Church of God News

COGwriter

An ecumenical educational leader recently died in India:

A Tribute to an Educationist in the Ecumenical Movement – Dr. Mani Jacob

The National Council of Churches in India is saddened to learn of the demise of Dr. Mani Jacob, General Secretary of All India Association for Christian Higher Education (AIACHE) and Chancellor of Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences (SHIATS)…

A leading educationist Dr. Mani Jacob, among other things, will be remembered for his initiative in the growth of the All India Association for Christian Higher Education as a leading organization of Christian Higher Education representing the educational institutions of the Protestant, Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches in India. http://www.southasiamail.com/news.php?id=99901

I did not know Dr. Jacob and do not wish to disparage his intentions.

But my concern is that many have been, and still are, working towards ecumenical unity amongst the Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox.  And this is not a good thing.  My reading of both Catholic and Hindu prophecy suggests that the Indians will likely support a coming ecumenical power that the Bible warns against (Revelation 13:1-4).  Notice some Catholic prophecies:

St. Bridget (14th century): Before Antichrist comes, the portals of Faith will be opened to great numbers of pagans (Birch, DA. Trial, Tribulation & Triumph: Before During and After Antichrist. Queenship Publishing Company, Goleta (CA), 1996, p. 449)

Cardinal La Roque (c. 18th century): A regeneration of Faith will appear in Asia (R. Gerald Culleton. The Prophets and Our Times. Nihil Obstat: L. Arvin. Imprimatur: Philip G. Scher, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno, November 15, 1941. Reprint 1974, TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 193).

Pope Leo XIII (1893): The Orient, courageously and successfully explored by the Portuguese, is coveted by many today for its lucrative trade. We, however, have a more noble purpose in mind…To take care, therefore, of the preservation and propagation of the Catholic religion among the Hindus, a Hindu clergy has to be formed that could administer the sacraments and govern the Christian people properly, no matter how menacing the times…Be sure that the role of Christianity in such remote regions becomes well known. Make your people understand that something must be done for the Hindus (Leo XIII. AD EXTREMAS ON SEMINARIES FOR NATIVE CLERGY. Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII promulgated on June 24, 1893. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/leo_xiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_24061893_ad-extremas_en.html viewed 07/19/09).

And while some may dismiss those as old writings that are no longer relevant, efforts are being made to bring the Indians into the fold with the Catholics.  Notice three items from the 21st century (the second item has to do with Hindus visiting the shrines in Fatima, Portugal):

BERHAMPUR, India, SEPT. 13, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The principal challenge facing the Church in India is not the reconstruction of buildings destroyed by anti-Catholic violence by Hindu fundamentalists, but rather the restoration of interreligious trust, says a bishop of Orissa…

Bishop Nayak: …the Christian presence, though we are hardly 2%, our service in terms of education, the social services, and the health service is almost 20% — service that we are giving.   And they say that this is the reason for the increase of conversions in the area, so this is one. They are threatened by this increase in number… if you allow Christians to grow in number they will take over India.

Q: They will eventually conquer.

Bishop Nayak: They will conquer, so that is the fear — that is the unfounded fear…building up solidarity locally among different groups of different religions will be the first, and to build up the lost trust, to bring back, again that we can live together as we have been living from time immemorial. That will be the first priority. (http://www.zenit.org/article-30328?l=english)

Hindus…were allowed to conduct a pagan prayer chant at the altar in the sanctuary of the Little Chapel of the Apparitions…on May 5, 2004…a national television station in Portugal broadcast that a group of Hindus from Lisbon was allowed to commandeer the Shrine for a pagan prayer chant, with the Hindu “priest” standing at the Catholic altar invoking false gods in the causes of peace, while the Hindu congregation in the Little Chapel responded with a chant.  (Vennan J.  Portuguese Press Reports: “Fatima Rejects Control by Pope”.  The Fatima Crusader, 82, Spring 2006, pp. 20-21,25)

October 2003, when Rector Guerra held an interfaith Congress at Fatima…the heretical Father Jacques Dupuis said…that all religions — Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist — are positively willed by God and these religions are all part of the “Kingdom of God”. (Ibid, p. 24)

Since Vatican II (a major Catholic ecumenical council that ran from 1962–1965), many Catholics have been justifiably concerned that doctrinal compromise for the sake of ecumenical unity with those outside of fellowship of Rome was inevitable.  The Hindu ceremony mentioned above was also approved by local Catholic clergy in Fatima.  And this ecumenism concern is beyond Hindus and those who live in India.

Notice what the “Lady” in Medjugorje allegedly said:

All religions are equal before God…In God there are no divisions or religions; it is you in the world that created divisions…God directs all denominations as a king directs his subjects…It is you who are divided on the earth.  The Muslims and the Orthodox, like the Catholics, are equal before my Son and before me, for you are all my children. (Ferrara C.  Setting the Record Straight.  The Fatima Crusader, 98, Spring 2011, pp. 19-20)

Now, while God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), no real Christian believes all religions are equal before God–there is one true faith (Ephesians 4:5).  But this “wonder”, that many believe in, apparently made such a proclamation.

The Orthodox have long taught that the Church of Rome (known sometimes as Latins in their writings) will change doctrines to those of the Orthodox.  A document known as the Anonymou Prophecy of 1053 refers to this as the “Deferring of the Latins to the error-free faith of the Orthodox”, it then claims “The Orthodox Faith will expand from East to West” (Tzima Otto, p. 116).

