Church of God News

Aftermath of Typhoon Ketsana in Manila, 2009

COGwriter

There have been more reported deaths due to a deadly flood in the Philippines:

Voice of America

Philippines Flood Death Toll Nears 1000 VOA News Philippine President Benigno Aquino declared a state of national calamity on Tuesday, as authorities work to recover the bodies of those killed by flash floods on the southern island of Mindanao.

Disaster agency officials said Tuesday that 957 people have died so far as a result of the floods which began in the early hours of Saturday, while 49 others remain missing.

Weather-related problems can greatly disrupt many lives, and as the above shows, even loss of lives.

Jesus foretold on a time of natural disasters as “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:7-8), but the Book of Revelation (16:8-11) tells of a time of even greater disturbances during “the Day of the Lord.”

The affected areas are in my prayers.

Now, ultimately of course, there is good news as ultimately, God’s kingdom will come and those issues will be gone (Revelation 7:16).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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.
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, Japanese, and others of Asia? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
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?
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?

COGwriter

The latest issue (print date December 20, 2011) of The Journal just arrived here electronically.

There are articles and ads about the Godhead–which I have major issues with.  There are articles about the canon, which there are major problems with.  Those really interested in the canon, should read the following articles:

The Old Testament Canon This article shows from Catholic accepted writings, that the Old Testament used by non-Roman Catholics and non-Orthodox churches is the correct version.
The New Testament Canon – From the Bible Itself This article, shows from the Bible and supporting sources, why the early Church knew which books were part of the Bible and which ones were not.

The front page mentions RCG’s new building plans, which I covered at the News of Those Once Affiliated with GCG page (see posts 11/13/11 and 11/26/11).  I also warned about that project four years ago.

The front page also mentioned Ronald Weinland’s indictment, which has also been covered here (CGPFK’s Ron Weinland Indicted for Possible Tax Evasion, Ronald Weinland Charges, and Ronald Weinland Responds to Charges of Tax Evasion).

Bobby Fischer and a 2011 HBO movie about him were also mentioned.  While Bobby Fischer has been mentioned here from time to time (e.g. see Bobby Fischer Died), his movie was not.  Here is some of what The Journal reported:

ARCADIA, Calif.—Harry Sneider, former WCG and AC employee and personal trainer to actor and former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and many other notables, is featured in a new movie about the late chess champion Bobby Fischer. The film, Bobby Fischer Against the World, appeared in January 2011 on HBO television and in movie theaters. Mr. Fischer moved to Pasadena, Calif., in 1972 to be near the college and church headquarters after his triumph over Boris Spassky in the World Chess Championship in Reykjavik, Iceland. “He was a coworker with the Church of God, and Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong wanted to help Bobby in any way he could,” Mr. Sneider remembers.

FWIW, I do not believe that Bobby Fischer was ever a truly converted member of the Church of God, but God will make the actual judgment of course.

The planned COGWA (COGWA is a 2010 split from UCG) move to Texas, which was mentioned here (see COGWA to Texas, But Dr. Winnail is Not), was also reported on.  Various Feast of Tabernacles sites, ads, and opinions were also covered in the current issue.

Some articles of related interest may also include:

Concerns about Church of God, a Worldwide Association Known as 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. UCG’s former president Clyde Kilough and UK CEO Peter Hawkins are part of it.
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.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now basically the Living Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
The 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?
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 This is a shorter article than the Binitarian View article, but has a little more information on binitarianism.

COGwriter

In the current edition of LCG’s Tomorrow’s World magazine, Rod McNair has the following:

God is not pleased with the moral degradation of the U.S. and other nations that profess to be “Christian” while leading the world in behavior He says He “hates” (Malachi 2:16)!  The Western nations kill unborn babies and call it “family planning” and a matter of “choice.” A majority of Americans now say they support same-sex “marriage” (“Connubial bliss in America,” Economist, July 30, 2011, p. 30) though the Bible—both Old Testament and New Testament—condemn homosexuality as an unnatural sin and abomination (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:27)!  Meanwhile, youths riot out of control in London streets, and “flash mobs” across the U.S. prey on retail stores in a disturbing new crime trend. Some 40 million Americans are regularly involved in pornography on-line, destroying their own character and ripping apart the fabric of their marriages and families. As the American Psychological Society reported, “Finding pornography on the Internet is as easy as Googling the word ‘sex,’ as the 40 million Americans who visit porn Web sites each year can attest” (APA Monitor, November 2007, p. 50). Americans are no more disciplined financially, as their nation staggers under skyrocketing debt while its economy stagnates. Many are sensing that something has gone terribly wrong!

How long will it be before God removes His blessing? How long before He allows the U.S. and other modern descendants of ancient Israel to suffer a “Haiti”-sized earthquake, or a “Fukushima”-type disaster? God warns us against the foolishness of not taking His gentle correction, lest He need to use more severe methods to get our attention: “Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded… Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me… For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them” (Proverbs 1:23–24, 28, 32).

The end of this age is drawing near. Are we willing to serve the God of heaven and earth, or are we only trying to serve ourselves? Jesus Christ commands us to repent! Sadly, most will not heed that warning. Christ said, “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:12–13).

