Church of God News

EU Flag

COGwriter

While the following is not news to me, it was in Vatican News today:

Symbolism of EU flag is Marian  

22 October 2012

The symbol of Europe was conceived by a Catholic and tomorrow, for the first time, the statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be carried past the EU Parliament building…

Lorenzo Fontana and Mario Borghesio said the arrival of the statue of Our Lady of Fatima in Strasbourg is “a unique event.” “Few people know that the symbol of unified Europe has exquisitely Marian origins, as the European Union’s official flag proves with its twelve stars and the Virgin Mary’s blue and white colours.”…

A competition was held in order to choose the flag and French Catholic designer Arsène Heitz won. The meaning of the flag’s symbolism can be found in an image of Marian devotion…

Heitz was inspired by the “Miraculous Medal” he wore around his neck: a medal named after apparition of the Virgin Mary to St Catherine Laboure in 1830. It was the Virgin Mary who told the nun to have twelve stars struck on the medal, in representation of the the stars on the crown worn by the woman in the Book of Revelation. Saint Bernadette Soubirous also had a necklace made of tin and string around her neck when the Virgin Mary appeared to her on 11 February 1858, dressed in white and blue.

Arsène Heitz did not reveal the symbol’s biblical origin (he only did so later on), but claimed the number twelve was meant to symbolise ancient wisdom, a “symbol of completeness”. This interpretation stuck and the number was confirmed in the constitutional treaty. So the European flag has a powerful Christian and Marian significance. Tomorrow Mary will “take back” the EU.  http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/inquiries-and-interviews/detail/articolo/europa-europe-19118/

(It may be of interest to note that the statue claimed to be the Lady of Fatima going to the EU does not look anything like how the three children who saw the apparition described it. For details, including pictures of the Fatima statue and what was really seen, please check out the book Fatima Shock! What the Vatican Does Not Want You to Know About Fatima, Dogmas of Mary, and Future Apparitions. In addition to the print version, there is a Kindle version of Fatima Shock! which you can acquire in seconds.)

There will be something resembling a United States of Europe and Europe already has Marian connections.  Biblical as well as Catholic prophecy suggest that signs and enchantments from one called a “virgin” and “Lady” will happen at the time of the end (cf. Isaiah 47).

As far as the comment in the Vatican News that Mary will “take back” the EU, notice the following:

R. Gerald Culleton (20th century): During the reign of the Great Monarch and the Angelic Pastor the Catholic Church will spread throughout the world, conversions will be innumerable…The Blessed Virgin will be the chief one in gaining victory over all heresy…

Blessed Hieronymus Agathaghelos (1279): The Angel, Mary and John, along with the great and first among martyrs…will intercede.

Anna-Katrina Emmerick (July 12, 1820): When the Mass had ended, Mary came up to Henry (the Emperor), and she extended her right hand towards him, saying that it was in recognition of his purity. Then, she urged him not to falter…

Catholic writer Yves Dupont (20th century): Henry is the Great Monarch…The Blessed Virgin urges him not to falter.

Saint Louis de Montfort (18th century): These great souls…shall be singularly devouted to our Blessed Lady, illuminated by her nourishment, led by her spirit, supported by her arm, and sheltered under her protection, so that they shall fight in one hand and build with the other.  With the one hand they shall fight, overthrow and crush the heretics with their heresies, the schismatics with their schisms…

The Ecstatic of Tours: …the French people will… implore the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary Immaculate…The French people will ask for the good King…this King…will ascend to the throne;  he will free the church and reassert the Pope’s rights…

Sister Marie Lataste (died 1847): Peace shall return to the world because of Blessed Virgin Mary will breathe over the storms and quell them.

Pope Pius IX (died 1878): We expect that the Immaculate Virgin…will gain in influence from day to day among all nations and in all places, prosper and rule from ocean to ocean…to the ends of the earth…there will be one fold and one shepherd. (Thiel B. Fatima Shock! What the Vatican Does Not Want You to Know About Fatima, Dogmas of Mary, and Future Apparitions, 2nd edition.  2012, pp. 204-205)

The “Great Monarch” according to Catholic mystics will be the final emperor of Europe, and according to various Catholic mystics, “Mary” will assist him in his objectives–including helping get Europeans (and others) to accept a more ecumenical form of Catholicism.  The heretics that the Marian apparitions are prophesied to crush include, in my view, true Christians–none of whom will want to be involved in praising false apparitions.

There is much more involving what is and will be claimed to be “Mary” and Europe than most, even in Europe, realize.  Notice also the following:

The Father wants the world to recognize His handmaid…My sign is about to appear. God wills it…I cannot reveal my power to the world as yet… Then I will be able to reveal myself…Pray and sacrifice through me!…I will impose crosses on my children that will be as heavy and as deep as the sea.

