Church of God News

COGwriter

The latest TW News & Prophecy E-Zine by the Living Church of God has the following:

U.S. Secret Service scandal.

Just prior to President Obama’s arrival in Colombia for a conference with Latin American leaders, U.S. Secret Service and military personnel apparently held a party in a “secure hotel” with about 20 invited prostitutes. As the news broke, the primary concern was that critical security details may have been leaked (Associated Press, April 17, 2012). Sadly, the issue of immorality on the part of U.S. personnel took a “back seat” to concerns about security.

The Bible clearly states that immoral actions will bring serious consequences. Long ago, God warned the sinful nation of Israel, “Let her put away her harlotries from her sight, and her adulteries…. There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land… My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…. The more they increased, the more they sinned against Me” (Hosea 2:2; 4:1, 6-7).

It is sobering to watch the moral decay of the world’s leading nation and the lack of concern about sinful human actions.

Of course, it is not just government officials that now participate in various sins. Various forms of “entertainment” are contributing to the moral degradation as well, as do personal lifestyle decisions. Many have “lack of vision.”

The Wall Street Journal had the following:

America’s Crisis of Character

The nation seems to be on the wrong track, and not just economically.

Wall Street Journal – April 19, 2012

People in politics talk about the right track/wrong track numbers as an indicator of public mood. This week Gallup had a poll showing only 24% of Americans feel we’re on the right track as a nation. That’s a historic low. Political professionals tend, understandably, to think it’s all about the economy—unemployment, foreclosures, we’re going in the wrong direction. I’ve long thought that public dissatisfaction is about more than the economy, that it’s also about our culture, or rather the flat, brute, highly sexualized thing we call our culture.

Now I’d go a step beyond that. I think more and more people are worried about the American character—who we are and what kind of adults we are raising.

Every story that has broken through the past few weeks has been about who we are as a people. And they are all disturbing…

Something seems to be going terribly wrong.

Maybe we have to stop and think about this.  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303513404577354221282508372.html

The Ugly Brutishness of Modern Britain

Wall Street Journal – ‎Apr 19, 2012…

It is difficult to overstate the deleterious effect on the quality of life in modern Britain of incivility and bad behavior. One small manifestation is the littering of the country. No hedgerow, even in the most beautiful countryside, is without its discarded plastic bottles of soft drinks and wrappings of take-away food. In the matter of litter, the British are now by far the dirtiest people in the Western world, a sign of their unsocial mindset.

Every Friday and Saturday night, the police riot vans come to my otherwise charming small market town in Shropshire where, were it not for the mass drunkenness of young people, no police would be needed. Not long ago I returned home just before midnight to find, about a hundred yards from my front door, the police bending solicitously over a collapsed, scantily clad and lumpen, drunken young woman lying unconscious in her own vomit. There is only so much of this kind of thing that one can take.

The paralysis of the public administration in the face of the problem induces a state of despair in the more civilized half of the population…What has caused this collapse of civility in Britain, which was, within living memory, a civil country? In my view, it is a demotic version of egalitariansim, allied with multiculturalism.  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304299304577349962803326778.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Something is terribly wrong, but the politicians generally ignore as do most people.  The problem is not multiculturalism per se (though some aspects of that can contribute to the problem).  The problem is that the Anglo-nations no longer believe that they need to live according to biblical morality and have not come up with a substitute that is civil enough.  The USA is declining, as are its other Anglo-allies like the UK.

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 UK, Canada, USA, 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 the happens (Revelation 3:10) before His Kingdom comes.

Several articles of 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.
Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
True vs. False Conversion Are you really converted or willing to be? What is true conversion? What is false conversion? What are the dangers of false conversion? Evangelist Roderick Meredith provides information on those important questions.
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?
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?
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?
Is Tony Blair Apocalyptic? The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom converted to Catholicism shortly after leaving his office and has been active in European affairs. What role might he play?
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.

