Church of God News

COGwriter

A study of university students in the USA found that “binge drinking” alcohol to excess is supposedly sign of increased social success, despite the fact that many do not like it:

“Binge-drinking college students are happier than their non-binge-drinking peers,” reports a study presented this week at a meeting of the American Sociological Assn. in Denver.

And the reason? “It may be because, at these schools, binge drinking is associated with high status and binge drinkers are happier with their college social experience than their non-binge-drinking peers,” the authors go out on a limb in explaining…

Here are some facts from the study, conducted at a northeastern liberal arts college and based on surveys from 1,595 students:

— Fully 64% of students at this college indulged in binge drinking — defined as consuming four drinks for women and five drinks for men — in a single session at least once within a two-week period.  http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-kids-who-binge-drink-in-college-have-more-fun-20120820,0,4728141.story

“One thing that was a recurrent comment were students who said, ‘Everyone drinks here. … I don’t want to get drunk, but I feel like I don’t belong here if I don’t.’ … Then the next person would write, ‘I don’t really want to drink, but this is what everyone else does.’ And the next person would write, ‘You know, I don’t mind drinking a little, but I don’t want to get smashed, but everyone does that,'” Hsu said.

“I look at this and I think, ‘Why don’t you guys just have a party without drinking? None of you want to be doing this!'” Hsu added…

At the university studied, “this behavior is so associated with being higher status that if you don’t do it, you don’t have as high levels of social satisfaction,” she said.

One glimmer of hope, Hsu said, was that students in religious organizations who did not binge drink were more socially satisfied than other low-status non-bingers.

“If you’re in a community that’s big enough that creates its own social life, you might actually get to not care what the mainstream campus message is,” she said. She added that she hopes the findings encourage students to back away from the booze.  http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/08/20/study-college-binge-drinkers-report-being-happier-than-non-binge-drinkers/#ixzz24Be3i0wz

It is interesting to note that students that attempt to have a greater religious connection do not feel the need to drink heavily for happiness, satisfaction, etc.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Fact Sheet on Binge Drinking states:

According to national surveys

• Approximately 92% of U.S. adults who drink excessively report binge drinking in the past 30 days.²
• Although college students commonly binge drink, 70% of binge drinking episodes involve adults age 26 years and older.³
• The prevalence of binge drinking among men is higher than the prevalence among women.⁴
• Binge drinkers are 14 times more likely to report alcohol-impaired driving than non-binge drinkers.³
• About 90% of the alcohol consumed by youth under the age of 21 in the United States is in the form of binge drinks.⁵
• About 75% of the alcohol consumed by adults in the United States is in the form of binge drinks.⁵
• The proportion of current drinkers that binge is highest in the 18- to 20-year-old group (51%).³

Binge drinking is associated with many health problems, including—

• Unintentional injuries (e.g., car crashes, falls, burns, drowning).
• Intentional injuries (e.g., firearm injuries, sexual assault, domestic violence).
• Alcohol poisoning.
• Sexually transmitted diseases.
• Unintended pregnancy.
• Children born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
• High blood pressure, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases.
• Liver disease.
• Neurological damage.
• Sexual dysfunction.
• Poor control of diabetes.  (http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm)

While light alcohol consumption (no more than one drink in a day for most people) has health benefits, excessive consumption of alcohol is dangerous.

The CDC also reports the following for its Fact Sheet on Excessive Alcohol Use and Risks to Men’s Health:

Injuries and deaths as a result of excessive alcohol use

• Men consistently have higher rates of alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations than women.^{1, 9, 10}
• Among drivers in fatal motor-vehicle traffic crashes, men are almost twice as likely as women to have been intoxicated (i.e., a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or greater).¹¹
• Excessive alcohol consumption increases aggression and, as a result, can increase the risk of physically assaulting another person.¹²
• Men are more likely than women to commit suicide, and more likely to have been drinking prior to committing suicide.^{13, 14, 15}

Reproductive Health and Sexual Function

Excessive alcohol use can interfere with testicular function and male hormone production resulting in impotence, infertility, and reduction of male secondary sex characteristics such as facial and chest hair.^{16, 17}

Excessive alcohol use is commonly involved in sexual assault. Impaired judgment caused by alcohol may worsen the tendency of some men to mistake a women’s friendly behavior for sexual interest and misjudge their use of force. Also, alcohol use by men increases the chances of engaging in risky sexual activity including unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, or sex with a partner at risk for sexually transmitted diseases.⁴

Cancer

Alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon in men.  http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/mens-health.htm

The CDC also reports the following for its Fact Sheet on Excessive Alcohol Use and Risks to Women’s Health:

Reproductive Health

• National surveys show that about 6 out of every 10 women of child-bearing age (i.e., aged 18–44 years) use alcohol, and slightly less than one-third of women who drink alcohol in this age group binge drink.²
• In 2008, about 7.2% of pregnant women used alcohol.³
• Excessive drinking may disrupt menstrual cycling and increase the risk of infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature delivery.^{4, 5}
• Women who binge drink are more likely to have unprotected sex and multiple sex partners. These activities increase the risks of unintended pregnancy⁶ and sexually transmitted diseases.⁷

Alcohol and Pregnancy

• Women who drink alcohol while pregnant increase their risk of having a baby with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). The most severe form is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), which causes mental retardation and birth defects.
• FASD are completely preventable if a woman does not drink while pregnant or while she may become pregnant.
• Studies have shown that about 1 of 20 pregnant women drank excessively before finding out they were pregnant.⁸ No amount of alcohol is safe to drink during pregnancy. For women who drink during pregnancy, stopping as soon as possible may lower the risk of having a child with physical, mental, or emotional problems.
• Research suggests that women who drink alcohol while pregnant are more likely to have a baby die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This risk substantially increases if a woman binge drinks during her first trimester of pregnancy.⁹
• The risk of miscarriage is also increased if a woman drinks excessively during her first trimester of pregnancy.¹⁰

Other Health Concerns

• Liver Disease: The risk of cirrhosis and other alcohol-related liver diseases is higher for women than for men.¹¹
• Impact on the Brain: Excessive drinking may result in memory loss and shrinkage of the brain.¹² Research suggests that women are more vulnerable than men to the brain damaging effects of excessive alcohol use, and the damage tends to appear with shorter periods of excessive drinking for women than for men.¹³
• Impact on the Heart: Studies have shown that women who drink excessively are at increased risk for damage to the heart muscle than men even for women drinking at lower levels.¹⁴
• Cancer: Alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and breast among women. The risk of breast cancer increases as alcohol use increases.^{15, 16, 17, 18}
• Sexual Assault: Binge drinking is a risk factor for sexual assault, especially among young women in college settings. Each year, about 1 in 20 college women are sexually assaulted. Research suggests that there is an increase in the risk of rape or sexual assault when both the attacker and victim have used alcohol prior to the attack.  http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/womens-health.htm

The Bible itself condemns, not alcohol (cf. 1 Timothy 5:23; John 2:1-10), but drunkenness.  And it does not limit its condemnations to those of the USA.

