Church of God News

The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

COGwriter

The organization known as the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is considering a change:

Boy Scouts may soon welcome gay youths, leaders

28 January 2013…

Only seven months ago, the Boy Scouts affirmed its ban on gays after a nearly two-year examination of the issue by a committee of volunteers convened by national leaders of the Boy Scouts of America, known as the BSA. However, local chapters and some members of the national board — corporate CEO Randall Stephenson of AT&T and James Turley of Ernst & Young — called for a reconsideration.

The proposed new policy would leave decisions on membership and leadership up to the BSA’ s 290 local governing councils and 116,000 sponsoring religious and civic groups.  http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/01/28/boy-scouts-gay-united-way/1870919/

Back during the presidential election in the USA, this topic did come up and both presidential candidates endorsed the homosexual agenda, at least to a degree, here (see Romney and Obama Agree on Having ‘Gay’ Boy Scouts).  Unmarried teens should not be engaging in sex of any kind and Boy Scouts are supposed to be “morally straight” as that is part of the Boy Scout oath.  If the BSA does do this, this would be another indication that less and less in the USA understand biblical morality or the consequences of immorality.

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).

Keeping the Ten Commandments reflects love. Breaking them and/or condoning those that do is evil. This should be clear to those who believe the God of the Bible.  Thus, the BSA should not consider allowing the homosexuals in.

But many in the USA and other Anglo-dominated lands seem inclined to truly listen to those who are strongly advocating wrong changes in the moral direction of the land.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality?  Can homosexuals change?
Love, Marriage, and Sex It is important to get them in the right order.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments? This article quotes what Jesus actually said about them (His words are in red).
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.
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?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term 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? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-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-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

Hillary Rodham Clinton (Kai Moerk 2012)

COGwriter

Barely a week after Barack Obama’s inauguration for a second four years, Hillary Clinton is popping up in the news again as someone who may run in 2016:

WASHINGTON, January 28, 2013 — Forget about it, Joe. Move over, Martin. 2016 won’t be your year to run for president. It’s Hillary time.

After Sunday night’s interview on “60 Minutes” with Steve Kroft, the whole country is asking, “Will Hillary run?” Ok, not the whole country, but enough people to ensure she will be the next President of the United States…But why are we even talking about her running for president, just one week after the second inauguration of President Obama? Because that’s the nature of the political beast. This is the timetable if she is to run in 2016: Hillary has one year to rest. One year to build her campaign war chest (because running a presidential campaign is political war). Then two years to jump into the grueling process of actual campaigning. http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/ad-lib/2013/jan/28/after-60-minutes-will-hillary-run-video/#ixzz2JHXlCL85

January 28, 2013

President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton produced a bit of tantalizing political theater by doing a joint interview on “60 Minutes,” proclaiming their against-the-odds friendship but shedding no light on how either of them plans to approach the questions of her running for president in 2016.  http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2013/01/28/seib-wessel-what-were-reading-monday-11/

Hillary may or may not run. We will see.  Back in April 2012, her husband and former US President, Bill Clinton, said he would be happy if she did (Bill Clinton hints of Hillary running for US Presidency).

Ever since Margaret Thatcher was prime minister of the United Kingdom, I have felt that it is likely that the USA would end up with a female president or at least a highly influential woman in a top level federal government job. And Hillary Clinton has been fulfilling the latter for four years (as also have female Supreme Court justices, etc.).

As far back as 2006 (News of The Churches of God) and 2007 (News of The Churches of God) I also commented about a possible Hillary Clinton presidency, and feel that it remains a possibility–though not a certainty.

Since those of us in groups like the Continuing Church of God do not vote in these elections, why am I mentioning the possibility of a woman president?

Because I believe that it will partially fulfill a prophecy in Isaiah 3:12:

As for My people, children are their oppressors, And women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths…

Of course, women are influential in the English-speaking nations and it is not absolutely required that the USA itself have a woman president, but I do feel that if we do get one, that this would be a partial, but significant, fulfillment of that prophecy.

In terms of voting, the so-called “gender gap” helped Barack Obama win.  And presumably Hillary Clinton would likely win a plurality of female voters if she gets the nomination from her political party.

Both biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies indicate the destruction of the English-speaking peoples and I would not be surprised if a major attack by the European Beast power will occur during a female presidency (though it could well happen before then).