1630 Depiction of Beasts of Daniel 7

COGwriter

EU foreign ministers want a super-president with more power:

Ministers ponder creation of EU super-president

EUobserver – April 20, 2012

Ideas kicking around in a reflection group of select EU foreign ministers include merging the roles of the EU Council and European Commission presidents.A senior EU source told this website following a meeting of the club in the Val Duchesse stately home in Brussels on Thursday (19 April) that the new supremo would have more power than either Herman Van Rompuy or Jose Manuel Barroso do today but also more “democratic legitimacy” because he or she would be elected by MEPs.  http://euobserver.com/18/115965

And this request for giving more power to Europe’s top leader is consistent with biblical prophecies about the Beast and final King of the North.  Eventually, a lot more power will be given to the top European leader.

The Bible, in Revelation 17, is clear that the Europeans will reorganize in the future and given more of their power to a central authority:

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)

More and more we are hearing calls that are consistent with that prophecy. 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 and Europe will always have unity issues per 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.  And ultimately, its leader, the final King of the North, will conquer the Anglo-descended nations (Daniel 11:39), and later come to his end (Daniel 11:45).

More leaders in Europe are starting to advocate a stronger European union, with a more powerful leader, publicly.  Bible prophecy will come to pass and today’s announcement is consistent with Revelation 17:12-13, though not enough to actually fulfill it.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? What MUST happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Could He Become “the Beast”? What makes the German Defense Minister a candidate?
Resurgent Germany: A Fourth Reich? Who are the German peoples and where did they come from? What is Germany’s role in end time prophecy?

5 Apocalyptic Scenarios The US Government Has Actually Planned For

Business Insider – April 17, 2012…
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1. A Zombie Invasion
In a creative move meant to draw attention to how to deal with more likely emergencies, last May the Centers for Disease Control posted tips for how to successfully survive a zombie invasion…
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2. The Mayan Calendar
Perhaps taking a page out of the CDC’s book, this year NASA released a video reassuring everyone the world will not end when the Mayan calendar does, on Dec 21, 2012…
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3. The Collapse of the United StatesIn his new book, Senator Jim DeMint states, “We are in serious trouble and very close to economic collapse. This is not hyperbole; Americans have never been this close to losing all the freedom, prosperity, and opportunity that generations of citizens and soldiers have fought and died to give us.”
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4. Global WarmingIsland governments are very worried about rising sea levels…
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5. Technology Collapsing

While many of the items on this list are jokes or hypothetical, the U.S. government takes a terrorist attack on the nation’s technology infrastructure very seriously. If the internet and cellphone capability collapsed, the country would be thrown into untold chaos. http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-04-17/news/31353604_1_zombie-invasion-zombie-apocalypse-mayan-calendar#ixzz1saeDThzn

Mitt Romney (Gage Skidmore, 2011)

COGwriter

US presidential candidate Mitt Romney is planning to speak before an evangelical university:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is set to deliver this year’s commencement address at Liberty University, the evangelical Christian institution founded by the late televangelist Jerry Falwell Sr.

Romney, a Mormon, has never before visited the Lynchburg, Va., college.

The university announced news of the May 12 commencement address on Thursday. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iLjIuBKpHwEuvfA8Gdn4iHZcDV3A?docId=20f7252ffec04d5d9e4bc7961b1dd867

Historically, it would seem that a Mormon would have difficulties before a Protestant evangelical group, but perhaps because of Protestant and Christian concerns about US President Barack Obama’s faith (see Franklin Graham on Obama’s ‘Christianity’), the evangelicals may be more predisposed to overlook the fact that most consider of them seem to consider that Mormons are an odd cult.  If evangelicals decide to support Mitt Romney, they should realize that no human political leader is going be able to fix what is truly wrong with the USA.

(It may be of side interest to note, that although he was an evangelical Protestant, Jerry Falwell, founder of Liberty University, did not believe in a Good Friday crucifixion followed by an Easter Sunday resurrection.  He believed, more correctly, in Wednesday crucifixion followed by a Saturday resurrection, for more details, see What Happened in the Crucifixion Week?)

While I do not intend to endorse any USA presidential candidate (see Should a Christian Vote?), whether Barack Obama gets re-elected or Mitt Romney gets elected US president, I do not believe that either are likely to call for the type of national repentance that the USA needs.  And without that repentance, the USA is doomed to be taken over from a European/Assyrian power, also known as the King of the North:

5… the Assyrian shall be his king, Because they refused to repent. 6 And the sword shall slash in his cities, Devour his districts, And consume them, Because of their own counsels. 7 My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, None at all exalt Him. (Hosea 11:5-7)

39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain…the king of the North (Daniel 11:39-40)

The time for repentance of the Anglo-American nations is now as the proverbial handwriting is now on the wall (Daniel 5:26)–the USA presidential election, nor the current elections in France and elsewhere will not change that.