Notice that this apparition is claiming that in a future time, she will become known to the world (and that she wants sacrifices through herself, apparently for her glory).  (Thiel B. Fatima Shock! What the Vatican Does Not Want You to Know About Fatima, Dogmas of Mary, and Future Apparitions, 2nd edition.  2012, pp. 208-209)

Presuming that apparitions claiming to be Mary will become publicly seen (as opposed to by a few individuals), this is will likely deceive many (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12; Matthew 24:24), and may lead to stronger temporary unity in Europe.

Despite complaints, problems, and disunity in Europe, Europe will fulfill its biblically-prophesied role (cf. Daniel 2:41-43) and with the involvement of a claimed “virgin” (Isaiah 47) that really is a harlot (Revelation 17 & 18) is expected.  And that will not bode well for the UK, USA, or their Anglo-allies (Daniel 11:39), nor ultimately the Europeans.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? What MUST happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation?
Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What happened at Fatima? What might they mean for the rise of the ecumenical religion of Antichrist? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How do the Orthodox view Mary? How might Mary view her adorers?
Origin of the Marian Dogmas: Where Do Catholic Scholars Say The Four Dogmas of Mary Came From?
Assumption of Mary Did Mary die? Was she taken to heaven on August 15th? What is known? What does the Bible show?
Fatima Shock! What the Vatican Does Not Want You to Know About Fatima, Dogmas of Mary, and Future Apparitions. Whether or not you believe anything happened at Fatima, if you live long enough, you will be affected by its ramifications (cf. Isaiah 47; Revelation 17). Fatima Shock! is a highly documented book by Bob Thiel for those interested in the real truth about Fatima and how future apparitions may affect the future. In addition to the print version, there is a Kindle version of Fatima Shock! which you can acquire in seconds.
Fatima Shock! YouTube Dr. Thiel highlights a few points of why no one would support Fatima, etc. as discussed in the documented book Fatima Shock!

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

COGwriter

Taxes for many living in the USA are to go up on January 1, 2013:

Psst, taxes go up in 2013 for 163 million workers

AP – Oct 21, 2012

President Barack Obama isn’t talking about it and neither is Mitt Romney. But come January, 163 million workers can expect to feel the pinch of a big tax increase regardless of who wins the election.  http://apnews.myway.com/article/20121021/DA221AF00.html

Some have called this increase “taxmageddon” a take-off of the term Armageddon used in the Bible (Revelation 16:16; see earlier post, 12 Weeks to ‘Taxmaggedon’).  The problem that the USA is facing is difficult and the results likely catastrophic.  On the one hand, the USA is drowning in debt and this is a major risk, hence various ones believe that tax increases are the answer.  On the other hand, tax increases tend to reduce the productive economy and can cause reductions in economic growth, which in turn can lead to more debt.

The danger of USA debt to its military is a concern that many have:

22 October 2012

Many see U.S. debt as a threat to national security. But they don’t agree on what role defense spending should play in deficit reduction.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — The national debt is not on the official agenda for Monday’s presidential debate on foreign policy.

But it may as well as be. A chorus of former military leaders, current administration officials and fiscal hawks have all labeled the country’s debt a threat to national security.

 “A nation with our current levels of unsustainable debt … cannot hope to sustain for very long its superiority from a military perspective, or its influence in world affairs,” Admiral Michael Mullen, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last month.

The concern: If the debt continues to grow unbridled, the U.S. government will be constrained in its ability to pay for what it wants to do militarily and diplomatically. And it could limit the country’s leverage with foreign powers.  http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/22/news/economy/national-security-debt/?source=cnn_bin

Bible prophecy takes the above a step further and ties high debt in with destruction.  The Prophet Habakkuk mentioned that destruction will happen to someone that increased their debt at the end times:

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry…5 Indeed, because he transgresses by wine, He is a proud man… 6 “Will not all these take up a proverb against him, And a taunting riddle against him, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases What is not his–how long? And to him who loads himself with many pledges’? 7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. 8 Because you have plundered many nations, All the remnant of the people shall plunder you. Because of men’s blood And the violence of the land and the city, And of all who dwell in it. (Habakkuk 2:3,5,6-8).

The above prophecy will be fulfilled at the time of the end (cf. “The message was true, but the appointed time was long…in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come,” Daniel 10:1,14). Daniel 8:19, 11:27,29,35 use same the Hebrew term for “appointed time” as Habakkuk 2:3, while Daniel 10, using a different term, ties the latter days to the time in Daniel 8:19. Habakkuk 2 was not fulfilled in its entirety anciently.  As far as “violence of the land” as a contributing factor, this would seem to include crime, military missions, violent sports, and perhaps riots/civil unrest–are these not characteristics of the USA?

