Church of God News

An animal horn trumpet.

COGwriter

Certain Protestant views are mentioned in the following article:

The Rapture of the Church and the Upcoming Presidential Election

Either America will elect the “right” person in the upcoming election (which for most fundamentalist Christians is almost anyone other than the current president) or America, and the world, should prepare for the end, commonly referred by them as “The Rapture.”…

Each time there is an election, for example, or an increase in the frequency of natural disasters and/or political and social unrest, there is a noticeable increase in frequency with which these church leaders talk about the end of the world, especially in terms of the Rapture.

The Rapture is a belief system about how human history will end. At its core, its proponents believe that believers in Jesus, or the church, will be “raptured,” or snatched up from the surface of the earth and gathered together in the clouds, just prior to the Great Tribulation and the rise of the Antichrist. What “Rapturist” proponents do not tell you, however, most likely because they do not know, is that the Rapture is not taught anywhere in Bible.

Nowhere. Nada…

Just as nobody knows the outcome of the upcoming election, nobody knows what will happen in the future. Jesus said as much (Matt. 24:36).  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-mcswain/what-the-rapture-and-the-_b_1602237.html

Now, the above is not quite the case.

While it is true that Americans who attend church most often do not tend to support the current USA president (Barack Obama), the reality is that many are also concerned about supporting a Mormon (Mitt Romney).

It is true that certain Evangelicals who call themselves “Fundamentalists” tend to believe that they will be raptured away from the earth prior to the start of the Great Tribulation.  And it is true that many feel that Barack Obama is taking steps to bring the world to the brink of the Great Tribulation.

However, contrary to the hint of the article above, Jesus gave specific signs to look for prior to His return that all can clearly see.  And as it turns out, Jesus taught that He would return AFTER the start of the Great Tribulation, not prior to it as certain Protestant Evangelicals tend to believe.

The proof is found in various places of the Bible, but perhaps the most clear are the statements from Jesus in Matthew 24:

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.  17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house.  18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.  19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!  20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.  21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.  22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.

23 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it.  24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.  25 See, I have told you beforehand.

26 “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.  27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.  28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.   (Matthew 24:15-31)

So, Jesus is teaching that AFTER the abomination of desolation is set up that Daniel mentioned, that the faithful Christians should flee.  This is seemingly the fleeing in Revelation 12:14-16.  THEN the Great Tribulation will begin.  And then AFTER the Great Tribulation, and the sound of a great trumpet (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:52) Jesus will return.

Now, that is what Jesus Himself taught, and thus the idea of a PRE-Great Tribulation rapture, has no real basis in scripture.  Protestants who claim to believe in sola Scriptura need to study the scriptures as they prove that there is no such thing as a pre-tribulation rapture.

Many misunderstand end time prophecy. In the faithful COG, we try to show people what the Bible teaches.

For more details on several of the subjects in the commentary, please check out the following articles:

Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected? What does the Bible really teach? Who really is left behind?
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.
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?
Hope of Salvation: How the Genuine Church of God differ from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, did Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority? Statements from him changing and/or discounting 18 books of the Bible are included. Do you really want to know the truth?
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 a remnant remains.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
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.
Some Dissimilarities Between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and the Genuine 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. Also, might certain LDS prophecies apply to Mitt Romney.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

COGwriter

UCG’s latest Good News magazine has the following from its Scott Ashely:

Iran’s former president Hashemi Rafsanjani, Ahmadinejad’s predecessor, was considered a moderate leader. But regarding nuclear weapons and Israel, he said: “If one day, the Islamic world is also equipped with weapons like those that Israel possesses now . . . the use of even one nuclear bomb inside Israel will destroy everything. However, it will only harm the Islamic world. It is not irrational to contemplate such an eventuality” (emphasis added throughout).

Rafsanjani was saying that if the Islamic world acquired nuclear weapons, a nuclear confrontation with Israel would be worth it. His reasoning was that while an Israeli nuclear strike might kill many millions of Muslims, that would only “harm” the vast Islamic world and not destroy it, whereas Israel, being so small—less than 10 miles wide at some points—would, by just one bomb, no longer exist.

And he concluded that such thinking, being willing to sacrifice millions of Muslims to exterminate the Jewish state, is not irrational!