But what if the Angl0-nations (like Hosea 11:5 indicates) will not repent?

Does this mean that you are doomed if you live in one of them?

No, not necessarily. God does not require “group salvation.”   The Apostle Paul wrote:

…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling… (Philippians 2:12)

Thus, your personal relationship with God is not determined by what your fellow countrymen do.

Can, will, God help you during the coming tribulation?

Notice the prophecy for this latter time tribulation in the Hebrew scriptures:

29 But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the Lord your God and obey His voice 31 (for the Lord your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them. (Deuteronomy 4:29-31)

Thus, help from God during these hard times will be available to the truly sincere who really strive for it.  Also notice what God’s word promises the faithful Philadelphia, though not all other, Christians:

10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.  (Revelation 3:10)

13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.  14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.  (Revelation 12:13-17)

So, there is a way of escape, and it does not depend upon who wins the USA (French or other) presidential election.  But for each individual, that way does depend upon what you actually believe and what you actually do.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Some Dissimilarities Between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Living Church of God The Living Church of God is not related to the Mormons and this article explains some differences and a couple of similarities.
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.
2012 – Ten Fulfilled Barack Obama Prophecies Barack Obama has already helped fulfill 10 predictions in 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. Here is a YouTube video on ten.
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.
Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy? There is actually a 17th century Shiite prophecy that some believe that Barack Obama will fulfill that will lead to a rising up of Islam.
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?
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?
What is the Gospel? True religion should be based upon the true gospel. What are some of the different gospels and where did they come from? Do you believe the true or a false gospel?
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?
Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
True vs. False Conversion Are you really converted or willing to be? What is true conversion? What is false conversion? What are the dangers of false conversion? Evangelist Roderick Meredith provides information on those important questions.
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.
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.

Pope Benedict XVI

COGwriter

The Pope continues his quest for unity with the Eastern Orthodox:

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 18, 2012 (Zenit.org).- A common witness to Christ can reinforce the faith of all Christians and renew their hope, especially where they are victims of violence, says Benedict XVI.

These were sentiments expressed in a message sent on behalf of the Pope by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, to the heads of the Orthodox and Eastern Churches…For Pope Benedict XVI, unity is essential for witness. http://www.zenit.org/article-34629?l=english

It has been clear for some time that the goal of this pope seems to be to improve ties with the Eastern Orthodox (and others where possible).   The leaders of the Eastern Orthodox have been somewhat favorably inclined toward unification talks (see e.g. Pope and Patriarch Meet: Unity at “Crucial Stage”), but still have certain hesitancies, which I believe they will overlook later.

It may be of interest to note that the message to the leaders of the Orthodox and Eastern churches was sent by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.  The president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity is the Swiss-born Cardinal Kurt Koch.  Pope Benedict, in writing, has called him, “my venerable brother Cardinal Kurt Koch” (Pope’s Message to Ecumenical Patriarch for Feast of St. Andrew.  Zenit, 11/30/11.  http://www.zenit.org/article-33920?l=english).  The term venerable is a term that Catholics officially use for one who is expected to become a saint:

In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, a deceased Catholic may be declared a Servant of God by a bishop and proposed for beatification by the Pope through the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The Venerable, is the style used for such a servant of God declared to be “heroic in virtue” during the investigation and process leading to possible canonization as a saint. Before a person is considered to be venerable, he or she must be declared as such by a proclamation, approved by the Pope, of having lived a life that was “heroic in virtue” – the virtues being the Theological Virtues of faith, hope, and charity and the Cardinal Virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. The next step is beatification, at which point the person is referred to as The Blessed, and finally canonization, at which point the person is referred to as Saint. Two modern and well-known examples of those who have been declared venerable are Popes Pius XII and John Paul II, who were both declared venerable by Pope Benedict XVI in December 2009.  (Venerable.  Wikipedia, viewed 04/19/12).