The economy, debt situation, and moral situation in the USA is serious and will end in ways that most Americans really do not believe is possible.  National repentance is what the USA needs to fix its problems.

To learn more, please check out the following articles:

Taxes What caused the descendants of Israel to pay taxes? Should Christians pay taxes?
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? 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?
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?
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?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States This is a new 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about Mitt Romney. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Mitt Romney?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States–Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it: Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon’s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States–Amazon Kindle edition.

European Central Bank, Frankfurt (Eric Chan)

COGwriter

Received numerous news item emails related to gold, the European Central Bank (ECB), and mainly various European countries as this is more and more in the news.  Here are some excerpts:

21 October 2012…

In his latest missive, Mr. Sinclair explains: ‘You must note how central banks are either buying or protecting their gold reserve positions now. This is total about face two years ago. There is another change coming which is a replacement monetary system and the need for some asset on central bank’s balance sheets to have positive value, especially in the USA. Soon all that is required is a change in spread management by the gold banks and you will have whatever price the gold banks want from $3,500 to $12,400.’  http://news.goldseek.com/PeterCooper/1350829958.php

24/7 Wall St. analyzed how the gold rankings compare to each major nation’s gross domestic product and how those figures compare to the top 10 holders of gold. What is surprising in some cases is how countries with the largest GDP are not necessarily the largest holders of gold. Two small nations, the Netherlands and Switzerland, are major holders of gold. Under the terms of the Central Bank Gold Agreement among major European states, many countries are supposed to be selling gold but are not…

The International Monetary Fund is the third-largest official holder of gold, with more than 2,814 tonnes. The European Central Bank ranks right behind India, with 502.1 tonnes and 32.3% of its total foreign reserves held in gold. Central bank buying of gold was recently undertaken by Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the Kyrgyz Republic. Turkey went as far as raising the gold reserve requirements for its commercial banks.

The World Gold Council report shows low borrowing costs and the support of financial markets spur gold accumulation. Gold is no longer just an inflation hedge; it is the key protection against a global race to devalue currencies, even if consumer prices are somewhat stable.  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/10-nations-that-control-the-worlds-gold-2012-10-20

Oct 20, 2012

It is now more obvious than ever that gold is becoming the new global reserve currency. Continuous and aggressive central-bank actions from the United States and Europe are driving the demand for gold. Investors have not yet seen any of the real hyperinflationary pressures that seem likely down the road.  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/10-nations-that-control-the-worlds-gold-2012-10-20

The World Gold Council issued a report that there is more to the rising price of the precious metals than investor’s worry of future inflation. While gold is being sought out by many investors as a hedge against inflation, the report stated that many central banks are also seeking out the yellow metal as a hedge against currency debasement, and as a form of insurance against rapid market price reversals. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/crude-prices-central-bank-gold-purchases-gold-prices-commodities-currencies-2012-10-19

Europe’s debtors must pawn their gold for Eurobond Redemption

Southern Europe’s debtor states must pledge their gold reserves and national treasure as collateral under a €2.3 trillion stabilisation plan gaining momentum in Germany.   May 29, 2012http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9298180/Europes-debtors-must-pawn-their-gold-for-Eurobond-Redemption.html

The third Central Bank Gold Agreement (CBGA3)

The third Central Bank Gold Agreement (CBGA3) currently in force covers the gold sales of the Eurosystem central banks, Sweden and Switzerland. Like the previous two Agreements, CBGA3 covers a five-year period, in this case from 27 September 2009 (immediately after the second Agreement expired) to 26 September 2014.

The third Central Bank Gold Agreement reaffirmed that “gold remains an important element of global monetary reserves”, as was stated in the two previous Agreements….

The ECB and Gold

In one of its first pronouncements, the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) decided that the national central banks participating in the euro area should include gold in the initial transfer of foreign reserve assets to the European Central Bank. The transfer was to take place on the first day of 1999, the launch date of the euro as a single currency.

The Governing Council decided the initial transfer of foreign reserves would be to the maximum allowed amount of EUR 50 billion. This figure was adjusted downwards by deducting the shares of those EU central banks which would not participate in the euro area at the outset i.e. to a total of approximately EUR 39.46 billion.

The ECB agreed that 15% of this initial transfer should be in gold, a clear demonstration of the fact that European central bankers continued to believe that gold strengthened the balance sheet of a central bank and enhanced public confidence. The ECB indicated clearly that these transfers of gold would not affect the total consolidated gold holdings of the Eurozone. The remaining 85% was transferred in foreign currency assets. Also there was no implication that the ECB would maintain a constant ratio of 15% of its reserves in gold in the future. Indeed, despite a number of sales, gold’s share of the ECB’s total reserves has grown considerably since then due to the sharp increase in the gold price. As at September 2010, the ECB had 26% of its reserves in gold.  http://www.gold.org/government_affairs/reserve_asset_management/central_bank_gold_agreements/

Oct 19, 2012

If you were a populist politician in Italy, you could probably generate a lot of noise about Italy’s huge gold reserves. There they are, the third largest national gold stockpile in the world, and you need the permission of the European Central Bank’s governing council in Frankfurt to do anything with them.