When  Barack Obama was re-elected I posted that I did not believe that the Great Tribulation would begin until after his second term ended (see Obama Re-Elected, So What is Ahead?).  However, presuming she actually was elected to become US President, the Great Tribulation could be during a Hillary Clinton term.  But we will see first if she if fact does decide to run.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject.
Women and the New Testament Church Were women important in the New Testament Church? Which women and how were they involved?
Do Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus? Will the final “Anti-Christ” be Jewish, insist on Saturday, be opposed to the trinity, and bring in the millennium? Catholic writings indicate this, but what does the Bible show?
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? What is prophesied to occur to the USA and its English-speaking allies? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2019 or 202x?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2013, 2014, or 2015? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term 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? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-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-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.
Prophecy Obama: Prophecies of Barack Obama? Reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?  Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests?  Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.

Pieter Bruegel’s Landscape with the Parable of the Sower, 1557 (Matthew 13:3-23)

COGwriter

As most readers now know, on December 28, 2012, it became necessary for me to cease my affiliation with a group based out of North Carolina and form the Continuing Church of God.  Over at the News of those once affiliated with the Global Church of God page I posted a prediction that I felt that in its first 30 days the Continuing Church of God would reach more people with the COG message than any non-GTA group that came out of the old Worldwide Church of God as well as any group that came out of the old Global Church of God.

I also said that I would provide data along this line.  Well, the thirty days are now up, so what are the results?

When I made the prediction, only one radio interview was actually scheduled, and one was for a program with a relatively small  listenership.  As it turns out, I was invited twice to be another show with a much larger audience.  According to the lowest estimates of audience by the two radio hosts (and yes, they could exaggerate, though they assured me that they were not doing so), on behalf of the Continuing Church of God, I was able to reach well over 2,000,000 via radio (the highest audience estimates were multiple times that large) in the past couple of weeks.

And the internet?  Tallying unique visitors over multiple websites is difficult, so I originally considered not to include any of the visitors to the www.ccog.org, ContinuingCOG channel, or the Bible News Prophecy channel (none of which had content 30 days ago).  And without them, the amount of unique visitors for the past 30 days that statistics show was a little over 100,000.  The amount related to COGwriter.com is up significantly from the same period for the prior year.

But since some may wish to see more detailed statistics, here is goes:

Websites with  Unique visitor counts in the past 30 days*

COGwriter.com                                                               100,154
Bob Thiel YouTube                                                            2,786
CCOG.org                                                                                2,270
BibleNewsProphecy Channel views                            2,094
ContinuingCOG Channel views                                          656

* For the two YouTube channels, total video views, as opposed to people who visited the sites and did not watch, are counted as those are the stats that were immediately available (and probably the most applicable).  The amount of articles/pages viewed on COGwriter.com in the past 30 days was 348,363 and for ccog.org 14,572, for a total of 362,935.

Based upon my knowledge of how other COG groups did within their first 30 days of formation, the Continuing Church of God appears to have had a greater reach.  This does not mean that the reach will be the same every month, but that it does help show that the  Continuing Church of God was (and remains) sufficiently committed to fulfilling Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20 that it did perform as predicted.  We will see which doors God opens for us in the future (cf. Revelation 3:7-9).  But ultimately, and probably for a very short time, we may reach increased millions if not perhaps billions (cf. Matthew 24:14).

Certain critics, including at least one anonymous COG-type blogger, discounted the proclamation goal of Continuing Church of God by making a variety of statements.  One, was that this goal would perhaps be attained by buying an internet audience through Google ads or something similar to that.  Although there is a place for such ads, no, we of the Continuing Church of God spent no money for those type of ads yet (nor did others on our behalf that we are aware of).

Another critique was that we of the Continuing Church of God had an unfair advantage.  Which was?  That unlike others who had left the old WCG/GCG/LCG/etc., I (Bob Thiel) had the legal right to my previous decade or so of writings.

That was considered by this individual as a major advantage I and CCOG had over others.

So, let us consider this.

First, unlike most others who started began a group, I was not on the payroll of a church. Second, I am still not on the payroll of any church.  Third, since it was not my intention to start a church, could it not have been God’s plan to have me start with so much material?

Consider that there were probably at least 200,000 people who at some point in time had affiliation with the old Worldwide Church of God, and between 10,000-20,000 who had some affiliation with the old Global Church of God or current Living Church of God.  Out of all those people, there was just one with such an extensive library.

A coincidence?

Or perhaps God’s planning?  It was certainly not my intent over the years to write articles, etc. so that someday I could end up heading up a group like the Continuing Church of God.