Why might this be important?

As long time readers of this page may recall, since his appointment to the presidency of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity nearly two years ago, I have wondered if Kurt Koch could possibly become the final Antichrist of biblical prophecy–see Kurt Koch Made a Cardinal: Might He Become the Antichrist? (and if not, he may well be a supporter of that leader).  It is possible that Cardinal Koch will one day point to Pope Benedict’s comment that he was “venerable” in order to encourage further veneration of himself, his policies, and the worship of the Beast (cf. Revelation 13:11-17).

Then Bishop, now Cardinal, Kurt Koch

Cardinal Koch is reaching out to the Orthodox and others in an effort to promote ecumenical unity.  But this (though it also is part of Catholic prophecy; see Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?) is dangerous from a biblical perspective.

Notice an Eastern Orthodox prophecy:

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

By satisfying “heretics”, clearly this council compromises and changes the religion, which will be called “Catholic.”  If heretics are truly heretics, should their complaints be satisfied?

The Bible warns about a leader who “he shall think himself able to change times and laws” (Daniel 7:25, Douay-Rheims). (The Beast/King of the North is primarily a political-military leader who will persecute the saints, per Daniel 11:30-35, while the final Antichrist is primarily a religious leader per 1 John 4:1-3 who will support that Beast per Revelation 13:12.)

But if an antipope convened/attended an ecumenical synod that satisfied heretics, would he not also be supportive of changing laws? Many Catholic prophecies warn about an antipope who will arise and who could be the final Antichrist (see the book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect for details).

The steps that the current pope and his president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity are now taking are setting the stage for this to happen.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics The talks for unification involve compromise and the apparent rising up of a changed religion that no one should accept.
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
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?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Living Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
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?
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church.
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Should Christians be Nazarenes today? What were the practices of the Nazarenes.
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
Apostolic Succession What really happened? Did structure and beliefs change? Are many of the widely-held current understandings of this even possible? Did you know that Catholic scholars really do not believe that several of the claimed “apostolic sees” of the Orthodox have apostolic succession–despite the fact that the current pontiff himself seems to wish to ignore this view? Is there actually a true church that has ties to any of the apostles that is not part of the Catholic or Orthodox churches? Read this article if you truly are interested in the truth on this matter!
Early Church History: Who Were the Two Major Groups Professed Christ in the Second and Third Centuries? Did you know that many in the second and third centuries felt that there were two major, and separate, professing Christian groups in the second century, but that those in the majority churches tend to now blend the groups together and claim “saints” from both? “Saints” that condemn some of their current beliefs. Who are the two groups?
Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”. Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy.
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.

Roderick C. Meredith (Photo by Joyce Thiel)

COGwriter

In his latest co-worker letter, Presiding Evangelist R.C. Meredith of the Living Church of God (LCG) reported the following (bolding in the letter):

The world around us is rapidly changing. Many millions of people, right now, are being persecuted or uprooted from their homes, suffering the loss of their jobs or having families come apart. Millions are increasingly unsure as to whether there is a “real” God. And so, most of these untold millions of human beings have no sense of genuine purpose for their lives. Increasingly, many of them just “give up”—turn themselves over to alcohol or drugs, or simply decide to “end it all” by suicide. As a syndicated article for the New York Times just reported from Europe, “Giovanni Schiavon, 59, a contractor, shot himself in the head at the headquarters of his debt-ridden construction company on the outskirts of Padua…. Especially in the most fragile nations like Greece, Ireland, Spain and Italy, small-business owners and entrepreneurs are increasingly taking their own lives in a phenomenon some European newspapers have started calling ‘suicide by economic crisis’” (April 15, 2012).

My friends, if these men and women had truly understood the supreme purpose which the Eternal God is working out here on this earth, they would not have killed themselves! If you truly set yourself to “seek” the true God of the Bible and fulfill His purpose in your life, then each day, each major world event and even each personal trial can have a sense of meaning. If you genuinely study the whole Bible and ask God for understanding, the major world events will definitely help you “see” God’s purpose as it is being worked out here among men and nations.