Notice the following:

1 Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise. (Proverbs 20:1)

20 Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;  21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags. (Proverbs 23:20-21)

1 Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, Whose glorious beauty is a fading flower Which is at the head of the verdant valleys, To those who are overcome with wine!  2 Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one, Like a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, Like a flood of mighty waters overflowing, Who will bring them down to the earth with His hand. 3 The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, Will be trampled underfoot; (Isaiah 28:1-3)

18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation (Ephesians 5:18)

The partying drunkard is also specifically condemned as part of those that will not inherit the kingdom of God:

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

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  (Galatians 5:19-21)

The fact that the average college binge drinker is defined as one who gets drunk doing this at least twice per month shows the lack of concern for biblical morality.

The Bible also condemns those who encourage others to drink excessively, and also hints of possible sexual violation when one does drink excessively:

5 “Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor,
Pressing him to your bottle,
Even to make him drunk,
That you may look on his nakedness!
16 You are filled with shame instead of glory.
You also — drink!
And be exposed as uncircumcised!
The cup of the Lord’s right hand will be turned against you,
And utter shame will be on your glory.   (Habakkuk 2:15-16)

The Bible teaches that those who turn from such behavior can face societal criticisms, yet avoiding what the world encourages along these lines is what Christians are supposed to do:

3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles — when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.  (1 Peter 4:3-4)

11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner — not even to eat with such a person. (1 Corinthians 5:11)

13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.  (Romans 13:13)

If you, or a loved one, has a problem with binge drinking or anything else to do with alcohol, pray about it and seek counsel.

In addition to contacting the ministry, secular sources can also be of assistance.  A list of sources from the CDC can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/resources.htm  Furthermore, there are groups like Alcoholics Anonymous in many other nations.  People with alcohol problems can be helped.  And the Bible encourages people to leave the “binge drinking” lifestyle.

Excessive binging on alcohol is serious problem in many societies.  And is one that needs to be repented of.

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?
What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
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 such as Ephraim and Manasseh? 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?

COGwriter

A reader sent the following written by Dr. Martin Weiss:

20 August 2012…

The sorry facts are very straightforward:

• The U.S. economy is expected to clock in at around $15.6 trillion in GDP. Meanwhile …
• The government’s debt load (excluding Medicare, Social Security, etc.) is going to be $16.3 trillion…

These facts should be setting off major alarm bells around the world. They mean that:

• The United States of America is at an historic threshold, beyond which global investors are prone to panic and start dumping U.S. debts.
• The United States is passing the point of no return, beyond which any new government initiative to “end the crisis” will probably just make it worse…

The Deficit and Debt
Monsters Are Nonpartisan!

They were created by both Democrats and Republicans.

They can wreak havoc on any presidential campaign or president, regardless of party affiliation.

And most important, ANY so-called solution — whether proposed by Democrats or Republicans — is likely to backfire.

The Bible (Habakkuk 2)  warns that the time will come that foreigners will rise up against a major debtor (and Dr. Weiss wrote something related to that earlier this year–see Weiss Report Warning Reminscient of Habakkuk 2:6-8).  The USA is not quite to that point yet, but sadly looks like it is going in that direction.

While carnally speaking, one presidential candidate’s economic plans make a lot more sense than the other one’s do, from a Christian perspective Jesus could not support either of the US presidential candidates for president.  Nor do either US President Obama or his challenger Mitt Romney understand the real problems in the USA or the real solutions–hint: they are spiritual and not carnal.

National repentance is the only hope now for the USA.  It is in decline and may have already passed the point of no return from a carnal perspective.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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.
Prophecies of Barack Obama? This article has eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. It includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? This is the longest and most complete article at the COGwriter website on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”. Might Bible prophecy be fulfilled since he is to be the USA president?
Some Dissimilarities Between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and the Real Church of God The genuine 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.
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?
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?
What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.

COGwriter

Israeli leaders have dropped highly specific hints that a strike against Iran will likely result in relatively few losses and be a very short conflict (I also added another article about the possible timing as a late addition):

August 20, 2012

A high-volume public debate in Israel over a possible imminent military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities is designed to pressure Washington to back its ally more firmly, experts say…

Defence Minister Ehud Barak and other senior officials have estimated a conflict could last 30 days and claim 500 Israeli lives…

Obama has said Washington will stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, but has spoken of military action as a last resort that should be preceded by diplomacy and economic sanctions. Netanyahu on the other hand has aggressively pushed the idea of a pre-emptive strike.

There is concern in Washington that a unilateral Israeli strike may not destroy Iran’s underground nuclear facilities and could spark Iranian retaliation worldwide, dragging the United States into another war in the Middle East.  http://gulfnews.com/news/region/iran/israeli-media-buzz-on-iran-aims-to-pressure-us-1.1063833

Netanyahu ‘determined to attack Iran’ before US elections, claims Israel’s Channel 10

TV reporter adds: ‘I doubt Obama could say anything that would convince PM to delay a possible attack’

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “is determined to attack Iran before the US elections,” Israel’s Channel 10 News claimed on Monday night, and Israel is now “closer than ever” to a strike designed to thwart Iran’s nuclear drive.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-determined-to-attack-iran-before-us-elections-claims-israels-channel-10/

I believe that the Israeli assessment is likely to prove too optimistic (the tv reporter may or may not be right about the timing–others have made similar speculations).  The position of the Obama Administration of the dangers is closer to the reality of the situation.  The situation in Syria, for one example, is quite tense and fighting Israel may be perceived to be in Syria’s best interest (Syria is a strong Iranian ally).   Syrian involvement with Iran could, of course, backfire on Syria and result in major losses (cf. Isaiah 17:1), but that does not mean that its President Assad will not fight Israel (technically, his nation is still at war with Israel) if he feels he and Iran need to do so.

While USA President Obama hopes not to have a major war if Israel strikes Iran, I suspect that a regional war in the Middle East could get out of control.

Iran has objected to Israel’s very existence in various ways.  Notice a recent one:

Iranian president calls Israel an ‘insult to all humanity’

Detroit Free Press – ‎Aug 17, 2012‎

TEHRAN, Iran — Israel’s existence is an “insult to all humanity,” Iran’s president said Friday in one of his sharpest attacks yet against the Jewish nation as Israel openly debates whether to attack Iran over its nuclear program.

And while the above justifiably upsets Israel, this does not mean that Israel will have it super easy if it fights Iran.

Now, according to the Bible, the King of the South (Daniel 11:40) will rise up and we will see if this happens sometime after an Israeli conflict with Iran.  Since Iran is not destined to be the King of the South, I have long written that it will somehow be neutralized (through a conflict involving Israel and/or internal strife, etc.)–thus Iran would likely suffer major damage (though a limited strike is possible, by Israel, but that view may prove to be optimistic).

