Church of God News

COGwriter

US President Obama’s was at the National Prayer Breakfast today and made some comments:

“When I talk about shared responsibility, it’s because I genuinely believe that in a time when many folks are struggling and at a time when we have enormous deficits, it’s hard for me to ask seniors on a fixed income or young people with student loans or middle-class families who can barely pay the bills to shoulder the burden alone,” Obama said.

“But for me as a Christian, it also coincides with Jesus’ teaching that, for unto whom much is given, much shall be required,” he said. (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g-TRRODeNNCTShwzLvqDYGixc2PA?docId=37dc21efcf1446b29e178f325dec7749)

47 And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.  48 But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:47-48)

4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control?  (Acts 5:4)

7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.  (2 Corinthians 9:7)

We are living in the last days. The sorrows and troubles are just beginning (Matthew 24:5-8) and will get much worse (Matthew 24:21-22).  Increasing taxes on one segment of the population does not seem to be the “Christian solution.”  Repentance from sin and studying the truth from the Bible would help do that, but this is not something that President Obama has truly advocated.

Of course, President Obama has taken other positions, such as his support of abortion and homosexual marriage (see also Obama Announces He Wants to Repeal Defense of Marriage Act and Increase Debt) in direct opposition to various scriptures (see also Ten reasons Americans do not consider Barack Obama to be a Christian).  And, of course, it is just not him.

Many selectively claim and overlook many passages in the Bible.

While there are many scriptures that discuss helping the poor, taking substantially higher percentages of more from those who are not poor is not something that the Bible actually advocates.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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.
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? If so, what does that really mean for the USA and its Anglo allies.

The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

COGwriter

The State of Washington is moving towards legalizing homosexual marriage:

Bill legalizing same-sex marriage passes Washington state Senate

Boston Herald – 2 Februar‎y 2012

By Andrew Garber / The Seattle Times OLYMPIA, Wash. – A bill legalizing same-sex marriage in Washington cleared its biggest legislative hurdle late Wednesday in a historic vote by the state Senate.

The increased acceptance of homosexuality and/or marriage amongst homosexuals is happening in many parts of the world, and is rapidly happening in the USA.  The State of Washington is part of what seems to be a national trend.

Historically, the USA had not been accepting of homosexuality.  And under the Clinton Administration, the Defense of Marriage Act was signed, which basically prohibited marriage to be defined as partners of the same-sex.  Despite taking an oath to defend the laws of the USA, current USA President Barack Obama and his administration decided not to defend that particular law last year.  Instead he decided he wanted to get rid of that law (see Obama Announces He Wants to Repeal Defense of Marriage Act and Increase Debt).

But are there consequences for societies that become more accepting of the homosexual agenda?

The Bible says that there is.

Notice what happened there between three thousand and four thousand years ago:

24 Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens. 25 So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. (Genesis 19:24-25)

And why did it happen?

7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 7)

Why mention this in the 21st century? Because God turned:

6…the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6,
NKJV)

Thus, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah were to serve as an example to those who would live as they did.

Of course, not everyone in Sodom and Gomorrah were homosexuals as those that strictly practice that could not reproduce. Yet, notice that the destruction that hit their cities destroyed all that were there and notice that something like this is to happen again according to Jesus:

26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. (Luke 17:26-29)

The Senate in the State of Washington can pretend that increasing “homosexual rights” is acceptable, but the Bible suggests otherwise.

Homosexual acts are clearly prohibited in the Bible:

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

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

The following passage, written nearly two thousand years ago, essentially predicts resurgences of homosexuality and explains why this happens:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:18-32)

Many of those in the top governmental positions in the West do not wish to retain the word of God in their knowledge and endorse evolution instead of creation as the origin of life, so it is little wonder that increasing societal acceptance of homosexuality is occurring. Also notice that God warned that many would “also approve of those who practice” various forms of sin. This is what more and more government leaders are doing.

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

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

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

Keeping the Ten Commandments reflects love. Breaking them and/or condoning those that do is evil. This should be clear to those who believe the God of the Bible.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments? This article quotes what Jesus actually said about them (His words are in red).
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.
Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
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.

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

COGwriter

Standards & Poors is again considering downgrades of the credit worthiness of the USA and others:

 Feb 1, 2012, 03.47AM IST

NEW YORK/TOKYO: S&P’s warned it may downgrade “a number of highly rated” Group of 20 countries from 2015 if their governments fail to enact reforms to curb rising healthcare spending and other costs related to ageing populations.