In the pages of our Tomorrow’s World magazine and on the Tomorrow’s World television program, we have told you repeatedly of the Big Picture events soon to come: a rising United States of Europe, a revived Roman Catholic church with increasing influence on religion and world affairs, a coming federation of Arab states—the prophesied “King of the South” mentioned in Daniel 11:40—the “grinding down” of the pride and prestige of the American and British-descended peoples, plus soon-coming major earthquakes even in our nations, along with increasing storms, disease epidemics, alternating drought and floods leading finally to hunger and ultimate starvation for millions.

Also, we have told you repeatedly that the Creator God will use human instruments to powerfully warn our peoples of what lies just ahead and help those who are willing to repent of their sins and seek the genuine protection which our Father in heaven offers to those who are willing to truly surrender themselves to the “real” God of the Bible. Most of you long-time subscribers and TV viewers have seen or heard us say these things repeatedly.

The question is: What are you, personally, doing about it?

Do you not take our words seriously? Remember, we are not preaching what the “mainstream” professing Christians preach. We are not preaching a message which is easy or popular. But it is the Truth.

If you will actually believe the Truth, then the living God will begin to directly guide your life. He will give you increasing understanding and peace of mind (Philippians 4:7). Through His Spirit, God will help you learn lessons for all eternity so you will be ready for your part in the coming Kingdom of God. He will fashion and mold you and make you His full sons. As Psalm 33:10-15 tells us, “The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.”

So, the important sounding “counsel” of the nations of this world—the big meetings, conferences and important treaties—will all come to nothing. But the eternal God really does guide the lives of those who “fear” Him—those who stand in awe of the majesty, power and wisdom of the great Creator of heaven and earth. And as the very specific prophetic events unfold which we have told you about for years, may God help you to “get the point”—to know that there is a very “real” God who can be your spiritual Father if you truly give your life to Him and trust Him with your life.

As frightening prophetic events unfold in our nations, as disease epidemics, storms and earthquakes strike and even famine and starvation occur in many areas, may the great God who gives us life and breath help you to genuinely trust in Him. For His inspired Word tells us: “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name” (Psalm 33:18-21). If you really trust in God and walk with Him, He will bless you, protect you and guide your life for good in every way. His inspired Word tells us about how He will bless those who have trusted and obeyed Him even in the coming tribulation of this end time, “Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be theirs” (Isaiah 61:7).

The rest of the co-worker letter can be viewed at the following link News of the Living Church of God at the 04/18/12 p.m. post.

The world is changing and we are almost at the end of the 6,000 years God allowed humanity to rule itself.

We in LCG are serious about trying to fulfill Matthew 24:14 and hope others will catch the vision and join together to help finalize that.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
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? 2019 or 202x?
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?
Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
True vs. False Conversion Are you really converted or willing to be? What is true conversion? What is false conversion? What are the dangers of false conversion? Evangelist Roderick Meredith provides information on those important questions.
Getting the Gospel Out is More than a Local Job Discusses Biblical rationale for doing an international, and not just a local, work.
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.
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.

Muslim Brotherhood
الإخوان المسلمون
Al-Ikhwān Al-Muslimūn

COGwriter

The Muslim Brotherhood wants an Islamic caliphate confederation like I and others in LCG have suggested:

April 17, 2012

In this recent video, the Muslim Brotherhood’s Dr. Safwat Hegazy, a popular preacher, talks about how he yearns to see Arab nations become “like the United States”—for them to unify into the “United Arab States.” While that may sound like an admirable (or at least neutral) goal, bear in mind what he is alluding to: the resurrection of a caliphate—which by nature exists to expand, including through jihad.

Moreover, Hegazy made clear that his interest in seeing the “United Arab States” has less to do with Arab solidarity (nationalism) and more to do with Islamic allegiance (religion). As he gushed about how wonderful it would be for Arab nations to unite into one bloc, the secular and skeptical host interviewing him reluctantly agreed, “so long as the capital is Cairo,” that is, so long as Egypt’s integrity remains.

To this, Hegazy replied: “No, I say the capital is Jerusalem, Allah willing.”

…his Brotherhood colleague, Sheikh Sayyid Abdul Karim, asserted: “Those who do not wish to see Islam [Sharia] applied are drunks, druggies, adulterers, and brothel-owners.” http://frontpagemag.com/2012/04/17/media-reveals-the-muslim-brotherhoods-true-face/

Notice that an Islamic pan-Arabic state is the objective of the Muslim Brotherhood–and it always has been.