Pornography itself is a big business and causes a variety of problems, such as the fact that it hurts families as well as society in general. It also hurts those who watch and who provide it.  Abortion and homosexuality also hurt families.

LCG’s Wyatt Ciesieka in a commentary mentioned:

When so many of our “leaders” (whether in the entertainment or sports industries, or in local neighborhoods and cities) are hedonistic and morally adrift, then the entire society—especially its easily influenced young people—becomes debased.

Various forms of “entertainment” are contributing to the moral degradation here and elsewhere.  Of course, the USA is not the only country with moral degradation.

But since the Bible indicates that the Great Tribulation begins as the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), it is the Anglo-descended nations, like the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand that will experience that first.

And while those nations probably will not repent before its too late, you can.  You can be spared from the hour of trial that Jesus spoke of (Revelation 3:10).

Some articles of related interest may include:

There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ from the ‘hour of trial”.  It includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, showing that there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.
LCG: Pornography, Who’s Tempting Whom? This is some information about the prevalence and dangers of pornography from the Living Church of God.
CG7 on Pornography This is an article excerpt from the Church of God, 7th Day-Denver about pornography.
Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? Has the Roman Catholic Church allowed abortions? What about the Living Church of God?
LCG: Homosexuals Gaining Ground “Same-sex marriage” is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality?
Is American Football Evil? Is the most popular spectator sport in the USA something that Christians should watch? What do the Bible and early writings show?
Earthquakes Today and Bible Prophecy Contains a cool up-to-the-hour update of earthquakes around the world from USGS. It also explains what did Jesus teach about earthquakes and how the Bible describes “the big one” (as well as when it is expected).
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
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?
Several More Reasons American’s Question Obama’s Religion Is Barack Obama a Christian? He claims to be. Others question that.
Many Americans Believe that Barack Obama is Muslim Is Barack Obama Muslim? Many feel that he is?
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?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.

Flag of Korea, 1889

COGwriter

South Korea is quite concerned about what may happen in North Korea:

Kim Jong Eun in as ‘Great Successor;’ South Korea puts military on high alert

Washington Post – ‎20 December 2011

North Korea is preparing to put its leader Kim Jong Il to rest and welcome his successor, Kim Jong Eun, after the announcement of Kim Jong Il’s death on Saturday…

A plump young man now in his late 20s, Kim Jong Eun studied for a time in Switzerland at a German-speaking high school in Liebefeld, a suburb of the Swiss capital Bern. Former classmates remember a shy but determined boy obsessed with American basketball and expensive sports shoes. They say he spoke passable German and made some local friends, but was monitored closely by staff from the North Korean embassy in Bern.

South Korea has placed its military on high alert in response to Kim Jong Il’s death and the transfer of power, and South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that North Korea had conducted at least one missile test Monday.

The North Korean politicians have often been playing a dangerous game with their country and their people.

Yet, biblical prophecy seems to suggest cooperation in Korea in the final time just prior to the return of Jesus Christ (Revelation 16:12).  North Korea’s newest leader may inadvertently help get the Koreas to fulfill that prophetic passage.  Thus, we may be at a time that is making some type of reconciliation (which does not necessarily have to come peaceably).

Origins of the Koreans

A Chinese tradition says that Korea came from a small kingdom within China:

Somewhere north of that vast region watered by the Sungari River, itself only a tributary to the Amur, there existed, according to Chinese tradition, in very ancient times, a petty kingdom called Korai, or To-li. Out of this kingdom sprang the founder of the Corean race…Arriving at their city, he became the king of the tribe and kingdom of Fuyu, which lay in the fertile and well-watered region between the Sun- gari River and the Shan Alyn, or Ever-White Mountains. It extended several hundred miles east and west of a line drawn southward through Kirin, the larger half lying on the west. Fuyu, as described by a Chinese writer of the Eastern Han dynasty (25 B.a-190 A.d.), was a land of fertile soil, in which ” the five cereals ” (wheat, rice, millet, beans, and sorghum) could be raised. The men were tall, muscular, and brave, and withal generous and courteous to each other. Their arms were bows and arrows, swords, and lances. They were skilful horsemen. Their ornaments were large pearls, and cut jewels of red jade. They made spirits from grain, and were fond of drinking bouts, feasting, dancing, and singing. With many drinkers there were few cups. The latter were rinsed in a bowl of water, and with great ceremony passed from one to another. They ate with chopsticks, out of bowls, helping themselves out of large dishes. It is a striking fact that the Fuyu people, though living so far from China, were dwellers in cities which they surrounded with palisades or walls of stakes. They lived in wooden houses, and stored their crops in granaries (Griffis, William Elliot. Corea, the hermit nation: I. Ancient and mediæval history. II. Political and social Corea. III. Modern and recent history 8th Edition. C. Scribner’s sons, 1907, pp. 19,21).

To learn more about where the Chinese may have come from, please see the article China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters

Koreans have their own tradition about where they come from:

Korean legends say that Tangun, who lived in the 2300’s B.C., was the father of the Korean civilization. Korea developed by itself until Kija, an exile from China, led about 5,000 followers to Korea in 1122 B.C. He founded a kingdom called Chosen (Hu, Charles Y. Korea. World Book Encyclopedia, 50th edition, Volume 11. Chicago, p. 296)

Chosen is also spelled Chosun and means Morning Calm. One of Japheth’s son had a name that ended with an “n” (Javan) and it may be possible that the Koreans may have partially descended from one of his descendants.