Here is an explanation from Orthodox scholar H. Tzima-Otto (bolding in original):

Many Catholic prophecies speak of the victory of the ‘true Catholic faith’, while Orthodox prophecies, although they agree on everything else, predict a victory of the ‘true Orthodox faith’…When we speak of the future Council, it is bound to be ecumenical…there will come a true re-unification of the Christian Churches…This Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church is not going to be Roman Catholic as understood today…

The error-free Orthodox faith…The Orthodox did not experience a Vatican II, they did not begin to rewrite Scriptures…Hence, error-free in the sense that it has not been contaminated by satan…(Tzima Otto, H.  The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Scriptural Prophecies. Verenika Press, Rock City (SC), 2000, pp. 120-122)

Thus, the Orthodox expect Rome to change its doctrines, because they feel that the Roman Catholic Church adopted errors from satan.

Notice that according to another Byzantine prophet, the final (the Orthodox recognize seven previous ones) ecumenical council satisfies what “heretics” want:

Saint Nelios the Myrrh-Gusher (died 1592): During that time the Eighth and last Ecumenical Synod will take place, which will satisfy the contentions of the heretics…(Tzima Otto, p. 111).

By satisfying “heretics”, clearly this council compromises and changes the religion, which will be called “Catholic”.  If heretics are truly heretics, should their complaints be satisfied?  The Bible warns about a leader who “he shall think himself able to change times and laws” (Daniel 7:25, Douay-Rheims).  The Catholic saint Jerome wrote that this leader was the King of the North and Antichrist (as he, like many, confused the two):

“. . .And he shall crush the saints of the Most High, and will suppose himself to be able to alter times and laws.” The Antichrist will wage war against the saints and will overcome them; and he shall exalt himself to such a height of arrogance as to attempt changing the very laws of God and the sacred rites as well…” (Jerome. Commentary on Daniel, Chapter 7. Translated by Gleason L. Archer. (1958). http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/jerome_daniel_02_text.htm viewed 07/30/11)

But those of our persuasion believe all these things are spoken prophetically of the Antichrist who is to arise in the end time…Verses 40, 41…the king of the North…(Jerome. Commentary on Daniel, Chapter 11. Translated by Gleason L. Archer. (1958). http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/jerome_daniel_02_text.htm viewed 12/20/08).

The Beast/King of the North is primarily a political-military leader who will persecute the saints, per Daniel 11:30-35, while the final Antichrist is primarily a religious leader per 1 John 4:1-3 who will support that Beast per Revelation 13:12.  Consider if an antipope convened/attended an ecumenical synod that satisfied heretics, would he not also be supportive of changing laws?  Many Catholic prophecies warn about an antipope who will arise and who could be the final Antichrist, who is a religious leader (see the book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect for details).

One Catholic nun foretold of a time when some agreement would deceive many:

Jeanne le Royer (died 1798):  One day I heard a voice which said, ‘The new Constitution will appear to many other than what it really is.  They will bless it as a gift from heaven; whereas it is really a gift from {haydes} and permitted by God in His just wrath.  It will only be by its effects that people will be led to recognize the Dragon who wanted to destroy all and devour all (Dupont, Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p. 53).

Whether this is a reference to some type of power agreement with the Beast (Revelation 17:12-13) or the ecumenical council (cf. Revelation 13:1-4), notice that it is expected to be satanic (Satan is the Dragon, per Revelation 12:9).

A Catholic prophecy shows that after its church is reformed/changed, the Orthodox (called the Greeks sometimes in Roman Catholic writings) will come back:

Roger Bacon (died 1294): There shall arise a…priest to reform the Church.  The Greeks will return (to the Church)…there will be one fold, one shepherd (Culleton, The Prophets and Our Times, p. 149).

All (Catholic or otherwise) should be careful, compare their teachings with the Bible, pray to God, and not accept doctrines that are unbiblical for the sake of this coming ecumenical unity.

Now, perhaps I should mention that while most of the members of the Eastern Orthodox Church I have spoken with are generally opposed to unity with the Catholics of Rome, much of the Orthodox clergy seems to be in favor of it (especially in Europe).  Most Roman Catholics I have spoken with do not believe that they should change doctrine for unity with the Orthodox or others.

All people, whether they profess Christ or not, need to take heed and NOT support the coming ecumenical unity if it is supported by signs and apparent miracles (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12).  Despite denials by many who now oppose ecumenical unity, the Bible warns that nearly all, however, will end up being deceived (Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Revelation 13:1-4,8).

Only the elect, those who truly will “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7) and who received “the love of the truth” (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:10) will not fall for this.   Will you?  Do you really have “the love of the truth”?

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics The talks for unification involve compromise and the apparent rising up of a changed religion that no one should accept.
India, Its Biblical Past and Future: Any Witness? The Bible discusses the origins of those of Indian heritage and discusses some of the witness to them (including those in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka).
Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What happened at Fatima? What might they mean for the rise of the ecumenical religion of Antichrist? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How do the Orthodox view Mary? How might Mary view her adorers?

Comet Lulin

COGWriter

A ‘Holy Day’ comet is expected during the Feast of Tabernacles this year:

Comet races toward Earth at peak of God’s holy days

Pastor asking: ‘Will there be some type of magnetic pull? Will the poles shift?’

WND – July 31, 2011 excerpts…

A newly discovered, real-life comet named Elenin is racing toward our home planet.No, it’s not an asteroid, and no, it’s not on a crash course, but it is expected to be at its closest point to us – some 21 million miles – during the annual culmination of God’s holy days mentioned in the Bible…the comet’s nearest point to Earth will take place Oct. 16, during the Feast of Tabernacles, according to today’s Jewish calendar.

“I’m here to tell you right now, we’re getting closer and closer and closer and closer to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ,” Begley said.