Threats to exterminate Israel

What about his successor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad? He’s made no secret of his hatred for Israel…

“The United States and the Zionist regime of Israel will soon come to the end of their lives” (2007)…

“I am telling you that a new and greater Middle East will be established without the existence of the U.S. and the Zionist regime [Israel]” (2011)…

Iran’s president…from his speech to the UN General Assembly in September 2011, less than a year ago. These were his opening words:”In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful, all praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe, and peace and blessing be upon our Master and Prophet, Mohammad, and his pure household, and his noble companions and on all divine messengers. Oh, Allah, hasten the arrival of Imam al-Mahdi and grant him good health and victory and make us his followers and those who attest to his rightfulness.”

Thus, in his statement to the United Nations Ahmadinejad claimed to be speaking in the name of Allah and Islam and prayed before all the world for the quick arrival of al-Mahdi and his “victory.” What victory? Victory in leading Islam to be the dominant religion over all nations!…

Ahmadinejad is here stating exactly what he believes: That al-Mahdi will appear soon, that he is the ultimate savior of mankind, that he is the successor and descendent of Muhammad, and that he will establish peace on earth through Islam becoming the supreme religion on earth. He also notes that Iran stands ready to lead the march on this path toward a very different world united under Islamic rule.

He lays out his beliefs for the world to see. But without an understanding of the background of Islam and his beliefs, non-Muslims have no idea what he’s really saying.

So what will happen if or when Iran finally successfully develops nuclear weapons? He’s told us. He’s given the world the invitation to convert to Islam. He’s told us his intentions, which are to pave the way for al-Mahdi to come and lead Islam to victory over the entire world. These are Ahmadinejad’s aims for Iran and the world.

The President of Iran specifically believes that ultimately it is his special calling to create enough chaos in order to stimulate the arrival of an Islamic leader that he and others refer to as the Imam Mahdi. This leader is supposed to unite Islam and root out problems within its religion. But Iran is not quite ready for that yet, though its leadership believes that the Iman Mahdi has made his presence known (Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: World Order About to Collapse, Mahdi Behind it) and it hopes that he will become publicly known soon (see Iran’s Leader Preparing for ‘Armageddon’ and the Imam Mahdi).

For various reasons, the Imam Mahdi sounds a lot like the final King of the South that the Bible foretells (Daniel 11:40-43). And he may be part of a deal intended to destroy Israel, the USA, and its Anglo-allies (Psalm 83:4-8). And this will not be good.

Yet, the final King of the South will not be Iran (Iran is basically east of Jerusalem), but apparently Arabic (which includes those of Egypt, Libya, etc.). Iran’s actions and rhetoric continue to stir up the situation in the Middle East. So much so, that it is likely yo get it power reduced (or somehow neutralized) before the King of the South fulfills certain biblical prophecies (though Iran may provide some support to it per Ezekiel 30:5).

But many in the West do not understand that.  They seem to think that the Iranians, being Shi’ites, are on the fringe of Islam and that the majority of Muslims, who are Sunni, do not really have the same goals.  Here are some related comments from the latest newsletter from ICG’s Mark Armstrong:

We are well aware of Iran’s radical posture toward Israel, and by extension the United States. Wild threats now are coming out of Egypt toward Israel by clerics of the Muslim Brotherhood, which has now claimed Egypt’s presidency. Perhaps no one is shocked by the news that Mohammed Morsi, Egypt’s revolutionary president, has been invited to the White House for an official visit.

But it is shocking and disconcerting to learn as we have this week that American taxpayers have unwittingly funded an “academic study” which claims that Islamic extremists are simply “misunderstood.” It’s all in a fourteen page report which attempts to analyze Koranic verses that Islamic radicals use in their propaganda. “We conclude that verses extremists cite from the Qur’an do not suggest an offensive foe seeking domination and conquest of unbelievers, as is commonly assumed. Instead they deal with themes of victimization, dishonor and retribution…”

The government funded academics recommend that we “Abandon claims that Islamist extremists seek world domination,” saying that it undermines Western credibility with the audience. The “audience” is apparently the Islamic world that understands that “extremist arguments are really about victimage and deliverance.” (Near as I can figure out, the word “victimage” has been invented for the purposes of this study, so that it could be applied to murderous Islamic terrorists.)

Presumably, we could all breath a deep sigh of relief if it weren’t for the cacophony of calls reverberating throughout the Arab world for the establishment of an Islamic caliphate. A cleric of the Muslim Brotherhood is quoted making that call, while urging Egyptians to wage war of every kind against Israel and the Jews, including “cyber jihad.” His name is Suwaidan, and he declares “the reestablishment of the caliphate will certainly follow the collapse of Middle Eastern governments.”

