Church of God News

COGwriter

The United Church of God (UCG) reports that it has replaced Melvin Rhodes as Chairman of the Council of Elders, with Robin Webber:

The Council of Elders met at 4 p.m. ET to discuss various items of United Church of God business. On the agenda was the selection of a new chairman.

Long-time church pastor and member of the Council, Robin Webber, was selected to be chairman for a term that will continue through May 2014. He and his wife, Susan, live in Southern California. Mr. Webber will serve as chairman of the Council, and also of the General Conference of Elders.

UCG reported that Melvin Rhodes had to resign because of “unchristian behavior” (UCG Chairman Melvin Rhodes Resigns Positions and Admits to ‘Unchristian Behavior’).

Although I have met Robin Webber, I know relatively little about him that I would want to post here.  But he does write for UCG and some of his writings are available online.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Was it hierarchical? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it?
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
Concerns about Church of God, a Worldwide Association This seems to be the largest group that came out of the United Church of God. Here is some history and concerns about it.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.

Greek Riots, 2008

COGwriter

The Greeks are again rioting:

The Greek Parliament endured another night of tear gas and intra-party turmoil Wednesday to pass its latest package of spending cuts, tax hikes and labor-market reforms, just as new figures confirmed the economy’s continued deterioration. This year, Greece’s output will be just 80% of what it was in 2009. The jobless rate has risen for 39 consecutive months, and 58% of young people are out of work.  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323894704578106482941716300.html

Just proposing cuts is causing riots.  This will happen elsewhere.  The rioting in Greece may accelerate as cuts go into effect.

Will the same thing happen elsewhere?

For several years I warned that there may be civil unrest in Europe as well as more rioting in Greece.

Furthermore, in my 2009 book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, I discuss the likelihood of civil unrest and/or civil war breaking out in Europe. Here are some captions from the book about that:

The Bible is clear that the final “Beast power” (which will be primarily European) will have such unique military capabilities that the entire world will marvel (cf. Revelation 13:3–4)…

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Bible is clear that the final “Beast power” (which will be primarily European) will have such unique military capabilities that the entire world will marvel (cf. Revelation 13:3–4)…

Here is more of what the Bible teaches about the first beast:

⁴…they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” ⁷…It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 13:4, 7)…

Civil unrest in Europe results in a military leader rising up, with various signs, who will appear to support an old and new religion… Daniel 11:27 Revelation 13:1–2 cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:9–10…

This does not mean that there must now be a civil war in Greece, but there most certainly could be at least significant civil unrest–and more is expected.

The USA itself is not immune to this, and when it has a series of physical crises hit it and its debt hampers it, massive rioting is likely there as well.  Unrest in the USA is discussed in my recent book Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States.

We are likely to riots in many places.  Jesus foretold a time of “troubles” (Mark 13:8) and civil unrest and rioting is consistent with that.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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

COGwriter

Former presidential candidate Ron Paul made some comments today:

The USA is in dire straights and has been getting that way for years.  It will, however, muddle through, for several more  years (likely until at least Barack Obama leaves office).

But the USA has past the point of no return on many matters.  UCG had an email article today titled Who Will Win the Battle Over Marriage? related to American media that had the following:

Family values are changing dramatically. Television and other forms of media promote wrong values that undermine marital relationships. Who and what is behind this subtle, seductive battle over marriage, and why?

And while UCG ended the article that overall God will establish His morality, the reality, is that the USA has seemed to pass the “tipping point” on this matter, especially with “soft” pornography, immorality, and homosexuality in the media.

Furthermore, I expect that most states will likely “legalize” homosexual marriage (it may take federal involvement for all the states, but over time, perhaps not).   The elections in three states related to “same-sex marriage” this week suggest that this is a trend that will continue and that the USA has been racing to go over that cliff as well.

The reality USA is “far gone” on debt, regulation, homosexual marriage, pornography, violence, abortion, obesity, and a whole lot of other matters.

And while the Obama Administration has proposed steps to assist with obesity, it (as have other administrations) has taken many other steps that will lead to the apocalypse (17 are listed in my book Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States).

The USA is “far gone.”  Do you realize that?

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (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?
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?
Is Smoking a Sin? What does the Bible teach? What have COG leaders written? Can smokers change?
Binge Alcohol Drinking and the Bible Many college students and others overindulge in alcohol. Are there health risks? What does the Bible teach?
Obesity and Prophecy Does the Bible warn about the consequences of being obese? Is overeating dangerous? Is gluttony condemned?
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.)

COGwriter

The latest commentary from the Living Church of God, by Wallace Smith, has the following:

Post-Election 2012: Can the President Save America?

By Wallace G. Smith | Thursday, November 08, 2012

On November 6, the citizens of the United States of America re-elected President Barack Obama. Throughout the campaign, the President promised a better America for its citizens, and his campaign slogan was simple: “Forward.” Will the President be able to fulfill his promises? Is there reason to have faith in America’s ability to move forward? Does the Bible have anything to say about the challenges facing a reconfirmed President and the ailing country he will lead?

Throughout the campaign season, President Obama and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney clashed in stump speeches, in televised debates and, at times, in venomous advertisements proclaiming their differing views of what America must do to pull itself out of its downward spiral. Policy ideas and worldviews competed passionately for the public’s devotion.

Finally, the dust has settled—at least the dust of the election process—and President Barack Obama has been given another four years to pursue his policy priorities in meeting the nation’s many challenges. And the challenges his nation faces are grave: unsustainable social entitlement programs, a strained military facing ominously growing threats from rival nations and terrorists, an increasingly bitter and polarized political environment, high unemployment, social discord—and the greatest debt it has ever borne upon its back as a nation—actually, the greatest debt of any single nation in the world.

The list of problems would rightly intimidate any head of state. The President has a daunting task ahead of him—a task that will affect the lives of hundreds of millions, including Christians—and Christians should be praying for President Obama. The Apostle Paul wrote: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1–2). We know from Scripture that it is God who made the President’s re-election possible, and that he will be ruling with God’s permission (Romans 13).

So, will the policies the President has promised to pursue be enough to surmount these challenges? Would the policies of his main opponent in this election, Governor Romney, have been enough? The short-term results are anyone’s guess, but the ultimate answer is no. No, They will not be enough.

Why not? A look at some of the other decisions made on Election Day in America give a sense of the reason. While the nation voted for its president, Maine, Maryland and Washington became the first states in the nation to approve same-sex marriage through popular votes. As Wall Street Journal online editor James Taranto tweeted on election night, a “same-sex tipping point” has arrived. Also, though it is still illegal according to federal laws, the states of Colorado and Washington legalized the sale and use of marijuana for “recreational” purposes—another first for the nation.

The persistent-but-ignored truth is that the problems America faces are fundamentally spiritual in nature—they are problems standing between the nation and the God who created and established it. Those problems cannot be solved with economic policy. They can only be solved by heartfelt national repentance.

The nation cannot continue to increasingly condone the degradation of the God-ordained institution of marriage, the celebration of sexually immoral lifestyles, the removal of God from the public square, the erosion of the God-given authority of the family as the fundamental unit of society, the glorification of the most ungodly and perverted of images and ideas in its media and popular culture—and generally continue to ignore the laws, desires, and concerns of the Creator—and remain a nation for much longer. Should it continue to turn its back on God, the destruction promised in Scripture to the United States will not wait forever.

No political policy or promise can change that. Unless there is true national repentance—a collective seeking of the forgiveness only available through Jesus Christ and a passionate turning to the laws of God—America’s end is assured. Order a free printed copy of our booklet The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy or read it online to discover what every politician has missed and what is truly required to restore the nation to a right course.

As  I wrote earlier about the election, neither candidate for USA president put forth policies that would sufficiently change the moral direction of the USA, hence it is heading for destruction without national repentance.

In addition to the promotion of homosexual unions and abortion, the promotion of under-clothed female performers by American society in general (see, for example Celebrity Porn: AOL Please Stop Featuring It), including various statements from President Obama (for two examples, see Barack Obama Calls Beyoncé a Perfect ‘Role Model’ for His Daughters and Obama Announces He Wants to Repeal Defense of Marriage Act and Increase Debt ) also does not bode well for the USA.

We are getting the USA to the point that it will be taken over and be no more.  But this will happen AFTER President Obama’s second term in office ends.  But that does not mean that there will not be troubles while he is president.  There have been and there will be (cf. Mark 13:8).

The solution for humankind, including the USA, is the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His Kingdom.  That is included in the good news of the gospel.

Some items 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?
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?
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?
Is Smoking a Sin? What does the Bible teach? What have COG leaders written? Can smokers change?
Binge Alcohol Drinking and the Bible Many college students and others overindulge in alcohol. Are there health risks? What does the Bible teach?
Obesity and Prophecy Does the Bible warn about the consequences of being obese? Is overeating dangerous? Is gluttony condemned?
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?
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?
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?
2012 – Ten Fulfilled Barack Obama Prophecies Barack Obama has already helped fulfill many predictions in 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. Here is a YouTube video on ten (and there have been one or two more since this YouTube was made).
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.)

Ancient Mayan City of Palenque

COGwriter

Got an email of a news item that contained the following from an interview with Rebecca Costa:

I don’t want to argue with historians, whether the Mayans collapsed because of drought or warfare or pandemic virus…

And in fact, what I did discover was that there were two early signs that a civilization was going into collapse. First, they became gridlocked and unable to solve their problems as their problems migrated from one generation to another, despite knowing those problems might do them in…And the second symptom was that the worse their situation got, the more they began to rely on beliefs as their way out, as opposed to rational methods that were fact-based, empirically based…

But if you look at the Mayan civilization, for example, they knew for thousands of years about drought conditions. They’re known as major inventors, in terms of hydraulic technology. They built vast reservoirs and underground cisterns. They practiced water conservation and crop rotation. They were very sophisticated in terms of their use of water during times when water was scarce. But as the drought grew worse, and their government and their people were not able to solve that problem, they began shifting away from manmade solutions to fetishism and sacrifice…They had completely turned their back on any way of solving their drought.  http://earthsky.org/human-world/rebecca-costa-on-thinking-our-way-out-of-extinction

While I would not equate inflating the money supply and increasing debt with human sacrifice, the reality is that there is political gridlock in the USA and the way it has been handled so far (debt and “quantitative easing”) is not a rational solution.

It is not only the Mayans who did not look for truly rational solutions to economic problems.

Here is are a couple of headlines and some information about USA gridlock economic/budget:

Partisan gridlock likely to get worse Houston Chronicle

Congressional gridlock threatens economy: Flaherty

Gridlock as usual or new era of compromise? Washington stares down ‘fiscal cliff’ after election

7 November 2012…

So the big question a day after Obama’s decisive electoral-vote victory is, will it be gridlock as usual or did Tuesday night’s results herald a new era of compromise? The answer is especially urgent in the face of a policy threat that some economists say could trigger another recession if left un-addressed…Boehner said Tuesday night there is “no mandate for raising taxes.” He told Fox News earlier that Obama “knows we’re not going to raise taxes on American small businesses. He knows it.” Boehner predicted a “real brawl” if the president doubles down on that.

Boehner said Wednesday afternoon that he is willing to work with the White House and Democrats in Congress to tackle “massive debt” as well as the looming “fiscal cliff,” though he suggested his focus will be on closing tax loopholes more than raising rates.

And there are more similar articles in the news, but my point is that gridlock has been a fact of life in Washington, D.C. and the election results earlier this week suggest that unless rational heads prevail, irrational solutions to the economic problems for the USA will be those that will be relied upon the most.  And they are the most dangerous (cf. Habakkuk 2).

Rome collapsed, the Mayan civilization collapsed, the USA will collapse too (though not in 2012).  Gridlock might play a role in the end of the USA.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include the following:

End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012? How might Barack Obama be involved in 2012?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book. This also has YouTube videos related to 2012.
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
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?
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?
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.)

The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

COGwriter

An article about last night’s election had the following:

November 7, 2012…

Obama told ecstatic supporters in the cavernous McCormick Place Lakeside Center in Chicago…

“We are and forever will be the United States of America.”

The presidential vote capped a night of gains for the once beaten-down American left. Democrats Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin and Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts won Senate races, making Baldwin the nation’s first openly gay senator. Maryland and Maine became the first states to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote, and Minnesota rejected a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Colorado and Washington passed laws legalizing some marijuana use.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/decision2012/rejuvenated-obama-reelected-as-president-after-bruising-campaign/2012/11/07/9443cfac-28d6-11e2-b4e0-346287b7e56c_story_2.html

Making something “legal” is not the same as making something right or good for one’s spiritual or physical health. All form of sexual immorality are wrong even (fornication, adultery, prostitution, etc. ) though many are legal–and according to the Bible, they are sins against it:

18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18)

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.   28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.  (Romans 1:26-32)

In all due respect to Barack Obama, the United States of America will not continue forever.  Despite its military strength it will be taken over and its lands divided (Daniel 11:39).

There were other societies that have had their own issues of openly advocating sin relationships that their residents seemed to view as acceptable. Notice what happened in a couple of such towns between three thousand and four thousand years ago:

24 Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens. 25 So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. (Genesis 19:24-25)

And why did it happen?

7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 7)

Why mention this in the 21st century? Because God turned:

6…the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6,
NKJV)

National repentance is the only real long-term hope for the Anglo-peoples (and it seems to be too late for that).  The United States will not last forever.

For those who do not accept the ideas of biblical morality will have anything to do with the end of the USA, perhaps the following (which CBS reported yesterday) will give you additional pause to realize that the USA cannot continue down the path it has chosen:

Treasury Quietly Warns: ‘Expect Debt Limit to Be Reached Near End of 2012’

The U.S. Treasury quietly warned at the end of a statement issued last Wednesday that it expects the federal government to hit its legal debt limit before the end of this year–which means before the new Congress is seated–and that “extraordinary measures” will be needed before then to keep the government fully funded into the early part of 2013. http://cnsnews.com/news/article/treasury-quietly-warns-expect-debt-limit-be-reached-near-end-2012

The fact is that the USA cannot continue to increase its debts forever.  Creditors will eventually rise up (cf. Habakkuk 2).  And while people do not always equate immorality with debt, the USA went from being the world’s leading creditor nation to biggest debtor nation basically since it “legalize” abortion.  Other legalizations  of biblically immoral behavior will tend to hasten its downfall and sometimes accelerate its rates of debt.

And although the political parties in the USA will have to do something in the next couple of months about some debt-related matters, do not be fooled into believing that they will truly solve the problems.  Disasters will befall the USA.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

LCG: Homosexuals Gaining Ground “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality? Can homosexuals change?
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 real Church of God?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
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.)

COGwriter

The voters of the United States re-elected Barack Obama as president, kept the US Senate under Democratic party control, and the US House of Representatives under Republican party control.  Basically, this means that the voters decided to continue down the same basic direction that the USA has been on the past two-four years.

Here are two opposing  news items about the re-election of Barack Obama (the first seemingly favors his re-election, the second does not seem to):

November 7, 2012, 5:02 a.m.

The people have spoken. President Obama has won a chance to move beyond the stunted progress of his first term and, perhaps, become a historic president. On the losing side, the Republican Party remains shut out of the White House and has blown a chance to take over the U.S. Senate, largely because it catered to the narrow concerns of tea party zealots and social conservatives who imagined themselves as the only authentic Americans but who are, in fact, way out of step with most of the people in this country.

If Republicans fail to learn the lesson of this election they are fools…Obama was reelected by a coalition representing what the United States is becoming.  http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/topoftheticket/la-na-tt-obama-victory-20121106,0,2145466.story

November 6, 2012

America has decisively turned the corner away from the constitutional principles of limited government and self-government with the re-election of Barack Obama.

There may be no way home for us.

For those of us who fundamentally reject Obama’s policies, things are going to get very rough for the next four years. We have allowed our fellow Americans to pronounce judgment on the nation…

But, at the end of the day, people generally get the kind of government they deserve.

When you turn away from the ways of God Almighty, this is what you should expect, if you are a student of the Bible and history.

I’m not going to lie to you. I think things are going to get very tough in America over the next four years….http://www.wnd.com/2012/11/america-pronounces-judgment-on-itself/

Interestingly, when I read the complete articles above, both of the authors seem to believe that the USA will improve.  The first author believes it will basically improve now and the second author seemingly after Barack Obama is out of office.  I believe the USA is going down a path where its primary direction will not be one of improvement.

The voters of the USA decided, overall, to go down a similar path, which likely means more debt, more moral decline, more regulation, and continued periodic governmental gridlock.  And those who pay the disproportionate share of the taxes in the United States will be expected to pay more taxes, and probably starting in several weeks.

That being said, let me state that Barack Obama is not the final Antichrist like some on the internet have claimed.

Yes, I do believe that Barack Obama is “apocalyptic,” meaning that he has and will take steps that will lead to the destruction of the United States–although I do not believe that the great tribulation will begin until AFTER his next term ends.  Also, perhaps it needs to be made clear that I also was not an endorser of Mormon Mitt Romney (see, for example, Voting for the Lesser of Two Evils is Still not Good, Romney and Obama on ‘Social Issues’, and US Presidential Election Tomorrow: Pray and Fast) and did not believe he would be able to lead the USA away from its accelerating path to destruction.

As far as Barack Obama goes, notice some quotes from my September 2012 book Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States (edition 1.1):

Catholic Cardinal Stafford (while head of the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See [i]) claimed that Barack Obama was “aggressive, disruptive, and apocalyptic.“  Notice what he reported in November 2008:

Barack Obama… asserted, “We are not only going to win this election but also we are going to transform this nation………The first thing I will do as President is to sign The Freedom of Choice Act……..I put Roe at the center of my lesson plan on reproductive freedom when I taught Constitutional Law………..On this issue I will not yield..”… The content and rhetoric of Obama and Biden have elements similar to those described earlier: aggressive, disruptive and apocalyptic…My use of the word “apocalyptic” would be emphatically biblical, rooted in the understanding of the Book of the Apocalypse.[ii]

Here are seventeen specific reasons indicating that President Barack Obama is “apocalyptic”:

1. The timing of his election.  It may be that only two or so presidential terms are left before the start of the Great Tribulation and the fulfillment of related prophecies in the Book of Revelation (called the Apocalypse by some Catholics).  Barack Obama’s very presence (as well as his planned and unplanned actions) should be enough to enable the fulfillment of various end-time prophecies.
2. As one with a Luo Kenyan father, Barack Obama may be part of the fulfillment of Deuteronomy 28:43.
3. Since the Roe vs. Wade decision in 1973, the U.S.A. switched from being a creditor nation and instead has become the greatest debtor nation in the history of humankind—perhaps this is resulting in a biblical curse?   Because the U.S.A. owes alien nations trillions of dollars, it appears that the curse in Deuteronomy 28:44 of having to borrow from aliens is happening now.  President Barack Obama has put forth economic policies that will (for at least several years) greatly increase that debt.  Yet, increasing national debt like he had will lead to destruction at the appointed time of the end (Habakkuk 2:3–8).   Others will not be able to reverse enough of the debt to stop Habakkuk 2:3-8 from being fulfilled.
4. Barack Obama has often pledged increased cooperation with the Europeans.  And while cooperation is normally a good thing, this particular cooperation is leading to the rise of the prophesied King of the North, who is to be the final leader of the Beast of Revelation (Revelation 13:1).  Unlike previous U.S. administrations, President Obama’s administration has declared that it will encourage and support increases in Europe’s own military, far beyond what Presidents Bush or Clinton were willing to consider.[iii]  These policies are helping enable the rise of the King of the North/Beast power who will be in league with the final Antichrist.
5. Barack Obama has called for increased dialogue with those considered enemies of the U.S.A.  As mentioned earlier, even some Shi’ite Muslims believe that his presidency may lead to the rise of their Mahdi who seems to be the same person that the Bible calls the King of the South.  His political support of groups associated with the mainly Sunni Muslim Brotherhood will help lead to the formation of the final King of the South of Bible prophecy, even if he takes steps that many in the Islamic world disagree with.
6. Because of domestic economic concerns and international pressures, Barack Obama is shifting priorities away from defense spending,[iv] while encouraging the Europeans to increase their military might.[v]  This trend is expected to continue, and will help lead to the destruction of the United States, when the Europeans are ready and the U.S.A. is not (more on the reduction in relative U.S. nuclear power under Barack Obama is shown in Appendix A).
7. Instead of completely strengthening the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS), Barack Obama’s Administration instead decided to rely on Europe’s upcoming Galileo “GPS” for part of the U.S.A.’s military defense.[vi]  This would appear to give the rising European power a unique offensive and defensive capability against the U.S.A. (cf. Daniel 11:39; Revelation 13:3-4).  It is dangerous to have a potential enemy control portions of one’s military communications systems.
8. Instead of increasing the U.S.A.’s role in particle collider technology, similar to some previous administrations, Barack Obama’s Administration has greatly weakened that.  So much so, there is only one remaining U.S. particle accelerator and it is at risk of being gutted or shut down.[vii]  This is an area where Europe has clearly gained the lead over the U.S.A. since Barack Obama became president.
9. Barack Obama’s debt and other economic policies are setting the United States up for food inflation and eventual food shortages.  Food inflation is prophesied to occur in the Bible in Revelation 6:5-6.
10. Barack Obama broke a campaign pledge about requiring that genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) in foods be labeled.[viii]  And while he at some point in time may change on this, the fact is that he has taken steps to encourage the production and use of GMO “foods” (cf. Isaiah 55:2).[ix]  Increased reliance on GMOs by the United States puts the nation at major risk for nearly complete crop failures.  The Bible warns that famines (Matthew 24:7) and food shortages (Revelation 6:5-6) are coming and Barack Obama has further helped set the stage for this.
11. Barack Obama has made a variety of “class warfare” comments.[x]  Increased civil unrest is coming to the U.S.A. and Barack Obama has helped fan the flames for this—even if he is not re-elected.  And although his Administration has sometimes encouraged and/or accommodated the Occupy movement,[xi] it and/or groups like it have and likely will turn against him and future administrations.
12. President Obama actually claimed, “the only measure of my success as president when people look back five years from now or nine years from now is going to be, did I get this economy fixed?…I’m going to be judged on, have we pulled ourselves out of recession?”[xii]  The God of the Bible expects leaders to encourage repentance and moral behaviors when they are subject to destructive punishment (cf. Jonah 3:6-9).  Barack Obama, like many other U.S. presidents before him, does not seem to believe that the U.S.A. needs to repent for its sins against God, his policies seem to be focused on not relying on God.  Yet, without national repentance, the U.S.A. is doomed for destruction (Isaiah 30:12-13; Daniel 11:39).  Of course, people are supposed to pray for political leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-3), and that should be done irrespective if one agrees with the leader.  Sometimes, leaders and/or their policies change.
13. The Bible tells of having the gates of enemies as a blessing (Genesis 24:60).  Losing sea gates would be consistent with being an end time curse.  Barack Obama seems to be the first president in U.S. history to significantly back giving the “sea gate” of the Falkland Islands to Argentina, which is a position in dramatic opposition to the residents of the Falklands.[xiii]
14. By focusing too much on threats from China and almost always considering the Europeans as allies, Barack Obama has helped put Australia at risk from China[xiv] and the U.S.A. from Europe.
15. Various regulations from the Obama Administration are contributing to an environment of self-censorship and government censorship.  A “famine” of the word is prophesied (Amos 8:11) and the Obama Administration may impose broadcast, print, Internet, and/or restrictions.
16. By encouraging and not discouraging aspects of immorality (such as abortion and homosexual unions), Barack Obama is setting the U.S.A. up for punishment (Isaiah 30:12-13; Romans 1:18-32) that has and will include troubles, violence, weather problems, earthquakes, food shortages, and pestilences (Mark 13:7-8; Luke 21:10-11).  These problems will worsen.
17. On May 23 2012, Barack Obama claimed to see an end to the wars of the past decade and then said ”Now, we can see the light of a new day on the horizon.”[xv] This sounds a lot like New-Age double-speak for declaring being at the dawn of an age of peace.  The Bible warns repeatedly that false declarations of peace will lead to end time destruction (1 Thessalonians 5:3; Jeremiah 6:14-15).

Habakkuk 2 makes clear that at the appointed time of the end, a great borrowing people will be destroyed (Habakkuk 2:3-8).  Something similar is in Deuteronomy 28:42-51.  No nation in the history of humankind has ever accumulated as much debt as the United States of America (because the U.K. may have close to the highest amount of per capita debt,[xvi] its fate would seem to be similar).  Yet, the relationship between debt accumulation and prophesied destruction remains unapparent to many.

And although President Obama inherited a debt-laden nation, his policies, according to his own public pronouncements, have lead and will continue to lead to greatly increased U.S.A. debt.  These increases of debt are likely to continue past the point of no return and become one of the final factors that will cause creditors to rise up and destroy the U.S.A.

It seems clear that during his presidency, Barack Obama has been an apocalyptic enabler in the sense that his policies are helping lead to the rise of the prophesied final Kings of the North and South that Daniel 11 discusses, while weakening the U.S.A. militarily, morally, economically, and agriculturally.  Nothing from his administration thus far suggests that he will call for meaningful massive repentance and turning back to God.

Therefore, President Obama (who is now U.S.A. President and perhaps will be until 2017) is apocalyptic.

Of course, it is not only the United States that needs repentance as God “now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30).

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[i] Cardinal Stafford criticizes Obama as ‘aggressive, disruptive and apocalyptic’.  Catholic News Agency. Nov 17, 2008. http://catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=14355 viewed 03/01/09

[ii] Stafford, Cardinal James Francis. Cardinal’s Address to Catholic University of America, November 13, 2008.  Catholic News Agency.  http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/document.php?n=780 viewed 03/01/09

[iii] Gardiner N. Barack Obama will back a federal Europe. Telegraph, March 18, 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/5005351/Barack-Obama-will-back-a-federal-Europe.html viewed 03/20/09; O’Donnel J. U.S. ready to back bigger EU stability fund-source. Reuters, December 1, 2010; DJW. Media Roundup: Barack gives Angie a push.  The Local, June 8, 2011

[iv] Bender B. Gates readies big cuts in weapons.  Boston Globe, March 17, 2009  http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/03/17/gates_readies_big_cuts_in_weapons/ viewed 03/18/09

[v] Carmichael L.  Europe Needs to Invest in Defense Too: U.S.  Defense News, February 4, 2012

[vi] U.S. and the EU to collaborate on the usage of Global Navigation Satellite Systems.  Wire Update, BNO News, July 31, 2010

[vii] Matson J. Nuclear Decelerator: Last U.S. Particle Collider is on Chopping Block.  Scientific American, August 24, 2012

[viii] Philpott T. Obama’s broken promise on GMO Food Labeling. Mother Jones, October 6, 2011

[ix] Anderman RH. Obama Deregulates GMO Crops Despite Supreme Court Injunction. Tikkun, June 2, 2011; Huff EA. The Obama administration love affair with GMOs is selling America down the river for agricultural ruin. Natural News, August 21, 2011

[x] e.g. Obama B. Transcript: President Obama delivers State of the Union speech. CNN, January 24, 2012

[xi] Chiaramonte P.  White House told authorities not to crack down on ‘Occupy’ protesters, documents show.  FoxNews.com, August 8, 2012

[xii] Obama discusses Daschle, the economy. CNN, AC 360, February 3, 2009. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/03/obama.qanda/?iref=hpmostpop viewed 03/01/09

[xiii] Berger J. Obama Administration Backs Argentina Over U.K. in Falklands Dispute. FoxNews.com, June 10, 2011

[xiv] Obama addresses troops at final stop in Australia.  New York Times, November 17, 2011; Wen P.  Chinese Official: its us or America. National Times, May 16, 2012

[xv] Nakamura D.  Obama touts American exceptionalism, end of wars in Air Force graduation speech.  Washington Post, May 23, 2012

[xvi] Conway E.  Britain showing signs of heading towards 1930s-style depression, says Bank.  Telegraph, March 16, 2009.  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/recession/4996994/Britain-showing-signs-of-heading-towards-1930s-style-depression-says-Bank.html viewed 03/31/09

We do seem to be in the period of time that Jesus referred to as “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:4-8) and hence I do believe that sorrows and troubles will increase.  And there will be both UPS and DOWNS, with overall, a downward trend for the USA.

At this time, I would like to remind everyone that my latest book Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States is still available.  It is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many predictions that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future.  The book covers in more detail than I can put in a post or regular article a lot of prophetic and other information that Americans and others (the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Russia, China, Middle East, etc. are also included) interested in prophecy should know.  This book is available to order at Amazon.com or at www.barackobamaprophecy.com for US$9.98, and for US$2.99 the Kindle version at Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States–Amazon Kindle edition.

Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States explains about how, by virtue of his background and policies, Barack Obama is fulfilling, and will continue to help fulfill, various prophecies that will lead to the destruction of the United States. Not intended as an anti-Democratic nor pro-Republican book, Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States also explains why a the election of a Republican candidate like Mitt Romney would also lead on the path to destruction. It answers questions such as “Is Barack Obama apocalyptic? ” and “Is Barack Obama the Antichrist?”  Based on the Bible, but also citing Islamic, Kenyan, Catholic, Byzantine, and Bible prophecy, and others, Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States explains from many source where, why, when, and even some of how, the various aspects of destruction will come.

The book also includes information about the destruction of the other British-descended nations such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

The physical book from Amazon can be purchased at 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?

It is also available at Amazon Kindle Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States–Amazon Kindle edition.

Damascus, Capital of Syria

COGwriter

Syria’s capital Damascus is increasingly being affected by the unrest there and some were killed in bomb blasts there:

November 6, 2012

(Reuters) – Deadly explosions struck a Damascus district housing members of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s Alawite sect and gunmen killed the brother of the speaker of parliament, as violence escalated in the capital…

Syrian state media said at least 10 people were killed and 30 wounded by a deadly explosion in the Hai al-Wuroud district in the northwest of the capital.

The hilltop neighborhood is situated near a barracks and housing for elite army units, and is home to members of Assad’s Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi’ite Islam. Syria’s rebellion in is drawn mainly from the Sunni Muslim majority.  http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/06/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE88J0X720121106

This shows that Damascus is at risk by the opposition in Syria, as well as the fact that it is mainly Sunni Muslims who are rebelling against the minority Shi-ites (the Iranians are mostly Shi’ite, while most Muslims, including the Muslim Brotherhood, is Sunni).

Both biblical and Islamic prophecy tell of the destruction of  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).  Since the Muslim Brotherhood wants a similar confederation, I have long believed that Syria will align with it or a group like it–and since Syria’s President is opposed to that, he will have to go or change his views.

But since he does not wish to do either, Syria’s President Assad may decide to engage in an attack with Israel, which is more likely to result in the destruction of Damascus, as well as a change in the Islamic world to unite closer together behind a group like the Muslim Brotherhood.

The Muslim Brotherhood 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 in Syria is currently not strong enough to take over Syria (though it is getting some support from outside of Syria).

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?

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

COGwriter

Just got an email newsletter that has the following in an article by Eric Fry titled Election Day: The choice of two expensive promises:

It’s Election Day! Woohoo!

Today, we Americans will enter voting booths all across the nation to pull the levers that will shape our destiny. Either we embrace the big, expensive promises of the Left or we embrace the big, expensive promises of the Right.

Our fate hangs in the balance.

The only thing we know for certain about our looming fate is that we cannot afford it…which means that our destiny rests not in the hands of a Barack Obama or a Mitt Romney; it rests in the hands of our creditors — guys like Zhou Xiaochuan, Governor of the People’s Bank of China, Masaaki Shirakawa, Governor of the Bank of Japan and Abdullah bin Fahd al-Mubarak, Governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority.

We might not be able to pronounce their names, but they are among the most powerful folks “in America.” In the real world, debtors don’t call the shots; creditors do. So if Xiaochuan, Shirakawa, al- Mubarek, et al. should decide to stop writing checks, “powerful” politicians like President Obama will become a lot less powerful.

During just the last four years, America’s national debt has skyrocketed from roughly $10 trillion to about $15 trillion. That’s not power, Dear Reader, that’s epic weakness.

By ceding control of her finances to foreigners, America is forfeiting much of her economic flexibility and freedom. But rather than addressing this lamentable fiscal trend by reducing the role of government, the American political machinery, in aggregate, has been expanding its role.

FWIW, I should add that Eric Fry is not saying to vote for a third party candidate either, and the debt is over $16 trillion on the three debt clocks I just looked at (which, of course, is more than about $15 trillion).

My point is that it is interesting that secular sources are starting to wake up to the huge financial risk that the USA is taking and the important role of foreigner creditors in that.  Eric Fry’s point is that he does not believe that either of the two major USA presidential candidates will be able to truly stop the debt (printing more money, quantitative easing programs, etc. do not count) through their likely expected policies.

My 2009 book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect warns that the USA will continue to greatly increase its debt:

Because the U.S.A. owes alien nations trillions of dollars, it appears that the curse in Deuteronomy 28:44 of having to borrow from aliens is happening to it now. President Barack Obama has put forth economic policies that will (for at least several years) greatly increase that debt. Yet, increasing national debt like this will lead to destruction at the appointed time of the end (Habakkuk 2:3, 6–8).

(Those of you who want a copy of 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect can buy a copy from Amazon.com for 19.98 plus shipping or just pay shipping & handling for it at the following: 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect.)

The USA national debt clock registered $11 trillion in July 2009 when 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect went to press and is now closer to $16 trillion–this prediction about debt going up has sadly been coming to pass. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect also warns:

Because of domestic economic concerns and international pressures, Barack Obama is shifting priorities away from defense spending… This will help lead to the destruction of the United States, when the Europeans are ready and the U.S.A. is not.

That too is coming to pass (and I believe that if Mitt Romney is elected, the debt will also increase, though the amount and his spending priorities would tend to be different).

Why did I know this would happen to the USA?

Partially, because the Bible teaches the following:

12…Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths.” (Isaiah 3:12)

16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err, And those who are led by them are destroyed (Isaiah 9:16).

43 The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. 44 He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail. 45 Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you…47 “Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, 48 therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you. 49 The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies, a nation whose language you will not understand, 50 a nation of fierce countenance, which does not respect the elderly nor show favor to the young. 51 And they shall eat the increase of your livestock and the produce of your land, until you are destroyed; they shall not leave you grain or new wine or oil, or the increase of your cattle or the offspring of your flocks, until they have destroyed you. 52 They shall besiege you at all your gates until your high and fortified walls, in which you trust, come down throughout all your land; and they shall besiege you at all your gates throughout all your land which the LORD your God has given you (Deuteronomy 28:42-45,47-52)

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 (Habakkuk 2:3,5,6-8).

The nation with the greatest debt of all time is the United States of America, and on a per capita basis may be the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (and they are close if not the per capita debt leader).

It is the the United States and its Anglo-allies that have loaded pledges of debt in these end times that they really do not expect to pay back. In that respect they have recently plundered many nations. And while much is owed to nations such as China, Japan, and the Arab World, the Europeans have trillions of dollars invested in the USA–money they may be disappointed to have devalued. Enough so that they may divide the land among themselves and other creditors.

While your nation probably will not repent (Anglo or otherwise), you can. Do not wait until it is too late. The fact that the debt clock has exceeded $16 trillion should serve as a wake-up call that the end of the USA will be coming (Habakkuk 2:3,5,6-8; Deuteronomy 28:42-45,47-52).

While I was wrapping this up, I got an email showing the following from the German magazine Der Spiegel:

Spiegel articles…at http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/

Americans Don’t Want The Truth – In US Election, He Who Lies Wins

Regardless which candidate wins the US presidential election on Tuesday, neither of them has been honest to the American people about the scale of the problems facing the country. But Americans have only themselves to blame. They prefer to be lied to rather than to face the truth.

Divided States of America Notes on the Decline of a Great Nation

The United States is frittering away its role as a model for the rest of the world. The political system is plagued by an absurd level of hatred, the economy is stagnating and the infrastructure is falling into a miserable state of disrepair. On this election eve, many Americans are losing faith in their country’s future.

Destroyed by Total Capitalism America Has Already Lost Tuesday’s Election

Germans see the US election as a battle between the good Obama and the evil Romney. But this is a mistake. Regardless of who wins the election on Tuesday, total capitalism is America’s true ruler, and it has the power to destroy the country.

The problems in the USA are bigger than most Americans realize.  Many will celebrate who wins the presidential election, but the problems in the USA are not going to be solved without national repentance.

The debt situation is also more serious.  More foreigners are noticing.

And even though some in the world are starting to notice this, the time will come when the creditors of the USA will rise up quickly and the USA will be taken over (Habakkuk 2:6-8).

To learn more, please check out the following articles:

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?
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.
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.

COGwriter

Today’s LCG commentary has the following:

The Election

By Roger Meyer (guest columnist) | Tuesday, November 06, 2012

The election cycle in the U.S. has been in full swing for months and it is quickly drawing to a close. All of the candidates for public office are trying to make their election sure. What about your election? Are you making it sure?

From year to year, elections to public offices come and go. Each candidate strives hard to win their election. They campaign for office by giving speeches, meeting people, shaking hands and kissing the babies of voters at picnics, rallies, dinners and public events. To win their election, they work very diligently, hour after tiring hour, for weeks and months.

But we see candidates fail for many different reasons. For every one that wins an election, there is usually one who loses.

The Bible speaks of a different kind of election—an “election of grace” that the Apostle Paul speaks about in Romans 11:5. “Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” Paul is speaking about Israel, how it appeared that Israel had lost out from having been the chosen people. Physical Israel had largely failed as the chosen people to live up to the covenant with God. Paul is describing that only a remnant at the present time had received the election of grace. Of course, Gentiles from many nations have also received this election.

This election of grace is about being elected by God as stated in 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4: “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.”

As a Greek dictionary or lexicon shows, the “election” (Strong’s G1589—ekloge) being discussed by Paul is an act of God picking or choosing people who then become His elect. Rather than people picking and voting for a candidate as in political elections, the Almighty God does the picking and choosing of His elect.

The Apostle Peter encouraged Christians regarding this election to be diligent: “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure…” 2 Peter 1:10. To make something sure means to firmly establish it, to make it firm and steadfast.

How can we do that? Peter gives the answer. “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:2-11).

Millions around us are caught up in the excitement of worldly elections, hoping for a good result. As Christians, however, we are called to focus on our own “election”—an election with eternal consequences—as we prepare ourselves not for the present world of voting and politics, but rather for our God-ordained future roles of service in the coming Kingdom of God.

For more information about what it means to be a real Christian, go online at tomorrowsworld.org, or write today for your free copy of Restoring Original Christianity and What Is a True Christian?

As far as the US Presidential election, as I advised yesterday, biblically people should pray (1 Timothy 2:1-3) and in my view consider also fasting (US Presidential Election Tomorrow: Pray and Fast).

Make Your Calling and Election Sure

As far as personal election,  those of the Philadelphia remnant of the Church of God differ from people like the Protestant Reformer John Calvin who felt that one called/elected by God cannot fall away.  There are many verses in the Bible that back that COG position.  Here are two:

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

5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you are disqualified. (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Notice Jesus admonished the necessity of enduring to the end to be saved:

22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. (Matthew 10:22)

13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. (Matthew 24:13)

13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. (Mark 13:13)

The grammatical implications of the above are that they that do NOT endure to the end will NOT be saved. Furthermore, the Book of Revelation records 7 statements that it will be those who overcome who will make it (Revelation 2:7,11,17,26;3:5,21;21:7).

Jesus also taught:

11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. (Revelation 3:11)

Again, there would be no point in Jesus making such a statement if there was no freewill. The elect can make decisions that will affect them eternally.

In case the above verses are not clear enough, the Apostle Paul indicates that even he could have lost his election and salvation:

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)

27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:27)

While saints are to persevere (Revelation 3:10), they still can lose their election and salvation or Paul would not have written what he did.  Even carnal politicians can lose their positions once elected.

Today’s US presidential election should not affect your personal election if you will truly submit to God and His will and endure to the end.  And as far as both elections, pray for God’s will to be done in your life and that His kingdom will come (Matthew 6:7-10, Acts 21:14).  There are more important elections than political ones.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president/prime minister? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand.
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.
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? Evangelist Roderick Meredith provides information on those important questions.
Some Dissimilarities Between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Genuine 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. It also discusses a prophecy that some suspect could be fulfilled by Mitt Romney.
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.)