Consider that I did all this work over all these years on an unpaid volunteer basis.  Could that possibly be the type of person God might wish to use further?

Now getting back to other statistics, in September 2012, I released the first edition of my book Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon Kindle edition for free for five days, which is what Amazon Kindle allows.  Last week, I released, also for a five day free period, Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

How did the second edition do?  Well, the first edition resulted in 1,453 people going to Amazon Kindle and downloading the book for free.  Since people already had the book, and second editions are generally not more popular than first editions, it perhaps would have been expected that maybe 1,000 would have downloaded the second edition for free.  But instead, 4,619 people downloaded the second edition of this book.  Now the Kindle edition has the same content as the 160 page print edition (Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term)–thus thousands of people received a lot of information–including links to various CCOG-related websites in that Kindle-edition this month.   Thus, since the formation of the Continuing Church of God we have been able to reach even greater numbers of people about many of the prophetic warnings of the Bible, the sequence of Daniel 11, warnings of increasing moral decay, the need for repentance, and the message that “Jesus will save the world when He establishes the Kingdom of God (2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Corinthians 15:24, 50)” than happened previously.  Over three times as many people downloaded the second edition of the Obama prophecy book than downloaded the first edition.

The message is getting out, and we in the Continuing Church of God are working hard to fulfill Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19-20.  The Continuing Church of God intends to strive to fulfill Matthew 24:14a, and I believe will be the primary group (the Philadelphia remnant is not restricted to a single corporation) that God will use to accomplish this. Yes, we have quite a way to go, but have done a lot so far with so very few.

Please pray as Jesus said:

37…”The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

Teaching the truth and love of the word of God to the world in general (Matthew 24:14) and those called in this age in particular (Matthew 28:19-20) is the mission of the Continuing Church of God. You can click here for Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God.

The official website of the Continuing Church of God is www.ccog.org

If you want to learn more about the group that is striving to be the most faithful, you may find some of the following links of interest:

Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now essentially the most faithful in the Church of God, and is best represented by the Continuing Church of God.
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 lower level leaders?
Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God “Contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3, NKJV),  “Let brotherly love (Philadelphia) continue” (Hebrews 13:1) “…continuing stedfastly in the teaching of the apostles” (Acts 2:42 YLT). So, what does that really mean in terms of specific beliefs?

COGwriter

US President Barack Obama made the news related to some of his comments related to the sport of American football:

27 January 2013

WASHINGTON Football’s first fan isn’t sure he’d let his son play the game, in light of the impact it takes on its players.

“I’m a big football fan, but I have to tell you, if I had a son, I’d have to think long and hard before I let him play football,” President Barack Obama tells The New Republic.

“And I think that those of us who love the sport are going to have to wrestle with the fact that it will probably change gradually to try to reduce some of the violence,” Mr. Obama said.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162-57566044/obama-not-sure-hed-let-son-play-football/

Gradually change is what is needed?

No, it needs more than that.  The sport of American tackle football is immediately harmful and should not be participated in nor encouraged.

Like many, including certain ones in various churches other than the Continuing Church of God,  Barack Obama was being a bit hypocritical here.  However, unlike many others, at least he is basically admitting it.  He likes watching the sport, yet understands that it is harmful.  And so harmful that he would not want any male offspring who he could have had to play it.

Jesus taught “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39), while the Apostle Paul wrote “no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it” (Ephesians 5:29).  American tackle football is not consistent with those or certain other scriptures.

You may be telling yourself, well since my church (like most)  does not condemn football (and/or possibly encourages it) the Bible really does not apply here.  If so, be careful about accepting that that type of tradition.

Jesus Himself taught:

7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

8 “These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
9 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.  (Matthew 15:7-9)

The position of the Continuing Church of God is that American tackle football is evil and should not be encouraged.  Most other claimed COG groups with a USA presence either directly or indirectly endorse it– or at least will not boldly condemn it (could cost them supporters, etc.).  But should not Philadelphian Christians condemn truly violent acts against others?

John the Baptist taught soldiers:

14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. (Luke 3:14, KJV)

Since I do not actually watch American football, I do not know how many violent acts normally occur in each game, but the number is likely to be quite high, and maybe even a lot more if thoughts of violence are included (cf. Matthew 5:21-22).

I could not reconcile loving my neighbor as myself and cherishing my flesh and not doing violence to any man by encouraging others to do it by watching them do so in a football game. Notice also the following:

9…You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:9-10, NKJV)

Because people regularly need to get harmed in the normal playing of the game, the tackle version of the sport of American football is evil (touch football I would not consider to be inherently evil–though attitude is still a possible factor there). Also, no Christian can really defend how professional football cheerleading females are often publicly dressed and displayed.

