Church of God News

COGwriter

A “state of emergency” has been declared in Florida, while fires are raging in Colorado:

Florida declares a state of emergency due to heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Debbie

27 June 2012

(Reuters) – Tropical Storm Debby weakened to a tropical depression after it drifted ashore on Florida’s Gulf Coast on Tuesday, even as it dumped more rain on flooded areas and sent thousands of people fleeing from rising rivers…Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center said Debby could bring another 4 to 8 inches of rain – and possibly tornadoes – to north Florida and southeast Georgia in the next two days.

These types of things may be parts of what Jesus referred to as “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8) before the great tribulation (Matthew 24:21). Even though hurricanes, fires, tornadoes, and tropical storms are somewhat normal, there have seemed to have been a lot of weather-related troubles lately (there are also droughts as well).

LCG has long had a booklet of possibly related interest titled “Who Controls the Weather? ” that is available for those interested in more on the weather and Bible prophecy.

Now there is good news as ultimately, God’s kingdom will come.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines and troubles. Should we do something?
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?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it. Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?

Damascus, Capital of Syria

COGwriter

The situation in Syria is getting Israel’s and the USA’s attention:

113 killed in Syria; UN Security Council meets

CNN – ‎26 June 2012
(CNN) — Here is a look at key events Tuesday in the ongoing crisis in Syria: Violence — 113 people were killed Tuesday, according to the Local Coordination Committees of Syria, a network of opposition activists. Thirty-three people were reported dead in the Damascus suburbs of Hameh, Qudsaya and Douma, the group said. — Fierce clashes began at dawn Tuesday between regime troops and rebels in Qudsaya, according to the opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights…
Turkey is changing its military rules of engagement and will treat any military approach by Syria as a threat, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday, after Syria shot down a Turkish military plane last week.

Turkey threatens military retaliation along Syria border, drawing defiance from Assad

Washington Post – ‎26 June 2012

BEIRUT – Bolstered by a declaration of support from NATO, Turkey warned Syria on Tuesday that it would retaliate if Syrian forces approach its southern border, signaling a significant escalation of tensions between the two neighbors following the downing of a Turkish jet.The warning coincided with a strong condemnation of Syria by NATO, which weighed into the Syria crisis for the first time with a statement calling the attack on the plane “unacceptable” and stressing that the alliance stands with Turkey “in the spirit of strong solidarity.”…Rebels welcomed Erdogan’s remarks, saying that a more aggressive Turkish posture will provide a significant boost.

Syria will change, now or later. Much is going on in the Middle East. The King of the South will rise up (Daniel 11:40), it will not be Iran, and thus Syria (directly or indirectly) is likely to play a role in that occurrence. Syria will end up being a supporter of that king–thus the situation in Syria must change (Turkey is likely to temporarily support the King of the South, but will apparently turn against it (per Daniel 11)–for details see The Islamic and Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy).

And Turkey is starting to seem more determined to assist in some of the changes that will occur in Syria.

As Jesus said in Mark 13:37, we all should watch.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Islamic and Arab 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 will happen with Turkey and Iran? What does Islam teach about the Imam Mahdi?
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? Is he the Imam Mahdi? What does the Bible say?

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg

COGwriter

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg was mentioned in the news again:

26 June 2012

The Crisis of European Democracy…

Germany…has experienced continued, albeit slow, economic growth. Nevertheless, the public display of subterranean politics is just as marked in Germany as it is in other countries. Squares have been occupied all over the country, just as they have in Spain and Greece. For example, a wave of protests against infrastructure projects in major cities such as Stuttgart, Frankfurt, and Berlin has featured so-called “Wutbürger” (angry citizens), who object to the lack of transparency in the planning process and to the absence of citizens’ participation. The case of Guttenplag – a Web site through which activists revealed that former Defense Minister Karl Theodor Freiherr von und zu Guttenberg had plagiarized his doctoral thesis – reflects popular concern with corruption among the political elite.  http://www.project-syndicate.org/online-commentary/the-crisis-of-european-democracy

Typically, Herr Guttenberg is mentioned because of his plagiarism.  And this time it is referred to as part of the corruption of Europe’s “elite leadership.”  Baron Guttenberg resigned his position as German Defense Minister when this became a major public matter and disgraced himself and others.

Why report about a European public official who has been considered corrupt?