There are people, judging from my Twitter feed, who think it would be a travesty to use them to help ease Italy’s financial travails because it’s “monetary gold,” which raises the question of what 2,450 metric tons of the inert yellow metal held by the Bank of Italy is actually for. (This is the amount left after Italy’s contribution to the ECB’s own capital, 15% of which has to be in gold.)  http://blogs.wsj.com/brussels/2012/10/19/italys-gold-whats-the-use/

While the U.S.A. was listed as number 1 in gold reserves by 24/7 Wall St, it was followed by three European countries, Germany, Italy, and France respectively, with Switzerland #6 and the Netherlands #9.  FWIW, based upon my understanding of biblical prophecy (see Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel), I believe that Switzerland will for a time support the European Beast power and thus also whatever central bank it later has (which could be the ECB or something similar).

As I have long warned, the USA dollar will lose its status as the world’s reserve currency and the Europeans will apparently use gold as part of its currency to dominate.  Notice what two of my books show:

It seems since many are now questioning the role of the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency, more are looking into other currencies as well as gold. Gold will set records in U.S. dollar terms. When the U.S. dollar totally collapses people all around the world will consider that even if the Euro (or something similar) is strong, having a more gold-backed currency would be safer. The collapse of the U.S.A. dollar will shake a lot of the world’s confidence in non-gold backed currencies.

Having the European power acquiring a lot more gold to back the Euro (even if the backing is only implied) or possibly other future European currency (that might potentially replace the Euro or even a basket of currencies) may greatly increase European credibility, prosperity, and influence around the globe.

The financial policies of the Obama Administration (which are a massive acceleration of the previous policies of the Bush Administration) are heading the world into the direction that something other than the U.S. dollar will be valued as its reserve currency. (Thiel B. Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States.  2012 Edition 1.1, p. 133)

Having the European power acquiring a lot more gold to back the Euro (even if the backing is only implied) or possibly other future European currency (that might potentially replace the Euro) may greatly increase European credibility, prosperity, and influence around the globe. (Thiel B. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect.  2009, p. 333)

The Bible is clear that the final King of the North and his revived Babylonian empire will accumulate and use gold.  And I have long believed that part of the reason for this would be because of devaluation of the USA dollar.  The devaluation of the USA dollar has begun and gold has been regularly increasing in value relative to the USA dollar.

Does this mean that gold will go up higher next year?  No, it does not.  The USA presidential election, how USA taxes and debt are dealt with, food stocks, international matters, etc. all play a role.  And the role may raise or lower the value of gold in USA dollar terms in the short run.  But in the long run, the USA dollar will be worthless and for a while gold valuable–though even it will be considered less than worthless for a while per scripture (cf. Ezekiel 7:19).

As far as the Beast/King of the North’s gold plan, notice the following from Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States:

One more verse should be perhaps touched on here, and that is Daniel 11:43:

43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels.

The “he” is the King of the North.  This is the same King of the North that valued gold and silver in Daniel 11:38 (although other scriptures, also show that gold and silver will have value around this time, like Revelation 18; 9:20, the Bible is clear that gold and silver will be worthless for a short time before Jesus returns, e.g. Ezekiel 7: 19).

The fact that the King of the North will accumulate gold (and some silver) is consistent with several Byzantine (“Greek” Orthodox) prophecies of their expected Great Monarch:

Emperor Leo the Philosopher (died 912): You will amass gold…And you will be the leader of the surrounding nations…

Addressed to Emperor Manuel II Palaeogous (died 1425): The Emperor…will discover gold and silver…

Saint Andrew Fool-for-Christ (c. 4^th century):  God will reveal to this king all the gold wherever it happen to lay concealed from view…

One side note is that, in Egypt, major gold deposits were found in 2006.  This is relevant for a couple of reasons, including that it does prove that Egypt now does have enough gold that some foreign power would be interested in taking/using it (and in that respect is a fulfillment of biblical prophecy).  (Thiel B. Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States.  2012 Edition 1.1, pp. 132-133)

Gold and silver are of value into the time of the final Babylon (Revelation 18:11-16). So, in that respect, the Eastern and Roman Catholic “prophecies” are correct. It may well be that the King of the North will realize that his currency needs more gold-backing as the collapsing of the USA dollar will likely send shockwaves against other paper currencies. Gold will help stabilize whatever currency he is supporting.

I have also long written that he even may start amassing gold prior to the invasion of the USA (Daniel 11:39) or the King of the South.  The ECB and others in Europe seem to be starting to implement this plan.