This does not mean that I believe that Israel (or the USA and/or its allies for that matter) will end up without potentially severe losses (actually I do think that Israel and/or one of its allies will), only that Iran and Syria may start to feel so desperate that they will conclude that military conflict with Israel is their best option–if so, this would be a mistake on those nations’ part.

But Israel, and or the USA, are also at risk.  Iran and/or Syria have chemical and biological weapons that could affect Israel and the USA, as well the potential for emp type bombs (see UCG on Iran’s EMP Threat), “dirty” bombs, and other nuclear-type bombs that Israel and/or the USA may have underestimated. Terrorist and other attacks are also possible.

Wars do not always go as planned, for either side (or their allies).

Some articles of possibly related interest 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?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? This is the longest and most complete article on this page on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.
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? If so, what does that really mean for the USA and its Anglo allies.
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?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims?

COGwriter

There appears to be good news coming out of Myanmar, a country commonly referred to as Burma:

Burma Eases Censorship of Local Media

Daniel Schearf

August 20, 2012

Burma has announced an end to official censorship of the press after decades of tight government controls. Journalists and advocates welcomed the latest reform, but they also noted challenges to press freedom remain.

The Ministry of Information announced Monday that local media are no longer required to first submit their stories to a censorship board before publication.

The policy change follows decades of official controls on what news was published in Burma and how stories were worded.

Ko Ko, Vice President of the Burma Journalists Association, tells VOA it is a turning point for media in the country. http://www.voanews.com/content/burma-eases-censorship-of-local-media/1491317.html

The Living Church of God, as well as some other groups, have people in Myanmar. It has always been difficult for Christians there, and now it appears that it may possibly be improving.

Back in 2009, the government in Myanmar took steps against home churches (Legacy: Myanmar to Stop Home Churches?), and perhaps this change will mean that more religious freedom will now be allowed?  If so, that should be good news.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur.
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?

COGwriter

The latest TW News & Prophecy has the following:

Fires in Spain and floods elsewhere.

Spain and Portugal are experiencing one of the worst forest fire seasons in recent history. Forest fires have consumed three times as much area in Spain (January 1-August 5) as they did last year. Fires also rage fiercely in Spain’s Canary Islands. About 10 percent of the island of La Gomera has burned, including a quarter of a UNESCO World Heritage nature preserve. Thousands have been evacuated (BBC, August 14, 2012). In Portugal, fires have burned twice as great an area as last year (CTV News, August 14, 2012). A dry winter, hot temperatures and dry winds have combined to make this the worst fire season in years.

Record temperatures and lack of rain have resulted in many comparing the drought in the central U.S. to the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. In fact, July 2012 was the hottest month ever recorded in the “lower 48” states, since records began in 1895 (AP, August 9, 2012).

Meanwhile, floods are devastating Nigeria (Daily Trust, August 14, 2012) and the Philippines (One News Now, August 14, 2012).

Bible prophecies indicate that weather at the end of the age will be extreme, with flooding in some cities while others suffer from drought (Amos 4:7). Although these prophecies apply specifically to the Israelite-descended nations, weather events very obviously affect the entire globe. For more information on upcoming extreme weather events prophesied in the Bible, be sure to review our eye-opening booklet entitled, Who Controls the Weather?

In 2012, weather problems, including flooding, drought, and heat have affected other areas as well (see, for example, Earthquakes, South African Snow, Heat Record, Drought, and Food Prices, Flooding in North Korea, Philippines, Taiwan, and China, TW: Drought USA and Flooding UK; Russia Having Both, Quarter Million Affected by Flooding in Japan, Severely Cold Weather in South Africa and Australia, Drought in Mid-USA Affecting Grain, 2012 Drought Declared USA’s Largest Ever Natural Disaster, Drought Affecting India and Its Food Supply; Europe too, Drought Reducing Wheat Yields in US, Australia, Russia, and Ukraine, and Weather Extremes in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK).

Floods, droughts, earthquakes, and weather problems contribute to food shortages, higher food prices, and sometimes famines. Food inflation seems to be occurring.

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.

Back in 2009, my book, 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect stated the following:

Notice what Jesus taught would happen just prior to the end:

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…)…

Mark recorded the same account of this time from his perspective:

³ Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, ⁴ “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” ⁵ And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. ⁶ For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. ⁷ But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. ⁸ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. ⁹ But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. ¹⁰ And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. ¹¹ But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit…” (Mark 13:3–11).

Thus, in both Matthew and Mark it is clear that a time called “the beginning of sorrows” precedes the Great Tribulation.

Notice that in Mark’s account he uses the term troubles… we are at or near the times that Jesus referred to as “the beginning of sorrows.”…

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, earthquakes, and odd weather problems and the resulting reduction in grain yields should serve as a wake-up call.

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.

Despite the fact that grain producers in Canada are expecting benefits from the higher grain prices related to the drought in the USA, those in North America, including Canada, 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?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
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?
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.

COGwriter

In his booklet, The Seven Laws of Success, the late Herbert W. Armstrong wrote the following related to the fourth law of success:

The All-important Fourth Law

A person may have chosen his goal. Having it may have aroused tremendous ambition to achieve it. He may have started out educating and training himself for its accomplishment, and he may even have good health and still make little or no progress toward its realization.

After all, success is accomplishment. It is DOING. They say any old dead fish can float downstream, but it takes a live one to swim up. An inactive person will not accomplish. Accomplishment is DOING.

Now comes an all-important law.

The fourth success-law, then, is DRIVE!

Half-hearted effort might carry one a little way toward his goal, but it will never get him far enough to reach it.

You will always find that the executive head of any growing, successful organization employs drive! He puts a constant prod on himself. He not only drives himself, he drives those under him, else they might lag, let down and stagnate.

He may feel drowsy, and hate to awaken and get up[ in the morning. But he refuses to give in to this impulse.

I remember the struggles I once had with this situation. It was during one of my “Idea-Man” tours as a magazine editorial representative at age 22. I was having quite a struggle with drowsiness. Yet I acquired the habit of sleepily answering the morning telephone call and promptly going back to bed and to sleep. Then I bought a “Baby Ben” alarm clock, which I carried with me. But I found myself arising to turn it off, then plunging back into bed. I was too drowsy to realize what I was doing. I was not sufficiently awake to employ willpower and force myself to stay up, get under the shower and become fully awake and alert. It had become habit.

I had to break the habit. I had to put a prod on myself. I needed an alarm clock that couldn’t be turned off until I was sufficiently awake to get going for the day.

So one night at the Hotel Patton in Chattanooga, Tennessee, I called a bellboy to my room. In those days the customary tip was a dime. A half dollar then had about the same effect that a $20 bill would have today. I laid a silver half-dollar on the dresser.