Bible prophecy warns about a leader who was rejected who will rise up and lead Europe per Daniel 11:21-44.  One verse to focus on is verse 21. Here are three translations of it from Catholic and Protestant sources:

21 And there shall stand up in his place one despised, and the kingly honour shall not be given him: and he shall come privately, and shall obtain the kingdom by fraud. (Daniel 11:21, Douay-Rheims)

21 “‘His place will be taken by a reject, a man spurned and passed over for advancement. He’ll surprise everyone, seemingly coming out of nowhere, and will seize the kingdom. (Daniel 11:21 from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

21 And in his place shall stand up a contemptible person, to whom they had not given the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in time of security, and shall obtain the kingdom by flatteries. (Daniel 11:21, ASV)

Interestingly, the Baron was considered to have had a major chance to become Chancellor of Germany before the plagiarism scandal. In a sense, he was “a man spurned and passed over for advancement” as THE MESSAGE version of Daniel 11:21 indicates.

Yet, even though many despise Herr Guttenberg, some want him back (see Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North?) and he is still having influence in various aspects of foreign policy (e.g. Karl Guttenberg Interviewed and Lays Out Some of His Vision for European Union).

The DVD sermon that we watched here in Arroyo Grande last Sabbath was by LCG’s Dr. Douglas Winnail.  Last November, he made some interesting statements regarding Herr Guttenberg:

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is a Habsburg…He said, “What Europe is suffering from is not so much a financial crisis, but a crisis of leadership.”

… Niall Ferguson…in the Wall Street Journal...he was saying, by 2020…, “The capital of Europe may well be in Vienna and we may see a revival of, or reconstitution of, the Habsburg Empire in Central Europe.”

Now this goes over a lot of people’s heads, but this is what Bible prophecy talks about. About a Beast power in Europe influenced by a strong Catholic Church. The Habsburgs provided a number of the emperors for the Holy Roman Empire. And Karl zu…Guttenberg has Habsburg blood.

Otto von Habsburg, before he died, made the statement, “There may yet be a role for the Habsburg throne in Europe.” And we’ve been talking about these things for 60 or 70 years. (Winnail D. Lessons from America’s apostasy. LCG Sermon, Charlotte, NC, Novermber 26, 2011)

As regular readers know, I have wondered if former German Defense Minister Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg was a candidate to possibly be the final King of the North of Daniel 11 and Beast of Revelation. The fact that he has had problems is consistent with biblical and other predictions.

So, he remains one to watch.

Of course, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg could simply be a somewhat politician with many ups and downs. And all his intentions could be fine.  The fact that many in the press have somewhat written him off is not inconsistent with Bible prophecy.

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? Is the German Defense Minister one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, 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? How will Europeans be involved in this?

Orthodox Rendering of the Apocalypse

COGwriter

James Malm, a blogger and independent who claims association with the Church of God, again wrongly reported some information about me.  The following seem to have been posted last night as I found them at James Malm’s site this morning:

Bob’s part is to regularly post condemnations of me and what I say. He is not doing this because the blog is unknown in LCG, but because the leadership are trying to fight the truth rather than accept it.

On this particular point I am not aware of Bob posting anything. Bob is of course a front man for the inner circle, but works hard to achieve plausable deniability.

He states that LCG does not pay him for his blog, while admitting that LCG does pay all his expensives for his extensive trips.

As other sites, like the Banned site quote some of his statements, perhaps I should address this for a moment.

So let’s examine the points above that James Malm somewhat inaccurately asserts:

1. No one in the top leadership of LCG ever heard of James Malm or his website until I brought it to their attention several years ago.  So, yes, when I started dealing with some of James Malm’s inaccurate prophetic assertions, he was unknown to LCG.  And no, no one there has ever asked or told me to post anything about James Malm.
2. James Malm posted on 5/5/12, related to the LCG update dated 4/26/12,  wrote: “We have become popular enough so that: Doug Winnail is warning his LCG brethren to beware of false teachers and suggesting that everyone study the scriptures to see if things are true.”  Well, Dr. Winnail specifically told me that he was making the comments related to a falsely self-appointed prophet and falsely self-appointed apostle (in other groups) and that the Update report had nothing to do with anything from James Malm–although since James Malm is often false, perhaps that is why James Malm claimed it :).  James Malm also posted something in Nov/Dec 2011 that he claimed LCG took some action related to him, and LCG’s top leadership told me that whatever it was, they had not considered James Malm at all.
3. I am not a “front man” for LCG.  LCG rarely has any idea what I am going to write about or post (much less than 1% of the time do I tell anyone at Charlotte about what I plan to post about).
4. James Malm’s assertions that I have stated about getting paid for ALL my expenses for my “extensive trips” shows that he has trouble understanding what he reads.  Here is what I posted related to that that James Malm’s exaggerated assertions seem to be based upon, “Nor do I receive any money from any church for this work (though I do accept reimbursements for travel, etc.).”  The truth is that a couple of times, LCG paid for part of my travel expenses to Charlotte.  While I do travel a lot elsewhere, LCG does not pay for that.
5. James Malm apparently has major trouble understanding what I write as he often mischaracterizes my positions on prophecy, etc.  I have written in many times to get him to correct those errors in the past, and do not understand why, if he wants to write about my positions, that he does not mainly actually quote them as he seems to have trouble with accuracy when he rewords them.

James Malm believes that he is much more important to LCG than LCG does.  This does not mean that James Malm can have no impact on LCG, but he keeps telling others that LCG’s top leadership pays more attention to him than LCG’s leadership actually does.

The Banned site recently posted that James Malm wrote the following about me:

Bob Thiel is on the attack again although at least he now appears to be admitting that I am not setting dates [saying I am speculating]; instead of lying about me as he has done in the past. James

The fact is that I have never lied about James Malm.  Those interested in the truth should realize that James Malm publicly challenged my position that the Great Tribulation could not start in 2008 as he claimed (see James Malm Challenges COGwriter).  He was wrong, then made another wrong claim (see James Malm Admits Error, But Provides Another Wrong Date).   He also made inaccurate claims about 2009 (see James Malm Now Predicts October 19, 2009 and James Malm Wrong Again: The 1335 Days Have Not Begun).   There are many more of his errors that I could link to, but the fact that I reported about that, and that information is still available on the internet has remained a sore point for him.  And this is part of why he tends to lash out with inaccurate statements and claims about me.

James Malm needs to be more careful about his inaccurate assertions and should meditate on the following scriptures:

20…Do not bear false witness (Luke 18:20)

8…all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.  (Revelation 21:8)

I have never once knowingly stated anything inaccurate about James Malm.  It is not I who has lied.  James Malm needs to stop bearing false witness.

In his post dated 6/26/12, James Malm actually posted:

The truth is that Bob and those he has convinced in LCG; are the ONLY ones, who think that this first half of the 70th still needs to come…Bob is also WRONG because he takes something out of his own imagination and then seeks support for it not from scripture but from paganism.

I have never written anything specific about the “70th week” that I am aware of of that the entire week still needs to come.   James Malm seems to want to make assertions without proof.  I challenge him, and anyone else, to show where I have ever posted/written/taught that the the first half of the “70th week” still needs to come.  James Malm makes conclusions based upon his own assumptions/imaginations related to that (and many other things).  I DID NOT SUPPORT A POSITION THAT I DO NOT TEACH FROM PAGANISM–I NEVER TAUGHT IT, SO WHY JAMES MALM’S BRAIN CANNOT SEE THAT SUGGESTS IT IS HIS DISTORTED IMAGINATION THAT INFLUENCES HIS POSTING FALSE STATEMENTS ABOUT ME AND OTHERS.

In the past I have emailed him about this 70th week assumption of his, but he refuses to get it (and in one of the last emails I got from him, basically said he did not plan to correct errors he posted about me hinting that there was no point in contacting him directly anymore, so I stopped doing so).  James Malm continues to misunderstand and misrepresent what we in LCG teach.  He also made additional false assertions about me in his 6/26/12 post that I will not bother to address.  He should not make up what he thinks my beliefs or teachings are as he repeatedly often errs when he does so.

James Malm is currently falsely teaching that the “abomination of desolation” could be set up as soon as 9/16/2012 (see James Malm Continues Improper ‘Great Tribulation in 2012′ Speculation).   But that date, like his previous assertions and speculations, will be shown to have been wrong soon. Yet the fact he still clings to it as a possibility should be proof to all that he does not understand important aspects of end time Bible prophecy and has trouble reading, not only my writings, but the Bible.