An account penned in the nineteenth century appears to claim that the Koreans (called Corea below) descended from Gomer through Ashkenaz:

According to the Tartars and Orientals, the Chinese are descended from Tchin, or Gin, the son of Japheth, and brother of Tarag, or Turk, from whom came the Turkmans. Tchin is the Ashchenaz of Scripture, the son of Gomer : and Turk is Toragmah, the brother of Ashchenaz. The Orientals call all grandsons, sons. Another division of the descendants of Aschenaz or Atchinez—as his name was pronounced in the following parts—migrated across the Imaus mountains, now the great Altai and Changai. These people spread to a vast extent, till they reached the Pacific Ocean. They formed the following nations :—

First.—The Issedones, about the river Etchine, on the borders of China and the Desert of Thamo.

Second.—The “Kin Tartars, inhabiting the territory round the north of Corea, and along the shores of the Pacific Ocean…

Tonkin, Cochin-China, Tciampa, Laos or Schan States, and Cambodia, anciently formed part of the Chinese Empire, the name of which was Tchin, so called from Atchinez, from which the names of nearly all these countries are derived.

(Source: Painter, John Thomas. Ethnology: or The history & genealogy of the human race: Or, The History & Genealogy of the Human Race. Baillière, Tindall & Cox, 1880 Original from Oxford University Digitized Jul 3, 2006, p. 106)

Some within Church of God circles have also speculated that the Chinese and Koreans have descended from Magog (e.g. Generations of Japheth. Church of God News. Chicago District, 1965). On this point, I have not seen convincing evidence–but am simply not sure either way. It is not impossible that perhaps some descendants from Magog intermarried with some of the descendants of Ashkenaz and likely Javan.

Since Japheth means “expansion” (which the orientals have done in terms of numbers) I believe that the oriental races (and some of the Caucasians), including the Koreans somehow descended from Japheth–but specifically through whom is harder to determine. The Korean language was originally written using Hanja (Chinese characters) pronounced in the Korean way.

The Koreans are Asians and occupy the “land of the sunrise” and I believe that they are part of the kings of the east that the Book of Revelation discusses having a role in the end time.

Two articles of possibly related interest would include the following:

Korea in Prophecy, Any Witness? Does God have a plan for the Koreans? Is Korea mentioned in any prophecies? Will Koreans be among the first in the Kingdom of God? 한국의 언어로 : 한국 예언, 모든 증인에?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, Koreans, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?

COGwriter

Here are excerpts from an LCG commentary:

Not the reason for the season

By Wyatt Ciesielka |

Many people realize that Jesus Christ was not born anywhere near December 25 and that Christmas is rooted in ancient paganism, but will still proclaim that Jesus is “the reason for the season.” Is this true? Who is really being celebrated on December 25? Why the evergreen tree? And most importantly, is Jesus Christ really pleased?

Luke 2:1-8 tells us that Jesus was born during the time of the Roman census when the shepherds were still abiding in the fields at night. But, the shepherds were not out at night in the fields anywhere close to December 25th! In ancient Palestine, because of heavy winter rainstorms, the shepherds always brought their flocks in from the countryside by no later than mid October. As Ezra 10:9-13 makes clear, by December ancient Palestine was bitter cold and rainy! So, why is Jesus’ birth celebrated on December 25?

The fact is that winter solstice celebrations preceded Jesus’ birth by more than 2,000 years; all the way back to ancient Babylon and the Babylonish “mystery religion” devoted to worshiping Baal. To honor Nimrod, reborn as the infant Tammuz, Semiramis (Nimrod’s widow) claimed that a beautiful evergreen tree sprang overnight from a dead tree stump! The ancient Babylonians then began to utilize the evergreen tree during the winter-solstice to celebrate Nimrod reborn as the sun-god! This tradition lived through the centuries, manifesting in ancient Egyptian winter solstice festivals, Roman Saturnalia celebrations and Persian Mithras worship! And ancient Israel adopted this pagan custom thousands of years ago (Isaiah 57:5)!

Notice, 2 Kings 17:10, “They set up for themselves sacred pillars and wooden images on every high hill and under every green tree.” And, describing how wicked king Ahaz adopted this Babylonish worship, 2 Chronicles 28:2-4 recounts, he “burned his children in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations … and he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills and under every green tree.”…

The vast majority of those who celebrate Christmas are friendly, sincere, but deceived people. But, it is no secret that Christmas is of pagan origin and was not celebrated by the early post-Apostolic church. The Catholic Encyclopedia admits these very facts! “Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church … the first evidence of the feast is from Egypt.”

Does it really matter? Yes it does! Jesus is not “the reason for the season” – Baal is. True Christians are forbidden from adopting pagan customs to honor God (Deuteronomy 12:29-32, Jeremiah 10:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:15) and are commanded to “come out of” this Babylonish system (Revelation 18:4)! God the Father and Jesus Christ are of the same mind (John 10:30), and in Their eyes these pagan celebrations are “abominations” (Jeremiah 10:3-4; Ezekiel 8:13-14)!

