Church of God News

COGwriter

The flood was made the news:

Evidence Suggests Noah’s Ark Flood Existed, Says Robert Ballard, Archaeologist Who Found Titanic

12/10/2012 6:38 pm EST | Updated: 12/11/2012

Robert Ballard, one of the world’s most famous underwater explorers, has set his sights on proving the existence of one of the Bible’s most well known stories…

“We went in there to look for the flood,” Ballard said. “Not just a slow moving, advancing rise of sea level, but a really big flood that then stayed… The land that went under stayed under.”

Many have claimed to have discovered evidence of Noah’s Ark, the huge ship that Noah filled with two of each creature to repopulate the planet following God’s devastating flood. But in the 1990s, geologists William Ryan and Walter Pitman gathered compelling evidence that showed a flood–if not an ark–may have occurred in the Middle East region about 7,500 years ago, PBS reports.   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/10/evidence-noahs-flood-ark-real-robert-ballard-archeologist-titanic_n_2273143.html?utm_hp_ref=religion

It should be mentioned that dating of such events is not as precise a science as many believe and if the above is related to the biblical flood, it happened more like 4400 years ago, instead of 7500 years ago. There are many historical recordings of a worldwide flood–probably 300 or more (see 300 Versions of the Flood).  A couple of years ago, another researcher speculated that the worldwide flood began in Canada (see Worldwide Flood Triggered from Canada?).

Of course, the account that we in the Church of God rely on is the biblical account. My book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect discusses the biblical account and compares it to certain Mayan-related predictions of a coming flood that some are worried about (which will NOT happen on December 21, 2012).

Interestingly, and also in the news, is a report about a Dutchman who has been working on creating a fairly full size version of Noah’s ark, which is now open:

11 December 2012

A carpenter who spent three years and more than £1million building a full-scale replica of Noah’s Ark has opened it to the public.

As many as 3,000 tourists a day can step aboard Johan Huibers’ gigantic wooden boat in Dordrecht, in the Netherlands, which now boasts two cinemas and a restaurant alongside its menagerie of life-sized plastic animals.

Mr Huibers was inspired to embark on the ambitious project after having a dream in which he saw part of his native Netherlands submerged in a flood like the one featured in the Book of Genesis.  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2246247/Dutchman-Johan-Huibers-launches-life-sized-Noahs-Ark-replica-Dordrecht.html#ixzz2EkgX52n4

Monday Dec. 10, 2012. The Ark has opened its doors in the Netherlands after receiving permission to receive up to 3,000 visitors per day.  http://www.sfgate.com/world/slideshow/Noah-s-Ark-53720.php

DORDRECHT, Netherlands — Just as the first storms of winter roll in, Dutchman Johan Huibers has finished his 20-year quest to build a full-scale, functioning model of Noah’s Ark — an undertaking of, well, biblical proportions.

Huibers, a Christian, used Genesis chapters 6-9 as his inspiration, following the instructions God gives Noah down to the last cubit.

Translating to modern measurements, Huibers came up with a vessel that works out to a whopping 427 feet (130 meters) long, 95 feet (29 meters) across and 75 feet (23 meters) high…

Huibers thinks that new floods are possible, not least due to global warming. He cites a New Testament passage prophesying that “the cities of the coast shall tremble” near the end of times.

But he’s not worried the whole Earth will ever be flooded again. In the Bible, the rainbow is God’s promise it won’t be.

“I had a call from American television,” he says, laughing. “This has nothing to do with the end of the Mayan calendar,” he said.

He said his motivation is ultimately religious, though. He wants to make people think what their purpose is on Earth.

“I want to make people question that so that they go looking for answers,” and ultimately find salvation through God and eternal life, he said.  http://www.mercurynews.com/weird-news/ci_22162752/dutchman-builds-life-size-replica-noahs-ark

The Dutchman apparently hopes to remind people that the Bible is true and offers salvation.

A concern that I have had for many years is that if at least part of the original ark that Noah built was found that this would be used to help not only persuade much of the world of the validity of the Genesis flood account (which is a good thing), but that it would also be used as a tool to recruit people to support the religion of the Beast of Revelation 13:1-8.

Both biblical and non-biblical prophecy warn of a time when an ecumenical religion will take over much of the world. If the biblical flood is ever truly accepted as having happened, this will likely represent part of a major turning point in getting more of humanity to accept a coming world religion that claims to be Christian.

Since many cultures have a tale of the flood, this will make the coming ecumenical religion acceptable even to certain cultures that do not normally refer to the Bible for their beliefs.

The end of this age is fast approaching, so more information on the flood and possibly even an identification of the Ark certainly seems possible, if not likely.

Some articles of potentially related interest may include:

Have the Turks and Chinese Just Found Noah’s Ark? Some have so claimed. If true, this could change how much of the world views events from the Bible.
The Bible: Fact or Fiction? This is a booklet written by Douglas Winnail that answers if the Bible is just a collection of myths and legends or the inspired word of God.
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?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics Unity between these groups will put them in position to be part of the final end time Babylon that the Bible warns against.
Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?

COGwriter

A reader sent me a link to an article from Martin Weiss that included the following:

11 Shocking Forecasts for 2013

Martin D. Weiss Ph.D. |…

No one can predict the future with precision. But I sincerely hope you heed these forecasts, especially given the fact that our analysts have been very correct about recent events — the election, the fiscal cliff, their immediate consequences and more…

Forecast #1
At first, Washington may try to deceive the public with a fake, cosmetic deal that utterly fails to address the real fiscal cliff…

Forecast #2
Even if Washington does cut a so-called “major deficit deal,” our nation’s debt will continue to grow by leaps and bounds!…

Forecast #5
Bernanke is going to TRY to sustain the economy with more money printing. But he is going to fail!…

Forecast #7
The printed money will drive prices sharply higher and absolutely decimate the U.S. dollar…

Forecast #8
Bond prices will collapse as interest rates shoot higher.  As a result we will get still another shock to the economy!…

Forecast #9
Gold is going to $5,000 —almost a triple from today’s prices.

Forecast #10
Silver should surge to well over $150 an ounce — more than a four-fold gain!

Forecast #11
Oil prices should reach nearly $200 per barrel, more than a double from current levels!  http://www.moneyandmarkets.com/11-shocking-forecasts-for-2013-51032

While I agree that he cannot prediction the future with precision, I do not believe that all of these are shocking forecasts.  But, I would suggest that Washington will not come up with a real deal to fix the real fiscal cliff.  I will state clearly that USA debt will rise, even if the rate varies (and could for short times reverse).  Ben Bernanke will continue to come up with producing money and inflating the money supply of US dollars.  Printing more money (in printing presses, electronically, and/or etc.) will ultimately lead to massive inflation.  The USA dollar will ultimately become totally decimated–and likely worse than Martin Weiss truly expects.  Interest rates will go up in the USA.

In terms of US dollars, gold and silver will go up–and ultimately higher than what Martin Weiss has forecasted–but not necessarily in 2013 (nor did he make it clear that this had to be in 2013).  In terms of US dollars, oil will go up–and ultimately higher than what Martin Weiss has forecasted.

How long will be not too many years, probably within a decade or so. (Note: Some of the 11 predictions were somewhat redundant, so I left them out of my post.)

Lest anyone consider my views are being particularly “political,” let me state that I do not believe that the Republican Party will be able to solve the financial problems of the USA.  Nor do I believe that those in it will make a deal with the current Democratic Party leader, President Barack Obama.  Part of the reason that the USA is facing its current fiscal cliff is because the Republicans and Democrats (including Barack Obama) thought they made a deal to solve the related issues in the Summer of 2010.

As I see more moral and other decline in the USA, I have no additional confidence in their abilities to really solve the issues now.

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?
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 a Republican choice. 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

The European Union received the Nobel peace prize today.

EU Receives 2012 Nobel Peace Prize

Posted December 10th, 2012

The European Union has received this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for turning Europe “from a continent of war to a continent of peace” in the six decades following World War Two.

Norwegian Nobel Committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland presented the award Monday to EU President Herman Van Rompuy, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Parliament President Martin Schulz in the Norwegian capital, Oslo.

The committee credited the 27-nation bloc for being a stabilizing player throughout the last 60 years that have seen Western and Eastern Europe rejoined following the break-up of the Soviet Union and the settling of ethnically based national conflicts.

But critics say the European Union is undeserving of the prize as it suffers from political division and social unrest, triggered mainly by the continent’s ongoing economic crisis. Campaign groups also have drawn attention to human rights issues in Europe, including discrimination against Roma and Islamophobia.

About 200 people marched through the Norwegian capital Sunday to protest against the EU being awarded the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize.

Peace activists who joined Sunday’s protest said they do not reject the cause of European integration, but view the union as undeserving of a peace prize that was meant to honor contributions to disarmament.  http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/12/10/eu-receives-2012-nobel-peace-prize-2/

EU receives Nobel Peace Prize

European Union leaders convene in Oslo; awarded top Nobel honor for ‘transforming Europe from a continent of war to a continent of peace’  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4317919,00.html

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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

COGwriter

Since mid 2009, I have done 78 radio interviews related to prophetic topics. Later today, at 4:00 pm, Pacific Standard time, I am supposed to do another.

The radio station is KUHL, Santa Maria, California at 1440 AM on AM dial.   Andy Caldwell and I will likely discuss information related to world events and prophecies related to one or more of my books and why the world will not be ending on December 21/22 2012.

December 11, 2012, two interviews are scheduled.  One is KJFF, Festus, Missouri at 1400 AM on AM dial.  This is to be a short one at 9:40 am Central time, 7:40 am Pacific time.  I am also scheduled to be on the Nutri-Medical Report at 2:00 pm Pacific time on the Genesis Comunications Network.

On the 13th of December 2012, I am scheduled be on to do an interview on WFPA at 1400 AM on the AM dial, in Fort Payne Alabama.  This is scheduled for 8:00 am Central time, 6:00 am Pacific time.

On the 20th of December 2012, I am scheduled be on to do an interview on KMVR at 104.9 FM on the FM dial, in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  This is a short one scheduled for 8:20 am Mountain time, 7:20 am Pacific time.

On the 20th of December 2012, I am scheduled be on to do an interview on KAHI at 950 AM on the AM dial, in Sacramento, California.  This is scheduled for 10:30 am Pacific time.

Some of these will also be rebroadcasted at other times; and some could get preempted.

Note: the interviews that are scheduled at the beginning of an hour normally start 4-8 minutes past the hour.

I have a fair amount of interviews between now and the end of the year 2012–but do not often have the time to post about them in advance. I will try to mention some others in the next week, if practical.

Some links of essentially related interest could include:

2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This link also has YouTube videos. This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, world events have aligned with at least 24 predictions in the book and many more will to come to pass. Those who purchase the book at the www.thesecretsect.com website receive a lengthy bonus report documenting world events that aligned with the book.
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect (English Kindle edition). This is the 2nd edition of the book, released in January 2012, and includes a summary of many of the predictions that world events have aligned with since the book originally came out in September 2009.
2012 y el surgimiento de la secta secreta 2012 libro del Dr. Thiel en Español.
2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Edition) 2012 Buch von Dr. Thiel in deutscher Sprache. 2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Kindle Edition)
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel em português. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 24 já começaram a acontecer.
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (2 ª Edição em português do Brasil): Um Guia Revolucionário de Sobrevivência Espiritual e Física para 2012-2020 (Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel. 2 ª edição em português do Brasil. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 24 já começaram a acontecer.2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (KINDLE Edição em português do Brasil) 2 ª edição.-Kindle.
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

The ‘fiscal cliff’ remains in the news in the USA and Europe:

10 December 2012…

Although the president has been criticized by Republicans for “campaign style” rallies on the “fiscal cliff,” the president today will hit the road when he heads to Michigan to tour Daimler’s Detroit Diesel Corporation. The White House said he will talk again about the “fiscal cliff” and, if a deal isn’t struck before the end of the year, how devastating it will be to the economy and the middle class…For the Republicans’ part, House Speaker John Boehner took the microphone on Friday to insist no progress is being made in talks with the White House. But just as progress seemed stymied, Mr. Obama and House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, met at the White House Sunday for their first face-to-face meeting on the “fiscal cliff” since before Thanksgiving.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57558124/as-fiscal-cliff-clock-ticks-obama-hits-the-road-again/

Central Bank gold sale conundrum – why replace selling with buying

When asked why Germany did not take up its option to sell 600 tonnes of gold, under second Central Bank Gold Agreement, Axel Weber, the, then President of the Bundesbank said that “Gold is a useful counter to the swings of the Dollar.” No other statement explained so precisely why gold must be held by central banks. He went on to say. “Gold is an important factor for the confidence in the stability of the €.”… Inside, the state of U.S. debt and the battle over reducing the deficit shows that the dollar’s days both as a measure of value and the sole global reserve currency are numbered. http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/content/en/mineweb-independent-viewpoint?oid=165732&sn=Detail

Euro Down On Italian Concern, U.S. Fiscal Cliff Worries

 12/10/2012

Although upbeat jobs data from the U.S. lifted sentiment, gains were capped on concerns about the looming fiscal cliff as a meeting between the U.S. president Barrack Obama and house speaker John Andrew Boehner on Sunday failed to make any significant decisions on the issue.  http://www.rttnews.com/2020391/euro-down-on-italian-concern-u-s-fiscal-cliff-worries.aspx?type=cm&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=sitemap

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Recently, Goldman Sachs’ (NYSE: GS ) CEO Lloyd Blankfein suggested that a failure to resolve the upcoming fiscal cliff could threaten the dollar’s status as the leading global reserve currency.  http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2012/11/29/does-the-fiscal-cliff-threaten-the-dollars-dominan.aspx

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IMF’s Lagarde warns against US fudge on fiscal cliff

AFP – Dec 9, 2012

The United States needs to raise taxes and cut spending to address the looming fiscal cliff, IMF chief Christine Lagarde said Sunday, warning that anything less would undermine economic confidence.

With President Barack Obama and Republican lawmakers stuck in an apparently ideological battle on how to address the nation’s ballooning deficit by the end of 2012, Lagarde said the cliff remained the biggest threat to the economy.

Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union” talk show, she said that although the US economy was creating jobs, American debt was still higher than in much of the eurozone and cautioned against more half-baked, short-term measures….http://www.france24.com/en/20121209-imfs-lagarde-warns-against-us-fudge-fiscal-cliff

This “fiscal cliff” is that taxes in the USA are to raise January 1, 2013 without federal action and automatic spending cuts are also to go into place to attempt to reduce the USA’s deficit growth (USA debt is to increase even if the taxes are increased and the spending is cut).

The spending cuts will affect many areas of US government spending. In terms of military spending, USA Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has warned about the dangers of the cuts as “doomsday” (‘Doomsday’ Defense Cuts) and “unthinkable” (Panetta Weighs Unthinkable Defense Cuts) and yet they may well happen. The tax increase portion has been called “THE LARGEST TAX HIKES IN AMERICAN HISTORY” (Obama Book #1 Again? Fiscal Cliff an Economic & Military Danger).  The automatic cuts include reduction to entitlement programs and about an 8.2% reduction in federal education spending, which will impact school districts around the nation.

As of this morning, Wikipedia summarized some of the technical details as follows:

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that allowing certain laws on the books during 2012 to expire or take effect in 2013 (the baseline scenario) would cut the 2013 deficit approximately in half and significantly reduce the trajectory of future deficits and debt increases for the next decade and beyond. However, the 2013 deficit reduction would adversely impact the economy in the short-run. On the other hand, if Congress acts to extend current policies (the alternative scenario), deficits and debt will rise rapidly over the next decade and beyond, slowing the economy over the long run and dramatically increasing interest costs.

CBO estimates that if the baseline scenario is allowed to take effect in 2013, it would reduce federal spending by $103 billion and increase tax revenues by $399 billion (and another $105 billion “mostly in revenue”) through September 2013 (the end of FY2013). This would amount to a net total of $560 billion, roughly half the $1.2 trillion FY2011 deficit.  The White House estimates that a family of four with an income of $50,000 to $85,000 would pay an additional $2,200 in federal taxes

While the Republicans and Democrats are using this as a major partisan fight, the reality is that the rest of the world is also watching and is very disturbed by all of this.  The Europeans and others are realizing that the USA is losing its position in the world–and when it does, this will be the final “time of the Gentiles” that the Bible warns of (Ezekiel 30:2-3; Luke 21:23-24; Revelation 11:2). Yet, few in the USA seem to realize what is going on. The leaders in the USA are causing the nation to err.

While the USA will survive the upcoming “fiscal cliff,” how it has handled this matter is sending a signal to the rest of the world that the USA cannot possibly remain the dominant economic power in the world.  The policies and decisions in Washington, D.C. are helping to create the conditions for the upcoming European Beast power to fill the void in economic leadership that the USA is in the process of making.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
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?
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?
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 a Republican choice. 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

In his latest commentary, LCG’s Davy Crockett had the following:

Commentary: Almost Persuaded

Many wonderful quotations are attributed to Sir Winston Churchill, the great British Prime Minister who had such a profound effect on the 20th century. His irrepressible sense of humor, his tenacity in the face of great danger, his oratory and his writing ability set him apart as an influential historical figure. One quote he is noted for is, “Most people stumble over the truth, now and then, but they usually manage to pick themselves up and go on, anyway.”

It does seem that Churchill was correct in his assessment—as we so often see when people come into contact with the eternal truths found in the Bible…

Not only do most people ignore or reject Christ’s message, the messengers are often met with resistance and even persecution. The Apostle Paul was harassed and finally arrested and imprisoned for carrying out this commission. In one moving chapter in the action packed book of Acts, Paul was given the opportunity to defend himself before King Agrippa. Paul seized the opportunity and made an eloquent, powerful defense of the Truth and the Plan of God before his accusers. You can read the whole story in the book of Acts (25:13-26:1-28). At the end of his closing statement, King Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”

Of course, since Christ’s message would have people make changes in their lives, and would require them to put into practice the words of the Bible, it is no wonder that people resist. And this is not a new phenomenon. Anciently, Joshua, the leader of the Israelites after the death of Moses, faced his people as they faltered in indecision. He asked the Israelites to “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

Later, the prophet Elijah, in a confrontation with the pagan priests of his time, addressed the people with these words. “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word” (1 Kings 18:21).

Even the most wonderful knowledge is of no value unless it is both recognized and acted upon. How about you? As a viewer and reader of Christ’s message, are you “almost persuaded”? Or, will you muster the courage and conviction to join with us in fulfilling the commission given to us by the Messiah just before He ascended to be with the Father?

As he mentioned, being unthankful is one of the condemnations recorded in the Bible against the people of the time of the end. Something to think about.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Is kindness involved? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
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.
God’s Grace is For All Is being Jewish a hinderance to salvation? What about not being a descendant of Israel? What does the Bible really teach?
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.
Getting the Gospel Out is More than a Local Job Discusses Biblical rationale for doing an international, and not just a local, work.
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?

Comet Lulin

COGwriter

Some astronomers are warning that comets could cause a type of electronic ‘Armageddon’:

Sun-Grazing Comets As Triggers For Electromagnetic Armageddon

Forbes…

Large sun-grazing comets could bring on the sort of global electronics meltdown usually associated with electromagnetic pulse weapons or a full-scale nuclear exchange.

Or so says David Eichler, lead author of a forthcoming Astrophysical Journal Letters paper positing that a sun-grazing comet roughly the size of Hale-Bopp (with a nucleus some 30 kms in diameter), could trigger cosmic ray-generating shockwaves large enough to initiate a global electromagnetic Armageddon…

Although not expected to be harmful to humans, such an event could be extremely devastating to our electronic grid and could quite possibly send us back into a new Stone Age, says Eichler.  http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucedorminey/2012/11/30/sun-grazing-comets-as-the-trigger-for-electromagnetic-armageddon/

Now, while Armageddon itself is a term used in the Bible for the location where armies in the end time will gather for battle, what the astronomer is trying to say is that comets, if large enough, could end civilized life of earth.  It is well know that solar flares and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons could do that, or at least eliminate computers from many parts of the earth.

What would happen if the USA itself were to be hit by one or more EMP weapons in the right areas or have strong-enough solar flares (whether from normal sun cycles or some affected by comets)?

The results of an EMP incident would be catastrophic:

• · The U.S. power grid could be destroyed;
• · Planes would crash;
• · Water and sewerage systems would fail;
• · Banks could not access their records;
• · Transportation systems would be inoperable;
• · The internet would go down;
• · Emergency services would severely hampered.

Both U.S. and Soviet scientists became increasingly aware of the threat in 1962. A Financial Sense review of the problem noted that 50 years ago, a nuclear test 800 miles away from Hawaii knocked out 300 of the states’ street lights, triggered alarms, and caused damages to a telephone company. The same year, Moscow conducted three tests to discover the precise altitude a nuclear bomb needed to detonate at to destroy electronics on the ground. http://www.examiner.com/article/crippling-america-an-instant

Interestingly, solar flares, which can happen from the sun itself (and do not need comets to happen), can cause problems similar to an emp weapon. Solar flares were discussed in my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. Here are a few passages related to them:

Notice the following from N.A.S.A.:

Solar Storm Warning: Researchers announced that a storm is coming—the most intense solar maximum in fifty years. The prediction comes from a team led by Mausumi Dikpati of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)…

Solar physicist David Hathaway of the National Space Science & Technology Center (NSSTC)…has confidence in the conveyor belt model and agrees with Dikpati that the next solar maximum should be a doozy. But he disagrees with one point…a storm is coming.

Solar outbursts have been proposed that could essentially wipe out modern civilization.

Notice a scenario that is based on a report from the U.S. National Academy of Scientists (although the precise date seems to be speculative):

IT IS midnight on 22 September 2012 and the skies above Manhattan are filled with a flickering curtain of colourful light…Within 90 seconds, the entire eastern half of the US is without power.

A year later and millions of Americans are dead and the nation’s infrastructure lies in tatters. The World Bank declares America a developing nation. Europe, Scandinavia, China and Japan are also struggling to recover from the same fateful event – a violent storm, 150 million kilometres away on the surface of the sun…

According to the NAS report, a severe space weather event in the US could induce ground currents that would knock out 300 key transformers within about 90 seconds, cutting off the power for more than 130 million people…

First to go – immediately for some people – is drinkable water…With no electricity to pump water from reservoirs, there is no more…There is simply no electrically powered transport: no trains, underground or overground…For hospitals, that would mean about 72 hours of running a bare-bones, essential care only, service. After that, no more modern healthcare.

The truly shocking finding is that this whole situation would not improve for months, maybe years…

As N.A.S.A./N.O.A.A. report indicated that the next solar cycle peak may be later, like May 2013.

Both solar flares and emp-type weapons have similar devastating potential.

Now, as far as comets go, over 1900 years ago, notice what the Apostle John was inspired to write in the Book of Revelation 8:10-11:

Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.

A large comet hitting the earth would also seem to have similar effects to that of a medium-sized asteroid, but also could have electronic impact.   And having something actually hit the earth and do massive damage is predicted in the Bible.  But the Wormwood comet will not possibly hit the earth prior to 2018 (for some details, please see When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2012, 2013, or 2014?).  The staging for armies in Armageddon (Revelation 16:16, and related to the sixth trumpet of Revelation 8:13-17) happens shortly after Wormwood (third trumpet) hits, hence ‘Armageddon’ will not happen in prior to 2018.

Although the biblical Wormwood does not have to be a comet, it sounds more like one than an asteroid.

Why?

In addition to looking like a star falling from the heavens looking like a torch (and an asteroid could possibly do that), comets normally appear with cyanogen. Astronomers state hydrogen cyanide on comets may be their source of cyanogen gas.

Interestingly, the cyanogen gas mixes with water to form hydrogen cyanide, which has an almond odor and bitter taste, and reportedly causes death at concentrations over 5 parts per million.

And thus for Bible skeptics, the fact that before humans had any idea that comets could produce a poisonous bitter water, it is recorded in the Bible. This should be additional proof to those willing to see that the Bible has been inspired by God.

And while comets are still more likely to fulfill the Wormwood prophecy than asteroids, humans still have no real effective way to deal with potential asteroid devastation, and some day, a major object from the sky will strike the earth according to biblical prophecy.

But even before the biblical Wormwood hits, this highly computerized world is a risk from comet-induced solar flares, other solar flares, and intentional EMP weapons.  The world will change, and parts of it sooner than others.

“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?
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?
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”? Is there a needed peace deal first in the Middle East? 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?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
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?
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. 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.)

Mohamed Morsi, Official Photograph

COGwriter

Although there are still protests in Egypt, its President Morsi is still trying to insure it becomes a more Islamist state:

By Edmund Blair

CAIRO | Sun Dec 9, 2012 8:56am EST

(Reuters) – Egypt’s president scrapped a decree that gave him extra powers and ignited violent protests, but irate opponents said on Sunday he had deepened the conflict by pressing on with a vote on a constitution shaped by Islamists…

A leftist group led by defeated presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabahy demanded the referendum be deferred until a consensus could be reached on a new draft, saying there could be “no dialogue while blood is being spilled in the streets”.

But Muslim Brotherhood spokesman Mahmoud Ghozlan said scrapping Mursi’s decree had removed any cause for controversy…

Islamists reckon they can win the referendum and, once the new constitution is in place, an election for a new parliament about two months later.  http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/09/us-egypt-politics-idUSBRE8B30GP20121209

The referendum is to be voted on Saturday, December 15, 2012.  If approved, it will give the Islamists a stronger basis for taking over more and more aspects of Egypt’s government and increase the international influence of the Muslim Brotherhood.   Yet, if the new constitution is approved, there will be some who protest in the streets.  And this is consistent with Bible prophecy for Egypt.

There will be a greater fulfillment of the following verses in Isaiah 19 in Egypt than we have seen so far:

1 The burden against Egypt.

Behold, the Lord rides on a swift cloud,
And will come into Egypt;
The idols of Egypt will totter at His presence,
And the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst.

2 “I will set Egyptians against Egyptians;
Everyone will fight against his brother,
And everyone against his neighbor,
City against city, kingdom against kingdom.
3 The spirit of Egypt will fail in its midst;
I will destroy their counsel,
And they will consult the idols and the charmers,
The mediums and the sorcerers.
4 And the Egyptians I will give
Into the hand of a cruel master,
And a fierce king will rule over them,”
Says the Lord, the Lord of hosts. (Isaiah 19:1-4)

What Dr. Morsi is working for is a pan-national Islamic state.

When Dr. Morsi was responsible for the official website of the Muslim Brotherhood, it put up an article that stated the following:

The Muslim Brethren…believe that the caliphate is a symbol of Islamic Union and an indication of the bonds between the nations of Islam. They see the caliphate and its re-establishment as a top priority, subsequently; an association of Muslims people should be set up, which would elect the imam”. (zhyntativ. HASAN AL-BANNA AND HIS POLITICAL THOUGHT OF ISLAMIC BROTHERHOOD. IkhwanWeb, May 13, 2008. http://www.ikhwanweb.com/article.php?id=17065 viewed 09/22/11)

What is the Muslim Brotherhood?
The world’s largest and most influential Islamist movement…“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/Caliph.  And while it will not get all the territory it wants, it is likely to end up in some type of confederation with at least most of North Africa and the Middle East.

Part of the reason I state that is because the type of Islamic confederation that the Muslim Brotherhood wants is consistent with one prophesied in the Bible (Ezekiel 30:1-8) that is to be led by one it calls the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40-42).  The Bible ties a coming North African/Middle East confederation to Egypt, and Egypt will ultimately not do well because of it:

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

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

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

6 “‘This is what the LORD says:

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

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

3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; And their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out His hand, Both he who helps will fall, And he who is helped will fall down; They all will perish together. (Isaiah 31:3)

40 At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. (Daniel 11:40-42).

The protesters in Egypt are correct that what the Islamists want will not turn out to be good for Egypt.  But Bible prophecy shows that a pan-national Arabic power will rise up, and it is highly logical that there will be an Islamic religious component to this as most of the Arab nations are predominantly Muslim.

And although this King of the South confederation will happen, because of Isaiah 19 and human nature, I expect more protests in Egypt and other part of North Africa and the Middle East before the final King of the South actually has his confederation.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
Arabic Nazarenes May Have Kept Original Christian Practices Were their faithful Arabs who held to original Christianity?
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Should Christians be Nazarenes today? What were the practices of the Nazarenes.

COGwriter

The Bible has a lot of warnings about trees:

2″Do not learn the ways of the nations
or be terrified by signs in the sky,
though the nations are terrified by them.
3 For the customs of the peoples are worthless;
they cut a tree out of the forest,
and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.
4 They adorn it with silver and gold;
they fasten it with hammer and nails
so it will not totter.
5 Like a scarecrow in a melon patch,
their idols cannot speak;
they must be carried
because they cannot walk.
Do not fear them;
they can do no harm
nor can they do any good.” (Jeremiah 10:2-5, NIV).

2 Thus saith our Lord: According to the ways of the Gentiles learn not: and (a) of the signs of heaven, which the heathen fear, be not afraid:
3 Because the laws of the people are vain: because the work of the hand of the artificer hath cut a tree out of the forest with an axe.
4 with silver and gold he hath decked it: with nails and hammers he hath compacted it, that it fall not asunder.. .(Jerermie/Jeremiah 10:2-4, The Original And True Douay Old Testament Of Anno Domini 1609. Prepared and Edited by Dr. William von Peters, Ph.D. Copyright © 2005, Dr. William G. von Peters. Ph.D. 2005 copyright assigned to VSC Corp.).

29 When the Lord thy God shall have destroyed before thy face the nations, that thou enterest in to possess, and thou shalt possess them, and dwell in their land:
30 beware left thou imitate them, after they be subverted at thy entering in, and thou require their ceremonies, saying: As these nations have worshipped their Gods, so will I also worship.
31 Thou shalt not do in like manner to the Lord thy God. For all the abominations, that our Lord doeth abhor, have they done to their Gods, offering their sons and daughters, and burning them with fire (Deuteronomy 12:29-31, DOT).

While the trees themselves cannot harm us, God says that they cannot do any good.

And nowhere in the Bible is there any hint that trees should be associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.

Catholics used to warn that because of Martin Luther’s promotion of Christmas trees, that this form of idolatry made Protestantism the “Tannenbaum religion” (tannenbaum literally means “fir tree” and is the German term for Christmas tree.

The “Venerable” Cesare Baronius, a Catholic of the 16th century, wrote about a practice of using lights (which are commonly used on Christmas trees):

If the candles which were formerly distributed at the Saturnalia are now identified with the feast of the Purification of our Lady? What, I ask, is there so surprising if holy bishops have allowed certain customs firmly rooted among pagan peoples, and so tenaciously adhered to by them that even after their conversion to Christianity they could not be induced to surrender them, to be transferred to the worship of the true God?” (Baronius, “Annales”, ad ann. 58, n. 77). (as cited in Thurston, Herbert. “Lights.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 9. Nihil Obstat. October 1, 1910. Remy Lafort, Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 21 Dec. 2009 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09244b.htm>)

Thus, Baronius seems to be saying that Saturnalia lights are a pagan practice, yet using them is acceptable.  The period of Saturnalia coincides with the Christmas-New Year’s period in modern times.

But even the Rheims‘ version of the New Testament (a Catholic approved translation) states the following about pagan practices:

15. And what agreement with Christ and Belial? or what part hath the faithful with the
infidel?
16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with Idols? For you are the temple of the
living God. as God saith, Then I will dwell, and walk in them, and will be their God: and
they shall be my people.
17. For the which cause, Go out of the midst of them, and separate yourselves. saith our
Lord, and touch not the unclean: and I will receive you (2 Corinthians 6:15-17, The Original And True Rheims New Testament Of Anno Domini 1582. Prepared and Edited by Dr. William von Peters, Ph.D. Copyright © 1998, Dr. William G. von Peters. Ph.D. 2004, copyright assigned to VSC Corp.).

So unclean practices associated with idols are prohibited by God. Does not that include celebrating as the idolaters celebrate, like using evergreen trees?

Wyatt Cieselka noted:

But even the Roman Saturnalia and Persian Mithraism was an adaption of an even earlier mystery religion – the Babylonian mystery cult.  The ancient Babylonians celebrated the reborn Nimrod as the newborn Tammuz by worshipping an evergreen tree (now the common Christmas tree).  The Babylonians also celebrated this rebirth during the winter solstice.  Jeremiah condemns ancient Israel for copying this terrible paganism, and even specifically mentions the evergreen tree in Jeremiah 3:13. (Cieselka W. Why Satan loves Christmas. LCG Commentary, December 19, 2009).

To take this a step further, notice that using green trees as part of worship was condemned by God thousands of years ago:

2 ‘You must completely destroy all the places where the nations you dispossess have served their gods, on high mountains, on hills, under any spreading tree; 3 you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, burn their sacred poles, hack to bits the statues of their gods and obliterate their name from that place. (Deuteronomy 12:2-3, New Jerusalem Bible, NJB, a Catholic translation)

2 Destroy all the places in which the nations, that you shall possess, worshipped their gods upon high mountains, and hills, and under every shady tree: 3 Overthrow their altars, and break down their statues, burn their groves with fire, and break their idols in pieces: destroy their names out of those places. 4 You shall not do so to the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 12:2-4, DOT, a Catholic translation).

16 Beware lest perhaps your heart be deceived, and you depart from our Lord, and serve strange Gods, and adore them (Deuteronomy 11:16, DOT).

24 God is spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:24, NJB)

Catholic translations of the Bible show that spreading shady trees, like evergreens, were not to be part of the worship of the true God–and that people should not be deceived and serve such strange practices. The truth is that Christmas reminds us that people are often unwilling to worship God as He intended, but instead often prefer pagan substitutes that they rationalize as somehow acceptable if they pretend the holiday is about Jesus.

Those who truly believe Jesus’ words, “Human beings live not on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4, NJB) will not celebrate a compromised pagan holiday such as Christmas because it contains practices and symbols (see also What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons?) warned against in the Bible and was never enjoined upon true believers to practice.

And although many Catholics now have Christmas trees, notice something from the Vatican:

Rome, Dec. 22: Sant Claus, and Christmas trees, have been condemned in an editorial in the Vatican weekly newspaper, “L’Osservatore della Domenica.” The editorial describes Santa Claus as a “monstrous substitute” for the Christ Child, and says that the idea of Santa “is offensive to the faith” and “will not and must not be accepted or tolerated by Christians.” The use of Christmas trees — which have only recently become a part of the Italian Christmas — is condemned as “an attempt to substitute the Crib ….. with a certain feeling of naturalism and paganism.” (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/dc50/vatican-paper-disfavours-santa-claus-684)

No one should be using Christmas trees, Santa Claus, etc. And even some in the Vatican are telling people that.

The Catholics once considered that having a decorated fir tree in one’s house, which of course is not a symbol associated with the birth of Jesus in the Bible, during the Christmas season was a form of idolatry.

However, over time, as the use of trees gained more universal acceptance, those of the Catholic faith decided to no longer decry their use.

The Bible, Church of God sources, and Catholic sources have warned about the use of objects like Christmas trees.   Since the use of them most certainly does not come from the Bible, no Christian should wish to have one.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the genuine Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Genuine Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a verdadeira igreja do deus? Tambien Español: ¿Que es fiel: La Iglesia Católica Romana o la Iglesia verdadera de Dios? Auch: Deutsch: Welches ist treu: Die römisch-katholische Kirche oder die Kirche Gottes Original?
What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? What about the use of the cross, by the early Church?
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. December 25th was celebrated as his birthday. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity?
Was Jesus Born in the Grotto of the Nativity? Was Jesus born in a below ground cave? Was Jesus born below the “Church of the Nativity”? Were the wise men there?
Is Keeping Christmas a Sin? Is keeping Christmas acceptable for true Christians? What are some scriptures to consider?
What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them? Is December 25th Jesus’ birthday or that of the sun god?
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

Handwriting on the Wall (Crespo)

COGwriter

The ‘fiscal cliff’ remains in the news:

8 December 2012…

House Speaker John Boehner said the White House “wasted another week” in the negotiations over the “fiscal cliff”, both President Obama and the Republican Party, are repeating their arguments today…http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-34222_162-57558034-10391739/little-change-in-fiscal-cliff-talks-or-talking-points/

This “fiscal cliff” is that taxes in the USA are to raise January 1, 2013 without federal action and automatic spending cuts are also to go into place to attempt to reduce the USA’s deficit growth (USA debt is to increase even if the taxes are increased and the spending is cut).

The spending cuts will affect many areas of US government spending.  In terms of military spending, USA Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has warned about the dangers of the cuts as “doomsday” (‘Doomsday’ Defense Cuts) and “unthinkable” (Panetta Weighs Unthinkable Defense Cuts) and yet they may well happen.  The tax increase portion has been called “THE LARGEST TAX HIKES IN AMERICAN HISTORY” (Obama Book #1 Again? Fiscal Cliff an Economic & Military Danger).

While the Republicans and Democrats are using this as a major partisan fight, the reality is that the rest of the world is also watching and is very disturbed by all of this.  Notice the following report

AFP – Dec 7, 2012

IMF chief Christine Lagarde said Friday the looming “fiscal cliff” in the United States threatens the country’s international supremacy and the fragile global recovery.

In an interview with BBC World News, Lagarde noted the US fiscal cliff, a combination of severe tax increases and spending cuts due in January, would probably wipe out growth in the world’s largest economy.

“The real issues are, in a way, the supremacy of the United States and its leadership role in the world,” said the managing director of the International Monetary Fund.

“To make sure that that leadership endures, the uncertainty has to be removed because uncertainty fuels doubt as to that leadership…It’s not purely a political issue, it’s not ideological, it’s broader than that. It really addresses the role of the United States in the world from a geopolitical and economic point of view,” said Lagarde, according to extracts of the broadcast interview. http://www.france24.com/en/20121207-lagarde-says-fiscal-cliff-threatens-us-supremacy

The Europeans (Christian Lagarde is French) and others are realizing that the USA is losing its position in the world–and when it does, this will be the final “time of the Gentiles” that the Bible warns of (Ezekiel 30:2-3; Luke 21:23-24; Revelation 11:2).  Yet, few in the USA seem to realize what is going on.  The leaders in the USA are causing the nation to err.

The following “solution” was in the local newspaper today:

If President Obama wants to avoid an economic calamity next year, he could always show up at a press conference bearing two shiny platinum coins, worth… $1 trillion apiece.

Okay, that sounds utterly insane. But ever since last year, some economists and legal scholars have suggested that the “platinum coin option” is one way to defuse a crisis if Congress can’t or won’t lift the debt ceiling soon. At least in theory.

The U.S. government is, after all, facing a real problem. The Treasury Department will hit its $16.4 trillion borrowing limit by next February at the latest. Unless Congress reaches an agreement to raise that borrowing limit, the government will no longer be able to borrow enough money to pay all its bills. (Plumer B.  Could $1 trillion coins solve the U.S. debt crisis?  San Luis Obispo Tribune, p. b5; originally from Washington Post)

This is really not much more insane than “quantitative easing” where “assets” are grossly overvalued in order to try to “justify” debasing the US money supply through overproduction of currency without real goods and services.   This is just a different way to pretend to fix a problem on the surface level, and one that U.S. government leaders might really consider.  Pretending a few thousand dollars of platinum is worth trillions is absurd–and world leaders will realize this.

Inflating the money supply through currency debasing and other tricks is not something advocated in the Bible. Notice:

4 Take away the dross from silver (Proverbs 25:4a).

25 I will turn My hand against you,
And thoroughly purge away your dross,
And take away all your alloy. (Isaiah 1:25)

22 Your silver has become dross, Your wine mixed with water. (Isaiah 1:22)

Notice, further, that 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).

Thousands of years ago, the Prophet Daniel was asked to interpret some handwriting that was written on a wall by only a hand that the king of the area personally witnessed (which is why he ultimately called Daniel to see it). The moral trend in that kingdom was not good according to Daniel (Daniel 5:22-23). After stating that, here is the interpretation that the prophet Daniel gave of that handwriting on the wall:

24 Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written.

25 “And this is the inscription that was written:

MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

26 This is the interpretation of each word. Mene: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; 27 Tekel: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; 28 Peres: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” (Daniel 5:24-28)

That kingdom was taken over that very night (Daniel 5:30-31).

So, let us look at the words from the wall and apply them to the United States.

1. Mene: Your days as being on the top of the world order are numbered.  And more in the world are starting to realize this.
2. Mene: Despite signs of your decline, instead of repenting, you seem to be taking steps to speed it up–you are soon to be finished.
3. Tekel: Your morality and “conscience” have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting.
4. Peres/Upharsin: Your nation will be divided by the final Beast, the King of the North (Daniel 11:39), and he will make your people slaves as your nation will be finished.

As I have written many times, I doubt that the USA will have national repentance, so it is on the way to destruction. A lot of what has come out of the White House, Congress, and other politicians have not been real solutions to the problems that the USA is facing. But that does not preclude individual repentance.

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.  35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.  36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36)

Turning to God is the only answer–not a couple of ounces of platinum.  And repentance is something you can do –whether you are American or not. Even a report a while back from the Congressional Budget Office warned that the USA is risking a “sudden fiscal crisis” that could have devastating consequences (see CBO Warns of ‘Sudden’ Debt Crisis), and according to the Bible, the consequences will be even worse than the CBO imagined.

Nations rise and fall.

Secular sources are more and more starting to realize that the end of USA dollar domination is going to occur (and it will not be on January 1, 2013, that is a bit too soon–but it will happen). This will have major ramifications for the USA, as well as its Anglo-allies.

Can you see the handwriting on the wall?

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
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 a Republican choice. 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.)