Some articles of related interest, which contain many scriptures to search to verify what I am saying, include the following:

Error-Ridden James Malm Not Doing an Elijah Work James Malm is an ‘independent’ who misunderstands and improperly maligns.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2018 or 2019?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2012, 2013, or 2014? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012? How might Barack Obama be involved in 2012?

Mitt Romney (Gage Skidmore, 2011)

COGwriter

Not surprisingly, a new poll finds that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is popular with members of the LDS church:

25 June 2012

Most Mormons in Utah believe that Mitt Romney’s rise to become the likely GOP presidential nominee is a good thing for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But many do not trust the media to cover the church fairly, according to a new poll released Monday (June 25)…

More than eight in 10 Utah Mormons said they are “very excited” or “somewhat excited” about Romney’s feat…Kelly Patterson, a political science professor at Brigham Young University, said it is not clear whether the positive feelings toward Romney derive from shared faith or politics. http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2012-06-25/romney-poll-mormons/55819212/1?csp=34news

And, that of itself, is not surprising.

One item that is not being covered much is that the LDS have a belief that one or more of their elders essentially will save the USA (see Mitt Romney and Mormon Prophecy).  Others within the LDS movement often vote Republican and may or may not be influenced as much by LDS eschatology.

As far as end time prophecy goes, the USA will be destroyed unless it has national repentance soon–irrespective of who wins the election this November. Jesus and His kingdom, not a Mormon, the current president, or other similar leader, will solve what the USA really needs solved.

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

COGwriter

The German press has the following:

25 June 2012

In a sign of tensions between Berlin and Washington, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble said on Sunday that President Barack Obama should focus on cutting America’s own budget deficit before advising Europe on how to tackle its debt problems.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble rebuffed recent criticism of Germany’s handling of the euro crisis from Barack Obama, telling the US president to get his own house in order before giving advice.

“Herr Obama should above all deal with the reduction of the American deficit. That is higher than that in the euro zone,” he told German public broadcaster ZDF on Sunday night. It is easy to give advice to others, he added, http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-finance-minister-rejects-obama-criticism-of-crisis-management-a-840749.html

The fact that the Europeans have been able to have some agreements involving different nations and different languages over much of the debt issues there should be a lesson that US politicians learn from.

Instead, the major political parties and their leaders in the USA have repeatedly failed to come to any real agreement that results in actual debt reduction in this century, and partially point fingers at the Europeans (who resent it).

Although US President Barack Obama has called US debt level expansion unsustainable, he and others have been rapidly increasing that debt.  The Europeans are not pleased and apparently consider his statements, combined with his actions, to be hypocritical.

Some items 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”? What is ahead for Europe?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the German Defense Minister one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
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?
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?
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?

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad (Source: Agência Brasil, Wikipedia)
بشار الأسد

COGwriter

More defections from Syria’s military are happening, which is increasing pressure on its President Assad:

25 June 2012

A handful of top Syrian military officers defected overnight from Bashar al-Assad’s regime, seeking refuge in Turkey amid rising tensions between the neighbors.

The group included 33 soldiers and their families – a total of 224 people, including at least three with a rank of colonel or higher…Defections among low-level Syrian conscript soldiers remain relatively common but such high-level defections have been relatively rare so far…Separately, another three Syrian officers, all of them fighter pilots, defected to Jordan yesterday with their families. This came after another Syrian pilot flew his plane into Jordan seeking asylum on June 21.  http://www.csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2012/0625/Three-top-Syrian-officers-defect-to-Turkey.-How-bad-for-Assad

How Syria’s President Assad will handle this, the civil unrest, and the pressures associated with Turkey now is unclear–but this may drive him even closer to Iran and a possible regional war involving Israel and perhaps others.

Turkey itself is making a lot of public complaints concerning the downing of one of its military jets by Syria and is invoking provisions of the NATO agreement:

25 June 2012

A Syrian general and 38 other soldiers defected to Turkey overnight, state television said on Monday, days after Syria shot down a Turkish warplane, escalating tensions between the two neighbors.

Turkey has summoned a NATO meeting for Tuesday to agree a response to the downing of its military reconnaissance jet in what it says was an attack without warning carried out over international airspace.

Turkey’s cabinet was to meet on Monday to discuss Friday’s attack, which lent a more menacing international dimension to the 16-month-old uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. Britain said it could press for more serious action at the United Nations Security Council.