While most people equate the Christmas-New Year’s season with family gatherings, gifts, parties, and religious stories, a pagan worship season is its basis.

The Apostles and their immediate real converts did not celebrate Christmas, New Year’s, or even birthdays.

Jesus really is not the reason for the season. And while some will object and say that despite that, Jesus is discussed so it is a good thing, perhaps Jesus words here will give some pause for thought:

3 “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?…6…Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. 7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

8 “These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
9 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'” (Matthew 15:3,6-10, NKJV

The Christmas season is not biblically enjoined for Christians and certainly is based upon doctrines and traditions of men. Traditions that are condemned in various parts of the Bible.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them?

Is January 1st a Date for Christians Celebrate? Historical and biblical answers to this question about the world’s New Year’s day.

Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations?

Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by 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.

COGwriter

Lawrence Nowell, the head of the so-called “Obedient, Church of God,” sent me emails this month stating that the EU would collapse shortly after Christmas, that I am wrong that the EU will be the Beast power, that the EU will be only one of the ten kings at the end, there is no hope for the EU, and indicating that Barack Obama is somehow Roman and may be the Beast or perhaps one of the ten kings.

While normally I would not report about such a small group, the fact is that groups that are substantially larger in size, like Fred Coulter’s CBCG and John Ritenbaugh’s CGG which tend to no longer teach that the ten kings of Revelation or ten toes of Daniel 2 are representing a European Beast empire.  Notice:

The Seven Heads that are With the Ten Horns: Revelation 13 speaks of seven heads in addition to the ten horns. Who are these seven heads? It is very possible that the nations of the G-7—meaning Group of Seven—are the seven heads. In 1975, the seven most powerful economic nations of the world began holding annual meetings. But it was not until 1985 that they were officially established as an independent power block in the world. In 1998, the G-7 added Russia as a guest observer. These seven nations continue to meet without Russia on certain worldwide economic issues. The G-7 nations are: the United States, the UK, Canada, Germany, France, Japan and Italy.We must also consider that another possible fulfillment of the seven heads could involve the seven permanent members of the UN Security Council. At present there are only five permanent members: the U.S., the UK, France, Russia and China. However, there have been recent proposals to add two more members—Japan and Germany—which would make seven permanent Council members (Coulter Fred. CBCG Monthly Newsletter. December 13, 2007).

Do you know of anybody that fears Europe? Internationally, Europe as a whole is a joke in terms of terrifying power. Europe is not coming together in the way that we anticipated. Europe is not becoming the colossus that we expected to see arise. Europe is, in reality, disunited, flat on its back politically, economically, militarily, and religiously… Europe is, in fact, declining in many areas important to being a super power that reflects what the Bible shows the world-dominating Beast to be…With that foundation, I want to emphasize to you that what I’m going to speak on from here on is not church doctrine. I am thinking out of the box. I’m speculating, based on what I see going on right now, and I’m actually looking to you for help, for ideas, for criticisms and suggestions. Now events may happen that will change my point of view in the future, but right now it looks like either a major portion of “the Beast” may be arising in the nations of Israel, led by the United States and the United Kingdom, or the woman riding the Beast in Revelation 17 consists of the nations of Israel, led by the United States and the United Kingdom. (Ritenbaugh J. Where is the Beast Part I.  CGG Sermon).

Events may happen that will change my point of view in the future. At this time, though, it looks as if either 1) a major portion of the Beast may be arising in the nations of Israel led by the United States and United Kingdom, or 2) the woman riding the Beast in Revelation 17 consists of the nations of Israel led by the United States and the United Kingdom. This second possibility is the most likely at this point. (Ritenbaugh JW. The Beast and Babylon (Part One).  Forerunner, “Personal,” March-April 2004)

People like Lawrence Nowell, Fred Coulter, and John Ritenbaugh are in error about the EU (nor can the USA and/or Canada be the Beast of Revelation 13).

The Bible, in my view, clearly shows that the Europeans will be those that rise up and temporarily rule the world.  When I tried to remind Lawrence Nowell about Daniel 9:26-27, he indicated that the Queen of England and US President Barack Obama were Roman, and hence that is how this could be interpreted.

Let me make this clear, I do not believe that God inspired Lawrence to do this or that US president Barack Obama is or can become the final Beast/King of the North of biblical prophecy–though I do believe Barack Obama has helped, and likely will help, set up this as my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect specifically warns.

Let me explain a little about Daniel 9:26-27 after quoting the relevant parts of it:

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

The people in who destroyed the city and the sanctuary were part of the Roman Empire.  The Roman Empire included peoples of many nations, but mainly those we would now call continental European.  This is not, in my view, any type of veiled reference to US President Barack Obama nor the Queen of England.

Additionally, the heads of this power have been the so-called “Holy Roman Empire” throughout history, and that empire was also European.  A resurrection, if you will, of the old “Holy Roman Empire” is alluded to in biblical prophecy (Revelation 13:3; 17:10) (its final rise is also specifically foretold in various Catholic writings).  And the references to the Beast and images in the Book of Daniel are primarily related to empires that were part of Europe and/or the Middle East/North Africa.