For a time, the European Beast power will be the world’s major economic power per Revelation 13 and 18.  Having gold stocks will be one of many ways to assure the rest of the world that it should defer that leadership to Europe (military prowess per Revelation 13:1-4 as well as signs and lying wonders per Revelation 13:11-17 and 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 will be other ways according to scripture).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? What MUST happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation?
The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? What do economists and the Bible teach about gold? Gold and silver may drop in value. Inflation/deflation? What do Christians need to know about gold?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2012, 2013, or 2014? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000?
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 24 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 24 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 24 já começaram a acontecer.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about Mitt Romney. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link:  Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Mitt Romney?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States–Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon’s Free Reader Apps.  After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States–Amazon Kindle edition.)

Pope Benedict XVI

COGwriter

Today, after declaring 7 others ‘saints,’ the Roman Pontiff Benedict XVI, Bishop of Rome Benedict XVI said following:

…let us turn to her who is the Queen of all the Saints, the Virgin Mary, thinking of Lourdes, stricken by a grave overflowing of the Gave, which has also flooded the grotto of the apparitions of Our Lady. Today we would especially like to entrust missionaries to the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary – priests and laity, who sow the good seed of the Gospel in every part of the world. We also pray for the Synod of Bishops, which, over the course of these weeks, is confronting the challenge of the new evangelization for the transmission of the Christian faith.  http://www.zenit.org/article-35781?l=english

The Bible never refers to Jesus’ mother Mary as the ‘queen’ of anything–the only ‘queen of heaven’ (an expression that some also try to apply to Mary) that the Bible refers to is condemned (Jeremiah 7:18-20; 44:17-23).  Also, the only ‘virgin’ ‘Lady of the Kingdoms’ (other terms sometimes improperly applied to Mary that the Bible tells of (Isaiah 47:1-5) is also condemned (Isaiah 47:5-15).  The Pontiff did not tell people to turn to Jesus in the transcript I read.

In his message today, Benedict specifically said he wants missionaries to be entrusted to Mary’s intercession.  The New Testament, in both Catholic and Protestant translations, shows that Jesus makes intercession for Christians:

34 Who is he that shall condemn? Christ Jesus that died, yea that is risen also again; who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:34, Douay-Rheims)

34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. (Romans 8:34, NKJV)

The New Testament never says that Jesus’ mother can currently be making any type of intercession or that Christians should trust her for intercession.

Notice also that the Roman Pontiff also referred to apparitions claimed to be Mary in Lourdes (France). Here is some of what my book Fatima Shock! said about that:

In  the  19th    century,  there  was  a  female  apparition in France, known as the Lady of Lourdes.  One of the statements she reportedly stated in 1858 was, “I am the Immaculate Conception!”

Now this is an unusual and biblically contradictory idea as the Bible teaches that all have sinned (Roman 3:23) except Jesus (Hebrews 4:15), as He is the only one who had a biblically immaculate conception, but not the Marian kind.

For non-Catholics, let me explain that what became an extra-biblical Catholic doctrine was that Mary was conceived unlike all other humans and free of what many refer to as “original sin.”   Specifically this “dogma” has been explained in Dr. Ludwig Ott’s 20th  century book Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma as:

“Mary’s freedom of original sin was an unmerited gift of God, and an exception from the law that was vouchsafed to her only.”

His book also teaches:

The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary is not explicitly revealed in scripture… Neither the Greek nor the Latin Fathers explicitly (explicite) teach the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

So where did it come from?…Jumping forward to the 12th   century, a British monk Eadmer  began  to  promote  the  idea  of  an  Immaculate Conception of Mary.    When he did so, “St. Bernard of Clairvaux… (about 1140), warned the faithful that this was an unfounded innovation…”

So was the Catholic saint Bernard  wrong  in  condemning  Monk  Eadmer’s  heresy here?   Of course not!  Others, at least as late as the 17th century supported Bernard’s position on this. (Fatima Shock! pp. 85-86)

Eastern Signs and Faiths

While “Mary” is known throughout the Middle East and West, she is less known, though revered by some like a goddess, in Eastern religions:

Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and other pilgrims regularly worship at famous Roman Catholic shrines to the Virgin Mary such as Lourdes in France and Fatima in Portugal…Many venerate her like one of their own goddesses…(Fatima Shock! p. 188)

Archbishop Williams…said…at Lourdes that when Mary appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 “she came at first as an anonymous figure, a beautiful lady, a mysterious thing, not yet identified as the Lord’s spotless mother…”  (Fatima Shock! p. 220)

Mary is not one to pray to or to entrust oneself to–including Catholics, Hindus, etc.

Jesus is.  And this is something that the Pontiff knows, but did not seem to mention today.