Jordan’s King is currently in the EU (the final King of the North will come from Europe), was well received, and made a speech calling for a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital:

April 18, 2012

It is thus necessary that “Israel be committed” to create “Two states with equal dignities and self-determination” with “East Jerusalem as capital of Palestine.” It’s a solution which will guarantee safety and peace in Israel”, otherwise “Israel will be far from being secure and it will take decades to restart the peace process.”

This was the message given by King Abdullah II of Jordan to the plenary hall in Strasbourg. A guest of the European Parliament at the end of talks with the EU, the Jordanian King was widely applauded by all and given a standing ovation.

In his speech to the parliament, Abdullah II stated that the partnership with the EU is “useful” to “keep the pressure going and hopes high.” http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/politics/2012/04/18/MidEast-2-states-only-solution-Israel-commit-Jordan-King_6737728.html

Modern calls from the Islamic world to have Jerusalem as the capital of an Islamic nation and/or confederation of nations are consistent with biblical, and some Islamic, prophecy.

There is an interesting end-time prophecy related in Jerusalem that seems to be fulfilled regularly:

3 And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it. (Zechariah 12:3)

This may be part of why Jerusalem will be divided (which is what the EU, UN, and apparently the King of Jordan are advocating):

2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem;
The city shall be taken,
The houses rifled,
And the women ravished.
Half of the city shall go into captivity,
But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. (Zechariah 14:2)

The Bible also shows that the entire city will have problems, which suggests that a few years after the Jews are taken captive, the Gentiles (including apparently also Arabic ones) who are likely there will be punished:

24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (Luke 21:24)

29 For behold, I begin to bring calamity on the city which is called by My name, and should you be utterly unpunished? You shall not be unpunished, for I will call for a sword on all the inhabitants of the earth,” says the Lord of hosts.’ (Jeremiah 25:29)

So, Jerusalem will highly likely affect the Arab peoples as well.

Here are claimed to be some Shi’ite Muslim prophetic views of the Imam Mahdi (a version of who could be the final King of the South of biblical prophecy, Daniel 11:40) and Jerusalem:

By most accounts, Shia scholars believe the Mahdi will first appear in Mecca and conquer the Middle East, then establish the headquarters of his global Islamic government—or caliphate—in Iraq. But there is not universal agreement. Some believe he will emerge from the well at the Jamkaran Mosque in Iran and then travel to Mecca and Iraq. Some say that he will conquer Jerusalem before establishing his caliphate in Iraq. Others believe Jerusalem must be conquered as a prerequisite to his return.

None of this is actually written in the Kuran, and Sunnis reject this eschatology.

But one thing that is fairly well agreed upon among devout “Twelvers” is that the Mahdi will end apostasy and purify corruption within Islam. He is expected to conquer the Arabian Peninsula, Jordan, Syria, “Palestine,” Egypt and North Africa, and eventually the entire world. (Rosenberg J. Why Iran’s Top Leaders Believe That the End of Days Has Come. Fox News, November 7, 2011. http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2011/11/07/why-irans-top-leaders-believe-that-end-days-has-come/?ref_dom=news.google.com&ref_url=/#ixzz1di20S2XP)

Now, I should add that the idea of an Imam Mahdi is accepted in certain, though not all, Sunni circles. And even in those areas that do not teach that, many Sunnis long for a transnational Islamic leader to rise up.  And it may this type of prophecy that many in the Muslim Brotherhood rely on for part of their contention that Jerusalem can be either their capital or more under Islamic control

Jordan’s leadership is vary of the Muslim Brotherhood (see Jordan Moves to Ban Muslim Brotherhood Party), yet, it seems likely that a group like the Muslim Brotherhood (if not it, itself) will help the rise of the biblical King of the South and that Jordan (some of which is biblical Moab) will be part of it (cf. Psalm 83:4-7).

One of the leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood may well become the King of the South that the Bible foretells (Daniel 11:40), and he or some associated with him are likely to spend some time in a less Jewish Jerusalem (cf. Luke 21:24).

Events are aligning with properly understood biblical prophecy.