As far as violence goes, the Bible shows that God is against violence:

23 ‘Make a chain,
For the land is filled with crimes of blood,
And the city is full of violence.
24 Therefore I will bring the worst of the Gentiles,
And they will possess their houses;
I will cause the pomp of the strong to cease,
And their holy places shall be defiled. (Ezekiel 7:23-24)

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…30…violent, proud, boasters,…31…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 1:28-32)

Do you approve those who practice violence?

This is something that Christians, and others, should think about.  And that those hoping to be amongst the most faithful Christians need to be careful to make the biblically-correct decisions along this line and not overlook the word of God because of their preferred traditions (Matthew 15:7-9).

For more scriptures, as well as the position of early Christians and others on watching violent sports or participating in other violent pursuits, please see the following:

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? This is the first time I have announced this article on this new page and it contains not only my views, but many quotes that Christians, as well as people who claim to be, should think about. Do you really want to know the answer to the question the title asks? If not, why not?
Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare? Here are current and historical perspectives on a matter which show the beliefs of the true church on military participation. Is war proper for Christians?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term 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? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-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-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.
Prophecy Obama: Prophecies of Barack Obama? Reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?  Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests?  Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.

Nagasaki Nuclear Bomb (1945)

COGwriter

India just tested a nuclear-capable missile today:

January 27, 2013

NEW DELHI An Indian news report says India has successfully tested a medium-range, nuclear-capable ballistic missile fired from an underwater platform in the Bay of Bengal…

Pallava Bagla, a defense expert, said Sunday’s test off the east coast was 14th in the series with a range of 435 miles.

It would complete India’s nuclear triad — the capability to launch missiles from land, air and below the sea.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57566045/india-tests-nuclear-capable-missile/

The above action may encourage China and/or Pakistan to take additional military steps and expenditures.

Now further to the east, North Korea has again suggested it will test a nuclear “device”:

January 27, 2013

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un convened top security and foreign affairs officials and ordered them to take “substantial and high-profile important state measures,” state media said on Sunday, indicating that he plans to push forward with a threat to explode a nuclear device in defiance of the United Nations…

North Korea…warned that it would keep developing rockets and testing nuclear devices to counter what it sees as US hostility…North Korea cites a US military threat in the region as a key reason behind its drive to build nuclear weapons…North Korea is estimated to have enough weaponized plutonium for four to eight bombs…However, it is not known whether North Korean scientists have found a way to build nuclear warheads small enough to mount on a long-range missile. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/North-Korean-leader-vows-important-measures/articleshow/18209623.cms

North Korea’s latest threat to conduct its third nuclear test and launch more long-range rockets is not just bluster but part of a deliberate effort by an increasingly confident Pyongyang to build up its atomic weapons capacity, analysts say.

The National Defense Commission, the North’s highest military body, said Thursday the planned moves include a series of satellite and long-range rocket launches as well as a nuclear test “of a higher level” targeting what it called its “arch enemy,” the United States.  http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korean-nuclear-threat-not-just-bluster/1590390.html

The North Korean politicians have often been playing a dangerous game with their country and their people.  But what many in the USA do not realize, its actions, as well as China’s, are getting the USA to focus more and more of its military concerns away from Europe and towards eastern Asia.  While the politicians in the USA will consider this to be prudent and logical, biblical prophecy shows that the real threat to the USA will arise out of Europe–so much so, it will be a European-led power that will takeover the USA per Daniel 11:39.

Although North Korea is not prophesied to take over the USA , it certainly is possible that it may decided to actually launch one or more missiles at the USA in the future.  The Bible warns of terrors affecting the descendants of Israel:

14 ‘But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments,
15 and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant,
16 I also will do this to you:
I will even appoint terror over you  (Leviticus 26:14-16)

North Korea could very well be a place some terrors could originate from and affect the USA, etc.

Yet some time from now, biblical prophecy seems to suggest cooperation by North Korea with others in Asia in the final time just prior to the return of Jesus Christ.  I have long suspected that Taiwan, China, India, Korea, and Japan, would end up being parts of the “kings from the east,” along with nations such as Russia and some more directly connected to it.

This concept of Asian involvement in a major battle is confirmed in the Book of Revelation. Notice the following:

13 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. 18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed–by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths(Revelation 9:13-18).