It should also be understood that the reference in the Book of Revelation to the city of seven hills/mountains (Revelation 17:9) is Rome according to Catholic, Protestant, and Church of God scholars.  The harlot woman sits in the area of Rome itself, a European location.  Europe is more than simply one of ten at the end, and the USA President is not a European leader.

Europe has been in the news a lot this year. There were reports of debt problems in Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain, and France. There are reports that indicate that Germany in general, and its Chancellor Merkel in particular, are trying to arrange things so that Germany can change Europe more into its image. There were also reports that Germany and others expect the United Kingdom, which never has adopted the Euro, to help bail out certain eurozone nations.

How it all will play out for now is not entirely clear. But what is clear is that the Bible, in Revelation 17, shows that the Europeans will reorganize in the future:

12 “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. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. (Revelation 17:12-13)

Steps towards this happening are continuing as we in the Living Church of God have long taught–and there will be bumps in the road and problems (major civil unrest, or worse, may occur).

Europe will be more than simply one of the ten kings–it will lead the Beast power.

Of course, the Bible is clear that the final European Beast power will not actually be highly unified as it will basically be a combination of strong and weak, or as the Bible more literally states, iron and clay:

41 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. 42 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. 43 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. (Daniel 2:41-43)

According to Bible prophecy, a European power, despite its fragility, is destined to temporarily be the most dominant force in the world, ultimately conquer the Anglo-descended nations ( who appear to have the strongest military fortresses, Daniel 11:39), and later come to its end (Daniel 11:45).

It is partially because of how Europe looks to many now, that many will marvel about its military successes in the future per Revelation 13:3-4 (there would be little point at marveling if Europe was considered the clear leading military power before it won various wars).

But before it is destroyed (Daniel 11:21-44), the final Beast power must come together and get to the place where it has major economic influence.

While it is possible that the Euro will be replaced (and I published that years ago), the issues that Europe is currently having will simply help prepare it to be the final Beast power of Revelation 13/17/18.

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”? Using the Tower of Babel and “Beast” images suggests it is not concerned about its role as being part of the future Babylon of Bible prophecy.
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? Is the German Defense Minister one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?

World Currencies

COGwriter

Over the past decade or so, some in the media have called for a debt jubilee similar to that which the Bible calls for:

Renowned economist Stephen Roach, currently non-executive chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia, has gone a step further, calling for Wall Street to get behind what others have called a “Debt Jubilee” to forgive excess mortgage and credit card debt for some borrowers.  The notion of a Debt Jubilee dates back to biblical Israel where debts were forgiven every 50 years or so. In an August appearance on CNBC, Roach said debt forgiveness would help consumers get through “the pain of deleveraging sooner rather than later.” http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/03/us-haircut-idUSTRE79125J20111003

PAUL SOLMAN:…The Bible says Jubilee should be celebrated every 50 years, and include debt forgiveness, as the Lord spoke unto Moses, on Mt. Sinai: “And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land… and ye shall return every man unto his possessions and ye shall return every man unto his family.” …

PAUL SOLMAN: Jo Marie Griesgraber heads Jubilee 2000 in the US She says God ordered the canceling of debts to relieve the poor…

JOE MARIE GRIESGRABER: So that children who are sold into debt servitude and people who are in debt slavery would be free. Land that was held as collateral would be returned to the owner.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/economy/jan-june00/debt_4-11.html

In the Old Testament Book of Leviticus, God commands the children of Israel to observe a jubilee every 50 years. Nowadays we tend to associate the word with celebrations of royal anniversaries such as Queen Elizabeth’s golden jubilee in 2002. But the biblical conception of a jubilee was more precise: that of a general cancellation of debts.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/85432b32-cd32-11dd-9905-000077b07658,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F85432b32-cd32-11dd-9905-000077b07658.html&_i_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3B_ylt%3DA0oG7mf2aeBO3XEAgrpXNyoA%3Fp%3D50%2Byear%2Bjubilee%2Bdebt%26fr%3Dsfp%26fr2%3Dsb-top%26xargs%3D0%26pstart%3D1%26b%3D21%26xa%3DG1SO3LfA9PqPzlmj_w9Trw–%2C1323416438

Even the Bible ordains that there should be a jubilee every 50 years, when debts will be forgiven…At some point in the coming years, governments will have to face up to the fact that if they and their citizens intend to pay off their debts in full, it will consign them to a long and painful period of stagnation. So why not follow in our ancient ancestors’ footsteps and go the whole hog with a grand jubilee for modern debt? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/edmundconway/6986140/Why-a-debt-jubilee-is-not-the-answer-to-Britains-prayers.html

One of the biblical restrictions on capitalism was the jubilee, which was to occur every 50 years.

It not only eliminated debts, it gave back ancestral lands (which tended to stop excessive real estate speculation) and tended to encourage people to take better care of the land (if the land is to be part of one’s family in perpetuity, people would be more careful with it).

Here is what the Bible itself teaches about it:

8 ‘And you shall count seven sabbaths of years for yourself, seven times seven years; and the time of the seven sabbaths of years shall be to you forty-nine years. 9 Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land. 10 And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family. 11 That fiftieth year shall be a Jubilee to you; in it you shall neither sow nor reap what grows of its own accord, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine. 12 For it is the Jubilee; it shall be holy to you; you shall eat its produce from the field.

