Church of God News

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

COGwriter

The US debt situation and/or economic “recovery” apparently are major concerns affecting its stock markets:

Dow Sinks 500, Worst Day Since Dec. 2008

CNBC – Aug 4, 2011…

All three major averages tumbled into negative territory for the year as investors were rattled over an intensifying global economic slowdown and ahead of the widely-followed monthly unemployment report.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted 512.76 points, or 4.31 percent, to close at 11,383.68.

The last time the Dow dropped more than 500 points in a single session was in Dec. 2008.  http://www.cnbc.com/id/44017828

The Bible warns that the pride of power will be broken (Leviticus 26:19), and for the USA this apparently is not only referring to its military might, but its economic pride, its dollar.   Now, the USA dollar will NOT totally collapse (become worth a small fraction of its purchasing value) until shortly before the start of the Great Tribulation (cf. Habakkuk 2; Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:21).

National repentance is the only real long-term hope for the USA (and it seems to be too late for that), the political leadership in the USA has largely ignored that approach. The carnal “solutions” offered and agreed to by both political parties in the USA will not get it back on track economically. Its economy may appear to do better for a while, but in the long run, the USA does not have real solutions to its economic woes. There are carnal solutions that the USA could do now (mainly related to energy production) that could help extend the situation, but too many of its leaders have rejected God and have the type of “reprobate mind” that prevents them from seeing even those “convenient” options (cf. Romans 1:18-32, KJV). The debate I have heard from some politicians and pundits on the whole debt ceiling matter strongly suggests to me, at least, that many do not understand production, economics, and job-creation.

Now, although these things are troubling, the end is not yet:

5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you.  6 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many.  7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.  8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:5-8)

At most, we are in what Jesus referred to as “the beginning of sorrows”, which precede the Great Tribulation (which will not start before 2015 and more likely a later year than that).

According to Bible prophecy, the end of the Anglo-dominance of the world is coming, and the final age of the Gentiles will be here in a relatively few years. The debt and other financial issues in  the USA are indicators that not too many more years are left.  There will likely be other stock market drops (and even rallies) before the start of the Great Ttribulation.

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?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 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?

COGwriter

Here is the headline from an article currently at the Protestant site they call Christianity Today:

Jesus: Democratic King

Our most cherished democratic values are grounded in Jesus’ sovereign authority.

John Witte Jr

As regular readers of the COGwriter news page are aware, I have often take exception to positions taken by CT as unbiblical and anti-Christian.  And the above headline and sub-headline are unbiblical and anti-Christian.

In a democracy, the people chose their leaders.  In the Kingdom of God, God, often through Christ, chooses the people and the leaders.

Notice some of what Jesus said:

6 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. (John 15:16)

37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. (John 6:37)

44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:44)

Jesus is not a democratic king.

Furthermore, notice what the Apostle Paul was inspired to write:

28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? (1 Corinthians 12:28-30).

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head–Christ– 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:11-16).

So, in Jesus’ kingdom, the people are not choosing the leaders, God is.

The same is true for the members as Jesus’ other comments indicated, but notice that they too are placed by God:

18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. (1 Corinthians 12:18)

God’s government is simply NOT democratic.

Democracy was known before the time of Christ. In ancient Greece, all the male citizens were expected to vote on the the issues facing their society. The Greeks introduced the concept of democracy to the Romans. The Romans (who were somewhat skeptical of the Greek model) set up a modified form of democracy called a republic. In a republic, elected representatives are supposed to vote for their interpretation of the will of the people. The U.S., other “democracies” of the world (with Switzerland as perhaps the most notable exception as it is more patterned after the Greek model), and even many churches are patterned after the Roman model.

Most people in western societies seem to feel that some form of democracy is the best form of government (and this seems to be the view at CT).

Would God agree? The Bible warns us, “there is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 16:25). It also warns us, “It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

In Genesis 2:17 God warned Adam and Eve to not partake of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But Adam and Eve did not listen to God. After listening to Satan, they decided that they did not need to listen to God but that they should decide for themselves (Genesis 3:1-6). This is the first recorded act of human democracy in action.

Nowhere in the entire Bible do we see God sanctioning democracy.

Jesus told the apostles that they would be rulers over the twelve tribes of Israel in his kingdom (Luke 22:30). Jesus chose the disciples, they did not get their positions from any form of democracy (John 15:16; 6:70). God, not man, chose David to be king over Israel originally (Acts 13:22) and has also chosen him to be king over all Israel in the world ahead (Jeremiah 30:9).

By the way, Jesus said that God the Father has reserved who will have certain positions of authority in the kingdom of God (Matthew 20:23). The rewards in the kingdom will be Jesus’ to give (Revelation 22:12); they will not be for the people to take for themselves.