European Union foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg called for a calm response from Turkey, saying they would increase pressure on Assad. There seemed little appetite, however, for any military retaliation against Syria.  http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/25/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE85D0IS20120625

NATO involvement, if it occurs, would suggest that the USA may get involved militarily.  If so, that would not be good for Syria.  Despite Syria’s chemical (see Syria’s Chemical Weapons, Israel, the USA, and Turkey) and other weapons, it simply does not have the military ability to fend off the USA if the USA is determined to attack forcefully.  Syria should realize that it is not likely at this stage that Russia or China would directly engage the USA militarily in a major way.  Syria and Iran would not win, no matter what it or its ally Iran boasts (e.g. Iranian Commander Warns US and Israel Against Intervening in Syria).

The Bible teaches:

18 Pride goes before destruction,  And a haughty spirit before a fall.  (Proverbs 16:18)

Both Syria and its ally Iran keep taking steps that suggest they are setting themselves up for destruction (and the USA, if highly involved, would suffer as well).

The Bible itself specifies that Syria’s capital city Damascus (Isaiah 7:8) will be destroyed (Isaiah 17:1). Whether this will happen because of internal civil war or an attack involving Israel and/or others remains to be seen. Iran keeps taking steps, including one recently claiming that it will continue to enrich uranium despite international concerns (see Iran: No reason to halt 20 percent enrichment) that may provoke a regional (with Israel) or larger war (the USA itself could sustain damage). But whether it is involved in a war involving Israel or not, eventually, Damascus has to be destroyed, and probably relatively soon.  And this would suggest that Syria’s President Assad will not hold onto power.

Much is going on in the Middle East. The King of the South will rise up (Daniel 11:40)–and yesterday’s announcement of a Muslim Brotherhood leader officially being named as the president of Egypt is consistent with that (see Muslim Brotherhood’s Dr. Morsi Winner of Egypt’s Presidential Election)–and Syria (directly or indirectly) will likely play some role in the rise of the King of the South. As well as end up being a supporter of that king–thus the situation in Syria must change.

As Jesus said in Mark 13:37, we all should watch.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Arab 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 does Islam teach about the Imam Mahdi?
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? Is he the Imam Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
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.
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?

COGwriter

The latest TW News & Prophecy from the Living Church of God has the following:

God mocked by Australian parliamentarian.

The contentious issue of whether to legalize same-sex marriage continues to hover around the discussion table in the Australian Parliament. Just this week, federal MP (Member of Parliament) Adam Bandt, of the Australian Greens Party, looked to boost support amongst MPs for his private “marriage equality” bill that he plans to submit to Parliament.Although several MPs urged that the definition of marriage should not be changed, other Parliamentarians disagreed. Labor backbencher, Graham Perrett, who himself has two homosexual brothers, called for the removal of “this final vestige of discrimination” against same-sex couples (Ninemsn News, June 18, 2012). He also added, “It is timely for me to remind everyone that God did not write the Marriage Act… It was written by lawyers and legislators in ink not stone” (ibid). This statement clearly alluded to God’s engraving of the Ten Commandments on stone in Exodus 20–in a blatant disrespectful slur on Australia’s former Christian heritage.

However, Mr. Perrett is mistaken. God DID in fact write the “Marriage Act” around 6,000 years ago, well before lawyers and legislators even existed! We find in Genesis 2 that God made a woman, Eve, for Adam, united them in marriage (vv. 21-23), and then declared that future unions could be made when a man left his father and mother and was joined to his wife (v. 24). From the beginning, God’s intention was for marriage to be solely between one male and one female (cf. Mark 10:6-9).

Although Australia began as a God-fearing nation, this is no longer the case. It appears that it is just a matter of time before legislation that is contrary to God’s laws is passed in Australian Parliament–and this will bring serious consequences that will punish this Israelite country. Read or review our booklet The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy for the explanation of what lies just ahead for modern Israelite countries.

The Bible warns that because certain ones would not wish to retain God in their knowledge, they would support behaviors like homosexuality and ultimately be punished for it as the following shows:

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)

There is a God.  God created marriage.  And God does not approve of the trend to increase acceptance of sexually immoral practices, such as homosexuality.  Australia, like the other Anglo-descended nations, will pay a big price for this.