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?
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?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, 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?

Last Page of the Mayan Dresden Codex

COGwriter

Saw the following today:

Guelph, ON (PRWEB) April 18, 2012…

But is the world really going to end in 2012?

That’s what the ancient Mayans thought. Their calendar ends on December 21, 2012. The Bible also talks about the world ending, and there are some ties in it to the December Mayan date.

So, how is the world going to end in 2012?

Some say a giant asteroid will take out Earth, others think solar flares will be Earth’s undoing, while others say a polar shift will destroy the Earth’s crust — leading to massive volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis.

There are no specific biblical prophecies that tie in with the Mayan December 21, 2012 date.  While many events that are aligning with the end of the world as we know it are occurring this year, the reality is that the world will not end in 2012.  A giant asteroid will not take out the Earth.  There have been, and may be more, solar flares, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis this year.  But the end is not yet as Jesus said:

7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.  8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:7-8)

While I feel that we are likely in the period that Jesus called “the beginning of sorrows,”  the earthquakes and other troubles so far, as well as to be expected this year, are not the end.

What about the Mayans and the flood theory?  While some believe that the last page of the Dresden Codex shows the world being destroyed by a flood, the most specific Mayan prophecy about a flood is from the 16th century document known as the Chilam Balim. It possibly may have had some relationship to the Dresden Codex.  Let’s look what it states:

But when the law of the katun has run its course, the God will bring about a great deluge again which will be the end of the world. When this is over, then our Lord Jesus Christ will descend over the valley of Jehoshaphat beside the town of Jerusalem where he redeemed us with his holy blood (José Hoíl J, Roys R. The Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel. Roys Publisher, 1933. Reprint Forgotten Books, 1967, p. 62).

Yet, the above is, biblically, a false claim. 2012 is not the end of the world nor will Jesus return in 2012. That Mayan prediction is wrong. The Mayan flood prophecy will be proven false, whether it related to 2012 or not or the Dresden Codex or not.

Since the world cannot and will not be destroyed by a flood (cf. Genesis 9), I strongly suspect that many will decide that the Mayan prophecies should properly be interpreted to mean that the longed for age of peace is upon us–even though it will not be (Ezekiel 13:10).

But the Great tribulation will eventually come and Jesus will eventually return.

Yet, because many have made false predictions about 2012, many will likely use 2012 as an excuse to scoff at and discount all prophecy. According to the Bible, that will be a mistake (2 Peter 3:1-13).

‘How is the world going to end in 2012?’ in 2012 is the wrong question.  It is simply not possible according to the Bible for the end happen in 2012 (please also see Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?). Various scriptures show that the Great Tribulation cannot begin in 2012 (see Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2012, 2013, or 2014? for more details).

Those who think it will, simply have been misled.

So what is the right question?

The right question is do you: “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37)?  And if think you do, are you trying to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18)?

Some other important questions are addressed in the following articles:

Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
True vs. False Conversion Are you really converted or willing to be? What is true conversion? What is false conversion? What are the dangers of false conversion? Evangelist Roderick Meredith provides information on those important questions.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
The Bible: Fact or Fiction? This is a booklet written by Douglas Winnail that answers if the Bible is just a collection of myths and legends or the inspired word of God.

And as far as world events go, repeatedly in scripture, Jesus said to “Watch” (Mark 13:37).  And according to what Jesus said to watch for (cf. Mark 13:4-20), the world will not end in 2012.

Those who wish to learn more about 2012 may wish to check out the following articles:

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 21 predictions in the book and many more will to come to pass.  Those who purchase the book at the www.thesecretsect.com website receive a lengthy bonus report documenting world events that aligned with the book.
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect (English Kindle edition).  This is the 2nd edition of the book, released in January 2012, and includes a summary of many of the predictions that world events have aligned with since the book originally came out in September 2009.
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 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Kindle Edition)
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 21 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 21 já começaram a acontecer.

(Choo photo)

COGwriter

There has been record earthquake activity in the Pacific Rim:

Ring Of Fire Is Roaring To Life and Earthquakes Of Historic Importance

April 17, 2012 excerpt…

Does it seem to you like there has been an unusual amount of seismic activity around the world lately? Well, it isn’t just your imagination. The Ring of Fire is roaring to life and that is really bad news for the west coast of the United States. Approximately 90 percent of all earthquakes and approximately 75 percent of all volcanic eruptions occur along the Ring of Fire.