In the New Testament, Jesus predicted celestial signs concerning the end of this current age and His return to Earth to govern the kingdom of God. http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=326893

Will Earthbound Comet Fulfill 2012 Prophecy?

Discovery News – March 22, 2011

It’s nearly 300 million miles away and barreling toward us. The intruder from deep space, called called comet Elenin, crosses Earth’s orbit on its inbound leg and again on its outbound swing around the sun later this year…

If you believe the gobbledygook on numerous websites and YouTube videos, this is a “renegade comet” that just couldn’t wait for 2012 to mess with the Earth.

Though it’s now over twice as far away from Earth than the sun is, comet Elenin has already been blamed for triggering earthquakes and shifting Earth’s rotation axis. The comet has also been accused of melting ice on Mars and stirring up a storm on Saturn. It’s predicted to flip Earth’s magnetic field…The effects of the comet on Earth at closest approach will be as inconsequential as that of a mosquito slamming head-on into an ocean-going supertanker. http://news.discovery.com/space/will-earthbound-comet-fulfill-2012-prophecy.html

There will be signs in the heavens, but people need to take heed that they are not deceived by those who stray from biblical truth and who may misinterpret the signs (most of whom do not even observe the biblical Holy Days).

Those who are interested in the truth about Harold Camping, Ronald Weinland (who even claims to be one of the two witnesses), Mayan prophecies, 2012, biblical holy days, 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.
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.
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?
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?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by the Tkach WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
Hebrew Calendar and “Postponements” This John Ogywn writing explains why we in the Living Church of God use the calendar that we do and answers such questions as “Did Jesus Observe the Postponements?”
The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets? Are they related? Is so how? If not, where not?
The Day of Atonement–Its Christian Significance The Jews call it Yom Kippur, Christians “The Day of Atonement”. Does it have any relevance for Christians today?
The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today’s Christians? What is the Last Great Day? What do these days teach?
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?
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 15-16 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 16 já começaram a acontecer.
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Brazilian Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel.  Edição em português do Brasil. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 16 já começaram a acontecer.

COGwriter

Herbert W. Armstrong would have been 119 today.

Even though we in the COGs actually do not celebrate birthdays, nor do we celebrate his (see also the article Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays?), since the anti-COG sites keep making a bigger deal of this day than we in any COG would and since many who come to this page know little about him that this would be a good time to tell a few things about him.

We in the Living Church of God believe that God used Herbert W. Armstrong to restore much truth to the true Church of God. Over the decades that I have been associated with the Church of God, I have repeatedly found both biblical as well as historical proof that the truths that were restored were in fact true. And in fact, the early church did teach them.

One day I may put together a single article showing that early professors of Christ did teach these truths. For now, however, I would refer readers to the following two articles:

Did You Know What the First Changes the Tkach Administration Made?Some have said healing, others other subjects, but probably the first change had to do with eliminating being part of the Philadelphia era. This article documents what those changes were and compares the Tkach list of restored truths to HWA’s list of restored truths. It contains many quotes from HWA.
History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? This page has articles documenting many beliefs of the early Church–and all these are doctrines that HWA taught.

Furthermore, while Protestants like to point to leaders like Martin Luther and John Calvin, the truth is that unlike them, Herbert Armstrong was not involved in getting people killed–the true church does not do that (see Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare?). The same is true about many Roman Catholic Popes who instituted persecutions in forms such as the Inquisition. Some information on what those non-COG leaders have done to others throughout history may be found in the article Persecutions by Church and State.

Another difference between Martin Luther, John Calvin, Eastern Orthodox leaders, and Roman Catholic Popes vs. Herbert Armstrong is that HWA actually did teach sola Scriptura. He clearly taught what the Bible taught, yet the other churches have all demonstrated their preference for tradition over what the Bible actually teaches. Articles that document that would include:

Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the COG is NOT Protestant.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? This documented article answers those questions.
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Churches of God Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?

Furthermore, HWA did more to get the truth of God to the world as a witness than any did since biblical times. Two articles of related interest may include:

Do You Believe God Used Herbert Armstrong to Raise Up the Philadelphia Era of the Church of God? Nearly everyone while in WCG used to believe this, most do not seem to anymore.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and HWA expect from evangelists?

Anyway, Herbert Armstrong always taught:

Don’t believe me – BELIEVE YOUR BIBLE – BELIEVE GOD! I always say…check up! Listen without prejudice, with open mind, then check up–go to your BIBLE, and BELIEVE what you read there. (Armstrong HW. Personal from the Editor. Plain Truth. September 1963.)

This is what I encourage readers of this website to do.

To see some of what Herbert Armstrong wrote and why he believed a lot of what he did, please see the article:

Who Was Herbert W. Armstrong? How is He Viewed Today? Includes quotes from the 1973 edition of The Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong and explains how he is and should be viewed today.