Some articles of related interest may include:

LCG: Homosexuals Gaining Ground “Same-sex marriage” is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality?
God’s Plan for Happy Marriage This is an LCG booklet by Dr. R. Meredith.
God Created Marriage Some falsely claim that God did not create marriage and that fornication is fine. What does the Bible really teach?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? 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 God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge.
Where Did God Come From? Any ideas? And how has God been able to exist? Who is God?
How is God Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient? Here is a biblical article by Wallace Smith which answers what many really wonder about it.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
The Bible: Fact or Fiction? This is a booklet written by Douglas Winnail that answers if the Bible is just a collection of myths and legends or the inspired word of God.
Read the Bible Christians should read and study the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading.

Mohamed Morsi (Photo by Mohammed Bin Abdullah)

COGwriter

The Muslim Brotherhood’s candidate for the Egyptian presidency, Mohamed Morsi, has now been declared the winner:

June 24, 2012

Mohammed Morsi was declared Egypt’s first Islamist president on Sunday, chosen in the freest elections in history that left the nation deeply polarized between supporters of an old regime figure and those eager for democratic change…

This is the same Dr. Morsi was the overseer of the website of the Muslim Brotherhood. That website has the following:

Dr. Mohamed Morsi, candidate of the Muslim Brotherhood and its political arm the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) for the presidency, said that the party and the group have great confidence in the Egyptian people’s awareness and enlightenment, and that they shall willingly and jealously rally around the Renaissance Project…

Dr. Morsi said…“Needless to say, currently, the candidate of the FJP and the Muslim Brotherhood is the only contender who offers a clearly Islamic project.” http://www.ikhwanweb.com/article.php?id=29910

What is the Muslim Brotherhood?…

“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)

The final Islamic Caliphate will not end up with Spain if I understand certain aspects of Bible prophecy correctly, but the confederation of the final King of the South may go from around Western Sahara and/or Mauritania to Afghanistan, with possible coordination with Pakistan and/or Indonesia. (plus or minus).

Notice also the following from Israel:

Times of Israel – June 24, 2012

Israel must brace itself for a deeply problematic period in its relations with Egypt, a former Israeli ambassador to Egypt said Sunday afternoon, responding grimly to the election of Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Morsi as Egypt’s president.

While Israel’s political leadership issued no immediate response to the election result, and the Foreign Ministry also had no immediate comment, ex-envoy Zvi Mazel was unequivocal in expressing his concerns.

Incoming president Morsi seeks the destruction of Israel, charged Mazel, who was Israel’s ambassador to Cairo in the late 1990s. “He has said he wants to conquer Jerusalem.”  http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-now-entering-deeply-problematic-period-in-ties-with-egypt-says-ex-envoy/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

It is clear that Dr. Morsi wants an Islamic government. And while not all in Egypt do, they may want a former supporter of Hosni Mubarak less as the Muslim Brotherhood has declared it will seek a more “moderate” form of an Islamic government than certain other political parties in Egypt.

And how has the website, under Dr. Morsi’s leadership, tended to view the United States? Notice:

What is its stance toward Israel and the U.S.?

Unremittingly negative. In past decades, the group had a blatantly anti-Semitic agenda, translating Hitler’s Mein Kampf and the forged Protocols of the Elders of Zion into Arabic and disseminating them to foment hatred of the Jews. More recently, it has contented itself with railing against “U.S. and Zionist domination.” (Understanding the Muslim Brotherhood. February 14, 2011. © The Muslim Brotherhood. http://www.ikhwanweb.com/article.php?id=28019 viewed 11/25/2011)

Notice a report from LCG last month related to a high-level supporter of Dr. Morsi:

Recently, a radical Muslim preacher told thousands of Muslim Brotherhood supporters in Egypt, “We can see how the dream of the Islamic caliphate is being realized, God willing, by Dr. Mohamed Mursi [the movement’s presidential candidate]… The capital of the caliphate–the capital of the United States of the Arabs–will be Jerusalem, God willing… Our capital shall not be in Cairo, Mecca or Medina… Yes, Jerusalem is our goal. We shall pray in Jerusalem, or die as martyrs on its threshold.” (LCG. World Ahead Weekly Update, May 24, 2012).