“Do you see that half-dollar, son?” I asked.

“Yes, Sir!” he answered, eyes sparkling in anticipation.

After ascertaining that he would be still on duty at 6:30 next morning, I said, “If you will pound on that door in the morning at 6:30, until I let you in, and then stay in this room and prevent me from getting back into bed until I am dressed, then you may have that half-dollar.”

I found those bell-boys would, for a half-dollar tip, even wrestle or fight with me to prevent my crawling back into bed. Thus I put a prod on myself that broke the morning snooze habit and got me up and going!

Often workmen never rise above whatever job they may have because they have no drive. They slow down, work slowly, poke around, sit down and rest as much as they can. In other words, they must have a boss over them to drive them, or they would probably starve. They would never become successful farmers—for a farmer, to succeed, must get up early and work late, and drive himself. That is one reason so many must work for others. They cannot rely on themselves—they must be driven by one of more energy and purpose.

Without energy, drive ,constant propulsion, a person need never expect to become truly successful.

Despite various ones in the COGs not particularly interested in the goals of gospel proclamation or changing and building the type of character that God wants, the gospel proclamation need remains, as does the need for personal repentance.

Notice something that the Apostle Peter wrote:

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  (2 Peter 1:2-11)

In this Laodicean era, are you truly diligent?  Are you so satisfied with where you are at that you do not feel that you need to change or not change much?  Jesus warned against that type of complacency:

14 And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’–and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked– 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.  19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. (Revelation 3:14-19).

Drive helps people live up to more of their potential and accomplish more, not just for personal gain or reward, but so they can give love more.  Do you truly have the Philadelphian-era drive?

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now basically the most faithful and diligent in the genuine Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
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?
The Seven Laws of Success Booklet by Herbert W. Armstrong that can help people become successful.

COGwriter

Various media types have asked me various questions about “the secret sect” (a term found in certain historical and other writings).

The main question is:  Who is the secret sect?  Here is what my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect states (page numbers these statements can be found in the book are shown in []):

Christians were often called and/or considered to be Nazarenes in the 1^st century or so after Jesus was crucified.

The Bible itself teaches that “Jesus” would “be called a Nazarene” (Matthew 2:1,23).  Seventeen times the Bible (NKJV) uses the expression “Jesus of Nazareth,” probably because Jesus used to live there (Matthew 2:23).  The New Testament uses the expression Nazareth, Nazarene, or Nazarenes thirty-one times.

In the Book of Acts, the Apostle Paul was considered to be a leader of the Nazarenes…Acts 24:2,5… [p. 32]

Apparently some ancient Jews felt that the early Christians, whom they called Nazarenes, were a type of secret sect… [p. 33]

During the 17^th to 21^st centuries, some groups with names that included the expressions “Church of God” or “Church of Christ” held many of the practices of the original Nazarene Christians (though all groups who used those names did not have certain “Nazarene” practices)…

In the 21^st century, there are many small groups that hold to a lot of the practices and beliefs of the original Nazarene Christians.  Some of them have primary characteristics of at least one of the four churches mentioned in Revelation 2 & 3 (Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea). [pp. 42-43]

The Secret Sect

If the “secret sect” (the Philadelphian remnant of the true Church) exists today, is it a large church?  And if there is a small secret sect today that will rise up, why would any one care?  And if it matters, what would it look like?

As far as size is concerned, according to the Bible, the true end-time church would be small.  Notice what Jesus taught:

 ³² Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32).

But before going further, let me state that I do not believe that the only real Christians are those that are part of the Nazarene  Philadelphia  remnant.  The true church is not limited to any corporation, nor are all who attend any church necessarily faithful themselves.  The Bible teaches that Christians are those who have “the Spirit of Christ” dwelling within them (Romans 8:9).  [p. 93]

Many today do not realize that the Christians were originally considered to be a secret cult, a secret sect.

The same type of situation is expected at the end.  There will be small groups of Christians who will refuse to accept the new ecumenical emperor worship that the militaristic Beast and False Prophet will encourage; they will resist this religion even though it will likely adopt the name “Catholic.”  They may be branded as a cult or secret sect. [p. 95]

Some “Catholic” writers denounced them as Christians who were secretly Jews or who were part of secretive sects.  [p. 96]

…the “secret sect”—that is the Philadelphia remnant of the true church to undermine the coming changing ecumenical Church. The faithful “Nazarenes” are not actually “secret,” though apparently sometime soon in the 21^st century they will go into hiding per Revelation 12:14-16. [p. 98]

The question that I would also like to answer here is what is the rise of the secret sect and when will it end?  Here are some quotes about its rise:

Those who are associated with this church that has “Judeo-Christian” practices (cf. Revelation 3:9) will rise up as the “secret sect” that certain religious writers (as well as certain scriptures) have predicted throughout the centuries.  And its major rise may occur next decade. [p. 43]

…some in Israel are now calling for a deal similar to the one in Daniel 9:27 to take place…It is my belief that after this deal has been made and/or confirmed by “the prince to come,” that the group that best represents the “sect of the Nazarenes” (the remnant of the Philadelphia era of the church per Revelation 3:7–11) in the 21^st century will begin to publicly identify the person who confirmed the deal (“the prince”) as the one who fulfilled Daniel 9:27.  If this deal is made public, others, without the same Nazarene ties, may also claim it.

(If the details of this deal are not made public, the “secret sect” may be able to partially identify it, if some type of a deal is completed involving the nation of Israel and the EU in the Fall of some year.  For just like the children of Israel fled Egypt in the Spring at the time of the Exodus, the sect would likely flee around the same time of year.  And because one would need to flee about 3 ½ years after this deal is made, a Fall date for the deal seems quite likely.)

The “secret sect” is basically unknown to most around the world.  Once the various media begin to report on the group’s information about this deal, the “secret sect” will get a lot of publicity.  In that sense, the “secret sect” will rise up. [p. 86]

This European leader will try to persuade people throughout the world that he is the one to bring the “age of peace” that many have longed for.

And publicly identifying him will be a major factor leading to the rise of what some will consider “the secret sect,” as they may be the ones that fulfill the predictive claim about “the enemies” boasting. [p. 89]

Anna-Katarina Emmerick (19^th century):…I saw the secret sect relentlessly undermining the great Church…[p. 97]

And somehow, the secret sect will need to succeed in proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom to the world as a witness before the end (Matthew 24:14) of the 6,000 years is here. [p. 164]

The “secret sect,” having been raised up in its entirety (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17), will reign with Christ on the earth (Revelation 5:10) for a thousand years (Revelation 20:6).

This is the final and ultimate “rising up” of the “secret sect.”  But this rising up will not be for at least several years past 2012. [p. 237]

Catholic prophecy Byzantine prophecy

Secret sect rises up powerfully and causes problems for the old/new ecumenical order.