Since the Pontiff mentioned apparitions, probably the most famous person in more recent times who claimed to see an apparition many times in Fatima, Portugal, was a woman named Lucia.  Notice what she said about Mary and salvation as well as what the Catholic translation of the Bible says about it from my book Fatima Shock!:

What  Lúcia  said  in  an  interview  on  November  17, 2001 is…a concern:

Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is the means of salvation God has bestowed to help the Church and the world through these difficult times.

God did not do that.

In Akita, Japan, on October 13, 1973, the Lady there similarly falsely stated, “I alone am able to save you from the calamities that approach.”

Catholics   and   non-Catholics    should   immediately realize that according to the Holy Bible it is only through Jesus and no other (including Mary) that any can be saved:

10 Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God hath raised from the dead, even by him this man standeth here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was rejected by you the builders,which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:10-12 DRB)

There  is  no  “salvation  in  any  other”  (Acts  4:12). Offering an alternative is a false gospel (cf. Galatians 1:8). (Fatima Shock! p. 61)

Yet, there is a great tendency within the Church of Rome to rely on signs, apparitions, and wonders to support teachings that do not square with the Bible.  All who profess Christ, including those who are COG, Catholic, Protestant, or anything else, should understand that Jesus is the center of the plan of salvation and that the Church of Rome intends to promote a further Marian reverence that will likely deceive nearly all (cf. Isaiah 47; Revelation 17-18–and this includes nearly all who profess Christ (cf. Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

Orthodox Rendering of the Apocalypse

COGwriter

Former WCG minister and current head of Grace Communion International, Joseph Tkach just put out the following:

The name of the book of Revelation is taken from its first verse which reads: “The revelation of Jesus Christ.” The word revelation here is translated from the Greek word apokalypsos, which means “unveiling” or “revealing.”

John wrote Revelation in a special literary style well known to Jews and early Christians called “apocalyptic.” Apocalyptic uses fantastic images and symbols to describe God’s judgment and victory over the oppressors of his people and all evil. It was popular during the last two centuries B.C. and the first century A.D. The symbols and figures in apocalyptic writing were not to be taken literally, but were to be understood in the context of the apocalyptic style, similar to the way we might understand the symbolism of a political cartoon today.

The symbols found in Revelation might appear strange to Christians of later centuries, and they have certainly been the subject of great debate and mystery. But John used them because they were understood by the Christians of his day. Revelation was not a secret code book to enable Christians of future generations to decipher when Jesus would return. It was a book of hope and encouragement to Christians of the first century, written to assure them that in spite of all evidence to the contrary, Jesus Christ had already won the final victory over all tyrants and tyranny.

While there is no doubt that the Book of Revelation was written to help those in the first century, to suggest that was perhaps its primary purpose as opposed to being a prophetic and instructional book for use throughout the church era is improper.  The Book of Revelation was only penned a relatively few years before the first century ended.  This book has much greater use than providing hope and encouragement in the sense that J. Tkach’s article implies.

Notice a fuller, less truncated first verse, with the next two verse, from the Book of Revelation than Joseph Tkach Jr. quoted:

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants — things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. (Revelation 1:1-3)

The Book of Revelation REVEALS things that will come to pass.  It has both historical and prophetic ramifications.  It is a prophetic book which also has instructions that are to be obeyed.

Some articles of related interest may include the following:

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?  What does the Book of Revelation teach?
The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 from 31 A.D. to present: information on all of the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3.
Why Prophecy? Because the World Will Not End Next Week Some question or downplay the role of prophecy. This article gives some of the biblical reasons what it is important and explains why the world cannot end for at least 3 1/2 years from now.
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.

VS.

COGwriter

Mike at his False Prophet Ronald Weinland website posted a court document with the following:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff,
V.
RONALD E. WEINLAND,
Defendant.

Criminal Action No. 2: 11-70-DCR-001
ORDER
*** *** *** ***
The Court has received the Presentence Report in this matter and notes that it contains lengthy objections by the parties. As a result, the sentencing hearing will take more time than previously allotted. Therefore, being sufficiently advised, it is hereby ORDERED that the sentencing hearing previously scheduled in this matter for Monday, October 29, 2012, shall be RESCHEDULED for Wednesday, November 14, 2012, beginning at the hour of 10:00 a.m., at the United States Courthouse in Covington, Kentucky.

This 19th day of October, 2012.
/s/ Danny C. Reeves
United States District Judge

So, I suspect that since Ronald Weinland of CGPFK/CGPKG. is under house arrest that his attorney will also argue for that time as counting towards time served in jailbring.

For those unfamiliar with him, Ronald Weinland was a former WCG then UCG minister who falsely claimed to be one of the two witnesses, Elijah, etc. He was again proven wrong last May when Jesus did not return as he has claimed He would. And he will be proven wrong again when Jesus does not return on Pentecost in 2013. He also was convicted of multiple counts of income tax fraud in June 2012 (see CGPFKG’s Ron Weinland Found Guilty of Income Tax Evasion).