13 ‘In this Year of Jubilee, each of you shall return to his possession. 14 And if you sell anything to your neighbor or buy from your neighbor’s hand, you shall not oppress one another. 15 According to the number of years after the Jubilee you shall buy from your neighbor, and according to the number of years of crops he shall sell to you. 16 According to the multitude of years you shall increase its price, and according to the fewer number of years you shall diminish its price; for he sells to you according to the number of the years of the crops. 17 Therefore you shall not oppress one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the Lord your God.  (Leviticus 25:8-17)

25 ‘If one of your brethren becomes poor, and has sold some of his possession, and if his redeeming relative comes to redeem it, then he may redeem what his brother sold. 26 Or if the man has no one to redeem it, but he himself becomes able to redeem it, 27 then let him count the years since its sale, and restore the remainder to the man to whom he sold it, that he may return to his possession. 28 But if he is not able to have it restored to himself, then what was sold shall remain in the hand of him who bought it until the Year of Jubilee; and in the Jubilee it shall be released, and he shall return to his possession.

29 ‘If a man sells a house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold; within a full year he may redeem it. 30 But if it is not redeemed within the space of a full year, then the house in the walled city shall belong permanently to him who bought it, throughout his generations. It shall not be released in the Jubilee. 31 However the houses of villages which have no wall around them shall be counted as the fields of the country. They may be redeemed, and they shall be released in the Jubilee. 32 Nevertheless the cities of the Levites, and the houses in the cities of their possession, the Levites may redeem at any time. 33 And if a man purchases a house from the Levites, then the house that was sold in the city of his possession shall be released in the Jubilee; for the houses in the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel. 34 But the field of the common-land of their cities may not be sold, for it is their perpetual possession.  (Leviticus 25:25-34)

40 As a hired servant and a sojourner he shall be with you, and shall serve you until the Year of Jubilee. 41 And then he shall depart from you — he and his children with him — and shall return to his own family. He shall return to the possession of his fathers.  (Leviticus 25:40-41)

47 ‘Now if a sojourner or stranger close to you becomes rich, and one of your brethren who dwells by him becomes poor, and sells himself to the stranger or sojourner close to you, or to a member of the stranger’s family, 48 after he is sold he may be redeemed again. One of his brothers may redeem him; 49 or his uncle or his uncle’s son may redeem him; or anyone who is near of kin to him in his family may redeem him; or if he is able he may redeem himself. 50 Thus he shall reckon with him who bought him: The price of his release shall be according to the number of years, from the year that he was sold to him until the Year of Jubilee; it shall be according to the time of a hired servant for him. 51 If there are still many years remaining, according to them he shall repay the price of his redemption from the money with which he was bought. 52 And if there remain but a few years until the Year of Jubilee, then he shall reckon with him, and according to his years he shall repay him the price of his redemption. 53 He shall be with him as a yearly hired servant, and he shall not rule with rigor over him in your sight. 54 And if he is not redeemed in these years, then he shall be released in the Year of Jubilee — he and his children with him. 55 For the children of Israel are servants to Me; they are My servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.  (Leviticus 25:47-55)

2 And they said: “The Lord commanded my lord Moses to give the land as an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel, and my lord was commanded by the Lord to give the inheritance of our brother Zelophehad to his daughters. 3 Now if they are married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel, then their inheritance will be taken from the inheritance of our fathers, and it will be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry; so it will be taken from the lot of our inheritance. 4 And when the Jubilee of the children of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry; so their inheritance will be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.  (Numbers 36:2-4)

16 ‘If a man dedicates to the Lord part of a field of his possession, then your valuation shall be according to the seed for it. A homer of barley seed shall be valued at fifty shekels of silver. 17 If he dedicates his field from the Year of Jubilee, according to your valuation it shall stand. 18 But if he dedicates his field after the Jubilee, then the priest shall reckon to him the money due according to the years that remain till the Year of Jubilee, and it shall be deducted from your valuation. 19 And if he who dedicates the field ever wishes to redeem it, then he must add one-fifth of the money of your valuation to it, and it shall belong to him. 20 But if he does not want to redeem the field, or if he has sold the field to another man, it shall not be redeemed anymore; 21 but the field, when it is released in the Jubilee, shall be holy to the Lord, as a devoted field; it shall be the possession of the priest.

22 ‘And if a man dedicates to the Lord a field which he has bought, which is not the field of his possession, 23 then the priest shall reckon to him the worth of your valuation, up to the Year of Jubilee, and he shall give your valuation on that day as a holy offering to the Lord. 24 In the Year of Jubilee the field shall return to him from whom it was bought, to the one who owned the land as a possession.  (Leviticus 27:16-24)

Essentially, the jubilee was a reset for society and a new chance for those who had not handled their finances as well as others may have.  And since it was supposed to be observed once every 50 years,  most people who did not die in childhood would have experienced it once or even twice in their lifetime (yes, even three times was possible).

