of Biblical Interpretation? Should the Bible be literally understood? What do the writings of the Bible, Origen, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Augustine show?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.
Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up and that the end will come in 2008 (first April 17th, then June 2008, now December 14, 2008). Why does the Bible show that Ron Weinland is a false prophet? He also has at least one other view that suggests that he is not part of the Church of God.
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? 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 the next pope be involved in 2012?
Who Are The Two Witnesses? What is their job? What does the Bible reveal? What has the Church of God taught on this subject? Might even Roman Catholic prophecies give some clues here?
Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected? What does the Bible really teach? Does the Church flee or is it taken up just prior to the great tribulation? Who really is left behind?

Palace of Westminster in London

COGwriter

In today’s TW News & Prophecy, LCG reported:

Britain and the Falkland Islands.

Following President Obama’s visit to Britain and his encouraging rhetoric that “Britain is America’s closest ally,” this week “Washington signed on to a draft declaration on the question of the Malvinas Islands [Falkland Islands] passed by unanimous consent by the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) at its meeting in San Salvador. In doing so, the United States sided not only with Buenos Aires, but also with a number of anti-American regimes including Hugo Chavez’s Venezuela and Daniel Ortega’s Nicaragua.”U.S. support for this resolution is not new. In 2010 U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held a joint press conference with her Argentine counterpart, calling for negotiations over the islands to commence. All this has happened while the U.S. is fully aware that its “closest ally” does not consider negotiation an issue of discussion (The Telegraph, June 8, 2011).

What neither London nor Washington understand is that Bible prophecies foretold the fate of the Falkland Islands and other sea gates previously controlled by the U.S. and Britain. God promised Abraham that his descendants would “possess the gate of their enemies” (Genesis 22:17). At one time, the U.S. and Britain “possessed” virtually all the major world sea gates. However, God warned the Israelites, “if you do not obey the voice of the Lord… your enemy shall distress you at all your gates” (Deuteronomy 28:15, 55) and that the “glory” of Ephraim “shall fly away like a bird” (Hosea 9:11). Today, as these nations turn further away from God, only the Falklands and Gibraltar remain–and these, too, will likely go. Sadly, the glory of Britain is fading, along with her once vast, God-given empire.

The Argentinians and British have different views on what should be done according to something in the news earlier today:

Britain a ‘crude colonial power in decline’, says Argentina’s president Cristina Kirchner

Britain is a “crude colonial power in decline”, according to Cristina Kirchner, who criticised David Cameron for remarks he made about the Falkland Islands.  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/falklandislands/8581447/Britain-a-crude-colonial-power-in-decline-says-Argentinas-president-Cristina-Kirchner.html

Basically the British Prime Minister stated that as long as those in the Falkland Islands wished to be part of the UK, they should be allowed to be.  The President of Argentina does not see it that way.

The Falkland Islands are one of the last sea gates (Gilbraltar is the other) that the UK still has.  Many decades ago, the late Herbert W. Armstrong warned that he felt that the major sea gates would be taken from the USA and the UK.

Ultimately, when the UK is no more, I suspect that Argentina will end up with the Falklands unless Britain feels pressured so much before that to give it away itself.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? What MUST happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation?
Is Tony Blair Apocalyptic? The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom converted to Catholicism shortly after leaving his office and has been active in European affairs. What role might he play?
Mexico, Central America, South America, and Brazil in Prophecy [Español: México, America Central, Suramérica, y el Brasil en profecíal] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Argentina and the rest of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What rule might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?

Desire, Greed	= Woman	+ Trees

COGwriter

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

Chinese buying up Europe.

China’s booming economy and massive population are looking for places to invest. Experts expect Chinese takeovers of European companies will greatly increase by 2020. From 2003-2005, Chinese investment in Europe totaled just $853 million. From 2008-2010 the number jumped to almost $40 billion. China now controls 118 European businesses, with the backing of the Chinese government.In the last seven years, the largest Chinese purchase in each “business sector” has been overwhelmingly in Israelite-descended nations in Europe. According to a Wall Street Journal chart, when 15 of the major business sector purchases were reviewed from 2004-2010, 12 out of the 15 top Chinese buyouts (80%) occurred in the Israelite-descended nations of the UK, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France (The Wall Street Journal, June 7, 2011).