Greek Riots, 2008

COGwriter

People in the Nordic countries have tended to be shielded from the violence that affected Greece lately and other lands since the end of WWII until last week.  Here is what the Living Church of God reported in its latest TW News & Prophecy:

Terror in a City of Peace! Oslo, Norway, the city of the Nobel Peace Prize, turned into a city of terror as an angry and deranged gunman set off explosives in the city center killing seven people. Later that day, he visited an island summer camp where he shot and killed 76 more people, mostly teenagers. While the Norwegian native gunman claims to be a member of an anti-Islamic group, the media has painted him as a “right-wing Christian extremist.” His lawyer and many others suggest that Anders Behring Breivik is mentally insane—a plea he may make himself at his court hearing. Meanwhile, many Norwegians grapple with the tragedy in a nation which has never experienced terrorist activity in the modern era. Norway’s prime minster recently described the nation as “A paradise island [that] has been transformed into a hell…” (New York Times, July 22, 2011; Christian Post, July 23 and 26, 2011). The sad fact is that despite the trauma and sadness, the Bible has long predicted events like this would occur in the Israelite nations when they reject God and His way, “if you do not obey Me… and if you despise my statutes… I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you…” (Leviticus 26:14-16). Norway is a nominally Christian nation, however a 2005 barometer poll revealed that only 32% of Norwegians even believe there is a God (http://ec.europa.eu/publicopinion/archives) and only 12% attend church each month. In 2009, 54% of all births in Norway were “out of wedlock” situations (www.familylifeculturewatch.com). Norway has also legalized same-sex marriages. It is a nation that needs to repent of its ways and truly turn to God. Jesus said that tragedies like this would occur and get worse before He returns to bring peace to this earth (Matthew 24:8)—may God speed that day!

Yes, there are sins in Norway, and people there need to repent.  Perhaps this shocking devastation will get some to consider that.

We in the Living Church of God tend to believe that the Norwegians tended to descend from the son of Israel named Benjamin (Genesis 49:27).   This is consistent with a writing from an Eastern Orthodox scholar:

737 A.D…These latter Jews escaped to..even Scandinavia where colonies predominantly of Benjaminites  already existed. (Tzima Otto, Helen.  They’ll have no King but Caesar. Verenikia Press, 2005, p. 187)

In the Bible, God promised blessings to these sons of Israel (Genesis 49:28), but cursings were also warned about if they did not obey God’s laws:

14′But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, 15 and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, 16 I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 17 I will set My face against you, and you shall be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you shall reign over you, and you shall flee when no one pursues you (Leviticus 26:14-17).

Thus terrors (like terrorism) are prophesied for those who were blessed because of God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And these curses have began.  (And no, I am not saying that those killed were were morally worse than those who were not, cf. Luke 13:1-5.)

The Vatican is dispatching their lead ecumenical Cardinal to Norway:

30 LUG 2011

(AGI) Vatican City – Vatican Radio has announced that Cardinal Kurt Koch is on an official visit to Oslo. The Cardinal is the President of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, and has taken “the solidarity of the Catholic Church and the solidarity of the Holy Father, in particular, to Norway at this tragic time…http://www.agi.it/english-version/world/elenco-notizie/201107301419-cro-ren1027-cardinal_koch_takes_papal_solidarity_to_norway

While his intentions to visit Norway are probably fine, I have had concerns about Cardinal Koch (Ecumenism: Cardinal Koch and the Eastern Orthodox and Kurt Koch Made a Cardinal: Might He Become the Antichrist?) including before he became a cardinal (Swiss Bishop Appointed as Ecumenical Head: Antichrist Role?).  If he ever gets close to Karl zu Guttenberg (see Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North?), my concerns will likely intensify.

Now, the Norwegian terrorist, himself, was in the news again today:

Having more targets in mind indicates that perhaps the terrorist hoped to provoke major civil unrest.

For quite some time, I have been warning that it is highly likely that riots and civil unrest likely involving a combination of Islamic and economic issues will increase in Europe and later propel a smooth-talking, but militaristic, 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.

World events are aligning with prophecy. The fact that one advocate of civil war in Europe to push out the Muslims was arrested does not mean that there will not be future civil unrest or war.

And this is despite the fact that to the outside world (as well as to Europeans themselves) the rise of the final Beast power will be partly strong and partly fragile (Daniel 2:42-43). Many see Europe as fragile, and while they have a point, the Bible indicates that final human kingdom will rise up anyway (though the Kingdom of God will ultimately replace it).

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?
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?  Who do those in the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, or Sweden descend from?  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? 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.
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?
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.
Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.

Depiction of solar particles interacting with Earth’s magnetosphere

COGwriter

New Scientist admits that some things about the universe are just right for life on planet Earth, kind of like God intended it:

IT HAS been called the Goldilocks paradox. If the strong nuclear force which glues atomic nuclei together were only a few per cent stronger than it is, stars like the sun would exhaust their hydrogen fuel in less than a second. Our sun would have exploded long ago and there would be no life on Earth. If the weak nuclear force were a few per cent weaker, the heavy elements that make up most of our world wouldn’t be here, and neither would you.

If gravity were a little weaker than it is, it would never have been able to crush the core of the sun sufficiently to ignite the nuclear reactions that create sunlight; a little stronger and, again, the sun would have burned all of its fuel billions of years ago. Once again, we could never have arisen.

Such instances of the fine-tuning of the laws of physics seem to abound. Many of the essential parameters of nature – the strengths of fundamental forces and the masses of fundamental particles – seem fixed at values that are “just right” for life to emerge. A whisker either way and we would not be here. It is as if the universe was made for us.

What are we to make of this? One possibility is that the universe was fine-tuned by a supreme being – God. Although many people like this explanation, scientists see no evidence that a supernatural entity is orchestrating the cosmos. http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21128221.500-existence-why-is-the-universe-just-right-for-us.html

A few scriptures come to mind about the scientists who ignore evidence of a Creator:

7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  (2 Timothy 3:7)

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 (Romans 1:20-22)

1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity (Psalm 53:1)

In a commentary this week, Robert McMinn, of the Living Church of God, wrote:

Although the existence of atoms is considered an undisputed scientific truth today, it has not always been so. In the early history of man’s search for physical knowledge, some believed in atoms and some did not. But what can the current proof of the existence of atoms tell us about the existence of God?