A “United States of the Arabs” sounds a lot like the King of the South that the Bible foretells.   The Bible tells the rise of a leader of a confederation that seems to be based south of Jerusalem. Likely one composed of nations in North Africa, the Middle East, and perhaps the Near East. The main leader of the King of the South could be Egyptian:

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. (Daniel 11:40-42).

1 The word of the Lord came to me again, saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God:”Wail, ‘Woe to the day!’ 3 For the day is near,Even the day of the Lord is near;It will be a day of clouds, the time of the Gentiles. 4 The sword shall come upon Egypt,And great anguish shall be in Ethiopia,When the slain fall in Egypt,And they take away her wealth,And her foundations are broken down. 5 “Ethiopia, Libya, Lydia, all the mingled people, Chub, and the men of the lands who are allied, shall fall with them by the sword.” (Ezekiel 30:1-5)

Ezekiel 30:1-5 is discussing an Arabic confederation that supports Egypt before the Day of the Lord that will not do well. This is further support that the Egyptians will most likely have significant involvement with the king of the South (as does the fact their land does not escape the wrath of the King of the North). And while Dr. Morsi may not be the one who will the final King of the South, the group he is associated with would certainly be expected to support that type of Islamic confederation.

Moderates in Egypt and elsewhere beware. The King of the South will form despite any assurances by Dr. Morsi hinting the contrary.

The Muslim Brotherhood was originally established in Egypt and seems to have the most adherents currently there (though it has branches in most of the Arab nations, if not all of them). And while it may not necessarily win the presidency of Egypt this time, it is making major political inroads in Egypt (as well as Gaza, Syria, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, and elsewhere).

To bring enough Arab nations together, I have felt that some type of “strongman” needed to rise up. One who Arabs would tend to respect–who might use or not use the title Imam Mahdi or Grand Mufti or Caliph ( he could perhaps use a version one or more of those titles, with perhaps other ones with more of a modern political sound)–he is likely to have title more than simply “president” (though that could be used along perhaps with a religious title). The time may be now for him to start to rise up and the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist groups may play an important role.

Events supporting the rise of the final King of the South are happening. Watch (Mark 13:37).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Arab 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?
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? What does the Bible say?
Arabic Nazarenes May Have Kept Original Christian Practices Were their faithful Arabs who held to original Christianity?
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Should Christians be Nazarenes today? What were the practices of the Nazarenes.

Guido Westerwelle

COGwriter

Germany, not the UK, is dominating the EU:

June 24, 2012

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair…says “the only thing that will save the single currency now is … a sort of grand plan in which Germany is prepared to commit its economy fully to the single currency.”In return, other eurozone nations must implement sweeping reforms, he says.

Blair… insists Britain could in the future join the euro.  Prime Minister David Cameron, of the rival Conservative Party, vows that won’t happen during his tenure. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/06/24/blair-germany-must-underwrite-eurozone-debts/#ixzz1yiXIkpV0

Germany plans for beefed-up Europe

ROGER BOYES

• From:The Times
• June 23, 2012 12:00AM

GERMANY wants to propel Europe towards greater political union and has started to discuss with other EU states the prospect of creating a European finance minister, a beefed-up European border police force and a European army.

Britain, it seems, is not part of the conversation.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle told London’s The Times newspaper he was not making demands but rather putting ideas on the table to boost international confidence in the future of Europe.

“The discussion about the future of the EU has to begin,” he said. “One of the consequences of the situation is that we have to accelerate integration in Europe…”  http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/germany-plans-for-beefed-up-europe/story-e6frg6so-1226405923842

German leadership of the European Union, and at this time mainly financial, is being advocated by many.  Even by some in the UK, despite the fact that most in the UK are hesitant about the EU and the Euro.  Increased European integration means loss of national sovereignty–something that is biblically prophesied for the rise of the European Beast power (Revelation 17:12-13).

The UK itself is being marginalized as most there simply do not favor accelerated European integration and loss of sovereignty.  In many respects, the UK will do too little too late related to the EU–and ultimately the UK will be no more.

The formation of the final Beast power of Revelation 13 is stirring in Europe and will likely be dominated by Germany (cf. Isaiah 10:5-8).  More and more news items support this.  And biblically, it will come to pass.  And to the detriment of the UK and its Anglo-descended allies like the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

For details on those prophecies, check out the following:

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”? What is ahead for Europe?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the German Defense Minister one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
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?
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?
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?