Daniel 11:28–30 [p. 241]

And as both the Bible and other predictions indicate, this sect will rise up and become much more well-known in the 21^st century.  It will explain that while a true “age of peace” will come, war and destruction (and a false “age of peace”) are destined to precede it.  This rising up of the secret sect may well become apparent to much of the world in 2012. [pp. 252-253]

In the next decade, the small Nazarene “secret sect” will rise up more and more in effectiveness to fulfill the prophecy Jesus gave, as recorded in Matthew 24:14. Ultimately, the world will hear the message of the good news of the coming Kingdom of God on earth, under the rule of Jesus Christ and His saints (which is the ultimate rising up of “the secret sect”). [p. 254-255]

By this time, the short work Paul mentioned in Romans 9:28 probably will have begun or be almost finished, as will the gospel preaching of Matthew 14:14 that Jesus spoke of.  This is the rising up of the “secret sect” that various prophets have foretold and hence seems to be consistent with various end-time prophetic scriptures. [p. 291]

It continues to strike me as important that although a western naval power stops the King of the North momentarily, the King of the North becomes apparently more enraged with the people of the holy covenant than with the naval power.  He wants to eliminate the rising up of the secret sect! [p. 299]

The Bible shows that persecution will accompany this fleeing (Revelation 12:13–15), but that those fleeing are helped (vs. 16).

Because of the successful fleeing, the King of the North will stop his direct pursuit of them.  They will no longer be proclaiming the gospel through any major organized media effort.  The rising up of the “secret sect” will have ended. [p. 309]

As regular readers of the COGwriter news page are aware, as are those who have actually read my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, the world will not and cannot end in 2012.  I, for one, have been declaring that a false age of peace is starting to be declared in various media, such as the internet and radio interviews.

However, and not counting that, world events are aligning with properly understood biblical prophecy, and at least 23 predictions in my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect have already been confirmed.

More will as well.

When I wrote the book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, my primary focus was on what would likely happen AFTER 2012. But of course, for many of the events to occur, other world events need to align themselves for them to come to pass.

If you believe the Bible (or wonder about how many of its prophecies are expected to be fulfilled) and/or wonder how non-biblical prophecy has been planted to mislead many, 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect lays out a well-referenced roadmap with specific events to expect and to watch out for.

If you have not already done so, you should consider acquiring the book, 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. It is available in several languages, as well as through Kindle and Barnes&Noble.com.

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.

Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

COGwriter

The following were part of LCG’s announcements at services today (we are visiting the Ft. Lauderdale congregation):

Growing concern the UK will leave the EU.

In a recent interview, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair told the German Die Zeit newspaper that it is clear that the eurozone crisis will lead to “powerful political change of the EU,” adding, “And on this point, I am deeply worried that Britain could decide by referendum to leave the whole process” (Fox Business News,August 8, 2012). Are we seeing the first cracks in Britain’s long-standing relationship with the wider EU community?

The suggestion that Britain might leave the EU was once considered far-fetched, but now is widely recognized as a possibility. The eurozone debt crisis and the prospect of the currency bloc forging a closer political union have convinced some senior UK politicians it is time to demand a new relationship with Brussels. Interestingly, Japanese bank Noruma leaked a strategy paper last week laying out contingency plans should Britain exit (called “Brexit”) the EU (EU Observer, August 10, 2012).

For years, God’s Church has, based on Bible prophecy, predicted that the peoples of the British Isles would in some way be forced out, or perhaps would remove themselves from entanglement with a soon-coming “United States of Europe.” Scripture reveals that a powerful group of nations united as one will appear on the scene. A prerequisite of union is that the nations must be of one mind (Revelation 17:12-13). As time goes on, it will become more apparent that Britain is becoming further alienated from these final ten nations that give their power and strength to the Beast.

Events in this part of the world are rapidly developing. We should be mindful of the Apostle Paul’s admonition: “…let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6).

Even though the UK is somewhat officially Protestant (Church of England), its one time Prime Minister Tony Blair became a Roman Catholic (see also Tony Blair a Catholic EU Leader?) in June 2007–and I have wondered if he partially did this to increase his influence in the EU. His name was promoted, three or four years ago, by some who wanted to see him become the first “permanent” President of the European Union (the job instead went to Herman Van Rompuy, who still holds it).

Last year, Tony Blair called for the top leader of the EU to have more power (see Tony Blair Calls for a Strong, Elected, EU President).

Europe will end up with a powerful leader. One that the Bible refers to as the Beast (Revelation 13:1-9) and the final King of the North, and the UK will not be an equal part of it.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will not be an equal part of the European Union. Britain will either pull out or be forced out or at least truly lose its sovereignty. Many of the Anglo-peoples of the UK, USA, etc. that are not killed will to be scattered and many will be made slaves (Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves?). That is what the Bible shows will happen during the Great Tribulation.

As far as this “Beast King” goes, he could possibly be the next EU president, but a restructure ultimately will be needed in Europe for the King of the North to have the type of power that the Bible indicate he will have (Revelation 17:12-13). The EU is not ready for that yet.

However, Tony Blair’s statements today are pointing to one more step towards certain biblical prophesies being fulfilled as he is realizing that the UK wants to pull out of the UK–and that is something will happen (directly or indirectly).

The final King of the North (Daniel 11:27-40) will take over the UK, USA, and their Anglo-allies according to Bible prophecy (cf. Daniel 11:39). While more people in the UK are starting to realize that the EU poses dangers to it, most have no idea how dangerous the rising Beast power in Europe will become (cf. Revelation 13:1-4; Daniel 11:39). Britain will ultimately NOT thrive as part of the EU but will be taken over by the final European Beast power.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2011, 2012, or 20113 Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Gerat Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
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?
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 The Living Church of God is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White. It also explains who is 666.
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?
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”? What is ahead for Europe?
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?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?

“Satan’s Throne” (June 2009, by Joyce Thiel)

COGwriter

Believe it or not, in 1987 on a tour of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, those of on that tour (all WCG members) were told by a Worldwide Church of God minister who was conducting the tour that Joseph Tkach, Sr. (who was then the Pastor General of WCG–he died in 1995) stated that he felt that this was “Satan’s throne.”  The WCG tour guide minister also said that that there was a tradition/legend (which possibly can be tied to one interpretation of the 12th century Malachy prophecy) that the final pope would sit on this throne.