The main point of COGwriter posts about him is to warn all not to let false prophets and false apostles like Ron Weinland turn people away from the God of the Bible.  Neither the final “Day of the Lord” began on May 27, 2012 nor the Great tribulation began on December 14, 2008 as Ronald Weinland has written nor will Jesus will return in 2013 as Ronald Weinland has alo insisted.

In the past, when his predictions have not come to pass, Ron Weinland basically has tried to spiritualize his failures away and say something to the effect that God has been merciful (hence no massive destruction during the Great Tribulation to the scale that Jesus taught yet) and that God keeps granting more time for spiritual growth.  In addition to being a convicted felon, he is a false prophet and a proven liar (for some of the details leading to that conclusion please see the article Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God).

Some articles of possible interest related to prophecy may include:

Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up, that the Great Tribulation began on December 14, 2008, that Jesus would return on May 27, 2012, and then claimed that Jesus would return on May 19, 2013 (he originally had Jesus returning on September 28/29 2011). Why does the Bible show that Ron Weinland is a false prophet? Why do Ronald Weinland’s own statements prove that he is a false prophet? Additionally, he has other views which show he is not truly part of the Church of God?
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.
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse What is the Book of Revelation trying to tell us about them? Does the first one deceive many?
Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse What is the pale horse of death and pestilences? What will it bring and when?
Was Unitarianism the Teaching of the Bible or Early Church? Many, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, claim it was, but was it?
Who Are The Two Witnesses? What is their job? What does the Bible reveal? What has the Church of God taught on this subject? Might even Roman Catholic prophecies give some clues here?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? 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?
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?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.

COGwriter

Both ICG and LCG reported about the EU winning the Nobel peace prize in their updates for today.

Last week, the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize was inexplicably awarded to the EU, purportedly for all its advances in human rights, peace, tranquility and whatever other blather was applied to credit the EU with having avoided a continental war over recent decades. It is not at all clear that the EU deserves that credit. But regardless, it seems rather whimsical that such an honor should be bestowed at a time when Europe is in the midst of a crushing recession and fraught with the prospect of eventual dissolution. It is apparent to all concerned that Germany will be the deciding factor in Europe’s future. (Armstrong M. ICG Update, 10/19/12)

EU Wins Nobel Peace Prize! “At a time when the EU looks to be on the brink of a break-up, the Nobel Committee has decided to remind people that the Union emerged from the Second World War and has successfully prevented new conflicts, especially between Germany and France over the last 60 years. ‘Today, war between Germany and France is unthinkable,’” noted the Nobel committee chairman (Telegraph, October 12, 2012). Some claim the Nobel Prize is meant to be a morale booster for the EU, and the jubilation in Brussels appears to support this claim. Now the challenge will be to determine which of the three EU presidents will accept the prize in December (ibid.). However, many are confused and frustrated by what they see happening in Europe. Angela Merkel was recently greeted in Greece by angry protesters dressed as Nazis. Catalonia wants to secede from Spain. In the wake of these and other divisive events, the prize committee chairman also warned that “The collapse of the EU could lead to a resurgence of the ‘extremism and nationalism’ that had led to so many ‘awful wars’” (Guardian, October 12, 2012). Awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to the EU accentuates the divergent nature of the Union—an institution that has helped maintain peace on a war-torn continent, but is also driving w edges between nations on the same continent. This was actually predicted by the prophet Daniel some 2,500 years ago, when he described the emergence of the final phase of a European power with links to the ancient Roman Empire as a mixture of iron and clay (Daniel 2:41-43). (LCG World Ahead Weekly Update, 10/18/12)

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Using the Tower of Babel and “Beast” images suggests it is not concerned about its role as being part of the future Babylon of Bible prophecy.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? What MUST happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the German Defense Minister one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Resurgent Germany: A Fourth Reich? Who are the German peoples and where did they come from? What is Germany’s role in end time prophecy?

COGwriter

An interesting article came out today:

Researchers discover secret of more precise carbon dating

By Stacey Pounsberry | October 20, 2012…

The process of radiocarbon dating relies on the known rate at which radioactive isotopes decay and measuring the remaining amount of radiocarbon within a sample. This ratio provides scientists with a precise estimate of how old a certain artifact might be. Complications in these calculations arrive from how the initial radiocarbon in the environment varies from year to year and from one part of the global carbon cycle to another.

Therefore, carbon dating often has a wide range, which could stretch anywhere from a couple hundred to a few thousand years…Professor Ramsey. “In most cases the radiocarbon levels deduced from marine and other records have not been too far wrong. However, having a truly terrestrial record gives us better resolution and confidence in radiocarbon dating.”  http://www.belljarnews.com/2012/10/20/researchers-discover-secret-of-more-precise-carbon-dating/

That last statement causes me to chuckle.  In MOST (but not all) cases, carbon dating is BELIEVED by certain professors to not have been TOO FAR WRONG.  Well, since there are problems with most dating methods, even those MOST CASES can still be quite wrong.  This is almost comical.

Furthermore, what the article implies, but tries to reason around, is that faulty claims of carbon dating have often been used by evolutionists as “proof” that their version of life on the planet, etc. are correct.  Yet, scientists have long known that carbon dating is flawed and based upon assumptions that are not always truly scientific.

As a scientist, I have long known that proponents of evolution treat the subject more like a religious view than a scientific theory, as it is often based more on false hopes than real facts. This is somewhat also what the Ben Stein movie Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed revealed (see Ben Stein’s Expelled).

Evolution has sometimes led to the intentional ignorance of appropriate scientific methods.  It became a religion for many in the 19th century, and remains one for many today.  But it is nice that at least some will publicly acknowledge that there are flaws in its carbon dating methods.

To learn more about how life formed and why the evolutionary explanation is not scientifically valid, please review the following articles:

Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge.

David Cameron

COGwriter

LCG’s latest TW News & Prophecy has the following:

Britain appears to be moving away from the EU. The British now realize that their sovereignty is more important than political union with Europe. UK opinion polls show that almost “50 percent of Britons say that they would vote for a withdrawal from the EU in a referendum” (Der Spiegel, October 15, 2012). Prime Minister David Cameron has also sent the message that “the government in London no longer has much in common with Europe” (ibid.). The UK is planning to “withdraw from a Europe-wide system of cooperation among judicial and police authorities. The decision affects more than 130 regulations, which also include the European arrest warrant” (ibid.).The new British attitude is causing Germany to rethink the European dream. “Great Britain is turning away from the EU and the German government is allowing it to do so” (ibid.). Last year the British blocked creation of a German-led EU military headquarters and, “Now the plan is to be revived and implemented, even against London’s resistance” (ibid.). The EU is preparing for a stronger political union which may “only be achievable without Great Britain” (ibid.).

God prophesied that Ephraim (Britain) would “[mix] himself among the peoples” and would not notice when foreigners “have devoured his strength” (Hosea 7:8-9). This is what happened when Britain signed the Lisbon Treaty and gave up much of its sovereignty. Like a “silly dove, without sense” they made an alliance with “Assyria” (Germany), and God is now bringing them low for rejecting Him (Hosea 7:11-16).

Britain’s lack of commitment to the EU is increasingly evident. Now a frustrated Germany is preparing for a Europe with or without Britain. Based on Bible prophecies, the Church of God has for years foreseen a British exit from the EU.

Although the time will likely come when the UK go to try to make a deal with Germany (Hosea 7:11-12; Hosea 8:8-9), right now it looks like the UK is giving Germany a notice and the Germans are not that interested in Britain.  And the reality is that the EU simply will not work out well for the UK.

Earlier this year, UK Prime Minister David Cameron emphasized how Britain will be separated from a eurozone superstate and that he would protect the UK from it (Telegraph: “Britain Must Go Its Separate Way” from a European Superstate).

The UK will ultimately find that the EU is a beast that will do them in. Yet, relying on the USA, instead of God, will not work for the UK or any of its other Anglo-ally nations, even though that is what all of them still seem to think.

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?
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?
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”?
Resurgent Germany: A Fourth Reich? Who are the German peoples and where did they come from? What is Germany’s role in end time prophecy?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, 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? What happens to the highly indebted nations?
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?

COGwriter

The Church of God, a Worldwide Association (COGWA) announced that its new school (which will began in August 2012) called Foundation Institute, Center for Biblical Education. is now going to be available online on November 14, 2012.  Here is some of what Church Of God Perspective’s John Carmack reported an email today from COGWA  it said about it:

Earlier this year the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, created Foundation Institute to provide a nine-month, on-site education program designed to give students a thorough knowledge of the Bible and the Fundamental Beliefs of the Church, and to teach them how to practically apply Scripture to the challenges of daily life in order to live righteously and develop godly character. We are now very pleased and excited to introduce FI Online, an extension program of Foundation Institute via the Internet. Beginning Wednesday night, Nov. 14, 2012, you will be able to participate in weekly online webinars featuring selected prerecorded classes from Foundation Institute…

The first FI Online series will be an in-depth study of the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These are the recorded classes that Richard Thompson, director of Adult Education for the Church, has been giving this year to the Foundation Institute students…Submitted by Clyde Kilough

This is not unexpected as groups like the Living Church of God (through Living University) offer classes online as well.

There are many advantages to offering online classes, especially when trying to reach people around the world.