“Wow! They’re real!” is probably not the expression my co-workers expected to hear from me as we were shown one of the very first images ever obtained of actual atoms. You see, atoms are so small that imaging them has eluded the ability of even the most sophisticated electron microscopes until very recently.

Of course, what we saw weren’t the atoms themselves, but an image of the atoms. Nevertheless, I was so elated by this revelation that I wore a smile for the rest of the day, much to the enjoyment of my peers who reveled in my apparent naïveté. Since I had never questioned the existence of atoms before, nor proven for myself that atoms actually existed, seeing them had a profound effect on me. I had to see the atoms, it seems, before I really believed they existed. My co-workers did not. They had proven to themselves the existence of atoms long before they could see them.

How could they do this? Because things that are unseen may often be made known by things that are seen. One may have faith in the unseen on that basis. Then, when one finally sees what has previously been unseen, one’s faith is confirmed by sight. This is why the existence of atoms has become a scientifically accepted truth. Scientists were willing to believe in the unseen atom because of its specific effects on what they could see, long before they could actually see an image of the atom itself.

How did that belief come about? In 450 BCE, a Greek philosopher named Democritus first proposed that matter was composed of tiny and indivisible particles called atoms. However, Aristotle dismissed the idea as worthless, and scientific progress was stifled until the 1800’s when scientist John Dalton postulated that these atoms control the way matter is formed and the way matter behaves.

Step by step, Democritus and Dalton were proved right by scientists who accurately observed the world around them and sought out the simplest and most complete explanation of what they observed. Thanks to this, we now know that atoms come in many different shapes and sizes, and have fantastic applications with measurable properties.

Why should this be significant to anyone who considers the existence and nature of God? Just as the existence of invisible atoms can be proved by their effects on what is visible, so can the existence of an invisible God be proved by the characteristics of the visible universe. Paul wrote, “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” (Romans 1:20). It is certainly foolish to deny the existence of invisible atoms in the presence of so much visible evidence to the contrary. For the same reason, only “the fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1).

There is a Creator God.  Real scientists understand that.

Some articles of related interest may include:

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.
Where Did God Come From? Any ideas? And how has God been able to exist? Who is God?
How is God Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient? Here is a biblical article by Wallace Smith which answers what many really wonder about it.
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?
The Bible: Fact or Fiction? This is a booklet written by Douglas Winnail that answers if the Bible is just a collection of myths and legends or the inspired word of God.

COGwriter

In COGWA’s latest letter (7/30/11), its secretary wrote:

I am pleased to inform you of the official results of the recent ballot to select nominees to serve on the Ministerial Board of Directors (MBOD). Here are the nominees, listed in alphabetical order:

David Lawrence Baker
Jim B. Franks
Arnold Jerome Hampton
Michael James Hanisko
Douglas Robert Horchak
Clyde L. Kilough
Leslie L. McCullough
Joel Christopher Meeker
Richard Robert Pinelli
David L. Register
Larry R. Salyer
Richard Conerly Thompson
Leon Walker
Lyle Eugene Welty

It is interesting, to me at least, that Leon Walker is on the above list.  This is because he has not been listed on COGWA’s congregation’s page at all.  Leon Walker claimed that when he was in UCG and paid by UCG, he actually was not part of UCG (for those unfamiliar, UCG is the United Church of God, and it suffered a major split last year–most who left became part of COGWA, which officially formed in December of 2010).

Clyde Kilough was president of UCG until April 2010. The leaders in both UCG and COGWA 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 (though recently, UCG has made greater strides related to public proclamation than COGWA has accomplished).

Perhaps I should mention that both Larry Salyer and Leon Walker were directors, for a short while, of a temporary group in 2010 called COGA–a group that pretty much publicly stated that it did not stand for proclaiming the gospel (see COGA Rationalizes Away Most Public Gospel Proclamation).  Despite that, “the title” that COGWA uses a lot on its webpages is “Preaching the Gospel”–we will all see what COGWA actually does.  For more on Larry Salyer, please see News of Those Once Affiliated with GCG.

The elders of COGWA still may wish to read the article Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government as well as the article 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?.  And afterwards, perhaps reconsider why they are were they are. Others should do so as well.

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?
Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president/prime minister? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand.
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.

COGwriter

Here is an item from today’s TW News & Prophecy by the Living Church of God:

U.S. lawmakers and the President have been “haggling” for months over how to deal with the current debt ceiling crisis. Many commentators have compared the stalled arguments to children who will not give in unless the other party completely adopts their view. If a deal is not struck by August 2, the U.S. will be unable to pay about 45% of its bills for the month of August, which could result in the nation losing its AAA bond rating (MSN Money, July 25, 2011). The International Monetary Fund warned last weekend that because of the dollar’s world reserve currency status and the amount of U.S. bonds owned by world nations, “… a downgrade will be very damaging for both the U.S. economy and the rest of the world… But there is a lot of uncertainty; nobody really knows what would be the true effects” (CNN Money, July 25, 2011).Many now realize that efforts to solve the debt problem will just delay an inevitable collapse u nless major cuts are made, because the U.S. debt is expected to exceed the entire U.S. gross domestic product in 2012 (Telegraph, July 26, 2011). If the government defaults, many predict major job losses in government and military sectors and rapidly rising interest rates. Lawmakers in both political parties appear to want “their own way” and seem unwilling to work together for the benefit of the nation (Associated Press, July 24, 2011)–ignoring the biblical principle of “submitting to one another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:21).

Bible prophecies contain warnings for the leaders of Israelite nations, “You eat the fat and clothe yourselves… you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock… with force and cruelty you have ruled over them…” (Ezekiel 34:3-4).