Democracy will not be God’s form of government in His kingdom.

Why?

One of the many problems of voting is that no human thinks the way God does.

‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways’, says the LORD (Isiah 55:8).

When Jesus was on Earth he proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom of God and told people to repent (Mark 1:14-15). Jesus refused to participate in even the most elementary governmental decisions while he was on the earth (Luke 12:13-14).

Although Jesus taught that we were to pay taxes (Matthew 22:17-21), He also taught that His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). Jesus taught His disciples to go into the world and preach the gospel to everyone (Matthew 28:19,20). Jesus said that His disciples were to be in the world, but not of it (John 17:16).

Christians are not to be part of this world (Revelation 18:1-4), but are to be ambassadors for Christ (II Corinthians 5:20). True Christians “keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17).

Those truly concerned about the leadership of their countries should pray (and if safely possible fast) for “The will of the Lord be done” (Acts 21:14).

Jesus is not a democratic king.  But He is a wise a loving one.

Some articles of possible interest may include:

Should a Christian Vote? This article gives more of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand.
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.
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?
Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.

Herman Van Rompuy

COGwriter

The president of the EU is commented about why European debtor nations can get through this:

Herman von Rompuy: Here’s Why There’s Still Hope For The PIIGS

Business Insider – ‎3 August 2011

European Commission President Herman Van Rompuy attempted to calm markets In an editorial released yesterday, promising, “it can be done…Waste in the economy has to be eliminated, and growth has to be unshackled.”

In an article yesterday (http://www.eurasiareview.com/herman-van-rompuy-a-summer-of-discontent-oped-02082011/), he also wrote about new taxes in Greece as part of the plan there.

Because of fiscal problems in Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece, and Spain (PIIGS), there are many reports that suggest that the Euro will go away. And while that may be possible, I believe it is still premature to consider that it will be gone (but it is biblically true that the EU will appear fragile per Daniel 2:42-43 and will ultimately reorganize per Revelation 17:13).

It would not surprise me if Herman von Rompuy backs some type of tax to support the Euro or other aspects of the European Union (like its military).

Thus far, the Europeans have seem to have taken a more deliberate approach to their debt problems that the USA. And, of course, Europe’s finances do not need to be perfect to get the world to prefer Europe, only better than how the USA’s finances are perceived.

Of course, the real reason that there is “still hope for the PIIGS” is not what Herman von Rompuy says, it is that the Bible shows that Europe will rise up for a while and be the dominant (Revelation 13:1-4; Revelation 18; Daniel 11:27-43).

I believe that we are getting closer to the time of the rising up of the final European King of the North, and also the Antichrist.

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?
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? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
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?
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 related to 2012. The book contains documented prophecies as well as an end time sequence of events that Christians should study and understand. Including the role of Europe and how it is pivotal to end time biblical prophecy.

Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople

COGwriter

Last month, I received an email from a Greek/Eastern Orthodox supporter, who after quoting the Nicene Creed that was adopted in 381 A.D. wrote:

Is that original enough ?

My answer to her was no, it is not original enough, as it is not an apostolic document.  Yet, many Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics believe that the creeds that they tend to say are not only “original” but are actually the creed of the original Apostles.

And while they have somewhat been led to believe that, that simply is not the case.  The leaders of their respective churches know that their creeds are not original.  First notice what an Orthodox priest wrote about that creed:

The Nicene Creed, which was formulated at the Councils of Nicaea in 325 and of Constantinople in 381, has been recognized since then as the authoritative expression of the fundamental beliefs of the Orthodox Church. The Creed is often referred to as the “Symbol of Faith.” (Fitzgerald T. Teachings of the Orthodox Church. Copyright @2006 Saint Mary Romanian Orthodox Church)

It is sad that many of the Orthodox believe that they have not changed doctrine and that their 4th century creed was original. The Catholic Encyclopedia recognizes the idea that the creed came from the Apostles is based on a legend to the sixth century, hence the creed is NOT from the original Apostles:

Throughout the Middle Ages it was generally believed that the Apostles, on the day of Pentecost, while still under the direct inspiration of the Holy Ghost, composed our present Creed between them, each of the Apostles contributing one of the twelve articles. This legend dates back to the sixth century (see Pseudo-Augustine in Migne, P.L., XXXIX, 2189, and Pirminius, ibid., LXXXIX, 1034) (Thurston, Herbert. “Apostles’ Creed.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 21 Jul. 2011 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01629a.htm>)

The Catholic Encyclopedia also states:

Though no uniform type of Creed can be surely recognized among the earlier Eastern writers before the Council of Nicaea, an argument which has been considered by many to disprove the existence of any Apostolic formula, it is a striking fact that the Eastern Churches in the fourth century are found in possession of a Creed which reproduces with variations the old Roman type. (Thurston, Herbert. “Apostles’ Creed.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 21 Jul. 2011 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01629a.htm>)

Notice that the above refers to the oldest creed as the old Roman type.  Whether it was “Roman” or not can be debated as its statements seem to come from either the Bible or writings of those who were NOT based in Rome such as the Irenaeus of Lyons, Tertullian of Carthage, Novatian the “antipope”, Marcellus of Ancyra, and Origen of Alexandria.  Here are some comments on that:

The Apostles’ Creed is the oldest creed, and lies at the basis of most others. Though not, as the long-current legend of its origin affirmed, the direct work of the Apostles, it has its roots in apostolic times, and embodies, with much fidelity, apostolic teaching…

The creed exists in two forms — a shorter and a longer; the former, known as the Old Roman Form, going back certainly as early as the middle of the 2nd century (about 140 AD), the latter, the enlarged form, in its present shape, of much later date…

We have it in both its Greek and Latin forms (the Greek being probably the original). The Latin form is given by Rufinus about 390 AD…The Greek form is preserved by Marcellus, of Ancyra, in the 4th century. The old shorter form of the creed long maintained itself. We find it in England, e.g. up to nearly the time of the Norman Conquest (in 8th or 9th century manuscripts in British Museum)…

We have accounts given us of its contents (besides the Old Roman Form) in Irenaeus, Tertullian, Novatian, Origen, etc.; and they show substantial unity with a certain freedom of form in expression. But the form in the Roman church came gradually to be the recognized type.

(Orr J. The Apostle’s Creed. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Vol. 1. Original by 1923. Kindle Version viewed 07/21/11)

So, the oldest version currently known was put together by Marcellus of Ankara in the fourth century, whether it originated in the second century can be debated.  The article in The Catholic Encyclopedia does not mention the Orthodox Bishop Marcellus’s role, possibly because he was a Semi-Arian that reported the the truth about the origin of the Greco-Roman doctrine of the trinity.  Many Orthodox bishops held a binitarian (often referred to as Semi-Arian) view of the Godhead.

Anyway, here is the oldest written creed known, the one put together by Marcellus in the early to mid-fourth century:

1. 1. I believe in God almighty
   2. And in Christ Jesus His only son our Lord
   3. Who was born of the Holy Ghost and the Virgin Mary
   4. Who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and buried
   5. And the third day rose from the dead
   6. Who ascended into heaven
   7. And sitteth on the right hand of the Father
   8. Whence he shall come to judge the living and the dead
   9. And in the Holy Ghost
   10. The holy church
   11. The forgiveness of sins
   12. The resurrection of the body
   13. The life everlasting.  (Bettenson H, Maunder C. Documents of the Early Church. Oxford University Press, 1943, 1999, p. 26)

A similar creed was put together towards the end of the fourth century by one called Rufinus who worked with a church in Aquileia.   His creed was almost identical to the one reported by Marcellus except it left off the 13th item, perhaps to make it a total of twelve lines (and perhaps that is why some later started the legend that each of the Apostles stated one line each).

Whether from Marcellus or Rufinus, none of the oldest known forms of the creed, which are now generally referred to as the Old Roman Form, came from Rome.  Nor were they clearly trinitarian (which the Nicene Creed, adopted at the Council of Constantinople in 381 A.D. was).

The original Church of God was not trinitarian, and neither was the oldest known so-called “Apostles’ Creed”.   Perhaps it should be noted that unlike the Nicene and later creeds, the original creeds also did not declare that the church was “Catholic”.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

What Was the Original Apostles’ Creed? What is the Nicene Creed? Did the original apostles write a creed? When was the first creed written? Are the creeds commonly used by the Eastern Orthodox or Roman Catholics original?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Living Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living 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? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja viva do deus? Tambien Español: Cuál es fiel: ¿La iglesia católica romana o La Iglesia del Dios Viviente? Auch: Deutsch: Welches zuverlässig ist: Die Römisch-katholische Kirche oder die lebende Kirche von Gott?
Binitarian View: One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning Is binitarianism the correct position? What about unitarianism or trinitarianism?
Is The Father God? What is the view of the Bible? What was the view of the early church?
Jesus is God, But Was Made Man Was Jesus fully human and fully God or what?
Virgin Birth: Does the Bible Teach It? What does the Bible teach? What is claimed in The Da Vinci Code?
Did Early Christians Think the Holy Spirit Was A Separate Person in a Trinity? Or did they have a different view?
What is the Holy Spirit? An article by Rod Reynolds that was published in the Living Church News.
Did the True Church Ever Teach a Trinity? Most act like this is so, but is it?
Was Unitarianism the Teaching of the Bible or Early Church? Many, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, claim it was, but was it?
Binitarianism: One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning Was the original church binitarian or trinitarian? What were some of the beliefs of many Orthodox patriarchs on the Godhead in the 4th century?
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.