This particular throne is black and the bottom of its legs are about 5 feet off of the ground.  Despite odd claims, no one allegedly has ever sat on this final version of it.  Here is a little bit of history about it:

As a young boy Gianlorenzo Bernini (1598–1680) visited St. Peter’s with the painter Annibale Carracci and stated his wish to build “a mighty throne for the apostle”. His wish came true. As a young man, in 1626, he received the patronage of Pope Urban VIII and worked on the embellishment of the Basilica for 50 years…Bernini then turned his attention to another precious relic, the so-called Cathedra Petri or “throne of St. Peter” a chair which was often claimed to have been used by the apostle, but appears to date from the 12th century. As the chair itself was fast deteriorating and was no longer serviceable, Pope Alexander VII determined to enshrine it in suitable splendour as the object upon which the line of successors to Peter was based. Bernini created a large bronze throne in which it was housed, raised high on four looping supports held effortlessly by massive bronze statues of four Doctors of the Church, Saints Ambrose and Augustine representing the Latin Church and Athanasius and John Chrysostom, the Greek Church. The four figures are dynamic with sweeping robes and expressions of adoration and ecstasy.  (St. Peter’s Basilica.  Wikipedia, viewed 07/21/12)

While there is no actual evidence that Peter has his chair turned into this (or presumably part of it), the reality is that some chair/throne/seat has existed for some time, and now is overlaid as the large black one is shown.  The Catholic Encyclopedia teaches about at least two:

From the earliest times the Church at Rome celebrated on 18 January the memory of the day when the Apostle held his first service with the faithful of the Eternal City…

This double celebration was also held in two places, in the Vatican Basilica and in a cemetery (coemeterium) on the Via Salaria. At both places a chair (cathedra) was venerated…In its present (ninth-century) form the “Martyrologium Hieronymianum” gives a second feast of the Chair of St. Peter for 22 February, but all the manuscripts assign it to Antioch, not to Rome… by the ninth century one of the two feasts of the Roman cathedra had drifted away to Antioch, shows that the cathedra of the Via Salaria must have perished as early as the sixth or seventh century. We come now to the question, where stood originally the chair shown and venerated in the Vatican Basilica during the fourth century? On the strength of ancient tradition it has been customary to designate the church of Santa Pudenziana as the spot where, in the house of the supposed Senator Pudens, the two great Apostles not only received hospitable entertainment, but also held Christian services. But the legends connected with Santa Pudenziana do not offer sufficient guarantee for the theory that this church was the cathedral and residence of the popes before Constantine…

In 1776 there was excavated on the Aventine, near the present church of Santa Prisca, a chapel with frescoes of the fourth century; in these frescoes pictures of the two Apostles were still recognizable. Among the rubbish was also found a gilded glass with the figures of Peter and Paul. The feast of the dedication of this church (an important point) still falls on the same day as the above-described cathedra feast of 22 February; this church, therefore, continued to celebrate the traditional feast even after the destruction of the object from which it sprang.

In the crypt of Santa Prisca is shown a hollowed capital, bearing in thirteenth-century letters the inscription: BAPTISMUS SANCTI PETRI (Baptism of Saint Peter), undoubtedly the echo of an ancient tradition of the administration of baptism here by Peter. In this way we have linked together a series of considerations which make it probable that the spot “ubi secundo sedebat sanctus Petrus” (where Saint Peter sat for the second time), must be sought in the present church of Santa Prisca; in other words, that the chair referred to by St. Damasus was kept there in the period before Constantine. It was there, consequently, that was celebrated the “natale Petri de cathedrâ”, set for 22 February in the calendars beginning with the year 354…

How Pope Damasus might be led to transfer the cathedra Petri from Santa Prisca to the Vatican, can be readily understood from the circumstances of that time. From the reign of the first Constantine the Lateran had been the residence of the popes, and its magnificent basilica their cathedral, while the neighbouring baptistery of Constantine served for the solemn administration of baptism on the eve of Easter. In the half-century from 312 to 366 (date of the accession of Damasus), the importance of Santa Prisca, its baptistery, and its cathedra must naturally have declined. Damasus could therefore be certain of the approval of all Rome when he transferred the venerable Apostolic relic from the small chapel in Santa Prisca to his own new baptistery in the Vatican, where it certainly remained to the first quarter of the sixth century, after which it was kept in different chapels of the Vatican Basilica…We conclude, therefore, that there is no reason for doubting the genuineness of the relic preserved at the Vatican, and known as the Cathedra Petri.

(Waal, Anton de. “Chair of Peter.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 3. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908. 21 Jul. 2012 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03551e.htm>)

It should be stated that it is by tradition, as opposed to historical fact, that Peter was actually ever in Rome and there is no evidence that he conducted any church service in Rome on a chair.   The admission that at least one of the Roman chairs must have been destroyed and others may have come from elsewhere should help persuade those interested in the truth that the Cathedra Petri is not really Peter’s “throne,” or a place from whence he “ruled” all Christendom.   While a Pope (Damascus) apparently believed he was transferring a seat/chair of Peter to the Vatican, that does not make it so (and even if there actually was a seat the Peter once sat on that is now in St. Peter’s Basilica, proves nothing other than a seat Peter sat on still exists).  The throne that is now built over Cathedra Petri provides no actual proof that it was some place that Peter actually sat upon.  The “no reason to doubt” conclusion in The Catholic Encyclopedia should be understood to mean “no real proof,” despite claims otherwise. Other sources claim that part of the reason for the legend of  Cathedra Petri, as well as why there were multiple “seats/chairs/thrones,” was essentially that in the late second and third centuries that competing power blocks made the stories up to attempt to gain dominance (e.g. Sabatier A. Religions of authority and the religion of the spirit. Volume 16 of Theological translation library, 2nd edition.  Translated by Louise Seymour Houghton.  McClure, Phillips & Co., 1904.  Original from the New York Public Library, Digitized Feb 9, 2011, p. 112).  It has also been asserted that the seat underneath could never have been Peter’s as it came from the 8th century or simply the 17th century (Greatest Forgery in History: Chair of Saint Peter.  Copyright © One-Evil.org 2011. http://one-evil.org/acts_forgery/forgery_chair_of_st_peter.htm viewed 07/22/12).

Furthermore, one would think that if the very chair or “cathedra” of Peter was in St. Peter’s Basilica that it would be the primary basilica for the Church of Rome, but it is not.  The Catholic Encyclopedia notes:

Saint John Lateran

The basilica

This is the oldest, and ranks first among the four great “patriarchal” basilicas of Rome…313. From that time onwards it was always the centre of Christian life within the city; the residence of the popes and the cathedral of Rome. The latter distinction it still holds, though it has long lost the former…The ancient apse, with mosaics of the fourth century, survived all the many changes and dangers of the Middle Ages, and was still to be seen very much in its original condition as late as 1878, when it was destroyed in order to provide a larger space for the ordinations and other pontifical functions which take place in this cathedral church of Rome.  (Barnes, Arthur. “Saint John Lateran.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 9. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 21 Jul. 2012 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09014b.htm>)

Notice the inscription, that is shown in numerous places, on the outside of it:

(June 2009 by Joyce Thiel)

The inscription from Latin above translated into English means, “Sacred Lateran Church Mother and Head of All Churches of the City and the World” (cf. Revelation 17:5).