Just this week WorldNetDaily carried a report on the United Muslim Nations International, where the Islamic cleric al-Mohammedi (who else?) declares, “Chrisianity should be destroyed and wiped from the face of the earth… Islamic power has returned upon the face of the earth and the Revived Global Caliphate has set out to rid the world of Christianity and there is nothing you can do about it.” (I guess the think tank geniuses were studying Koranic verses so intently, they must not have noticed.)

Hard to figure how the genius “academics” missed that, or the dozens of other instances. It’s just another example of the current U.S. government telling us not to believe our lying eyes, and you have to wonder who will be fooled? It seems they’re playing to the naïve, and the uninformed. And if you read the polls on nearly any subject, you’d have to conclude there are tens of millions of them.

The Caliphate that the Sunni Muslims really want is larger than they will attain.  How big do they initially want to get?  Notice what the Muslim Brotherhood, at its own website, says it wants:

What is the Muslim Brotherhood?
The world’s largest and most influential Islamist movement. Founded in Egypt in 1928, the group was originally focused on ridding the country of corrupting secular influences brought by British colonial rule. Over the years, it established branches and affiliates in many countries to promote traditional Sunni Islamic morals, social justice, and the eradication of poverty and corruption. “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 Muslim Brotherhood apparently wants as its top priority a pan-national Islamic caliphate ruled by an Imam. Many Muslims, including Sunni ones, long for the rising up of a leader called the 12th Imam, often referred to as the Imam Mahdi. It 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 Oman (with possible involvement and/or coordination with Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and/or Indonesia).

Many in the West seem to wish to overlook the real goals of Islam.  And according to the Bible, there will be a confederation that consists of the lands of the Islamic nations essentially of North Africa, the Middle East, and the Arab peninsula; plus it will likely, at least temporarily have Turkey (who will likely ultimately betray it) and other lands.

Notice some of the ancient peoples that the Bible suggests will support the confederation known as the King of the South at the time of the end:

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).

43 He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Nubians in submission. (Daniel 11:43, NIV)

4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” 5 For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You: 6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; 7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; (Psalm 83:4-7)

1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says:

“‘Wail and say, “Alas for that day!” 3 For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near- a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. 4 A sword will come against Egypt, and anguish will come upon Cush. When the slain fall in Egypt, her wealth will be carried away and her foundations torn down.

5 Cush and Put, Lydia and all Arabia, Libya and the people of the covenant land will fall by the sword along with Egypt.

6 “‘This is what the LORD says:

“‘The allies of Egypt will fall and her proud strength will fail. From Migdol to Aswan they will fall by the sword within her, declares the Sovereign LORD. 7 “‘They will be desolate among desolate lands, and their cities will lie among ruined cities. 8 Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I set fire to Egypt and all her helpers are crushed.

9 “‘On that day messengers will go out from me in ships to frighten Cush out of her complacency. Anguish will take hold of them on the day of Egypt’s doom, for it is sure to come (Ezekiel 30:1-9, NIV).

The above will come to pass no matter what Western analysts conclude.  The world is changing and events are aligning with properly understood biblical prophecy.

Two articles of possibly related interest, which have the modern identities of many of the supporters of the King of the South identified, include:

The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the Arab and Persian world 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?

COGwriter

Another solar flare warning is in the news:

Solar storm incoming: Federal agencies provide inconsistent, confusing information

Washington Post – July 13, 2012

A wave of plasma stoked by an X-class solar flare, the most intense type, is headed towards Earth. This blast of charged particles, known as a coronal mass ejection (CME), is forecast to ignite a geomagnetic storm on Earth over the weekend. NOAA predicts it will be minor, maybe moderate. NASA says it will be moderate to severe.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/post/solar-storm-incoming-federal-agencies-provide-inconsistent-confusing-information/2012/07/13/gJQAkm06hW_blog.html

Solar flares are one of the things many think could cause problems in 2012.  Solar flares may cause problems in 2012, but some version will in later years according to the Bible per Revelation 16:8-9.

There was also another type of warning that just came out of Australia:

Research from the University of Melbourne has shown that two different vaccine viruses- used simultaneously to control the same condition in chickens- have combined to produce new infectious viruses, prompting early response from Australia’s veterinary medicines regulator.

The research found that when two different ILT vaccine strains were used in the same populations, they combined into two new strains (a process known as recombination), resulting in disease outbreaks…”The study suggests that regulation of live attenuated vaccines for all species needs to take into account the real potential for vaccine viruses to combine. Measures such as those now being taken for the ILT vaccines will need to be implemented.”

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120712144754.htm

The above is basically intended as a warning to scientists that they do not always know what will happen with their biological experiments.  And that is true.

It is my belief that there is a probability that human-caused items, such as genetically-modified “foods,” vaccines, etc. may contribute to the coming famines and pestilences that Jesus warned were coming per Matthew 24:4-8.

There are real risks for the USA, Canada, UK, and other nations. But most ignore warning signs. Will you?

Some articles that might be of assistance in understanding end-time events may include:

Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2012 or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What is the “beginning of sorrows”? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
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?
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 and Julia Gillard be involved in 2012?  Have predictions written by Bob Thiel related to Barack Obama and Julia Gillard began to come to pass?

COGwriter

The drought that has affected about half of the USA is now considered to be its largest natural disaster:

The United States Department of Agriculture has declared natural disaster areas in more than 1,000 counties and 26 drought-stricken states, making it the largest natural disaster in America ever…

 According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, more than half the country (56 percent) experienced drought conditions—the largest percentage in the 12-year history of the service. And according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the period from January through June was “the warmest first half of any year on record for the contiguous United States.”  http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/us-natural-disaster-area-drought-150130308.html

And of course, in 2012, weather problems, including drought and heat have affected more than the USA (see, for example, Drought Reducing Wheat Yields in US, Australia, Russia, and Ukraine and Weather Extremes in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK).

Droughts and weather problems contribute to food shortages, higher food prices, and sometimes famines.  Food inflation seems to be occurring (see Corn Prices Rise 33%, More Food Problems Ahead).

Back in 2009, my book, 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect mentioned the following was about to happen:

Odd weather patterns result in food shortages and natural disasters.

Matthew 24:7

The world is actually in a berserk transition, as the real age of peace is not yet here. It may be a period of chaos. It is the beginning of sorrows

Matthew 24:8

Droughts and odd weather problems should serve as a wake-up call. Weather-related troubles with their related food issues, of course, have been biblically expected:

7…And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:7-8).

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 13:8)

The USA’s insistence on pursuing legalizing various forms of immorality is going to catch up with it.  The drought is only a part of that.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?
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 (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?
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 and Julia Gillard be involved in 2012?  Have predictions written by Bob Thiel related to Barack Obama and Julia Gillard began to come to pass?
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 23 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 23 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 23 já começaram a acontecer.

Hiroshima After the Atomic Bomb Was Detonated

COGwriter

According to Sir John Sawyer, the chief spy in the UK, a military conflict between Iran, Israel, and/or the USA is likely:

July 13, 2012

In a rare public remark, the head of Britain’s spy agency said that British agents had stopped Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons as early as 2008. But despite the spy agency’s efforts, the Islamic Republic is two years from getting an atomic arsenal, MI6 chief Sir John Sawers said.

If this happens, Israel and the US are likely to take, or seriously consider, military action against Iran, he added.

“The Iranians are determinedly going down a path to master all aspects of nuclear weapons; all the technologies they need,” Mr. Sawers said, according to The Telegraph. “It’s equally clear that Israel and the United States would face huge dangers if Iran were to become a nuclear weapon state. … I think it will be very tough for any prime minister of Israel or president of the United States to accept a nuclear-armed Iran.”

As regular readers of the COGwriter news page are aware, I have been warning for some time that a regional war involving Iran, Israel, the USA, and/or Syria seems likely.

Based upon various Israeli reports (e.g. Iran Denies Israeli Involvement in Bomb Blast, But 2012 May Be a Different Matter) and recent comments from the US Defense Secretary (for details, see Panetta Believes Israel Will Attack Iran in April, May, or June 2012), a 2012 attack is certainly possible.

The situation in the Middle East is tense. Since Iran, however, is NOT really south of Jerusalem (though it may support such a king per certain interpretations of the peoples listed in Ezekiel 30:1-9), we in the Living Church of God do not believe that it will be the final King of the South of Bible prophecy (cf. Daniel 11:40-43).  Because of that, I have tended to believe that Iran may somehow get “neutralized” before this final king rises up. A serious attack by the USA and/or Israel may neutralize Iran and much of its influence. It also may take a regional war for the seven-year confirmation of the deal in Daniel 9:27 to come about.

My reading and re-reading of Bible prophecy simply does not show that Iran will be a major player in Daniel 11:21-44 nor the deal of Psalm 83:4-8; though Ezekiel 30:1-9 possibly implicates Iran.  Since Iran does not seem to be identified as the leader in those particular passages, and Iran has a loud voice now, those facts have somewhat led me to conclude that Iran will somehow be “neutralized.”

“Neutralizing” Iran would allow most of the other Islamic states (like Saudi Arabia and Egypt) to continue to exist (Syria might not do well per Isaiah 17:1) and allow for the rising of the prophesied leader (revolution in Iran, is also another possibility, for its “neutralization”).

But the fact is that Israel knows it cannot stand a nuclear Iran (the USA makes comments that way, and while it may take steps itself, sometimes decides it has other issues to handle).  But if the USA and Israel do hit Iran, Iran would likely not fair well.

If there currently is a “King of the West,” it would currently seem to be the USA, and the Bible does not seem to show it existing into the Great Tribulation (cf. Daniel 11:39), hence, unlike the military interventions in places like Libya, the USA itself is likely to not go unscathed if it engages Iran and/or Syria.  This would not be the Great Tribulation per se, but part what Jesus called “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:4-8) that could help further weaken the USA and make it more vulnerable for being taken over.

We will watch and see (Mark 13:37).

Some articles (and books) of possibly 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? What does the Bible say?
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?
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?
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?
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 is the seven-year deal? 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?
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 23 predictions in the book and many more will to come to pass.

Damascus, Capital of Syria

COGwriter

The government of Syria is still using a lot of force against its people:

July 12, 2012

Some in the military are taking actions to leave Syria’s military:

12 July 2012

The latest report of violence came in the wake of the highest-level defector yet from President Bashar Assad’s regime — his ambassador to Iraq.

Defections from the Syrian regime have stirred hopes in the West Assad’s inner circle will start abandoning him in greater numbers, hastening his downfall.

But the tightly protected regime has largely held together over the course of the 16-month-old uprising, driven by a mixture of fear and loyalty.

The latest official to flee, Ambassador Nawaf Fares, announced that he was joining the revolution, asserting Thursday that only force will drive Assad from power.  http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hJ8EtYnqjc8HMYkPPch812_RNMOA?docId=c51819fd7ce84cd6bfee7bf0a2a975e9

Syria will change, now or later.  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.

The Bible shows that Syria’s capital city Damascus will be destroyed:

7 thus says the Lord God: “It shall not stand, Nor shall it come to pass. 8 For the head of Syria is Damascus (Isaiah 7:7-8)

3 Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they have threshed Gilead with implements of iron. (Amos 1:3)

1 The burden against Damascus. “Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap. (Isaiah 17:1)

In a similar fashion, last week LCG reported:

Long ago, the prophet Isaiah predicted, “Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap” (Isaiah 17:1). Jeremiah also prophesied, “Damascus has grown feeble…her young men shall fall in her streets, and all the men of war shall be cut off in that day” (Jeremiah 49:23-27). Syria was punished anciently for siding against the nation of Judah, and modern Syria has done the same. The civil war has now reached the suburbs of Damascus, and rebels may soon enter the heart of the Syrian capital. As events unfold in Syria, it will be interesting to see how these prophecies will be fulfilled. For more information on events in the Middle East, request our free booklet The Middle East in Prophecy.

As Jesus said in Mark 13:37, we all should watch.  There will be changes in Syria.  The continued killings and defections are likely to play a role in that.

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?

Palace of Westminster in London

COGwriter

The UK does not seem to want to admit it, but it appears to be looking to compile a list of reasons why it perhaps would want to leave the European Union or at least not be totally committed to all parts of it:

July 12, 2012

Notice something from the Presiding Evangelist in the Living Church of God, Dr. Roderick C. Meredith:

Within the next few years, Britain will no longer be part of the European Union! It will either get out or be pushed out! Notice this startling report from London Daily Express: “SENIOR Eurocrats are secretly plotting to create a super-powerful EU president to realise their dream of abolishing ­Britain, we can reveal. A covert group of EU foreign ministers has drawn up plans for merging the jobs currently done by Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council, and Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission. The new bureaucrat, who would not be directly elected by voters, is set to get sweeping control over the entire EU and force member countries into ever-greater political and economic union. Tellingly, the UK has been excluded from the confidential discussions within the shady ‘Berlin Group’ of Europhile politicians, spearheaded by German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle…. Opponents fear the plan could create a modern-day equivalent of the European emperor envisaged by Napoleon Bonaparte or a return to the Holy Roman Empire of Charlemagne that dominated Europe in the Dark Ages….” Euro-MP Paul Nattall, of the UK Independence Party stated: “The only hope for Britain is to leave the EU and become an independent nation [emphasis ours]” (May 4, 2012)…

As far as the United Kingdom goes, its place as an economic power has been declining, in at least relative terms, around the world for decades. Many other steps are taking place in Europe and the world that are further going to reduce Britain’s place as a major financial capital of the world. And there still are likely to be major problems in Europe (Daniel 2:41-43) leading to a prophesied restructuring (Revelation 17:12-13).

Why would the UK do an audit of how the EU affects all its governmental departments if it wants to support the goal of complete European integration?

Well, despite claiming that it does not want to get out of the EU, Britain is telling the EU that it is not interested in loss of sovereignty and national interest.  And that is something that the EU is all about.

Interestingly, I received an email about an article that was published earlier this week, where the author, Thierry Baudet, has boldly stated a lot about his view of the future of the EU:

The EU is an empire, and empires mean war

Partisans of the European project invariably argue that nationalism leads to war and while the development of Europe will safeguard peace – a noble objective that is more than sufficient compensation for any loss in democracy, sovereignty and transparency caused by Brussels. However, this theory is fundamentally flawed.

Nationalism does not lead to war. Attempts to build European empires lead to war. The urge to impose a straitjacket on the will of peoples will leads to war. In short, the European project will lead to war…

The irrational fear of nationalism could ultimately result in the establishment of a restrictive empire in Brussels. The time has come to call a halt and restore the nation state.  (Baudet T.  The EU is an empire, and empires mean war. NRC Handelsblad, Press Europ, July 9, 2012.  http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/2300601-eu-empire-and-empires-mean-war)

While Thierry Baudet wants a return to the “nation state,” EU leaders seem to be working against that idea (see EU Plot to Put in Super Leader While Excluding the United Kingdom?)–the EU’s President Van Rompuy, in 2010, declared the end of the nation state (see EU President Declares End of Nation State, Britain Skeptical).  The EU is an empire and it working on being, not only a more integrated one, but a military one.

The UK needs to realize that the EU is all about trying to be a revival of the old Holy Roman Empire and that it certainly does intend to be a military empire.  If not, I simply do not believe that Germany (who tried to recreate the empire via two world wars) would continue to fund the EU.  Nor would the Europeans have developed the Galileo satellite system (EU Approves Galileo For Military Use and USA GPS and EU Galileo linking was expected), the Large Hadron Collider (CERN Makes Major Strides with Antimatter), decided to fund FAIR (another collider-type project, see Germany Approves FAIR Particle Accelerator Project), nor be involved in various other activities that it is now engaged in (e.g. Europe Looking to be a Major Player in Space).

Another financial and military system starting to arise in Europe and the Anglo-descended nations will not like what will replace Anglo-capitalism or “Pax Americana” in that new world order.

But ultimately, Jesus will come and establish His kingdom with, amongst other things, a proper economic system. But until then, overall, Britain will see that it has less influence on the world scene than it did in its glory days or even as it did a decade or so ago.

Although the United Kingdom (and related Commonwealth nations) and the United States have dominated the world’s economy the past couple of centuries (as well as the military for over a 1/2 century), a shift is occurring and those in the Anglo-nations will not like what will be happening relatively soon.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
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”?
Large Hadron Collider may result in military applications The Europeans have the largest physics project on the planet. Some scoff, but might it result in military applications? May the Large Hadron Collider help fulfill Revelation 13:4?
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?
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?
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.
id 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? 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?

Corn Zea mays (Andrew Butko)

COGwriter

The price of corn has been rising and other foods may see price increases as well:

Corn prices are up 33% over the past month… and sit near 10-year highs. This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cut the corn crop forecast by 12% to 13 billion bushels… The market expected 13.5 billion. Those expectations were down from the USDA’s June outlook of a record 14.79 billion bushels. Droughts and extreme heat across the Midwest have damaged the crop…

Should grain prices continue to remain elevated (and it’s likely they will) expect more and more “unrest” around the world. To state again, high food prices can bring down governments.  (S&A Digest, July 11, 2011)

Midwest drought may spark food inflation

Morris Daily Herald – ‎11 July 2012

WASHINGTON (MCT) – A punishing Midwest drought may lead to food inflation as the cost of corn soars and the price of a key feedstock for ranchers rises.