Our dysfunctional governments of today are a result of leaders who serve themselves and their personal desires instead of working for the benefit of those whom they serve. Jesus Christ is going to return and appoint righteous leaders who will put serving others first in the coming Kingdom of God. The result will be true peace, stability, and prosperity for the peoples of this earth. For more information on this exciting subject, review our free booklet, The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?

Right now, the USA “crisis” is that it wants and hopes to increase debt and then borrow more from its foreign creditors, which is biblically dangerous (Habakkuk 2), yet its leaders who do not have enough biblical understanding believe that not increasing debt will be a greater calamity.

The following was in the secular news today:

Gold hits record high amid debt ceiling ‘mud slinging’

Jul 29 2:51pm:As little progress was made on a debt deal Friday, oil prices slumped nearly 2%, while gold hit another all-time high.

While some interim “progress” is expected, the USA is setting itself up for financial ruin, and even worse. 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?

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

COGwriter

Although inaccurate “prophets” such as Ronald Weinland and Harold Camping have declared that the biblical period known as the “great tribulation” began some time ago, the reality is that this biblically prophesied event cannot begin prior to 2015.

Yet, in a 7/28/11 post titled Present Trends and Dating The Tribulation, James Malm states:

There is a very high likelihood that the tribulation will begin late next year; with the abomination being set up on or near  September 16th 2012 with the tribulation beginning on 30 Nov ~ 1 Dec time frame.

I am not setting a solid date here.  I am merely pointing out that  the signs of the times in the world and in the COGs ,tend to point to next year, or a subsequent year; rather than to 2011.

I do NOT know the exact year!!!

While I am glad he admits that he does not know the exact year, let me make this as plain as I can, there is absolutely no likelihood that the Great Tribulation will begin next year nor the biblically required abomination of desolation set up that Jesus (Matthew 24:15) mentioned related to a prophecy in the Book of Daniel 11:31.

Daniel the prophet wrote this in an earlier chapter:

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 9:27)

Without going into all the details, the above is understood by many (including the Living Church of God and the Arroyo Grande, California book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect) to mean that a seven year (one prophetic week) Middle East peace deal is confirmed. Of course, the sacrifices must start before they stop, and they have not started yet (and may not start until after the peace deal is in place).

James Malm differs on his interpretation of Daniel 9:26-27 as well as other points.

I have disagreed with James Malm’s dates many times and of course, I have always been correct so far (see Ronald Weinland, Tim Carpenter, & James Malm Erroneous 2009 Predictions AND James Malm Continues to Mislead AND James Malm Wrong Again: The 1335 Days Have Not Begun AND James Malm Now Predicts October 19, 2009 AND LHC, Ronald Weinland, James Malm, and the End AND James Malm Challenges COGwriter AND At Least Two Wrongly Claim Great Tribulation Will Begin in 2008) as I believe that the prophetic understanding that I have in the Living Church of God have is more biblically accurate than his opinions.  He, of course, disagrees and tends to blog about why he hopes he is right on a regular basis.  It is not that he is wrong on everything, but his prophetic understandings seem to be proven to have been unreliable in the past, and I believe still often are in error.  Those who follow him should consider his track record.

Although the end is coming soon, it is not now quite the time for the Great Tribulation to being.  FWIW, I have traveled to Europe many times in the past few years (my last trip was just two months ago), and can state that the Europeans are simply not unified enough to be ready to fulfill their role as the supporters of the King of the North – the Final Beast power, yet.  But they are looking at proposing peace deals in the Middle East (http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-13-voa26.cfm) and are trying to form a powerful empire–but it is not ready yet.

Great Tribulation Cannot Begin in 2011, 2012, 2013, or 2014

Now I have been criticized in the past for pointing out that the “great tribulation” could not begin in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, etc.  And when I recently posted the item that the Great Tribulation Cannot Begin Before 2015, I got several emails from people insisting I was wrong.

But I was correct then, and am now.

Why?

Well in addition to the fact that there is no Middle East peace deal that fulfills Daniel 9:27, there still is not yet in place the final leader known as the King of the North.  Nor is there a leader yet in place who is the final King of the South (and both of those leaders need to make their own deceitful deal per Daniel 11:27, prior to the start of the Great Tribulation). And while these leaders could be in those positions relatively soon, several of the events that Jesus also said would occur first (Matthew 24:4-14) have not yet been completely fulfilled.

One of the ways that we in the Living Church of God differ from many with current or former COG ties like James Malm is that we believe that Matthew 24:14 still needs to be fulfilled.  That passage states:

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

The above verse is the one just prior to the abomination being set up (Matthew 24:15), and needs to be fulfilled.  And while the Herbert W. Armstrong did his part in that, he never felt that this preaching could be stopped until the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God fled to a place of safety.  Notice some teachings from his old church:

Philadelphia has little strength to do this great work that God has given it to do. God has opened the door, and yet look how insignificant, how weak, how little strength we as a Church have to do that work…Revelation 3:7-13: “And to the angel of the Church in Philadelphia write these things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that OPENETH, and no man SHUTTETH; and SHUTTETH and no man openeth.” The great door that God has opened to this work is the facility to go into all the world and preach the gospel; the door of radio, the door of the printing press, plus many other such doors. God has set before us an open door and no MAN can shut it. God can shut it, and He will when the work is finished and the Philadelphia Church goes to a place of safety. …The Laodicean Church is not going to he worthy to escape to a place of safety. When it is too late, they will find that the Church of Philadelphia has gone to safety (What Is the “LAODICEAN CHURCH”? Good News August 1959 Vol. VIII, Number 8).