Anyway, some believe that the final pope on the Catholic Bishop Malachy’s list, Peter the Roman, will sit on the Cathedra Petri (some consider that he will be an antipope, and thus a henchman for Satan) in St. Peter’s Basilica.

And for those unfamiliar with Malachy’s list, he in  the 12^th century, predicted, with what some believe is complete accuracy, every pope since 1143.  When Malachy’s list became public in the 16th century, it was considered to have been so accurate in predicting the 12^th – 16^th century pontiffs, that some thought it that it had not been written until the 16^th century.

Here is what The Catholic Encyclopedia reported about it:

In 1139…St. Malachy gave his manuscript to Innocent II to console him in the midst of his tribulations, and that the document remained unknown in the Roman Archives until its discovery in 1590…These short prophetical announcements, in number 112, indicate some noticeable trait of all future popes from Celestine II, who was elected in the year 1143, until the end of the world. They are enunciated under mystical titles. Those who have undertaken to interpret and explain these symbolical prophecies have succeeded in discovering some trait, allusion, point, or similitude in their application to the individual popes, either as to their country, their name, their coat of arms or insignia, their birth-place, their talent or learning, the title of their cardinalate, the dignities which they held etc.

It does need to be pointed out, especially for Catholic readers, that Malachy’s list is only “accurate” if several admitted “antipopes” are counted, and the final one on the list, is believed by some to be the final Antichrist:

Catholic Priest Connor: [W]hen Malachy visited Pope Innocent II in Rome in 1139, he was given a vision of all the Holy Fathers of the future…A study of the entire prophecy shows that fulfillment is made possible only by including anti-popes...(Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, pp. 7-9)

D. Lindsey: After the 266th pope, according to St. Malachy, there will be no more popes. In addition to being the last pontiff, some visionaries hint that the 266th pontiff will be the Antichrist. (Lindsey DM.  The woman and the dragon: apparitions of Mary. Pelican Publishing, 2000, p. 65)

Here is what Malachy wrote in Latin about the last pope on his list:

In persecutione extrema SRE sedebit. Petrus Romanus, quipascet oves in multis tribulationibus: quibus transactis civitas septicollis diruetur, et Iudex tremendus iudicabit populum suum. Finis. (Gurugé A. The Next Pope. Anura Guruge, 2010, p. 221)

Here is some of what a Catholic writer commented about the last one on the Malachy list:

There are many, around the world, who, thanks to this prophecy, are totally convinced that the next pope will indeed call himself ‘Peter’–most not considering or caring what the implications of this could be.

In the considered opinion of the author, it is highly improbable that the next pope will be ‘Petrus Romanus‘ or even ‘Petrus II.’

For a start, given the Last Judgment implications, many respected Catholic sources have tried to point out, for quite a long time, that the pope talked about in motto 112 does not have to necessarily be the pope who follows the one described by motto 111; this 111th pope now being the current pope, Benedict XVI (#266). The justification for this “hedging’ is that the mottos were not numbered in de Wyon’s 1595 Lignum Vitae. The numbering, to facilitate manageability, came later. Consequently, it can be contented that the author of this prophecy, whoever it was, did not necessarily mean that the pope described in the last motto would come immediately after the one identified in the previous motto. Basically, the last, very long, atypical motto describes the last pope. This last pope may come to be at a much later time–with an indeterminate number of intervening popes between him and the one described by motto 111. Therefore, this last motto may not actually apply to the next pope, in which case, the expectation of ‘Petrus Romanus‘ becomes mute.

But what the proponents of the ‘Petrus Romanus‘ belief do not appear to appreciate is that the next pope, by the sheer necessity of the duties confronting him, is not going to be naive. Naiveté…is not a characteristic that one readily associates with today’s cardinals. They know the ways of the world and are world politic. There will be none amongst them who is not familiar with the Malachy prophecy. They all understand what the ramifications would be if the next pope surprised them all by stating that he will be called ‘Petrus Secundus.’

The protodeacon announcing ‘Petrus Secundus‘ from the balcony of St. Peter’s would be worse than shouting ‘fire’ in a crowded theater. There would be mayhem in what is likely to be another jam-packed St. Peter’s Square. People would panic. There could be a stampede, people could get hurt. The authorities in Rome and the Italian government would be forced to take immediate action to quell the understandable alarm. It would be considered, quite rightly, a security threat! For the first time in over a century there could be troops, Italian, NATO or both, surrounding the Vatican. There would be no celebrations, The Urbi et Orbi blessing, if it was to take place, would be viewed with understandable askance.

It is difficult to imagine the next pope doing anything this reckless. It is difficult to envision the cardinal electors permitting him to do anything this reckless. Hence, it is extremely unlikely that the next pope will be ‘Petrus Secundus,’ let alone ‘Petrus Romanus.’ If he is, head for the hills, and hope for the best. (Gurugé, pp. 221-223)

Now, I agree that the next pope (who could be the last pope) may or may not chose the name Peter II or anything similar–but that does not mean that he could not fulfill that prophecy. It needs to be clear, whether the pope does or not pick that name, the final major pope will be a destructive antipope.  Malachy’s list did not actually name pontiffs, but basically gave short descriptions. And while some have concluded that Petrus Romanus is a name, it could be a description. The description could signify that he is a pebble (or “rocky” which is what the term petrus signifies) supporting the final Roman empire.

Notice also the following translation of Malachy’s predicted final pope:

Malachy (12^th century): During the persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit upon the throne, Peter the Roman who will feed his flock through many tribulations.  After which the City of Seven Hills (Rome) will be utterly destroyed and the awful Judge will then judge the people. (Culleton, R. Gerald. The Prophets and Our Times. Nihil Obstat: L. Arvin. Imprimatur: Philip G. Scher, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno, November 15, 1941. Reprint 1974, TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 138)

Notice that the Bible warns against the religious city that will rules from the seven hills:

9 This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits…18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth. (Revelation 17:9, 18, NIV)

So, perhaps the above photos do show at least one of Satan’s physical thrones on earth.

Why do I say at least one?  The Bible does specifically use the expression Satan’s throne once:

12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,

‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:  13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is.  And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.  (Revelation 2:12-13, NKJV)

Smith’s Bible Dictionary notes, “It is called “Satan’s seat” by John, which some suppose to refer to the worship of Æsculpius, from the serpent being his characteristic emblem. Others refer it to the persecution of Christians which was the work of Satan” (p.500).

And that particular throne/seat, presuming it involved a physical one, probably was not the same physical one as the one shown above.  The main period of the Pergamos Church era was from 450-1050.  Just as the initial local Church at Pergamos (time of the Apostle John) was situated in a city where Satan swayed human politics, much of this work of God’s church during 450-1010 A.D. occurred within the bounds of the government of Satan’s Eastern Roman Empire. Yet, whether it physically is or not, in a spiritual sense it seems to be the same throne.

Why?

Three basic reasons.