Developed nations in Europe, as well as Japan and the United States, are likely to suffer the largest deterioration in their public finances in the next four decades as more elderly strain social safety nets, S&P said in a report. “Steadily rising healthcare spending will pull heavily on public purse strings in the coming decades,” S&P analyst Marko Mrsnik wrote in the report. “If governments do not change their social protection systems, they will likely become unsustainable.”  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/SP-threatens-to-downgrade-G20-nations/articleshow/11707096.cms

While S&P is including Europe and Japan in this, the USA is the nation I would like to focus on.

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 as I have been saying, 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 (Jeremiah 30:7; Matthew 24:21).

But what S&P is warning is dangerous.  And in addition to the heath-care costs that S&P’s statement focused on, the total debt of the USA keeps rising:

1 February 2012…The debt limit increased by $1.2 trillion to $16.4 trillion Friday after the Senate shot down a resolution to block the increase.  http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120201-710809.html

The USA expects to end 2012 with a debt near that $16.4 trillion dollar limit.  That is roughly $52,000 per citizen, $145,000 per taxpayer.  And if you include all other future obligations, it is much, much worse.

The USA is the most indebted nation of all time.  Various credit agencies realize that the USA has problems with its debt.

Notice also the following prophecy:

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…5 Indeed, because he transgresses by wine, He is a proud man… 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 2:3,5,6-8).

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 before the start of the Great Tribulation.

It is not the Europe and Japan will not have their own issues, it just is that since they have not quite followed the USA into the debt creation machine to the same degree, they completely will fall apart later than the USA does.

And the Bible shows that the final King of the North of Europe will apparently secure gold (cf. Daniel 11:40-43) that will for a while, partially hold its collapse off (Revelation 18:11-16).

To learn more, please check out the following articles:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British-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? 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? 2012, 2013, or 2014? 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?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? Where did the Japanese people come from? Have they had any witness?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan? Will God save the Japanese?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?

Muslim Brotherhood
الإخوان المسلمون
Al-Ikhwān Al-Muslimūn

COGwriter

The Muslim Brotherhood is getting more political control in Egypt:

• By Ramadan Al Sherbini, Correspondent
• Published: 09:59 February 1, 2012

Cairo: A week after one of its leaders was elected speaker of parliament, the Muslim Brotherhood on Tuesday dominated key committees in the People’s Assembly, or the lower house of parliament.

Lawmakers of the group, banned for more than five decades, on Tuesday won in votes for chairing the bulk of legislature’s committees. The Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party holds nearly half of parliament whose elected chief is Sa’ad Al Katatni, a senior official in the party.

Results of votes held inside the legislature on Tuesday showed that an alliance led by the Muslim Brotherhood took over all but two of the parliamentary committees…

Committees of planning, industry, economy, manpower, Arab affairs, housing, culture, transport, human rights, health, legislation, education, complaints and religious affairs are now headed by lawmakers directly affiliated to the Muslim Brotherhood or belonging to political parties that forged an alliance with the group in recent legislative election.

The committees of agriculture and ethics proved to be the only two exceptions. They were won by two members from Al Nour, an ultra-conservative Salafist party that secured 24 per cent of vote in the parliamentary election.  http://gulfnews.com/news/region/egypt/muslim-brotherhood-takes-over-mubarak-party-s-parliament-committees-1.974243

The above shows that the two major Islamic parties in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafists now control all the committees in Egypt’s parliament.  No secular party controls any.

A few months back, the Living Church of God published the following:

Ultimately, the “Arab Spring” will not produce widespread “Western-friendly” democracy throughout the Mideast! Consider that, after 57 years in exile, the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood is now Egypt’s “best organized political movement” (The New York Times, June 19, 2011). Months after Egypt’s supposed move toward democracy, Egyptian “mobs” are attacking pro-democracy “liberal activists,” while “hundreds of thousands of Islamists” are working toward “transforming Egypt into an Islamic state” (Wall Street Journal, August 2, 2011)! Although many do desire peace, a terrible conflict is brewing, and Muslim fundamentalism is spreading…(Cieselka W. Islam: At War with Christianity? Tomorrow’s World magazine, Sept-Oct 2011, p. 27)

Well now that all the parliamentary committees in Egypt are controlled by the Islamic parties associated with the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafists, Egypt essentially now is an Islamist state.

The Muslim Brotherhood has greatly increased its influence in Egypt and other Arab nations.  And has gotten USA support in various ways.  Notice what an Israeli news source reported:

A US-Egypt Brotherhood is no friend of Israel’s

Written by Charles Bybelezer

Tuesday, 31 January 2012…

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland claims the Brotherhood-led coalition of Islamists has assured the US that “all major parties will support human rights, tolerance, rights of women and will also uphold Egypt’s existing international obligations.”

How comforting for Israel given that the Brotherhood’s deputy leader, Dr. Rashad Bayoumi, only weeks ago referred to the Jewish state as “an occupying criminal enemy,” and confirmed in an interview his party would not recognize Israel “under any circumstance.” When asked about this explicit declaration, Nuland responded: “I would say that it is one member of the Muslim Brotherhood.”…

And what to make of the Middle East Media Research Institute’s (MEMRI) recent report regarding virulent antisemitic writings appearing on the Brotherhood’s website, Ikhwanonline.com?

MEMRI found that, “The website…contains articles with antisemitic motifs, including Holocaust denial and descriptions of the ‘Jewish character’ as covetous, exploitative, and a source of evil in human society.… Among these are articles calling to kill Zionists and praising the Sept. 9, 2011 attack on the Israeli Embassy in Cairo.… In addition to antisemitic content, articles on the site also include praise for jihad and martyrdom.…”

None of this, however, prevented US president Barack Obama from this month dispatching Deputy Secretary of State William Burns to Egypt to meet with Brotherhood political attache Mohamed Morsi.

Thereafter, Morsi “hailed” the new ties with the United States, and, in apparent reference to Israel, said that previous US behaviour had been “biased and not in [Egypt’s] interest.” Morsi implored Washington to adopt “a positive position concerning Arab and Muslim causes.”

In full compliance, William Taylor, Obama’s newly appointed special coordinator for Middle East transitions, confirmed the administration is “satisfied” with the Brotherhood’s electoral victory.    http://www.jewishtribune.ca/TribuneV2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5438&Itemid=53

In other words, some in Israel believe that while a minority of members in the Muslim Brotherhood may say what the USA wants to hear, that the Muslim Brotherhood cannot be trusted and its objectives are highly detrimental to Israel.  And this is documented (the above article also suggested some connection

The Muslim Brotherhood was actually founded with the intent of establishing a caliphate (Islamic government) that would extend from Spain to Indonesia:

“The Islamic nation,” its charter states, “must be fully prepared to fight the tyrants and the enemies of Allah as a prelude to establishing an Islamic state”—ideally a re-established caliphate, stretching from Spain across the Middle East and Central Asia to Indonesia, to be governed according to Islamic sharia law. (Understanding the Muslim Brotherhood. February 14, 2011. © The Muslim Brotherhood. http://www.ikhwanweb.com/article.php?id=28019 viewed 11/21/2011)

And while that is probably too ambitious, Morocco to possibly Pakistan might happen, for a while (the Bible indicates that the peoples in the King of the South will not be completely unified (cf. Daniel 11:40-43).

The Muslim Brotherhood believes that it is close to be able to attain its goal for a caliphate:

The Muslim Brotherhood is close to achieving the “ultimate goal” set by the group’s founder Hassan al-Banna in 1928, which is the establishment of a “just and reasonable regime.”

The project begins with the creation of a sound government and ends with the establishment of a just Islamic caliphate, said Mohamed Badie, the Supreme Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt on Thursday, in his weekly message on the group’s official website. (Al-Youm, AM. Muslim Brotherhood says they are close to attaining their “ultimate goal. Sharia Awareness Action Network, December 30, 2011. http://shariafreeusa.com/muslim-brotherhood-says-they-are-close-to-attaining-their-ultimate-goal/)

Taking control over parliamentary committees in Egypt is another step towards its goal.  If it shows that it can actually somewhat govern Egypt, other Arab nations will be more inclined to more fully back the Muslim Brotherhood.

How could the USA support a group that wants to create a new non-secular Islamist empire?  There are many reasons, but the main public one is that apparently some in the USA feel that they have a better chance of influencing the Muslim Brotherhood than they do of other Islamic groups which are considered to be more extreme.

One of the leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood may well become the King of the South that the Bible foretells (Daniel 11:40), including possibly one who is now getting one of the parliamentary leadership seats that the Muslim Brotherhood has just won.

Jesus said to “watch” (Mark 13:37).

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?
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2012, 2013, or 2014? 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?