Global Food Price Inflation Risk Rises, Australian Bank Warns

NASDAQ – ‎News: Global Food Price Inflation Risk Rises, Australian Bank Warns.

Tougher times are coming. And for some parts of the world these tougher time may be here now. People who can prepare, should: both spiritually and physically.  In addition to the type of price increases we are now seeing, I continue to suspect that likely crop failures associated with GMO grains are putting the USA at extreme risk of being destroyed economically and otherwise (and most USA corn is genetically-modified).   Most Americans do not like to accept this, but it is nonetheless true.

Food inflation is something that I warned would likely be seen in 2012 and we are seeing some of it.

The disciples asked Jesus about the end:

3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3)

Notice some of what Jesus taught in response:

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:4-8).

The “beginning of sorrows” (Mathew 24:7-8) begins before the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21), the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7).  We seem to be in the beginning stages of these sorrows.

As Jesus said:

37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! (Mark 13:36-37)

The time is coming when the USA will have severe food shortages–more than the current food inflation.  And at that same time, the USA may have to provide grain to China and other creditors that it owes when some Americans will be starving.

Those in North America are not going to be exempt from food shortages forever.

Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?
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 23 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 23 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 23 já começaram a acontecer.
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? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Are there biblical and non-biblical prophecies about 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 his timing and at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? This is the longest and most detailed of the articles here at COGwriter related to prophecy and Barack Obama.
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?
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?

Occupy Madrid, May 20, 2011 (Kadellar)

COGwriter

Spain agreed to a new austerity program and this has generated more civil unrest and protests:

Spain unveils new austerity under European pressure July 11, 2012 Reuters

Spain police, miners clash in Madrid protest July 11, 2012 Businessweek

This is not a surprise to me.  Back in 2010 (see Civil War in Greece?), I warned, “Austerity measures in Europe will likely cause civil unrest.”   As well later in December 2010 (see Civil Unrest in Greece (and it was predicted) where I warned:

Civil unrest in Europe is expected. Places such as France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Eastern Europe have potential for this occurrence. In addition to austerity measures, Islamic protests and immigration related issues will also likely be factors in flaming protests and devastating riots. Expanded civil unrest will have major impacts on the euro and on Europe itself.

And back in May 2012, I warned that more unrest was expected to come from Spain (see Over 100,000 Protest Austerity in Spain).

Expanded civil unrest will have major impacts on the euro and on Europe itself. It is highly likely to propel a European leader to rise up. The final leader will be the one known as the Beast (Revelation 13:3-4) and final King of the North (Daniel 11:22-44) of Bible prophecy.

Europe is prophesied to have problems (Daniel 2:41-43) and not all the problems have happened yet.  Spain and other parts of Europe are likely to have even more significant civil unrest before a strong leader is granted power (cf. Revelation 17:12-13).

In my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, I discussed the possibility of civil unrest and/or civil war breaking out in Europe. Here are a couple of captions from that 2009 book about that:

Some believe that God will punish the nominal Catholics with civil unrest and war in Europe. As there already has been civil unrest in Europe (and according to secular sources, more is expected), it is possible that the following (to some degree) also may come to pass:..

Monk Hilarion (15^th century): “The people of the peninsula of Europe will suffer by needless wars…”

Brother Louis Rocco (19th century): “All over Europe there will rage terrible civil wars…A Great Monarch will arise after a period of terrible wars and persecutions in Europe.”

Some believe this civil unrest will result in the rise of a militaristic leader who will quell that particular violence, establish a new religious order, and reign with a pope who will perform miracles…

One interesting 15^th century Catholic prophecy foretells a time when a “great prince” will rise up. “All Germany” will apparently convert to the ecumenical religion, and then massive conversions in “all countries” “will happen quickly…

The descriptions of the Great Monarch/Prince in many ways parallel the description of one the Bible refers to as the “prince” in Daniel 9:26–27, final “King of the North” in Daniel 11:27–45…

World events are aligning with properly understood prophecy. There will be ups and downs in Europe until the final European beast power rises up. The protests may ultimately turn quite violent and this may be a major trigger for the rise of the prophesied final King of the North.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?