As far as the meaning of the term translated as jubilee, notice the following:

The translation “Jubilee year” results from a mistaken application of cognates (similar words in different languages). In the original Hebrew, the year was called the “year of the horn,” or, in Hebrew, “the year of the yovel.” The Latin for yovel is iobileus, which just happens to sound like the Latin word iubileus, connected to the verb iubilare, “to celebrate.” The English “Jubilee year” comes from the Latin.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-joel-hoffman/five-mistakes-bible-translation_b_1129620.html

Some have suggested that because the jubilee is not observed, that this is perhaps why there tends to be major economic problems every 50-60 or so years.  Notice the following:

“Kondratieff long wave cycle (K-wave) was originally used to explain long wave economic cycles. Its originator Nickolai Kondratieff was a Russian economist (1892-1938) in Stalin’s Agricultural Academy and Business Research Institute (“Long Waves in Economic Life” – originally published in German in 1926). Kondratieff’s major premise was that capitalist economies displayed long wave cycles of boom and bust ranging between 50-60 years in duration. Kondratieff’s study covered the period 1789 to 1926 and was centered on prices and interest rates.”

“The 50-60 year cycle of catastrophe and renewal had been observed and recorded by the ancient Mayans of Central America and by the ancient Israelites. Further studies have discovered similar long economic waves from the period of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Kondratieff identified four distinct phases the economy goes through. They are a period of inflationary growth, followed by stagflation, then deflationary growth and finally depression.” http://www.gold-eagle.com/editorials_02/chapmand062902.html See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kondratiev_wave

How often the children of Israel ever really observed “the year of the yovel” is a question, but there is no question that the modern descendants of Israel have not observed it for many centuries.  Hence, this seems to have been an overlooked or even despised portion of the word of God.  Yet, notice a warning in Isaiah 30:12-13 to the descendants of Israel:

12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel:

“Because you despise this word, And trust in oppression and perversity, And rely on them, 13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you Like a breach ready to fall, A bulge in a high wall, Whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant.

The modern descendents of Israel more and more seem to despise the word of God and to accept practices of oppression (including not following biblical laws related to debt and land distribution) and perversity.

While I do not endorse all the goals and objectives of the Occupy movement, it is a fact that biblical approaches to debt are not part of the laws of any nation currently on earth.  But this will change after the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His kingdom.

One last comment.  I received a couple of emails from someone a few months ago who claimed that the 50 year biblical jubilee would begin on October 8, 2011.  He was upset that I and the Living Church of God would not proclaim that.  I told him we did not believe that this was the end of the jubilee period.  One of the reasons is that since we believe God has a 6,000 plan for humankind that should be up within a decade or so, since 6,000 years is divisible by 50, we do not believe that 2011-2012 could be the year of jubilee.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2018 or 2019?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it. Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Who are the people of the Netherlands at least partially descended 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?

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

COGwriter

The Great Tribulation will not begin in 2012.  And I have studied this matter extensively and even written a book that teaches that (2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect).

Despite the fact that inaccurate “prophets” such as Ronald Weinland and Harold Camping have declared that the biblical period known as the “great tribulation” began some time ago (both changed dates in the past and both have been shown to be wrong in the past), the reality is that this biblically prophesied event cannot begin prior to 2015.  Nor does it matter what James Malm (who has also been shown to be wrong in the past), in a 7/28/11 post titled Present Trends and Dating The Tribulation, stated:

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.

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.  James Malm also made a similar post on November 6, 2011:

IF 2012 were to be the year then the abomination would be set up in mid Sep 2012. DO NOT BE DECEIVED: ALL THE BIBLICAL SIGNS MUST BE PRESENT BEFORE THE TRIBULATION WILL START!

And while IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THAT THE GREAT TRIBULATION WILL START IN 2012 NOR IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE ABOMINATION WILL BE SET UP IN SEPTEMBER 2012, he is correct that all the biblical signs must be present for the Great Tribulation to start–but they are not.

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 or similar covenant 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).

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 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 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? and As I Warned, Interim Government of Egypt Looks to be Replaced by Islamic-Focused One to cite just two examples), 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).

James Malm Also Wrong About the King of the South

In a post today, titled The Coming Middle East War, James Malm actually posted:

I have consistently said that Egypt is the King of the South along with her allies Israel and the British/American nations; and that the Islamic nations will join themselves with the King of the North as per Psalm 83.

Islam, either Radical or Moderate, has nothing to do with the King of the South [other than Egypt happening to be an Islamic country] and the majority of Islamic countries will be in league with the King of the North, Psalm 83!  This biblical position is in harmony with the massive Islamic presence in Europe; and is  the exact opposite of the many COG Group’s, unbiblical and irrational position.

In saying these things I have been called a false prophet simply because I have not agreed with the general, extrabiblical COG take on Islamic Extremism coalescing into the King of the South.

These next few months will now reveal whether I was correct concerning these things or whether such Groups as UCG, LCG and PCG have been correct all along.

If regime  change does take place in Iran and Syria, my warnings shall be vindicated and the COG Group’s positions of Islamic Extremism becoming the King of the South will; be proven wrong!

The first time I recall hearing the false hypothesis that Britain and the USA were part of the King of the South was from literature from the Jehovah’s Witness.  The USA and Britain ARE not going to be part of the King of the South.  