COGwriter

In a move that was expected, US President Barack Obama agreed to increase debt to about $16.7 trillion.   Here are two related news items:

Obama signs debt bill after final Senate vote

‎BusinessWeek – Andrew Taylor – 2 August 2011
The Senate emphatically passed emergency legislation Tuesday to avoid a first-ever government default, rushing the legislation to President Barack Obama for his signature just hours before the deadline. The vote was 74-26.  Obama signed the bill little more than an hour later. Tuesday’s vote capped an extraordinarily difficult Washington battle pitting tea party Republican

We Have Spent it All

‎Christian News Wire (press release) – 2 August 2011
This is in addition to our National Debt which stands at 14.3 TRILLION dollars. This action will make our National Debt 16.7 TRILLION dollars

So the new debt limit is going top be about $16.7 trillion (this figure is expected to last until at least late 2012; some suggest that the limit is 16.5 trillion–for some reason there are variations in the news reports). In April 2008, when Barack Obama was running for president, the debt clock showed that this debt was $9.2 trillion (see debt clock photo on page 123 of my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect). This is a massive increase in debt in a relatively short period of time (less than 5 years).

Here some excerpts from my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect related to Barack Obama, the USA, debt, and end-time prophecy:

Additionally, one of the first things that Barack Obama has done as U.S.A. president is to sign into to a law a bill that will greatly increase the debt of the U.S.A. He has also indicated that he will need to pursue policies that will increase that debt during at least his first administration, although he ultimately hopes to change that, as even he claims that the U.S. debt is “unsustainable.”

However, he and others may not realize that the Bible strongly warns about what will happen to a huge debtor in the end time. Notice what the seer Habakkuk wrote over 2,600 years ago:

³ For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry…
⁶ “Will not all these take up a proverb against him, And a taunting riddle against him, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases
What is not his—how long?
And to him who loads himself with many pledges’?
⁷ Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. ⁸ Because you have plundered many nations, All the remnant of the people shall plunder you…” (Habakkuk 2:3,6–8).

Hence, Barack Obama seems to currently be fulfilling the part of that prophecy of increasing pledges/debt. And, of course, it is possible that the rest of the above prophecy might be fulfilled while he is U.S.A. president. This prophecy, if it is applicable to the U.S.A, also suggests that American dollars will ultimately be of no value to creditors by then (or to probably anyone else)…

Since 1973, the U.S.A. switched from being a creditor nation and instead has become the greatest debtor nation in the history of humankind. Because the U.S.A. owes alien nations trillions of dollars, it appears that the curse in Deuteronomy 28:44 of having to borrow from aliens is happening to it now. President Barack Obama has put forth economic policies that will (for at least several years) greatly increase that debt. Yet, increasing national debt like this will lead to destruction at the appointed time of the end (Habakkuk 2:3, 6–8)…

Habakkuk 2 makes clear that at the appointed time of the end, a great borrowing people will be destroyed (Habakkuk 2:3,6-8). Something similar is in Deuteronomy 28:42-51. No nation in the history of humankind has ever accumulated as much debt as the United States of America (because the U.K. may have the highest amount of per capita debt, its fate would seem to be similar). Yet, the relationship between debt accumulation and prophesied destruction remains unapparent to many.

And although President Obama inherited a debt-laden nation, his policies, according to his own public pronouncements, will lead to greatly increased U.S.A. debt for several years. These increases of debt are likely to go past the point of no return and become one of the final factors that will cause creditors to rise up and destroy the U.S.A. (Thiel B. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, released September 2009).

The Bible lists debt as a curse for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:42-51). Creditors rising “up suddenly” to “plunder” the USA means the end of the USA.

The USA is the largest debtor nation in the history of the world and seems determined to fulfill the prophecies related to the end time debtor. It cannot borrow like it has indefinitely. And even the US President realizes that. But if you are an American, do you really understand how that may affect you?

Events continue to align with biblically-understood prophecy.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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 related to 2012. The book has a chapter titled Barack Obama, the Future Islamic King of the South, and the End of America.
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.
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?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? This is the longest and most complete article on this page on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.

Berlin Reichstag

COGwriter

Here is a commentary today from Dexter Wakefield of the Living Church of God:

Commentary: Mitteleuropa: A Dream Coming True?

“Some strategic thinkers in Germany have long had dreams of dominating Europe in a controversial plan called Mitteleuropa, but in military implementation it has always failed. The word Mitteleuropa is used as both a place and an idea. Geographically, it is the Germans’ general area of central Europe, and conceptually, it was a plan first presented around 1915 for German domination of the region.

Are the Germans now in a position to have by economic means the domination they never achieved militarily? A growing number of analysts are saying that the adoption of the euro as the common European currency makes this outcome inevitable. But the same economic factors that made Germany’s economy strong relative to some other EU countries are also destabilizing the EU monetarily. What lies ahead for the euro and the European Union? And what perspective does the Bible give on these rapidly developing events?”

The above paragraphs were taken from a July-August 2010 Tomorrow’s World article, “Growth of a Strongman: Germany Rises Again.” Now, a year later, similar articles are appearing in major mainstream news outlets, essentially confirming what that article had anticipated.

The euro crisis is giving Germany the empire it has always dreamed of. In London, Peter Oborne, Political Editor of The Daily Telegraph, reported, “The IMF was entirely correct when it pointed out that the only conceivable salvation for the eurozone is to impose greater fiscal integration among member states…” “…This advice was finally being taken yesterday—and it is almost impossible to overestimate the importance of the decision which European leaders seemed last night to be reaching. By authorising a huge expansion in the bail-out fund that is propping up the EU’s peripheral members (largely in order to stop the contagion spreading to Italy and Spain), the eurozone has taken the decisive step to becoming a fiscal union. So long as the settlement is accepted by national parliaments, yesterday [July 20] will come to be seen as the witching hour after which Europe will cease to be, except vestigially, a collection of nation states. It will have one economic government, one currency, one foreign policy… Thanks to their membership of the eurozone, peripheral countries such as Greece and Portugal—and to an increasing extent Spain and Italy—are undergoing a process of forcible deindustrialisation. Their economic sovereignty has been obliterated…” Despite the grumbling, for the Germans, the bail-outs are worth every penny, because they guarantee a cheap outlet for their manufactured goods. Yesterday’s witching hour of the European Union means that Germany has come very close to realising Bismarck’s dream of an economic empire stretching from central Europe to the Eastern Mediterranean” (July 21, 2011).

The dream of that regional empire was once known as Mitteleuropa: “Middle Europe.”

The Bible describes a time when ten nations or kings come together to give their power to one very powerful king. It does not say that this king takes the power as conquests usually happen—this king is given this power. “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast” (Revelation 17:12-13).

Daniel also prophesied about these same ten kings. “Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed…” (Daniel 2:40-44).

To learn more about the prophetic background of current European events, read our article “Resurgent Germany: A Fourth Reich?” and our booklet, The Beast of Revelation. Prophecy is moving with increasing speed in Europe!

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

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)

Thus, we in LCG believe that despite the obvious problems in Europe (Daniel 2:42-43), that it will become, for a time, the world’s dominant military and economic power (per Revelation 13) with German (Assyria in scripture) dominance (Isaiah 10:5-7).

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 (Daniel 11:39) by the final European (cf. Daniel 9:26-27) King of the North (Daniel 11:39), who is also the Beast of Revelation 13.

So, while the USA is weakening militarily AND under its most recent “debt ceiling deal” is to 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?

COGwriter

COGWA supporter Michael Hanisko posted:

Several members have asked recently how COGWA is doing financially. I thought you would appreciate reading this encouraging financial update from Steve McNeely, one of our accountants: “We were blessed with a generous Pentecost offering and steady deposits during the month of June. Total income for the month was just over $800,000, and for the year it stands at approximately $3,880,000. Expenses continue to be well managed and held to a minimum, and we are very grateful for everyone operating on a frugal budget as we become more established in the early organizational stages. As of June 30, 2011, we have approximately $1,430,000 in the bank, of which just under $400,000 has been restricted to use for preaching the gospel. We also have set aside temporarily restricted income that will be used during the year for specific purposes, such as assistance and Feast expenses. The low point for cash flow is historically right before the Fall Feast Days so we are trying to build our operating reserves. We currently have about one month’s worth of expenses in reserves, which is not a lot, but it is significant considering we started with nothing.”

“We are continuing to work on entering detail for contribution receipts. The mail detail is processed through May, and we are working on the holy day offerings. It is a big job. Our goal is to provide a combined first and second quarter contribution receipt in the next two or three weeks.”

“While the money in the bank gives us only a relatively small margin for needs and reserves, given the amount of time we have been in operation, we are very grateful for God’s blessings and the continued, generous financial support from the brethren. This is a very important part of building an organizational foundation upon which we can do the work God has commissioned to us.”

For those unfamiliar, COGWA stands for Church of God, a Worldwide Association, it formed in December 2010 as a split from the United Church of God.

In its last audited financial statements, UCG had reported an income of USD$23,870,107.  Most of the paid USA and Latin American ministry of UCG went with COGWA, but apparently not most of the money. If COGWA would have gotten about 1/2, it would have been expected to have an income for the first six months of 2011 much closer to USD$6,000,000.

Thus far, COGWA’s spending focus has appeared to be related to the ministry and local congregations.  COGWA has indicated that it would use the internet as its major initial way to reach the public with the gospel of the kingdom.  Of course, many groups have claimed that they would utilize this form of media to have an impact on the world.

FWIW, as of 7/30/2011, the Alexa popularity rank of COGWA’s website was 497,952, while the rank for COGwriter.com was 152,485.  Essentially what this means is that even though COGWA has claimed about 8,000 members and 170+ ministers/elders, its now preferred gospel proclamation vehicle is considerably less popular than the website of a member of the Living Church of God (let alone LCG’s websites, telecasts, magazines, etc.).  I suspect that COGWA still believes it is working towards having improvements in this area.

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 (COGWA) This seems to be the largest group that came out of the United Church of God. Here is some history and concerns about it.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.

Muslim Brotherhood
الإخوان المسلمون
Al-Ikhwān Al-Muslimūn

COGwriter

The situation in Egypt is turning more in line with what I and the Living Church of God suspected would happen:

• AUGUST 2, 2011

Egyptians Turn Against Liberal Protesters

By YAROSLAV TROFIMOV

CAIRO—Mobs of ordinary Egyptians joined with soldiers to drive pro-democracy protesters from their encampment in Tahrir Square here Monday, showing how far the uprising’s early heroes have fallen in the eyes of the public…

While the liberals and the leftists paint the military as a holdover of the old regime, the formerly outlawed Muslim Brotherhood and the more radical Salafi Islamist movement have taken pains not to criticize Egypt’s ruling generals.

“The military is a partner that protected the revolution and that pledged to achieve its demands,” says one of the Brotherhood’s top leaders, Mohammed Beltagy. “We’re against confrontation with them, even as we don’t give them an absolute carte blanche.”

The military has in turn given Islamists say in key government decisions.

Notice what Roderick Meredith of the Living Church of God (LCG) wrote some months ago:

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)

Events in the Middle East (and elsewhere) are lining up with LCG’s understanding of biblical prophecy.

Notice a translation of what some, who are part of it, write that the Muslim Brotherhood wants:

…the Islamic Ummah [nation] can regain its power and be liberated and assume its rightful position which was intended by Allah, as the most exalted nation among men, as the leaders of humanity…

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

Some think that Shahada (Martyrdom) causes loss and damages the [Muslim Brotherhood] Society, since it has lost influential people in action and Jihad. This is wrong, since the fall of the Shahid (Martyr) for the sake of Da’wa (Islamic missionary activity) is [seen as] provisions and fuel for the [next] generations, and as a symbol of self sacrifice in the way of the Da’wa until realization of the goals which the [Muslim Brotherhood] Society was established for, that is, establishing the State of Islam, headed by the Islamic Caliphate, in order to establish Allah
religion on Allah’s land…(Source: The Muslim Brotherhood – in its own words Translation of “Jihad is the way” by Mustafa Mashhur Leader of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, 1996-2002 by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik.  http://www.palwatch.org/STORAGE/special%20reports/Jihad_is_the_way_by_Mustafa_Mashhur.pdf viewed 04/30/11)

To bring enough Arab nations together, I have felt that some type of “strongman” needed to rise up.  One who Arabs would tend to respect–who might use of not use the title Imam Mahdi.  The time may be now for him to rise up and the Muslim Brotherhood may play an important role.  The Muslim Brotherhood is is the world’s oldest and largest Islamic political group and has been called the “world’s most influential Islamist movement” (http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/2010/11/2010111681527837704.html)–though some new group could also form.

As far as timing, some suspect this Mahdi/Caliph may appear in 2012:

As the Koran states the Mahdi will not return in an odd-numbered year, as world chaos is to precipitate his reappearance, as Ahmadinejad claims the Mahdi’s return will occur before his presidency ends in 2013, as a dying Khamenei claims the return will happen before his death, and as Iran stands on the brink of arming itself with nuclear weapons, Khamenei and Ahmadinejad view the planets as all falling into alignment for them.

From the vantage point of these two fanatics, 2012 may be shaping up as the year of the Mahdi’s return.

(Zumwalt J.  Iran’s Dynamic Duo Dedicated to Global Destruction.  August 13, 2010. http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38528)

While the Muslim Brotherhood does not tend to use the term Mahdi like the Shi’ite Iranians do, they may decide that title can also be one that their caliph will hold.  We will see.

Some articles of 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.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 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?

Vladimir Putin, Official Photograph

COGwriter

Today, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin commented on the USA and its debt situation:

Putin says U.S. is a “parasite” on global economy

Reuters – Aug 1, 2011

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin accused the United States Monday of living beyond its means “like a parasite” on the global economy and said dollar dominance was a threat to the financial markets.

“They are living beyond their means and shifting a part of the weight of their problems to the world economy,” Putin told a Kremlin youth group while touring its summer camp north of Moscow.

“They are living like parasites off the global economy and their monopoly of the dollar…”If over there (in America) there is a systemic malfunction, this will affect everyone,” Putin told the young Russians.

“Countries like Russia and China hold a significant part of their reserves in American securities … There should be other reserve currencies.” http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/01/us-russia-putin-usa-idUSTRE77052R20110801

While Americans do not normally consider that they are global parasites, living off of other nations, the reality is trillions of dollars of US debt is owed to foreigners.  These pledges, morally, should be paid back.  But the Bible indicates that not all will be and the USA destroyed (cf. Habakkuk 2; Daniel 11:39).

The Bible specifically warns what will happen to the one with foreign pledges “Because you have plundered many nations, All the remnant of the people shall plunder you” (Habakkuk 2:8).  Parasites plunder their hosts, parasites take that which they have not produced.  The USA is plundering the global economy by living beyond its means by increasingly borrowing what it will not properly pay back in full (possibly repaying debt with inflated currency is not good faith repayment).

As I reported back in November 2010, Russia has been trying to link its currency with the Euro (Russia expects to share a currency with Europe) and previous to that made a currency related deal with China (Russia and China dropping US dollar for their trade). Both of these Russian moves are apparently directed at breaking the hold of the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency. And while those moves have not yet been completely successful, there is a major trend in the world away from the US dollar.

Related to the budget deal announced today, despite some of his complaints about it, Russian Prime Minister Putin also said, “that they had enough common sense and responsibility to make a balanced decision.”

However, at least one American politician apparently suspects it is worse than that:

Meat, Sweet or Debt Deal? The Mystery of the ‘Satan Sandwich’

ABC News (blog) – ‎1 August 2011…Representative Emanuel Cleaver used the term “Satan Sandwich” to refer to the debt deal cooked up by House Speaker John Boehner and President Obama (or should we say, Commander in Chef?

The “debt deal” will increase USA debt.  And while many may think that this is wise in the short run, it is not in the USA’s long-term interests to keep increasing its debt.  The deal, in many ways, is more dangerous than most Americans think.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
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?
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?

COGwriter

Last night a debt increase plan was tentatively agreed to.  The mainstream news had a couple of points that I would like to comment on.  Here are two related news items:

The deal announced Sunday night would increase the government’s $14.3 trillion debt ceiling by more than $2 trillion, which is projected to last through 2012. The deal depends on approval from both houses of Congress before Tuesday’s deadline, which is when the Treasury Department said the government will hit the debt ceiling.  http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/08/01/earlyshow/main20086245.shtml?tag=stack

$2.4 Trillion Would Be Largest Debt-Limit Increase in U.S. History

The bill to increase the federal debt limit that has been put before Congress today would increase that limit by up to $2.4 trillion, which would be the largest increase in the debt limit in U.S. history by a margin of half a trillion dollars, according to records published by the Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Research Service.  http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/24-trillion-would-be-largest-debt-limit

Since the current limit is $14.3 trillion, then the new debt limit is going top be about $16.7 trillion (presuming the deal is passed) around the end 0f 2012.  In April 2008, when Barack Obama was running for president, the debt clock showed that this debt was $9.2 trillion (see debt clock photo on page 123 of my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect).  This is a massive increase in debt in a relatively short period of time (less than 5 years).

It should be mentioned that this new $16.3 trillion figure does not include personal or corporate debt.  It also does not include unfunded/underfunded government mandates like future social security and pensions.  The “National Debt” also does not include items such as foreign investment in the USA outside of items like treasury bills. The Europeans, for example, have over $5,000,000,000,000 invested in the USA that could become nearly worthless if the USA defaults on its other debt or if its economy succumbs to the debt. That will not please them. Nor will it please other creditors, like China.

It also needs to be understood that increased debt increases the amount of interest to be paid, and likely will also force interest rates to rise and make the interest payments even higher.  Some believe that because the highly limited spending “cuts” are for the future, that this agreement may still cause the USA’s credit rating to be lowered and perhaps will result in higher interest rate.

Reuters – July 31, 2011 11:22 PM excerpts…

The tentative U.S. deal to avoid a crushing debt default is at best a mild relief for the U.S. economy…it does not decisively remove the threat that the nation’s AAA credit rating could be downgraded, an action that would raise borrowing costs across the board, and the prospect of further cuts ahead will cut short any celebrating.

“This will have minimal impact on the economy. The cuts are not there for the first couple of years, which really makes you wonder if they’re really going to happen at all,” said Peter Morici, an economics professor at the University of Maryland. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/01/us-usa-debt-economy-idUSTRE7700QI20110801

Few believe that there will be real major spending cuts, other than in defense and in a few other areas.  But we will see.

If borrowing costs (specifically, interest rates) rise to their 1982 levels in a few years, the interest on the USA debt will likely exceed the total of all income tax revenues. This will likely raise interest rates to even higher levels. Levels that creditors will finally realize cannot be paid back. Taxes simply cannot be raised enough without destroying economic growth to solve this. The USA will have to discover some great new technology to extend its dominance (remotely possible), nationally repent (highly unlikely), or come to an end (most likely).

Here some excerpts from my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect related to Barack Obama, the USA, debt, and end-time prophecy:

Additionally, one of the first things that Barack Obama has done as U.S.A. president is to sign into to a law a bill that will greatly increase the debt of the U.S.A. He has also indicated that he will need to pursue policies that will increase that debt during at least his first administration, although he ultimately hopes to change that, as even he claims that the U.S. debt is “unsustainable.”

However, he and others may not realize that the Bible strongly warns about what will happen to a huge debtor in the end time. Notice what the seer Habakkuk wrote over 2,600 years ago:

³ For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry…
⁶ “Will not all these take up a proverb against him, And a taunting riddle against him, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases
What is not his—how long?
And to him who loads himself with many pledges’?
⁷ Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. ⁸ Because you have plundered many nations, All the remnant of the people shall plunder you…” (Habakkuk 2:3,6–8).

Hence, Barack Obama seems to currently be fulfilling the part of that prophecy of increasing pledges/debt. And, of course, it is possible that the rest of the above prophecy might be fulfilled while he is U.S.A. president. This prophecy, if it is applicable to the U.S.A, also suggests that American dollars will ultimately be of no value to creditors by then (or to probably anyone else)…

Since 1973, the U.S.A. switched from being a creditor nation and instead has become the greatest debtor nation in the history of humankind. Because the U.S.A. owes alien nations trillions of dollars, it appears that the curse in Deuteronomy 28:44 of having to borrow from aliens is happening to it now. President Barack Obama has put forth economic policies that will (for at least several years) greatly increase that debt. Yet, increasing national debt like this will lead to destruction at the appointed time of the end (Habakkuk 2:3, 6–8)…

Habakkuk 2 makes clear that at the appointed time of the end, a great borrowing people will be destroyed (Habakkuk 2:3,6-8). Something similar is in Deuteronomy 28:42-51. No nation in the history of humankind has ever accumulated as much debt as the United States of America (because the U.K. may have the highest amount of per capita debt, its fate would seem to be similar). Yet, the relationship between debt accumulation and prophesied destruction remains unapparent to many.

And although President Obama inherited a debt-laden nation, his policies, according to his own public pronouncements, will lead to greatly increased U.S.A. debt for several years. These increases of debt are likely to go past the point of no return and become one of the final factors that will cause creditors to rise up and destroy the U.S.A. (Thiel B. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, released September 2009).

The Bible lists debt as a curse for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:42-51). Creditors rising “up suddenly” to “plunder” the USA means the end of the USA.

The USA is the largest debtor nation in the history of the world and seems determined to fulfill the prophecies related to the end time debtor. It cannot borrow like it has indefinitely. And even the US President realizes that. But if you are an American, do you really understand how that may affect you?

And there are other ramifications.  Notice something else from CBS today:

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., indicated on CBS’ “The Early Show” Monday that he would vote for the deal struck between the White House and congressional leaders on extending the maximum amount of the federal government’s borrowing authority, known as the debt ceiling, even if it meant having to “swallow hard” on cuts to defense spending.

What few pundits have not dared to say is that if the USA is not the leading economic power, it will also have to cease to be the leading military power. If this USA is not even to be a “mediocre” power, it will be considered vulnerable and quite weak.

My book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect warned that, “Because of domestic economic concerns and international pressures, Barack Obama is shifting priorities away from defense spending… This will help lead to the destruction of the United States, when the Europeans are ready and the U.S.A. is not” (Chapter 8).

This is happening.  If you have not yet read that book, you may wish to as world events continue to align with the biblically-founded predictions that it contains.

Events continue to align with biblically-understood prophecy.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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 related to 2012. The book has a chapter titled Barack Obama, the Future Islamic King of the South, and the End of America.
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.
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?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? This is the longest and most complete article on this page on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.