When this European empire is perfected, the great Work God is doing through this Church will be quickly completed–finished…The sign He gave was that which He is doing through us–proclaiming for the first time in 1900 years to the world the Gospel of the KINGDOM OF GOD (Matthew 24:14). But next, after our work, is to come the GREAT TRIBULATION (verses 21-22. That shall be ended, verse 29, by supernatural, frightful signs in the sun, moon, and stars; signaling the “day of the Lord”–see also Joel 2:31)…Events now occurring SWIFTLY in the world are SIGNS of the imminency of the Great Tribulation. No one will be allowed to proclaim Christ’s Gospel then. The “Philadelphia era” or succession of God’s Church will be taken on the “two wings of a great eagle”–whatever that symbolizes–to a place of protection where we are to be “fed”–provided for. We need now to begin to be ALERT, for this “flight” may happen suddenly. DO NOT BE DECEIVED BY THE NEGATIVE SNEERING OF EXCOMMUNICATED MINISTERS: Both Revelation 12:13 and 3:10 warn us.  We, ourselves, are a sign (Matt. 24:14) of the very imminency of these things!  (Armstrong HW. Great Significance of Summit Conference. Pastor General’s Report, Vol. 2, No. 26, June 27, 1980).

Our work in the hands of Christ is NOT YET FINISHED, and He will not allow the Work to stop until it is finished. And when will that be?  … since no one can know the day or the hour of His coming, we probably shall not be able to know the exact day that this 1335 days begins. But apparently that is the time when OUR WORK SHALL END. That will be a time when the UNITED EUROPE shall appear –the revival of the medieval “Holy Roman Empire.” We shall then be warned, and readied to be taken to a place of refuge and safety from the Great Tribulation. Forty-five days later “the beast’s” armies will surround Jerusalem. Thirty days later the Great Tribulation will probably start with a nuclear attack on London and Britain–and possibly the same day or immediately after, on United States and Canadian cities (Armstrong HW. The Time We Are In, Now. PASTOR GENERAL’S REPORT – VOL.1, NO.15 NOVEMBER 20, 1979).

Next, when our Great Commission is in God’s sight completed, we are to be taken–symbolically flown on the two wings of a great eagle–we shall be taken to a place of protection from the Great Tribulation (Armstrong HW. Looking…PASTOR GENERAL’S REPORT – VOL.3, NO.4 January 23, 1981).

That is why we in the Living Church of God, in addition to being on the internet and producing millions of pieces of literature, are on hundreds of television stations to preach Christ’s gospel of the kingdom to the world.  LCG also does special presentations with evangelists and ministers around the world to reach nations personally as well.  When God decides this should stop (which would be shortly before the start of the Great Tribulation as the HWA quotes indicate), then we will.

While world events leading up to the “great tribulation” are occurring (they are as I report about them frequently, notice Might Kurt Koch become or support the coming “antipope” antichrist? to cite just one example), the final 3 1/2 year countdown has not yet began, hence the great tribulation will not possibly start prior to 2015 (with 2016 probably more likely as the earliest year).

The end is coming. It is coming soon. But the end, meaning the “great tribulation” in this case, cannot possibly begin prior to the year 2015.  And thus, in all due respect to James Malm, there is no way “There is a very high likelihood that the tribulation will begin late next year; with the abomination being set up on or near  September 16th 2012” as he posted.

Some articles of related interest may include the following:

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?
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.
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.
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?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2018 or 2019?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2011, 2012, or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before 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 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 15-16 predictions in the book and many more will to come to pass.  This book is a good reference and source for what will and will not happen in 2012 as well as the years shortly afterwards.
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 16 já começaram a acontecer.
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Brazilian Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel.  Edição em português do Brasil. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 16 já começaram a acontecer.

Berlin Reichstag

COGwriter

A reader sent me a link to a blog of an interesting interview:

Jim Rickards – Germany’s Fourth Reich Has Conquered Europe
July 28, 2011…

Rickards continues…”…The bad news at least if you’re Greece or Italy or Spain or Portugal is that from now on your fiscal policy is going to be dictated by Germany. So this is what I call the financial ‘Fourth Reich’. Germany has accomplished financially what it has never been able to do militarily since the days of the Holy Roman Empire, which is to basically gain control over Europe.”

How will the Fourth Reich rule Europe? That remains to be seen, but if history is any indication it will be with what the Germans would consider to be coercive efficiency.  http://kingworldnews.com/kingworldnews/KWN_DailyWeb/Entries/2011/7/28_Jim_Rickards_-_Germanys_Fourth_Reich_Has_Conquered_Europe.html

Here is also something related earlier from an Irish perspective:

New deal is a charter for the Fourth Reich

Irish Independent – ‎Jul 23, 2011‎

IT IS not being widely reported yet, but the document the European powers signed in Berlin last Thursday is in fact the founding charter of the Fourth German Reich. The ordinary Germans at street level are only protesting because they do not yet realise that. But what has been achieved is a thousand miles beyond a second financial bailout for Greece and it affects the Irish because the land of Brian Boru is perfectly equipped to become the second colony.

We in the Living Church of God have long taught that Germany (Assyria in end time prophecy) would be the driving force in the end-time European Beast power as well as having a future role in God’s kingdom. It is interesting that secular sources are more and more starting to indicate that we have long been correct about that.  LCG has an article of related interest titled “Resurgent Germany: A Fourth Reich?”

Increasing European debt, combined with German wealth, means increasing German influence.