Last Page of the Dresden Codex

COGwriter

Today, PCG posted the following from its Joel Hilliker:

Is the Mayan End of the World Prophecy Accurate?

July 11, 2012 | From theTrumpet.com

Thanks to their interpretation of the Mayan calendar, many people think the world will end on December 21, 2012…

It’s a bizarre belief that has been around since a stone tablet was found in the 1960s at a Mexican archeological site that describes a Mayan god returning at the end of a time cycle believed to be Dec. 21, 2012. Last November, an additional Mayan artifact was found with apparently the same date mentioned, fueling additional hype…

Forget etchings on a few stones in Mexico. There is only one reliable, verifiable source of prophecy that has a proven track record of accuracy: the Holy Bible.

Joel Hilliker is correct that the world will not end on December 21, 2012 and that all should rely on the Bible to understand end time prophecy.

And according to the Bible for the end to happen in 2012 to many events still have to take place (see Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2012, 2013, or 2014?; please also see Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?). Those who think it will, simply have been misled.  Many modern scholars question exactly what the Mayans were predicting.

Anyway, the last page of the Dresden Codex is the part that most have focused on. The idea that it may have been predicting a flood at the end of the Mayan long-count calendar has been suspected for at least a century.  In 1906, notice some of what was written by Ernst Wilhelm Förstemann concerning the Dresden Codex:

COMMENTARY ON THE DRESDEN CODEX… This page can denote nothing but the end of the world, for which the serpent numbers have prepared the way. Perhaps what looks like a zero above the sign Eb in the stream of water may likewise point to this calamity. (Förstemann EW. Commentary on the Maya manuscript in the Royal public library of Dresden Papers of the Peabody Museum of American Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University. Translated by Selma Wesselhoeft, Alberta M. Parker. Publisher The Museum, 1906 Original from Harvard University Digitized Dec 14, 2005, p. 266)

Of course, different researchers have different opinions about what this means, but the world will not end in a flood according to Bible prophecy (cf. Genesis 9) and nor can the world end as early as 12/21/2012.

Mark Van Stone at the website of the Foundation for the Advancement of MesoAmerican Studies, Inc. states:

The Dresden does contain some astronomical tables –:notably Venus cycle and Eclipse Tables, for example–: and some mysterious tables such as the Serpent-Numbers (those dealing with 37,000 BCE), but most of them are auguries, based on cycles of the Tzolk’in divided by 5, or 6, or 7, or 18, or other numbers of days. (Questions and answers http://www.famsi.org/research/vanstone/2012/comments.html viewed 12/27/11)

Some have indicated that one or more of the small astronomical tables (which are very difficult to read on the last page of the Dresden Codex) point to some type of “galactic alignment” (others dispute that). But again, these are mainly modern Western interpretations of the Dresden Codex.  One of the reasons that 2012 was considered a possible date from the Dresden Codex is that many feel that it does show the “transit of Venus,” which is a rare event and which occurred last month (see 2012′s rare ‘Transit of Venus’)–the so-called alignment comes later in sequence on the Dresden Codex, hence that is why some give the December 21, 2012 some credibility.

I 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).

Perhaps I should mention that 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. Notice 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.   The world simply cannot end in a flood per God’s words in Genesis 9:

8 Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying: 9 “And as for Me, behold, I establish My covenant with you and with your descendants after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you, of all that go out of the ark, every beast of the earth. 11 Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” (Genesis 9:8-11).

Also, 2012 is not the end of the world nor will Jesus return in 2012.  The Mayan flood prophecy will be proven false, whether it related to 2012 or not or the Dresden Codex or not.

Other scriptures show that the Great Tribulation and the later great earthquake (Revelation 16:18) cannot be that early (see Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2012, 2013, or 2014? for more details).

Whatever the Dresden Codex may be trying to portray (my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect discusses certain views), it is not possible that the end of the world will occur in 2012, Jesus will not return in 2012 (Ronald Weinland was wrong; see Ron Weinland Falsely Claims ‘Work of the Two Witnesses is Over’), nor can the Great Tribulation begin that early (James Malm is also wrong; see James Malm’s 70% Great Tribulation Chance in 2012 is 100% Wrong).

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).

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 23 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 23 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 23 já começaram a acontecer.