On Wednesday, the most powerful strike-slip earthquake ever recorded happened along the Ring of Fire. If that earthquake had happened in a major U.S. city along the west coast, the city would have been entirely destroyed. Scientists tell us that there is nearly a 100% certainty that the “Big One” will hit California at some point. In recent years we have seen Japan, Chile, Indonesia and New Zealand all get hit by historic earthquakes.  http://www.rightsidenews.com/2012041716064/life-and-science/energy-and-environment/ring-of-fire-is-roaring-to-life-and-earthquakes-of-historic-importance-us-west-coast.html

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Four large earthquakes struck around the Pacific Rim Wednesday with one setting a record, as the most powerful strike-slip quake ever recorded. (Cluster Of Large Quakes Serve As Reminder For Preparedness. April 12, 2012. http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012/04/12/cluster-of-large-quakes-serve-as-reminder-for-preparedness/)

Big earthquakes are incredibly dangerous and can cause big problems in populated areas.  Two of the four were over 8 on the Richter scale in Indonesia.  The others closer to Oregon, California, and Mexico.

Jesus warned about a time earthquakes and troubles:

8 … And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be…troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)

We may be at this prophetic point as all the earthquakes and other problems that have happened in the past couple of years could be considered as “troubles.”

Perhaps the earthquake warnings and weather problems can serve as another wake-up call to people everywhere that the world can change very quickly and that the time to repent is now (cf. Acts 17:30-31).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2012, 2013, or 2014? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? What is “the beginning of sorrows”? Have we begun or are we about ready for “the beginning of sorrows” to begin.
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?
Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean in Prophecy [Español: México, America Central, Suramérica, y el Brasil en profecíal] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What role might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
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?
Korea in Prophecy, Any Witness? Where did the Korean people come from? 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?
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?
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?
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).

Muslim Brotherhood
الإخوان المسلمون
Al-Ikhwān Al-Muslimūn

COGwriter

The government of Jordan is getting concerned enough about the rising influence of the Muslim Brotherhood that it took a step to ban it:

April 17, 2012

Jordan’s parliament took legal measures on Monday to disqualify the Muslim Brotherhood’s political party, the country’s largest opposition movement.

In a Lower House session, 46 out of 83 Jordanian lawmakers voted to add an item in the country’s draft political parties law forbidding the establishment of any political party on a “religious basis.”

The measure would disqualify the Islamic Action Front – the political branch of the Muslim Brotherhood and the country’s largest political party – from taking part in upcoming parliamentary elections.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/jordanian-parliament-moves-to-ban-muslim-brotherhood-party-1.424731

The rise of the Muslim Brotherhood in Libya, Tunisia, Syria, and Egypt must be a major concern to the government in Jordan.

Yet, it seems likely that a group like the Muslim Brotherhood (if not it, itself) will help the rise of the biblical King of the South and that Jordan (Moab) will be part of it (cf. Psalm 83:4-7).

The Muslim Brotherhood was specifically 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 or so might happen, for a while.

Now notice that the Bible shows that the peoples in the King of the South will not be completely unified:

25 “He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South with a great army. And the king of the South shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand, for they shall devise plans against him. 26 Yes, those who eat of the portion of his delicacies shall destroy him; his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain…

40 At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels.  (Daniel 11:25-26, 40-43)

So, some associated with the King of the South will betray it and some associated nations will escape the King of the North.  Notice that “Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon” get to escape.  This seems to be referring to modern Turkey. modern Jordan, and perhaps some of the Gulf states.

The move by the government of Jordan to distance itself from the Muslim Brotherhood now will likely be looked somewhat favorably by the final King of the North once the King of the South attacks him.  Some have suspected that another reason that Jordan will escape may be because a location in modern Jordan, like perhaps Petra, will be the place of protection in the wilderness that the Bible tells of (Revelation 12:14-16).

One of the leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood may well become the King of the South that the Bible foretells (Daniel 11:40), and a group that the Jordanians are already wary of.

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?
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?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.