Certain scholars believe that the Assyrian peoples migrated into central Europe in ancient times and are now represented by the Germanic peoples. Even the Catholic saint Jerome indicated that the descendants of the biblical Asshur (Genesis 10:22) which seems to be Assyria (Radmacher Concordance in. Nelson Study Bible, p. 11), ended up in parts of Europe (Jerome. Letter CXXIII to Ageruchia, Chapter 16. Translated by W.H. Fremantle, G. Lewis and W.G. Martley. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 6. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1893.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3001123.htm>).

The Bible also shows:

5 “Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger
And the staff in whose hand is My indignation.
6 I will send him against an ungodly nation,
And against the people of My wrath
I will give him charge,
To seize the spoil, to take the prey,
And to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
7 Yet he does not mean so,
Nor does his heart think so;
But it is in his heart to destroy,
And cut off not a few nations. (Isaiah 10:5-7)

Notice that even though Assyria (modern Germany) does not think it means to, it is in the national character to destroy and cut off nations.  Germany is getting the wealth and influence that ultimately will allow it to fulfill that prophecy.  The Bible is also clear that Assyria will be an end time northern power that God will punish per Zephaniah 2:13-15, which seems to go along with Revelation 18:1-10. And lately, Germany’s power seems to be rising up on the world and European scene.

Unlike Adolf Hitler’s militaristic Third Reich, this “Fourth Reich” is starting at first to conquer as an economic power.  The Bible is clear that the Beast of Revelation will try to have economic control:

16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.   18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.  (Revelation 13:16-18)

However, the Beast will also be known as a military power:

3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”   (Revelation 13:3-4)

Currently, the USA is the strongest military power on the planet.  And at the end, it seems to be the nation with the “strongest fortresses” that gets taken over and divided by the final European (cf. Daniel 9:26-27) King of the North (Daniel 11:39), who is also the final Beast of Revelation 13. Despite its strength, more and more there are signs of weakness in US military strength.  Notice the following news item from Time:

A Military Teetering on the “Ragged Edge”

TIME – July 27, 2011

House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee Chairman J. Randy Forbes (R-VA) held a hearing on the state of the military this week. The conclusion is stark: the U.S. military is at a breaking point. Today. Right now…As Congress considers many proposals to cut significant amounts from the military’s budget, the Army vice highlighted the consequences: “An era of reductions carries risk, and with reductions we won’t be able to do everything we do today.”…Defense cuts of the magnitude being tossed around Washington will require genuine mission trade-offs. http://battleland.blogs.time.com/2011/07/27/a-military-teetering-on-the-ragged-edge/

So, while the USA is weakening militarily AND will likely make major military cuts for debt and budget purposes, the economic influence of Germany is growing.  The Fourth Reich will become more than simply an economic power, it will be a military one as well.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”?
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?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Could He Become “the Beast”? What makes the German Defense Minister a candidate?
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?
SDA/LCG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 The Living Church of God is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White. Did Ellen White make prophetic errors? Did Ellen White make false prophecies?

Jerusalem

COGwriter

Calls for an Islamic caliphate are increasing:

Radical Islamists Trying to Take Over Temple Mount

Israel National News – July 28, 2011

On the 90th anniversary of the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the vast Islamic Caliphate regime which fell in 1921 after WWI, thousands of members of the Radical Islamist organization Hizb ut-Tahrir rallied on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. They called for Muslims to unite and embrace the Caliphate rulership once more.

The rally took place in early July. Demonstrators flew banners bearing inscriptions such as “The Ummah (Muslims) Want Muslim Caliphates.” A giant banner was put up in the Al Aksa mosque courtyard on the Temple Mount. Other banners said “No to Democracy, Yes to Caliphates”. The crowd controller, using a microphone, soon had the crowd chanting over and over, “O Muslim armies, awaken to help Muslims.” http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/146168

The Muslim Brotherhood has long called for such a caliphate government:

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

The title caliph has been given to the head of state in Muslim-governed countries in the past, and we in the Living Church of God have been warning that one may form again with a caliph or Mahdi:

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

Al Qaeda named its Internet newscast, which debuted in September, ‘The Voice of the Caliphate.’…Kerem Acar, a tailor in central Istanbul {said} ‘…one day maybe my children’s children will see someone declare himself the caliph, like the pope, and have an impact’” (January 14, 2006).

Indeed, a coming “Mahdi” whose arrival Muslims are expecting—in Bible prophecy known as the “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40–45)—will soon arise and have a dramatic impact on world events. This powerful Muslim religious leader will unite many of the more than one billion Muslims. He will pose a genuine threat to the coming European Empire, which will have to crush that threat in order to continue exploiting Middle Eastern oil to further its military ambitions. (Meredith RC. Prophecy Fulfilled: God’s Hand in World Affairs. LCG Booklet, 2007, pp. 16-17)

A trans-national Arab/Islamic federation with a caliph/mahdi leading it would would essentially be considered a caliphate.  This is very similar to the type of confederation that the Bible warns will happen in the future (Psalm 83) and seems to be similar to the prophesies for the final King of the South in biblical prophecy (Daniel 11:27-43).

So, if a caliphate ever forms, it is possible that this will fulfill various end time biblical prophecies (Psalm 83; Daniel 11:27-43).

I have been writing for a long time that I suspect that many Muslims will not be satisfied with semi-secular governments in and recently forming in the Arab world and will agitate until they get a trans-national leader, like a caliph/imam mahdi.

The fact that the calls for a caliph now are getting louder suggests that perhaps not too far into the future, that is what will happen.

To learn more about what will happen to the Arabic peoples, please check out the first two articles:

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?
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”? Why do people think the Bible teaches about a peace deal? 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?