Yet, let it be stated that it certainly is possible that there will be a regional war in the Middle East prior to the apparent peace deal in Daniel 9:27, as well as a regime change in Iran and/or Syria (the Bible teaches that Damascus will cease to be a city in Isaiah 17).  And it is specifically true that the Islamic nations in Psalm 83 will align temporarily with the King of the North.  But James Malm contention that a regime change in the next few months vindicates him is a stretch.  It is James Malm who has repeatedly made prophetic claims which have been shown to be in error.

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.

Nor will those who believe that the Mayan prophecies about the world ending in a flood be fulfilled.

The Great Tribulation biblically cannot begin before 2015, and in my view, 2016 or later is more likely.

Some articles of related interest may include the following:

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?
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?
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.
Similarities and Differences Between the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Living Church of God Both groups claim to represent the original Christian faith.  Do you know much about them? Both groups have some interesting similarities, but many major differences. Would you like information on how to deal with Jehovah’s Witnesses?
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 2012, 2013, or 2014? 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.

COGwriter

Saw an email today from GCI (Grace Communion International, the group that temporarily ran the new WCG) that stated the following:

Speaking of Life, with Dr. Joseph Tkach
The Meaning of Christmas

May this Christmas season be a wonderful time of joy in which we remember and celebrate what the birth of Jesus Christ means for all the world.

What is the  meaning of Christmas?

GCI’s website, in at least one article, correctly teaches that:

1. The date of Jesus’ birth is not mentioned in the Bible.
2. No early Christian celebrated Christmas.
3. Scholars recognize that December 25th was chosen to compromise with pagan sun god worshippers.

Of course, it is not just GCI who knows this.  Even The Catholic Encyclopedia admits that December 25 was Mithras’ birthday and that pagan sun worship practices are tied into a reason for the December 25th date.

GCI itself would not have adopted the December 25th date based upon the Bible, but only because others, like the Church of Rome were observing it.

So, what is the MEANING OF CHRISTMAS?

Christmas was MEANT to be a compromise with pagan sun-god worshippers.  Pagans liked the mid-winter partying, and those under that influence of sun-god worshippers picked the date so that they could claim that the celebration was transformed from a pagan holiday to supposedly being a Christian one.  People often accept it now as a compromise with the world.

Furthermore, not only did early Christians not celebrate Christmas, they also did not celebrate birthdays. The observance of birthdays, too, was a compromise with a pagan emperor who was a worshipper of the sun god Mithras–the one whose birthday was December 25th.

Satan apparently influenced all of this and it appears that his meaning of Christmas was to water down biblical truth, compromise biblical truth, and incorporate enough paganism into the belief system of most who profess Christ so that they would not bother to properly observe the festivals that the original Christians kept.

The original “yearly Christian festivals” included Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day (see Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible?).

Most of which most who profess Christianity today either have never heard or know little about.  Sadly, the real “meaning of Christmas” is part of the reason.

Some articles of related interest may include:

What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them? Is December 25th Jesus’ birthday or that of the sun god?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations?
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. December 25th was celebrated as his birthday. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity?
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.
Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they?
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?
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

Aftermath of Typhoon Ketsana in Manila, 2009

COGwriter

There has been a deadly flood in the Philippines:

BBC News – ‎17 December 2011

Flash floods triggered by a tropical storm in the southern Philippines have killed more than 430 people and left many more missing, officials say.

Weather-related problems can greatly disrupt many lives, and as the above shows, even loss of lives.

In its latest TW News & Prophecy, LCG has the following:

U.S. weather-related disasters of “Biblical proportions” in 2011.

“America smashed the record for billion-dollar weather disasters this year with a deadly dozen, and counting. With an almost biblical onslaught of twisters, floods, snow, drought, heat and wildfire, the U.S. in 2011 has seen more weather catastrophes that caused at least $1 billion in damage than it did in all of the 1980s, even after the dollar figures from back then are adjusted for inflation… Extreme weather in America this year has killed more than 1,000 people, according to National Weather Service Director Jack Hayes. The dozen billion-dollar disasters alone add up to $52 billion”–and 2011 is not quite over” (Associated Press, December 7, 2011).

Long ago, God said He would bless and protect Israel and its descendants if they would obey Him, but if they would not obey Him, He would remove His protection and allow devastating events to punish them (see Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28). Similar end-time prophecies are found throughout the major and minor prophets. Micah and Haggai both mention end-time famine (Micah 6:13-15; Haggai 1:10-11). John prophesied about similar famine in Revelation 6:6-8. Luke 21:25 speaks of seas and waves roaring as a “sign” of the end of the age. As weather events increase in power and frequency, God will use them to humble the rebellious Israelite-descended nations.

For more on weather and prophecy, see our booklet Who Controls the Weather?

Jesus foretold on a time of natural disasters as “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:7-8), but the Book of Revelation (16:8-11) tells of a time of even greater disturbances during “the Day of the Lord.”

The affected areas are in my prayers.

Now, ultimately of course, there is good news as ultimately, God’s kingdom will come and those issues will be gone (Revelation 7:16).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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.
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, Japanese, and others of Asia? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
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?
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?