The first is that the old Roman Empire had two divisions, the West (based out of Rome) and the East (based out of Constantinople/Byzantium).  While in the West, the “fall of Rome” is taught in history, the fact that the eastern leg of the empire lasted nearly a thousand years longer is relatively unknown–and it existed before and after the entire time that the Pergamos era predominated.  Furthermore, prophetic writers, including Catholic ones, have tended to consider that the two legs of the image of the Beast in Daniel 2 have to do with the division of the old Roman Empire.  And while the old Roman Empire is no more, there still is a difference between the West (which tends to be Roman Catholic, with Protestant daughters) and the East (which tends to be more Eastern Orthodox).  But historically (the “great schism of 1054 not-with-standing) they have supported the same goals, the same body, the same throne.

And the second is because the Bible also teaches that the harlot woman, who would presumably have two legs or two lungs (Catholic and Eastern Orthodox leaders have stated that they are two “lungs” in the same body) and who sits on the seven hills (both Rome and Constantinople are cities of seven hills/mountains), has a history of persecuting the real saints, those in the genuine Church of God:

1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”

3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication.  5 And on her forehead a name was written:

MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.  (Revelation 17:1-6)

So, from the above we see that the harlot woman reigns and has a history of persecuting the saints.  This is the same woman/city that sits on the seven hills and reigns (both Rome and Constantinople are known for having seven hills/mountains).  And the throne known as the Cathedra Petri is considered to be a throne of importance to at least Rome.

The third is simply that the foundation of the so-called Cathedra Petri is supposed to be four “Doctors of the Church.”  Two are Latin (Roman Catholic) and two are Greek (Eastern Orthodox).  So, it apparently has long been the intent that the the so-called Cathedra Petri is to portray Greco-Roman unity–they all are shown supporting the same throne.  From a Church of God perspective the four individuals are interesting (they are somewhat listed based upon chronological impact of their teachings):

1. Athanasius: He was at the Council of Nicea (325) and was able to persuade Emperor Constantine to support the idea of a trinity, which at the time was a very small minority position among the Greco-Roman bishops who attended.  Additionally, according to The Catholic Encyclopedia article on the “Holy Ghost,” his circa 360 paper was the first to “clearly and fully” explain the current Greco-Roman doctrine of the Holy Spirit (see also Did Early Christians Think the Holy Spirit Was A Separate Person in a Trinity?).  Catholic prophecy warns that in the end time it will have to deal with a group (like the Church of God, and likely it) that denies its (and Athanasius’ view) of the “unity of God.”
2. Ambrose:  He was a major factor in promoting and getting Athanasius’s view of the Holy Spirit adopted.   He and the other four also heavily pushed celibacy.  The trinitarian view that he helped get adopted by the Council of Constantinople in 381 that resulted in Church of God persecution at that time and since.  He is also known for his work on Catholic “sacraments” (see Duties of Elders/Pastors).
3. John Chrysostom:  He was a big advocate of Greco-Roman religious holidays and, in 387, a big condemner of God’s holy days as observed by the Church of God (see Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? and What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days?).  His views have been cited throughout history and likely will be against the faithful in the Church of God in the end.
4. Augustine:  Mainly in the fifth century, he used the writings of Ambrose to expand upon sacraments.  While he was not the first to turn against teaching the biblical doctrine of the millennium, he has been one of its main “intellectual” discounters that the Greco-Roman churches have relied on.  Since the millennial teaching is the only doctrine listed in the current Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catechism of the Catholic Church. Imprimatur Potest +Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. Doubleday, NY 1995, p. 194), it is likely that Satan’s supporters will use his writings against those of us in the true Church of God that will continue to teach this (more on the millennium can be found in the article Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? ).

So the foundation, holding up the so-called Cathedra Petri is based upon Greco-Roman leaders who often took strong intellectual positions against the Church of God.  This is another reason that, spiritually at least, it seems to represent Satan’s throne.

Biblical, Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox prophecy suggests that the Roman and Eastern Orthodox Catholics will unify.  They will strongly support (for a time) leaders that Satan inspires (cf. Revelation 16:13-14).  False leaders likely to have complete access to Saint Peter’s Basilica and the so-called Cathedra Petri, and who for a while, will advocate the positions of the foundational doctors of the throne.

In the end times, it is possible that Satan or one of his demonically-inspired representatives (cf. Revelation 16:12-13) may literally sit upon the black throne shown above.  And while it may or may not literally be the throne of Satan, the basis the so-called Cathedra Petri and its anti-Church of God foundation suggests why it spiritually seems to at least partially represent Satan’s throne.

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?
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church.
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
Apostolic Succession What really happened? Did structure and beliefs change? Are many of the widely-held current understandings of this even possible?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.
Joyce’s Photos of Pergamos Pergamos (also known as Pergamum, but currently known as Bergama, Bergamo, or Bergamum) was one of the seven churches of Revelation.
Joyce’s Photos of Rome, St. John’s Basilica, and the Vatican Rome has been a major world city for centuries. Since the late second century, it has made claims of prominence over Christianity.  There are also two views of the Cathedra Petri shown.
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer.
The Pergamos Church Era was predominant circa 450 A.D. to circa 1050 A.D. An especially persecuted Church.

(Choo photo)

COGwriter

Today’s TW News & Prophecy reported the following:

Destructive twin earthquakes hit Iran.

Last Saturday, two powerful earthquakes struck Iran. The first was 6.4 magnitude and the second 6.3 (ITV News, August 12, 2012). They were both followed by many aftershocks. At least six villages were completely destroyed and dozens more experienced great damage. More than 50,000 have taken temporary shelter (Reuters, August 14, 2012). As of Monday, the search for survivors had been called off, with more than 300 dead and 3,000 injured (AP, August 13, 2012).

All human beings are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26) and have the potential to become members of His family one day (1 John 3:2). All should be moved by devastation and loss of life no matter where it occurs (2 Peter 3:9).

Jesus Christ predicted that “earthquakes in various places” would be one of the obvious signs of the end of the age (Matthew 24:7). As time and prophecy march on, we should expect to see more devastating earthquakes in many areas spanning the globe. These events should motivate true Christians to pray more fervently for Christ’s second coming (Matthew 6:10) and also to be increasingly spiritually focused as time draws near.

For more information on coming worldwide catastrophes prophesied in the Bible, review our booklet, Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ’s Return.

Iran is facing internal and international pressures and this has to be difficult.

There are troubles and repentance is needed. Things are going to get much worse than this. My prayers go out to those in Iran.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
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.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2012, 2013, or 2014? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? What is “the beginning of sorrows”? Have we begun or are we about ready for “the beginning of sorrows” to begin.
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?
Earthquakes Today and Bible Prophecy Contains a cool up-to-the-hour update of earthquakes around the world from USGS. It also explains what did Jesus teach about earthquakes and how the Bible describes “the big one” (as well as when it is expected).
The Arab and Islamic World, including Iran, in the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims?