Church of God News

Damascus, Capital of Syria

COGwriter

Syria’s capital Damascus may be at risk:

October 16, 2012

Syrian activists say government warplanes have shelled a strategic town seized by rebels last week, while the Syrian army clashed with opposition fighters outside the capital.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordination Committees reported the shelling Tuesday in the Maaret al-Numan area.  The northern town is strategically located in Idlib province along the main highway between Damascus and Aleppo.  Meanwhile, fierce clashes were reported Tuesday on the outskirts of Damascus.

The fighting continues amid international warnings that the situation in Syria is worsening.  http://www.voanews.com/content/syria-bombs-town-seized-by-rebels/1527256.html

Both biblical and Islamic prophecy tell of the destruction of at least parts of Syria, such as Damascus. Here is some of what Bible prophecies teaches:

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

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

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

23 Against Damascus. “Hamath and Arpad are shamed, For they have heard bad news. They are fainthearted; There is trouble on the sea; It cannot be quiet. 24 Damascus has grown feeble; She turns to flee, And fear has seized her. Anguish and sorrows have taken her like a woman in labor. 25 Why is the city of praise not deserted, the city of My joy? 26 Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, And all the men of war shall be cut off in that day,” says the Lord of hosts. 27 “I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, And it shall consume the palaces of Ben-Hadad.” (Jeremiah 49:23-27)

While this destruction could come as the result of the current civil war (and that is likely to be a factor), the reality is that the Syrian rebel forces at this instant may not have the military ability to do so.  The Bible also suggests that Syria will be involved in a confederation of North African and Middle Eastern nations (Ezekiel 30:1-8; Psalm 83:4-8) who will support a leader that the Bible refers to as the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43).

Interestingly, there are various Islamic views on an Muslim leader, sometimes called the Imam Mahdi rising up (who could be the King of the South of Daniel 11:40-43) in a time related to Syria.  Here is one that suggests this Islamic leader does so after Syria has problems:

Traditions have been reported mentioning the signs for the time of the appearance of the Imam who will arise (qa’im), peace be on him, and the events which will take place before his appearance, together with the indications and features of it. Among them are: The Sufyani will come out in revolt; the Hasanid will be killed; the Abbasids will dispute over worldly kingdom; there will be an eclipse of the sun in the middle of the month of Ramadan; there will be an eclipse of the moon at the end of that month in contrast to ordinary happenings; the land will be swallowed up at al-Bayda’; it will be swallowed in the east-it will be swallowed up in the west; the sun will stay still from the time of its decline to the middle of the time for the afternoon prayer; it will rise from the west; a pure soul (nafs zakiyya) will be killed in the outskirts of Kufa with seventy righteous men; a Hashimite will be slaughtered between the corner (of the Ka’ba) and the station of Abraham); the wall of the mosque of Kufa will be destroyed; black standards will advance from Khurasan; al-Yamani will come out in revolt; al-Maghribi will appear in Egypt and take possession of it from Syria; the Turk will occupy the region of al-Jazira; the Byzantines will occupy Ramla; the star will appear in the east giving light just like the moon gives light; then (the new moon) will bend until its two tips almost meet; a colour will appear in the sky and spread to its horizons; a fire will appear for a long time in the east remaining in the air for three or seven days; the Arabs will throw off the reins and take possession of their land, throwing out the foreign authority; the people of Egypt will kill their ruler and destroy Syria; and three standards will dispute over it (Syria)…

The Abbasids will dispute; a voice will call from the sky; one of the villages of Syria called al-Jabiyya will be swallowed up; the Turks will occupy the region of al-Jazira; the Byzantines will attack al-Ramla; at that time there will be much conflict throughout the land until Syria is destroyed.

(Kitab al Irshad Chapter: The Twelfth Imam (Peace be on him) Page (s): 541 – 548 Published by Tehrike Tersile Qura’n.  Contributed by Br. Ali Abbas, abbas@seas.gwu.edu  http://www.al-islam.org/masoom/bios/12thimam.html viewed 7/22/12)

So, there are biblical and Islamic prophecies suggesting destruction to at least parts of Syria and the rise of a leader in that region.

But, it should be noted that another Islamic prophetic view somewhat differs from the previously cited one as it states that Damascus will be the Mahdi’s capital (though other Islamists have stated that Jerusalem will be the capital, e.g. TW: Muslim Brotherhood Leader in Egypt Wants ‘United States of the Arabs’ and Then Jerusalem):

Hazrat Imam Mahdi (A.S.) ( Courtesy: http:// www.kr-hcy.com/ articles/ imam-mehdi )…

The term “MEHDI” is a title meaning “Guided one”. The Mehdi is a normal man who is going to follow the true Islam. His name will be Muhammad and his father name will be Abdullah. He is a descendant from Ali and Fatima (daughter of the prophet Muhammad) so he will be descendant from al-Hasan or al-Hussain or both. The Mehdi will be very just and his capital will be Damascus. The Mehdi is NOT a prophet but he is the final Rightly Guided Khalifah. The Mehdi will lead Muslims to a great victory against the Sufyaani and the Romans.

Thus, there are biblical and Islamic prophecies suggesting that a leader in the region of the Middle East and North Africa will rise up.  And some prophecies from both sources involve Syria’s capital Damascus.

So, how might some of these prophecies begin to be fulfilled?

In the past year or two, the Middle East and North Africa have seen the rise of groups associated with the Muslim Brotherhood.  The Muslim Brotherhood is a group that wants an Islamic confederation called a caliphate to rise up as its official website teaches the following:

What is the Muslim Brotherhood?
The world’s largest and most influential Islamist movement. Founded in Egypt in 1928, the group was originally focused on ridding the country of corrupting secular influences brought by British colonial rule. Over the years, it established branches and affiliates in many countries to promote traditional Sunni Islamic morals, social justice, and the eradication of poverty and corruption. “The Islamic nation,” its charter states, “must be fully prepared to fight the tyrants and the enemies of Allah as a prelude to establishing an Islamic state”—ideally a re-established caliphate, stretching from Spain across the Middle East and Central Asia to Indonesia, to be governed according to Islamic sharia law. (Understanding the Muslim Brotherhood. February 14, 2011. © The Muslim Brotherhood. http://www.ikhwanweb.com/article.php?id=28019 viewed 11/21/2011)

The Muslim Brotherhood apparently wants as its top priority a pan-national Islamic caliphate ruled by an Imam. Many Muslims long for the rising up of a leader called the 12th Imam, often referred to as the Imam Mahdi.  This power will not end up with Spain if I understand certain aspects of Bible prophecy correctly, but the confederation of the final King of the South may go from around Western Sahara and/or Mauritania to Oman (with possible involvement and/or coordination with Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and/or Indonesia).

The Muslim Brotherhood is active in many Islamic-dominated lands, including Syria.  And in Syria, it is basically in opposition to the Assad regime there.  But of itself, the Muslim Brotherhood is currently not strong enough to take over Syria.

Yet, partially because of the internal civil war in Syria, Syria’s President Assad may decide that attacking Israel, probably in conjunction with support from Iran, is his best carnal option (which could include supporting Iran if it attacks Israel or Israel attacks it). Attacking Israel, however, will not be his best option (he should repent and probably leave office), though he may do that. The Bible suggests that Syria will support the coming final King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:1-8) and a change in or from the Assad regime will be necessary for this to happen–and it will come to pass.

More trouble is coming to Damascus as it will be destroyed (Isaiah 17:1).  An Islamic confederation that will include the land of Syria is coming (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:1-8; Psalm 83:4-8) is coming.  A worsening situation in Syria would seem to be a factor in speeding up this occurrence.

“And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13:37).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? 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?

Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli

COGwriter

Panama’s President Ricardo Martinelli met with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and asked about his country also adopting the Euro as an additional official currency as EuroNews reported a few hours ago (Panama wants the euro as legal tender).

Panama has been a place that many Americans have moved to and/or invested in.

Panama’s President Ricardo Martinelli expressed confidence that the Euro would do well despite the current crises.  This would give Panama two official currencies (its current official currency is actually the USA dollar).

This move, for many reasons, makes biblical sense as I have long written that Latin America seems destined to be among the supporters of the rising European Beast power.  It also makes carnal sense as the USA continues to devalue its currency in the long run by being involved in programs such as “quantitative easing.”

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean in Prophecy [Español: México, America Central, Suramérica, y el Brasil en profecíal] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What rule might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English-British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
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?
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?
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.)

Pantheon of Rome: A Symbol of Unity Among Religious Error

COGwriter

Various ones with claimed association with the Church of God have claimed or given strong indication that at least part of the Great Tribulation would be in 2012.

There are also secular and other books that make similar claims.

Irrespective of assertions by various self-appointed ones, the fact is that the great tribulation as described in the Apocalypse (Book of Revelation) will not start in 2012.

Why?

Well, amongst other reasons, the King of the North (Daniel 11) also known as the Beast (Revelation 13:1-10) is not ready.

While the European Union appears to be determined to unite further to become both an economic and military power, the fact is that it is still not the economic and military power it needs to be in order to eliminate the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

And while Europe is filled with religious symbols and religious error, it still is not at all unified religiously at this time.

I have had many European trips this century, and can state that the Europeans are simply not ready to fulfill their role as the supporters of the King of the North — the Final Beast military power yet. The Europeans do not consider that they are united, they have not accepted any type of universal religion (and while Pope Benedict XVI is working on that–this still is not ready), have not completed their Galileo project (a “GPS” system that will allow them to work independently of the US military’s system), have not finished their systems for “international prosperity”, have not acknowledged ten kings which need to be determined (Revelation 17:12), have not strengthened/unified their military enough, etc.

And while “Galileo” itself is not a biblical requirement, the idea of having its own powerful military clearly is (see Revelation 13:4). There are also events in Daniel 11, Matthew 24, and other prophecies that I do not believe have been fulfilled to the degree necessary for the actual final 3 1/2 year great tribulation to begin in 2012 (though it will start in the future, and actually could begin several years from now).

Notice this verse describing the Beast:

So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:4).

Even though even Catholic prophecies indicate a great ruler to arise in Europe who will eventually destroy the English (for documentation, see the article Who is the King of the North?), there simply is not such a person who could be ready for this by the end of 2012.

Some article of additional related interest may include:

When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2012, 2013, or 2014? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What is the “peace deal” of Daniel 9? 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 and Julia Gillard be involved in 2012?  Have predictions written by Bob Thiel related to Barack Obama and Julia Gillard began to come to pass?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This link also has YouTube videos. This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, world events have aligned with at least 23 predictions in the book and many more will to come to pass.  Those who purchase the book at the www.thesecretsect.com website receive a lengthy bonus report documenting world events that aligned with the book.
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect (English Kindle edition).  This is the 2nd edition of the book, released in January 2012, and includes a summary of many of the predictions that world events have aligned with since the book originally came out in September 2009.

A slightly difficult uphill and narrow way in Tobago

COGwriter

Here is LCG’s latest commentary:

The Miracle

By Charles Knowlton…

On a cold Sunday many years ago, the local sheriff called me at my home. I was a teacher in a small town school and some of my students had been found unattended and deserted in their home. I was well acquainted with three of the boys who were in my class at school and there was also a sister and a baby. The sheriff found a lady, recently widowed, who had applied to run a foster home and she took all of the children to her home that very day. I never expected to see them again because it was in a different part of our county.

But I had a surprise in store! When Monday came I was at school when a car drove up and three boys came into the building. I did not know them but they went to my room. They had been transformed from poverty stricken unfortunates to three clean, healthy, beautiful boys. They had been at the low end of society, almost mentally handicapped, and I marveled. During the next few weeks I saw a miracle occur. Not only did their appearance change, but their school work improved and their self-esteem was completely overhauled. These three brothers who had ended up in the same class became socially acceptable with the other children. They were finally moved to a different school, but they continued to stay with their foster mother. Over the years, I heard bits and pieces of the boys’ doings and they were always positive. I know one of them was even president of his class in high school.

The lesson to be learned is found in changing a person’s self-esteem and environment. A person’s surroundings have been proven to alter or predispose them towards certain attitudes or weaknesses—failings that can affect their physical, emotional and psychological health. Many people of the world are victims to circumstance, but even those who are severely disadvantaged have been able to overcome trials and change their lives for the better. Sometimes all it takes is a change in surroundings—and a transformation of attitude.

Do you know that Almighty God, the God of the Bible, promises just such a change for the entire earth? A time will come when Jesus Christ will return and establish God’s Kingdom on earth (Revelation 11:15), and an equitable society will be set up where people will be unshackled from poverty, sickness, filth and squalor (Isaiah 65:20; Jeremiah 31:13; Ezekiel 47:1, 12).

They will be introduced to love, opportunity and a better environment, according to the prophecies of Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me, to preach good tidings to the poor, He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1).

Who will be the teachers? Christ will not return alone (John 14:1-4). The world is full of a need to be cleaned up, fed and loved, and there will be those who are called now for the purpose of learning how, through suffering, to teach and comfort others who have suffered. This is the mission of God for the future.

In Isaiah 60:15, we read: “Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, so that no one went through you, I will make you an eternal excellence, a joy of many generations.” Like the three brothers where I saw the miracle happen when they were at bottoms end, the earth and the people in it need change. The change I saw was temporary, but it proves what can happen when the environment is changed, whether it is the home of five small children, or the entire world.

Just look at the news today, to see how obvious the need for change is—but there is living hope, and it is being worked out—even as you read this. Remember this if you are struggling, perhaps even close to giving up. God might be calling you to be a part of that hope.

If you would like to know more about the coming miracle God has in store for you, order our free booklets Your Ultimate Destiny and The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?or read them online.

People can change and that is part of why God sent His son Jesus (John 3:16-17).

Some articles of 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?
Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Will God call everyone? Will everyone have an opportunity for salvation? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?
What is the Unpardonable Sin? What is it? Can you repent of it? Do you know what it is and how to avoid it?
What is the Gospel? True religion should be based upon the true gospel. What are some of the different gospels and where did they come from? Do you believe the true or a false gospel?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about?
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.
Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
True vs. False Conversion Are you really converted or willing to be? What is true conversion? What is false conversion? What are the dangers of false conversion?

Roderick C. Meredith (Photo by Joyce Thiel)

COGwriter

In his latest co-worker letter, Roderick C. Meredith, the Presiding Evangelist of the Living Church of God (LCG) wrote:

        Even though it may not be the “popular” or the “politically correct” thing to do, I am commanded by the Creator God to correct when necessary and to exhort you to do better. For God Almighty commands His faithful ministers:  “Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” (Isaiah 58:1).

      In the New Testament, God tells us, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

      So how can I genuinely help you the most? Going beyond what we normally do in these letters in telling you about the ongoing fulfillment of Bible prophecy and the growth of this powerful Work of faith, I now want to warn every one of you dear co-workers, in love, about one of the most dangerous and pernicious attitudes now permeating our entire society. This attitude will undermine and simply destroy your relationship with God if you get into it. Please think deeply about this quotation I have used in the past in articles and letters. As U.S. News & World Report pointed out a few years ago: “More than three-fourths of Americans call the nation’s religious diversity a source of strength…. Meanwhile, more than 3 in 4 Americans believe all religions have at least some elements of truth—even though few say they know much about religions other than their own. And nearly 70 percent think spiritual experiences are the most important part of religion. ‘If one’s religion is more about individual identity than doctrine or creed, it’s a lot easier to be tolerant,’ says Egon Mayer, a sociologist at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Gallup says that the high degree of religious tolerance reflects, in part, ‘not only a lack of knowledge of other religions but an ignorance of one’s own faith.’ In some polls, he says, ‘you have Christians saying, “Yes, Jesus is the only way” and also, “Yes, there are many paths to God.” It’s not that Americans don’t believe anything; they believe everything.’”

      My dear brethren and co-workers, this attitude is certainly pervasive in the approach of millions of Americans. For they increasingly believe different “bits and pieces” of various religions and philosophies. Also, because of the almost total confusion in religion today, other millions are completely “giving up” and turning to atheism—completely denying the existence of God Himself! People are really confused as they “cobble” together, “their own” form of religion. However, extremely few people in the United States, Canada, the UK or Australia take with total seriousness the real God of the Bible. Somehow, they are not willing to surrender their will to the genuine Higher Power who created them and gave them life and breath. They are often quick to say, “Here is the way I look at it!”

      In all respect, do you really think that the great God—the Creator of heaven and earth, the God who gives you life and breath—is very concerned about the millions of differing “opinions” that we puny, mixed-up human beings have about the ultimate purpose of life? For the God of the Bible tells us, “‘Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,’ says the Lord. ‘But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word’” (Isaiah 66:1-2).

       If we in this Work are helping you grasp the absolute fact that God is real—and that He has total power over world events and over your very life—then it would seem to follow that each of you would begin to exhibit the profound respect for your very Creator which He describes above. Do you, personally, tremble at God’s inspired Word? Will you honestly obey whatever God clearly tells you to do in the Bible? Is the Jesus Christ of the Bible really your “Lord”? Remember, here is what Jesus said about those who claimed to follow Him:  “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

       Obviously, if you do not obey what Christ says to the best of your ability, then Jesus Christ is not your Lord!

       Yet, in our supposedly sophisticated society, we now increasingly “water down” and virtually do away with almost everything the real Jesus Christ of the Bible taught, stood for and lived for as He set us an example that we should “follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Although we often have clever arguments to justify our conduct, we manage to regularly break nearly all of God’s Ten Commandments! This attitude reached an all-time high recently when the very President of the United States publically stated that he now approves of the idea of “men marrying men”!

       The inspired Word of God tells us, in advance, of the very attitude described in these verses:  “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:  for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

       Indeed, the watered-down “form” of godliness now permeating our nation always leads to “denying” the real power or the authority of the living God. The Word of God reveals that—in this final age or “era” of His Church and of this earth’s civilization—the spirit of “Laodicea” will prevail. Here is how God Himself describes the Laodicean attitude:  “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16). Even most supposedly religious people very seldom get truly inspired or “on fire” for God and His Word. The spirit of complacency and compromise is totally dominant in today’s “Christianity.” God’s true ways and His laws are compromised and watered down in every single facet of our society.

       So all of us need to wake up!

The USA has been going more and more in the wrong direction.  It is time for people who live there to wake up.

Some writing of possibly related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided? 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?
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.
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.
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.

Russian Troops Parading in Moscow (Source: www.kremlin.ru)

COGwriter

Is Russia the King of the North?  Various Protestant prophetic teachers (such as Hal Lindsey and Ewiak Ryszard to cite two) tend to think so, but what is the truth?

Although it is in the north, the Bible (when more specific) appears to refer to those in Russia as part of the “far north” (Ezekiel 38:3,6, 14-15).  Russia is currently the most massive military power of the “far north.”

However, as various writers have admitted, historically it has been Greek (and perhaps also Roman) emperors which have fulfilled past prophecies of the King of the North.

It would seem logical then, that the final King of the North would also be the ruler of some type of final Greco-Roman empire.  And the seat of power for those empires was in Europe.

Daniel 9:26-27 describes the rise of a prince who came from the people who destroyed Jerusalem, the European Romans.

Matthew Henrys Commentary states the following concerning Daniel 9:

It is here foretold that the people of the prince that shall come shall be the instruments of this destruction, that is, the Roman armies, belonging to a monarchy yet to come…the sacrifice and oblation shall be made to cease…And when it is made desolate, it should seem, there is something more determined that is to be poured upon the desolate (v. 27).

These passages, according to many Bible writers, ties into the actions of the King of the North when his forces “shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation” (Daniel 11:31).  Roman armies would be more closely tied to Europe than they would Russia. The Great Tribulation will also not start before there is an actual King of the South and an actual King of the North–and while the “prince” will apparently help make a deal with Israel, Daniel 11:27 requires two kings, which suggests that the “prince” will gain more and more importance after the deal in Daniel 9:27. Daniel 9:26-27 shows that this prince comes from the people of the old Roman Empire. This prince rules the final Beast power of Revelation 13:1, the beast of the sea.

The Bible is clear that the “Great Sea,” where the Beasts of Daniel 7 come from, is the Mediterranean Sea (e.g. Joshua 9:1, 23:4; Ezekiel 47:15). The Beast power is not a nation like Russia, which does not border the Mediterranean Sea, but Europe which does.

Furthermore, the fact that Daniel 11:44 tells that the final King of the North will be troubled by news from the east and the north most certainly does allow for the final King of the North to be European.  Russia, specifically, is both east and north of much of Europe.

Additionally, there are a couple of passages in the Book of Jeremiah that support my assertions on this:

50:41 “Behold, a people shall come from the north,
And a great nation and many kings
Shall be raised up from the ends of the earth.
42 They shall hold the bow and the lance;
They are cruel and shall not show mercy.
Their voice shall roar like the sea;
They shall ride on horses,
Set in array, like a man for the battle,
Against you, O daughter of Babylon.
43 “The king of Babylon has heard the report about them,
And his hands grow feeble;
Anguish has taken hold of him,
Pangs as of a woman in childbirth…”(Jeremiah 50:41-43).

Thus, the European empire (the “daughter of Babylon”) is to be destroyed by a northern (apparently Russian led) force. This force from “the ends of the earth” will apparently be those from the far north and the far east.  This is consistent with Daniel 11:44. And the “many kings” is consistent with the “kings of the sunrise” of Revelation 16:12 (literal translation).

Notice that the “king of Babylon” the “daughter of Babylon” heard reports about them.  This is totally consistent with the King of the North being troubled by “news from the east and the north” (Daniel 11:44).

And who is the end time “King of Babylon”?

Various end time writers (including some who claim Russia is the King of the North) believe that the final “King of Babylon” (the end time Babylon in the Book of Revelation) is going to be a European power.

Yet, this is the same European power that is the King of the North in Daniel 11:27-45 and is the same one that is troubled by the news from the east and the north in Daniel 11:44.

The final King of the North cannot be Russia.  Only a European power meets the criteria listed in Daniel 11.  And that is consistent with other prophecies in the Bible, such as Jeremiah 50:41-43.

For a more detailed explanation of Daniel 11 and the roles and expected actions of the final King of the North, please check out the article Who is the King of the North?. For details on Russia in prophecy, including explanations of the timing of Russia’s roles in Ezekiel 38 and 39, please see the article Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?

COGwriter

Aaron Dean, Treasurer of the United Church of God (UCG) wrote the following in the current edition of the United News:

Forward: Separating Salvation From People 

What makes some seemingly dedicated people leave the Church?

I have been asked this question before by members who have seen many brethren and even ministers fail. Having spent much of my life at the heart of the work, some have asked me, “Why are you still here?”

I think it comes down to something my dad said when I graduated college and was asked to work on the Church’s Gulf stream jet: “Be sure and separate salvation from people.” What he knew was that I would witness some things that would build my faith; but I would also see and hear things that could discourage and tear down my faith.

Indeed no Christian’s life is without its pitfalls, but we expect them to be attacks from the outside. While ready to face the world, often we are not prepared for problems from the inside. People who meet with us each Sabbath at church—brothers and sisters whom we trust and love—sometimes might not show godly character in word or deed. And we can tend to expect more Christlike behavior the higher the position a person is in.

But when an offense happens involving someone in a visible position, what do we do? Many take sides, deny the action happened or make excuses, blaming others as the cause. They might reason that someone in that position certainly couldn’t have done whatever the offense was.

Emotional reactions like these may leave one at peace with themselves, but if they find out later that a knowingly wrongful act was committed or they were lied to, it’s very easy to become disillusioned. They might leave the faith or go searching for a more perfect church—usually to find that the next one is no better than the last.

Every good biblical character sinned, except Jesus Christ. He never sinned and kept all the commandments. But even He was accused for drinking wine, talking to sinners and disregarding men’s rules of Sabbath observance; and some people became offended by these accusations. To let someone else’s perceived mistake—or actual mistake—put us in a wrong attitude is to let someone else “take our crown” (Revelation 3:11).

We must work to control our own thoughts and actions. Seek truth and prove all things before reacting emotionally. “Work out our own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Our salvation rests on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ alone. If we pray for wisdom and react spiritually, we will make progress toward separating our salvation from other people’s mistakes. And in the process, put Christ—our hope of glory—in us (Colossians 1:27).

Like Aaron Dean, I too, have seen many who claimed to believe fall away from the faith.  Offenses do come, but since God has always used imperfect human leaders, people need to be careful to, “Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown” (Revelation 3:11).

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?
Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
True vs. False Conversion Are you really converted or willing to be? What is true conversion? What is false conversion? What are the dangers of false conversion? Evangelist Roderick Meredith provides information on those important questions.
Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Will God call everyone? Will everyone have an opportunity for salvation? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?
What is the Unpardonable Sin? What is it? Can you repent of it? Do you know what it is and how to avoid it?
Hope of Salvation: How the Genuine Church of God differ from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
John Calvin, Calvinism, TULIP, and What is Predestination? Who was John Calvin? Did he believe in sola Scriptura or did he hold to unbiblical doctrines? TULIP analyzed.

COGwriter

Due to the huge success of Dan Brown’s best-selling book, The Da Vinci Code., some have seemed to be more willing to make theologically inaccurate statements about Jesus’ divinity.

The Da Vinci Code improperly suggested that the idea of Jesus being divine was essentially a new concept that was not determined until the Council of Nicea (325 A.D.). Notice several of those statements:

Constantine…held a famous ecumenical gathering known as the Council of Nicaea…

until that moment in history, Jesus as viewed by His followers was a mortal prophet . . . a great and powerful man, but a man nonetheless. A mortal…

Jesus’ establishment as ‘the Son of God’ was officially proposed and voted on by the Council of Nicaea (Brown D. The Da Vinci Code. Doubleday, New York, 2003,page 233).

The above is not true and many scholars and theologians objected to what The Da Vinci Code purported about the divinity of Jesus.

Since the book is fiction, why raise any this fuss about it?

Mainly, because it was a wildly popular book and it did not come across as purely fiction.

On page one (the page before the novel portion begins), which is titled FACT, the author of The Da Vinci Code stated:

All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate (The Da Vinci Code, page 1).

So, because of that, some people latched onto to various statements in the book as historical fact as opposed to an embellished story. But enough complained about the Jesus divinity claims that this needed to be revisited.

Apparently because of complaints from critics, Christianity Today reported that the movie version changed this part of the story:

And the film’s version of Langdon explicitly says that Constantine did not invent the divinity of Jesus—which is almost the exact opposite of what the book’s version of Langdon says (The Da Vinci Code. Review by Peter T. Chattaway | posted 05/18/06) .

But what about the divinity of Jesus? Was it truly taught prior to the Council of Nicea?

While there are a variety of unitarian groups (with the Jehovah’s Witnesses being probably the largest) that deny the deity of Jesus, the plain truth is that Jesus’ divinity was taught from the beginning. It is both in the Bible and in early second century writings.

Here are three first century New Testament references on this subject:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23, NKJV throughout).

And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:28-29).

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9).

Here is a second century reference on the subject from Polycarp who was appointed by the apostles to lead the churches from Smyrna:

Now may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the eternal High-priest Himself, the [Son of] God Jesus Christ, build you up in faith and truth, and in all gentleness and in all avoidance of wrath and in forbearance and long suffering and in patient endurance and in purity; and may He grant unto you a lot and portion among His saints, and to us with you, and to all that are under heaven, who shall believe on our Lord and God Jesus Christ and on His Father (The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians in APOSTOLIC FATHERS (as translated by J.B. LIGHTFOOT) 12:6,7).

It probably should be noted that Dr. Lightfoot left out “Son of” in his translation, which is in the Latin. But either way, this passage does refer to Jesus as God.

Also, Ignatius, who was known by Polycarp (and praised in this same Polycarp epistle) wrote around 100-110 A.D.:

For our God, Jesus Christ, was conceived by Mary in accord with God’s plan: of the seed of David, it is true, but also of the Holy Spirit. He was born and baptized so that by His submission He might purify the water (Ignatius of Antioch, Letters to the Ephesians 18,2–note this is translated the same by at least three separate translations as done by Dr. Lightfoot, J.H. Srawley, and Roberts & Donaldson).

Thus, there are first and second century documents that clearly claim that Jesus was considered as God and not simply a mortal prophet.

Hence, both the Bible and early writings show that Jesus was considered to be divine well prior to the Council of Nicea (325 A.D.)

What may have been confusing to the author of The Da Vinci Code, as well as to others, is that there were questions raised by some concerning the nature of Jesus and His divinity which was discussed in Constantine’s Council of Nicea. But despite what else happened then, that Council agreed with the New Testament and other Christian writers that Jesus was divine. And although this has not been changed in the book The Da Vinci Code, at least the movie did not perpetuate the myth that Jesus was not considered to be divine until the fourth century.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Da Vinci Code: Some Good, Most Bad Does The Da Vinci Code properly discuss Christianity? What does it have right and what does it have wrong about early Christianity and other gospel accounts?
Binitarian View: One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning Is binitarianism the correct position? What about unitarianism or trinitarianism?
Is The Father God? What is the view of the Bible? What was the view of the early church?
Jesus is God, But Was Made Man Was Jesus fully human and fully God or what?
Virgin Birth: Does the Bible Teach It? What does the Bible teach? What is claimed in The Da Vinci Code?
Did Early Christians Think the Holy Spirit Was A Separate Person in a Trinity? Or did they have a different view?
Did the True Church Ever Teach a Trinity? Most act like this is so, but is it?
Was Unitarianism the Teaching of the Bible or Early Church? Many, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, claim it was, but was it?
Binitarianism: One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning This is a shorter article than the Binitarian View article, but has a little more information on binitarianism.

COGwriter

Back in April 1962, the old Radio Church of God published the following from the late Dr. Herman Hoeh:

Let’s open our Bibles to see why Petra has puzzled scholars and Bible students for centuries.

The true Church of God is pictured in Revelation 12. It is symbolized by a woman-the bride of Christ. But it is a persecuted woman-a Church hated by the world. According to verse 6 the Church fled the first time from her persecutors for 1260 years – during the Middle Ages. But verse 14 unveils another flight of the Church-in the very last days. This time the duration is only 3y2 years! “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle”-supernatural deliverance-“that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time”–3 1/2 years.

This prophecy has never been understood by the world because the world cannot understand to whom this prophecy refers. It does not recognize who are the true Church. It sees only the false churches, described in Revelation 17.

But consider now the special time of this prophecy about protection in a mysterious wilderness. Notice exactly which period in the history of God’s Church the escape shall occur. Turn to Revelation 3:7-13. This is addressed to the Philadelphia Era of God’s Church -the Church before whom Christ opens the door to preach His gospel around the world (verse 8). Because this Church has kept Gods word, Jesus promises: “I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation”-the time of trial–“which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth’ (verse 10). Here is a world-wide terror to come upon all nations. This is not for the slow-moving past. It is a prophecy for the pulsating present the last days of human history–just before God intervenes to set up His Kingdom to bring peace at last.

Here is a prophecy for this generation- at the very time God’s Church is preaching and publishing the Gospel of the Kingdom of God world-wide. This prophecy is about us!

But how will Jesus keep us from the coming trial and persecution? We just read the answer from Revelation 12! There is a place of safety, in a wilderness, for the people of God.

But where is that wilderness?

That is the mystery that has puzzled so many for so long! God has kept it a mystery so the world would not know. He has even kept it hidden from God’s Church in the past so His people would have their minds on their work! It is only those who are having a part in the work of God-who have their minds on the Kingdom of God, not some physical place of protection–who will escape. That escape cannot be planned for in advance. It is a supernatural escape!

Remember, if the Christians in Jerusalem in apostolic days had quit their work and prematurely escaped to Pella before A.D. 69, they would have been destroyed by the Roman armies who devastated the city. It was only those who completed the work of God who reached safety in A.D. 69 after the Romans destroyed Pella!

That is why God has veiled the exact place of escape from human eyes all these years. But as the days draw closer to the time of the end, the light of prophecy shines ever more clearly! When the moment comes that we need to know where that place of safety is, Christ will make it known. Meanwhile we need to keep our eyes open and our minds yielded-drinking in the implications of prophecy for this Church today! But where does Petra fit in all this?

An Old Testament Prophecy

Turn to Isaiah 42:l0-13. Here is a prophecy for today-a time of divine intervention, verse 14. Now read verse 11 from the Jewish Publication Society translation according to the original inspired Hebrew:

“Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit”–the descendants of Kedar are the Bedouin Arabs who dwell throughout the Middle East in black tents. Here we have a wilderness located in the Arab world! But continue reading: “Let the inhabitants of Sela exult. Let them shout from the top of the mountains.” The inhabitants of Sela? Who are they? And where is Sela? (In the King James Version the word for Sela is translated “rock.”)

Any Bible student knows that Sela is the Hebrew name of Petra! Sela means Rock–in Hebrew; Petra means Rock in Greek! But Sela or Petra is fundamentally uninhabited today, save for a few dozen wandering Bedouin. These are not the inhabitants in this verse, for notice verse 12: “Let them’’–the inhabitants of Petra or Sela–“give glory unto the Lord”–the Bedouin do not know God, they are Mohammedan–“and declare His praise in the islands.”

Which islands? The islands which Israel inhabits–Isaiah 41:1 and 8. God is certainly not going to use a few uneducated, ignorant Mohammedan Bedouin to declare His glory in the islands and coastlands of Northwestern Europe -where Israel is today! This prophecy resurrection and the return of Christ in power and glory. Christ is going to use His servants–now immortal in the Kingdom of God–to proclaim His intervention and the establishment of His Kingdom over all the earth. He is going to use the very ones whom He is now using to proclaim His message. Then they will finally heed!

Isn’t this prophecy a clear indication that the place of safety for the people of God who are now doing the work of God–and broadcasting to the islands and coastlands of Northwestern Europe–is in an Arabian wilderness, where the Bedouin dwell and is probably at Sela, or Petra?

Supernatural Protection

Turn now to another parallel passage, this time Isaiah 33. Read especially verses 13-17. Notice the time setting. It is when the worlds ambassadors, who seek to make peace, suddenly find the world caught up in frightful destruction (verses 7-8).

Beginning with verse 13 God warns the House of Israel-the “sinners in Zion”-of their sins (verse 14). “Who will be able to live through the endtime fiery atomic and hydrogen warfare?” God asks (verse 14). Those who obey Him, declares verse 15. But where will they go?

Verses 16 and 17 answer! “He shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks.. .” This verse is poorly translated in most versions because the translators did not understand the prophecy. The true meaning has been hidden. The place of protection shall be, not munitions of rocks, but the “strongholds of Sela!” The original, inspired Hebrew, mistranslated “munitions,” is metsad, and means a stronghold or a castle or a fort. And the word for “rock” in this verse is Sela, the name of Petra in the Hebrew language!

Petra is a dry, barren area. It hardly provides a few dozen Bedouin sufficient sustenance. How are all of the faithful people of God to be provided for? Continue with the end of verse 16: “…his bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.” Here also is supernatural provision! Remember what happened to the children of Israel in the Sinai wilderness? God supernaturally provided them food and water nearly 40 long years! God can do the same today! It is not those who heap up provisions that shall escape! It is those who obey God, who do His work, and who trust Him to provide the necessities and the divine protection when that time arrives!

Verse 17 completes the picture: “Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off’-or “they shall behold a land stretching afar,” according to the Jewish translation. We shall see Him as He is (I John 3:2). Notice also that those in safety see “the land”-Palestine, the promised land stretching into the distance. Surely here is another indication of the high rocky crags of Petra from which one may look northwest to the promised land.

Place of Safety

Perhaps the most commonly quoted verses about Petra are found in Isaiah 16. The prophecy is found in verses 1 to 5. It is a message to Moab-modern Jordan, in whose territory Petra or Sela is presently located. Verse 1 should read: “Send ye the lambs for the Ruler of the land from Sela that is toward the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion” (compare the KJV with the JPS translation).

The time setting of this prophecy is the return of Christ to rule the nations. He is the King of the land. The Moabites are commanded to seek Him, to send Him an offering as a token of their submission. The offering comes from Sela. But why are the Moabites found in Sela, when only Bedouin dwell there today? The succeeding verses answer: “For it shall be, that, as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, so the daughters”– and‘ descendants–“of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.” Other prophecies picture hordes from the east capturing the land east of the Jordan. (See Ezekiel 25:l0.) As these Communist hordes plunge toward Palestine, slaughtering as they go, a pitiful remnant–described in Jeremiah 48:1-25–escapes at the Arnon (a stream running into the Dead Sea). The Moabite refugees flee southward for protection. Why? Is it perhaps because they have known of others already there in a place of safety? Now look at verse 4. God is addressing Moab: “Let Mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler.”

So there are others there already. “Mine outcasts,” God calls them. God’s people, who flee from the world, refugees or outcasts!

The fleeing Moabites are not to betray where they are. This makes verse 3 much clearer. The Moabites are commanded to “Give counsel, execute justice; make thy shadow as night in the midst of the noon day; hide the outcasts; betray not the fugitive” (JPS trans.). Their flight is not to reveal where God’s own outcasts are. Their movements are to be as invisible as if it were in black night!

Now compare this prophecy with Jeremiah 48:28, “O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock”–Sela, in Hebrew–“and be like the dove that makes her nest in the sides of the holes mouth”! A perfecr description of Petra, with its caves!

Isaiah 16:5 then reveals the very next prophetic event to occur: “And a throne is established through mercy, and there sitteth thereon in truth, in the tent of David, One that judgeth, and seeketh justice, and is ready in righteousness” (JPS trans.). Christ is now pictured as seated on the throne of David! Surely this indicates that God‘s outcasts in Isaiah 16 are the same as those mentioned in Revelation 12 who escape to the wilderness-shortly before the return of Christ!

In the New Testament, while not all Christians are promised physical protection, the Philadelphians are promised to be protected from the Great Tribulation and this place is in the wilderness according the the Book of Revelation:

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,  ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:  8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.  9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.  10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 3:7-10)

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

While Petra may not be the place, it is a place to be considered.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

This is PETRA! This is a 1962 Good News article by the late Dr. Hoeh.
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.
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?
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 essentially the most faithful in the Church of God.

COGwriter

Europe’s Galileo navigational system is moving ahead:

Europe’s version of GPS reaches key phase

BBC – Oct 12, 2012

The third and fourth spacecraft in Europe’s satellite navigation system have gone into orbit..

It is an important milestone for the multi-billion-euro project to create a European version of the US Global Positioning System (GPS).

With four satellites now in orbit – the first and second spacecraft were launched in 2011 – it becomes possible to test Galileo end-to-end.

That is because a minimum of four satellites are required in the sky for a smartphone or vehicle to use their signals to calculate a positional fix.

Engineers can now run an intensive programme to validate every aspect of Galileo’s design, including its all-important ground infrastructure which will monitor and control the satellites…

Compared with the US’s current version of GPS, Galileo promises more accurate and more precise fixes, although the Americans themselves are planning to upgrade their infrastructure in the coming decade…http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19933989.

Europe’s Galileo satellite program continues to advance, despite some occasional delays. Galileo is Europe’s answer to the USA’s Global Positioning System (GPS). It is more accurate and is intended to cover more area of the planet (though it would not surprise me that area coverage could be reduced for budgetary concerns). Galileo represents a new era in the sense that it is a major EU project that improves on what the USA has and shows that the Europeans have the potential to become a modern military power (though Galileo is only one of the needed pieces).

Because of various problems, the USA announced in mid-2010 that it would link to Europe’s Galileo for some of its military needs.

This, as I reported at the time (see USA GPS and EU Galileo linking was expected), was dangerous, and remains so. But I expected it, and so warned about it in 2009.

Furthermore, the time will likely be here is a relatively few years where the USA will not have the lead in this type of technology.  And while some believe that the USA will overcome this, the reality is that the Europeans may decide to take advantage of their lead while they have it

The power in Europe is starting to rise up. And yes, ultimately, I believe that Galileo (or similar technology) will be used to as part of an attack on American (USA and possibly Canadian) forces, as well as to help prevent counter-strikes.

Europe is moving forward with its space plans and few in the USA seem to realize that when it gets enough power, the USA will lose all of its.

Linking up with Galileo (which the USA has publicly stated that it will do; see USA GPS and EU Galileo linking was expected) specifically puts the USA at major risk of not being able to launch an effective counter-strike if the EU attacks the USA. Do Americans not remember that the wars in Kuwait and Iraq were waged first by the USA having vastly superior air/space systems? And now the USA’s financial mess is leading the USA to rely on other nations for part of this capability. The world is changing and the USA is losing its vast military supremacy. And top powers that lose their military supremacy have historically been taken over by others. Yes, this satellite matter is that serious.

Europe, despite its problems, is starting to rise up. Galileo, and the partial apparent USA dependance upon it, gives the Europeans a unique type of military power. This is something all should be concerned about.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? What MUST happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the German Defense Minister one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
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”?