Long ago, God warned the Israelites that if they chose to depart from His ways and commandments, “The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies, a nation whose language you will not understand, a nation of fierce countenance… And they shall eat the increase of your livestock and the produce of your land, until you are destroyed… They shall besiege you at all your gates until your high and fortified walls, in which you trust, come down throughout all your land…” (Deuteronomy 28:49-52). We are watching this happen today across the Israelite-descended nations of Europe. For more on this, see our booklet The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy.

While Europe itself will dominate the world for a time (cf. Revelation 13), I would add that the Chinese have huge investments in Australia, and of course are the largest holder of USA treasury debt–and I believe that they will wish to receive something for their investments and may end up with lands and possibly people (slaves) ultimately for partial repayment.

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?
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?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch 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?

COGwriter

Got an email this morning telling me to look at some comments at James Malm’s website.  His latest post states:

In the 2006 – 2007 time period visits were exchanged between UCG leaders headed by Clyde Kilough and leaders of Rod Meredith’s living Church of God.  These men toured each other’s facilities and discussed various issues of mutual concern.  At that time it was declared by the two groups that there was no possibility of any merger.  This due to governance and various doctrinal points.

Now that the HWA loyalists have left UCG to form COGWA, that new organization is much closer to LCG than UCG ever was.  While closer on the issues of governance and doctrine, they are still divided by certain personality clashes, such as the Rod Meredith – Larry Salyer feelings over the difficult GCG split.

At this time Rod is elderly and in ill health; while a merger is probably not coming any time soon; events in the next few months could allow for the possibility of a close working relationship between the two groups.

Now James is right that UCG and LCG stated that they would not merge and I spoke to the LCG leadership about it then (see LCG to Meet With UCG: There Will Be No Merger and UCG, Living University, & “Merger” Clarification).  I have also spoken to LCG’s leadership since, and LCG has no intention of merging with COGWA.  But unlike James Malm, I would not necessarily characterize those in COGWA more as HWA loyalists than those that stayed with UCG (leaders in both groups have taken stands against Herbert W. Armstrong’s teachings on governance and neither group has put the same priority on proclaiming Christ’s gospel of the kingdom to the world as a witness like HWA did, and the Living Church of God now does).

COGWA has different priorities and thus far as not been willing to accept the type of governance structure that we in LCG have.  Of course, they (COGWA) could change, but I do not expect it.

For those unfamiliar with these groups some background may be helpful.  The United Church of God (UCG) had a major split in 2010–much of it personality related in my view.  Though I have tended to not be involved in the details surrounding the claimed causes for the split from UCG, it resulted in most of its paid North and Latin American ministry ending up, along with two of its former presidents, forming a new group which called itself Church of God a Worldwide Association (COGWA).

This split really rattled UCG.  COGWA itself seems to be struggling in several ways, but both groups seem to be surviving the split.  And while some individual members may decide to support LCG (and some in UCG may go to COGWA and some in COGWA may go back to UCG), I expect no merger with either group into LCG–though perhaps some UCG or COGWA leaders may change to support LCG and encourage their supporters to as well in the future.

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.

“I will break the pride of your power” (Leviticus 26:19)

COGwriter

Someone in Europe is getting frustrated with the US credit rating companies:

Economist condemns US credit rating companies

The Local – June 16, 2011

Thomas Straubhaar, a leading German economist, is calling for the “violent overthrow” of US-based credit-rating companies, which can deeply influence the financial future of the countries they rate.

The director of the Hamburg Institute of International Economics (HWWI) told the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung on Thursday the agencies were anachronisms from the 1990s, which US regulators had “imposed” on European and other nations. http://www.thelocal.de/money/20110616-35693.html

Basically, the article goes on to be critical of how the economist believes that creditworthiness of the Greek government is viewed by American credit rating agencies.  And while I do not advocate their violent overthrow, I would state that I believe that the US credit-rating agencies have been dangerously too kind in their ratings of the creditworthiness of the government of the USA.

And while Greece is a relatively small player on the world economic scene, the USA is a major player.  Given its impact on world economies, it would seem that that the credit-rating agencies need to be focused on not give the USA a higher rating than it deserves.

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?
The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? What do economists and the Bible teach about gold? Gold and silver may drop in value. Inflation/deflation? What do Christians need to know about gold?
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?

Muslim Brotherhood
الإخوان المسلمون
Al-Ikhwān Al-Muslimūn

COGwriter

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

Arab MK Praises Hizbullah, Calls for Caliphate

Israel National News – June 16, 2011

Ibrahim Sarsour, an Israeli-Arab Knesset Member, calls to establish Islamic Caliphate centered in Jerusalem and praises Hizbullah for defeating Israel.  http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/144978

The fact that an Arab member of the Israeli Knesset has a similar goal of the Muslim Brotherhood is not a surprise.  The idea that Jerusalem will have a stronger Islamic presence is consistent with biblical and Islamic prophecy.

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

…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. This seems to be the one that the Bible refers to as the final King of the South.

We in the Living Church of God suspect that the Muslim Brotherhood may be part of making end time events happen, and the public calls for a caliphate are consistent with that:

The virtual “tsunami” of Middle East and North African nations overthrowing their secular rulers is coming along day by day even as I write. This—as we have explained—could clear the way for the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamic extremists to take over much of the Middle East. Such an event would “prepare the way” for the coming “Mahdi”—the Islamist religious/political leader who will no doubt become the biblically prophesied “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40). He will probably lead in the provocation of the “King of the North” described in that same inspired prophecy in Daniel 11. And this will set in motion the final chain of events leading up to “Armageddon,” and then Jesus Christ’s return as King of kings (Revelation 11:15)! (Meredith RC. Tomorrow’s World subscriber letter, May 9, 2011)

…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).

World events are lining up with LCG’s understanding of biblical prophecy.

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.
Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy? There is actually a 17th century Shiite prophecy that some believe that Barack Obama will fulfill that will lead to a rising up of Islam.

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

COGwriter

It is well known that many Canadians are really into hockey and the defeat of a hockey team actually caused riots last night and apparently into this morning:

Riots In Vancouver

ESPN – ‎16 June 201

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Angry, drunken fans ran wild Wednesday night after the Vancouver Canucks’ 4-0 loss to Boston in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals, setting cars and garbage cans ablaze, smashing windows, showering giant TV screens with  beer bottles and dancing atop overturned vehicles.  Later, looters smashed windows and ran inside department stores.

Vancouver “embarrassed” over post-game rioting

CBS News 16 June 2011…

Police had closed the major bridges into downtown Vancouver during the height of the riot so people could not get into the heart of the city.

We in the Living Church of God have long believed that North Americans would see rioting again.  And while the Vancouver rioting is somewhat absurd in my view, it simply shows that people (even Canadians) are capable of rioting and creating civil unrest.

What will happen in the USA when government austerity programs actually must be implemented?  What will happen in Canada, the UK, and the rest of the Anglo-descended nations when food prices rise and there are actual food shortages?  When famines and other disasters hit might not this trigger future civil unrest and looting in the USA and/or the rest of the Anglo-descended nations?

Riots and civil unrest are coming (even Europe will have more).  The Vancouver incident shows that it does not even take any real major trigger to cause rioting.

To quote Jesus further, He also taught:

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)

Riots are troubles.  And so far this week I have reported about riots and/or protests in China, Greece, and now Canada.  Plus there are still protests and civil unrest in Syria and other parts of the Middle East.

Look for more conflict and disasters.   And probably this October (near the time of the Feast of Tabernacles), some report of famine, food shortages, and/or food inflation (cf. Revelation 6:5-6).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include the following:

Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
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? Who are the 144,000?
Earthquakes Today and Bible Prophecy Contains a cool up-to-the-hour update of earthquakes around the world from USGS. It also explains what did Jesus teach about earthquakes and how the Bible describes “the big one” (as well as when it is expected).
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? 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?
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?

Oklahoma Tornado

COGwriter

Even the experts are noticing that the recent weather extremes were ‘never before seen”:

April’s weather extremes ‘never before’ seen, US experts say

National Climatic Data Center: Mix of disasters ‘in a single month’ is unprecedented

MSNBC – June 15, 2011

For government scientists usually cautious about going out on a limb, a “special report” issued Wednesday minced few words: Last April saw an unprecedented onslaught of extreme tornadoes, flooding, drought and wildfire, they concluded.

“While similar extremes have occurred throughout modern American history,” the report by experts at the National Climatic Data Center stated, “never before have they occurred in a single month.”  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43416244/ns/weather/

For more information on this sobering topic, please review the LCG booklet, Who Controls the Weather?

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)

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 happening now and repentance is needed now.

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.

Greek Riots, 2008

COGwriter

There have been more protests in Greece related to the proposed austerity programs there:

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou offers to resign as austerity protests swell

Fighting breaks out in Athens as thousands of Greek workers swarm the grounds of Parliament to protest a package of budget cuts and tax increases for the financially strapped nation. Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou offers to resign in a bid to shore up political support for the austerity package.

By Anthee Carassava, Los Angeles TimesJune 15, 2011  http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-greece-protests-20110616,0,2293916.story

I warned about this last September (see 5 September 2010 post titled Civil War in Greece?) as I wrote, “Austerity measures in Europe will likely cause civil unrest”, and this keeps happening now in Greece (a place I visited again a few weeks ago).

Civil unrest in Europe, and not just Greece (or the Middle East) is expected. Places such as France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Eastern Europe have potential for this occurrence. In addition to austerity measures, Islamic protests and immigration related issues will also likely be factors in flaming protests and devastating riots. Expanded civil unrest will have major impacts on the euro and on Europe itself. It is highly likely to propel a European leader to rise up. The final leader will be the one known as the Beast (Revelation 13:3-4) and final King of the North (Daniel 11:22-44) of Bible prophecy.

Additionally, in my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, I discussed the strong possibility of civil unrest and/or civil war breaking out in Europe. Here are a couple of captions from the 2009 book about that:

Some believe that God will punish the nominal Catholics with civil unrest and war in Europe. As there already has been civil unrest in Europe (and according to secular sources, more is expected), it is possible that the following (to some degree) also may come to pass:..

Monk Hilarion (15^th century): “The people of the peninsula of Europe will suffer by needless wars…”

Brother Louis Rocco (19th century): “All over Europe there will rage terrible civil wars…A Great Monarch will arise after a period of terrible wars and persecutions in Europe.”

Some believe this civil unrest will result in the rise of a militaristic leader who will quell that particular violence, establish a new religious order, and reign with a pope who will perform miracles…

One interesting 15^th century Catholic prophecy foretells a time when a “great prince” will rise up. “All Germany” will apparently convert to the ecumenical religion, and then massive conversions in “all countries” “will happen quickly…

The descriptions of the Great Monarch/Prince in many ways parallel the description of one the Bible refers to as the “prince” in Daniel 9:26–27, final “King of the North” in Daniel 11:27–45…

World events are aligning with prophecy. There will be ups and downs in Europe until the final European beast power rises up. The protests may turn quite violent and this, along with Muslim concerns, may be a major trigger for the rise of the prophesied final King of the North.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
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?
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). This also has YouTube videos. This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, many have already started to come to pass.
2012 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

A couple of days ago, USA President Barack Obama put major pressure on the small nation of Israel to resume peace deal talks within 30 days (see Obama Gives Israel Ultimatum on Peace Deal).  Now his Administration is publicly pressuring the Palestinians to make a peace deal with Israel:

‘US says it won’t support UN Palestinian statehood bid’

Jerusalem Post – 15 June 2011…

The US will not support the Palestinians’ plan to unilaterally seek independent statehood from the United Nations in September, US Middle East adviser David Hale told Palestinian Authority President Salam Fayyad in a meeting on Wednesday, Israel Radio reported. Palestinian goals will only be achieved through negotiations with Israel, Hale emphasize to Fayyad.

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

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

The idea of this “week” in Daniel being a seven-year end-time deal has been understood for a long time.  For example, it was also understood by the Catholic theologian Hippolytus (died 235) in the third century:

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

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

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

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

Why is this believed to be a peace deal?

There are several reasons.  Notice some other scriptures that discuss this leader who “confirms” the deal in Daniel 9:27:

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

23 And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. 24 He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time. (Daniel 11:23-24, NKJV)

So this leader gives people the impression that there will be “peace” and is involved in some type of deal. Term is translated as “peace” in Daniel 8:25 is from the Hebrew term shalvah and essentially means security. In other words, this leader will destroy “many” who are under the impression that they are secure because of some type of security arrangement. Such arrangements are now commonly referred to as peace deals.

And right now, the USA appears to hoping to make such a deal happen.

Since the Palestinians would like major international recognition of their state in September of 2011, the USA is basically telling them that if they make a peace deal with Israel, it will happen.

We will see if the Palestinians and Israel are ready with these pressures to make a deal now or if there will need to be some type of war first as Iran has somewhat suggested it would take over Jerusalem this summer (see Iran’s Ahmadinejad to Conquer Jerusalem?).  Watch (Mark 13, Matthew 24).

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?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
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?
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?
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 (including some related to Barak Obama ) 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.