Only various ones in Asia are really capable of fielding a two hundred million man army. Thus, Revelation appears to be discussing an Asian role in the end-time prophecies. (It may also be of interest to note that some of the troops in China wear insignia that is red, blue and yellow–see China’s Change Towards Religion).

Also notice the following:

12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15 Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” 16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16).

Here we see that the kings from the East (hence more than one country) are those that need to cross the Euphrates. This combined with Revelation 9, which shows that two hundred million man army be assisted by angels at the Euphrates is strong biblical evidence that Asia is at least part of this massive army.

China is clearly a nation that biblical is one of the “kings from the east.” Russia, India, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and others are also probably “kings from the East” (Revelation 16:12) as they all are in the farthest eastern reaches of Asia.

And by working on the nuclear capabilities, countries such as India and North Korea are demonstrating that they intend to be military powers–and this will tend to increase military preparation and spending throughout Asia.

Yet in the end, according to biblical prophecy, many in the east will take even more steps that the Bible warns about.

Some articles of possibly related interest would include the following:

Korea in Prophecy, Any Witness? Does God have a plan for the Koreans? Is Korea mentioned in any prophecies? Will Koreans be among the first in the Kingdom of God? 한국의 언어로 : 한국 예언, 모든 증인에?
India, Its Biblical Past and Future: Any Witness? The Bible discusses the origins of those of Indian heritage and discusses some of the witness to them (including those in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka).
Might Hindus Unknowingly Be Looking for the Arrival of the Beast and False Prophet? Do biblical and even Hindu prophecies suggest that many in India will follow, for a while, the Beast and False Prophet/Antichrist?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? Where did the Japanese people come from? Have they had any witness?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan? Will God save the Japanese?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, Koreans, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term 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? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-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-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.
Prophecy Obama: Prophecies of Barack Obama? Reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?  Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests?  Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.

Pope Benedictus

COGwriter

Zenit.org (a pro-Vatican new source) posted the following about Pope Benedict XVI and the Orthodox:

The Pope’s brief message to the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches also included his condolences at the deaths of Orthodox leaders in the past year.

The Holy Father noted the work the 10-year-old commission has undertaken as they examine “from an historical perspective the various ways in which the Churches expressed their communion in the early centuries.”

“During this week devoted to prayer for the unity of all Christ’s followers, you have met to explore more fully the communion and communication which existed between the Churches in the first five centuries of Christian history,” he added…

“In acknowledging the progress which has been made,” the Pontiff continued, “I express my hope that relations between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches will continue to develop in a fraternal spirit of cooperation, particularly through the growth of a theological dialogue capable of helping all the Lord’s followers to grow in communion and to bear witness before the world to the saving truth of the Gospel.”  http://www.zenit.org/article-36413?l=english

American Catholics will find that the intended unity with the Eastern Orthodox especially disturbing if they understood the plan of the Orthodox in this area, or even the Anglicans (who will apparently be less successful with their agenda than the Eastern Orthodox will be). Notice some Catholic prophecies about the coming ecumenical unity:

Frederick William Faber (died 1863):…Antichrist…Many believe in a demonical incarnation—this will not be so—but he will be utterly possessed…His doctrine as apparent contradiction of no religion, yet a new religion…He has an attending pontiff, so separating regal and prophetic office (Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p. 87).

Venerable Bartholomew Holzhauser (17th century): …there will be an ecumenical council which will be the greatest of all councils by the power of the Great Monarch, and by the authority of the Holy Pontiff, and by the union of the most devout princes, atheism and every heresy will be banished from the earth. The Council will…be believed and accepted by everyone (Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p. 40).

(April 22, 1823): I saw that many pastors allowed themselves to be taken up with ideas that were dangerous to the Church. They were building a great, strange, and extravagant Church. Everyone was admitted in it in order to be united and to have equal rights: Evangelicals, Catholics, sects of every description. Such was to be the new Church (Dupont, p. 71).

Priest Paul Kramer (21st century): The errors of Orthodoxy and of Protestantism will be embraced by that false church, it will be an ecumenical church because the Anti-Pope will be recognized by the world—not by the faithful, but by the world—by the secular world and the secular governments. (Kramer P. The Imminent Chastisement for Not Fulfilling Our Lady’s Request. An edited transcript of a speech given at the Ambassadors of Jesus and Mary Seminar in Glendale, California, September 24, 2004.THE FATIMA CRUSADER Issue 80, Summer 2005, pp. 32-45 http://www.fatimacrusader.com/cr80/cr80pg32.asp viewed 4/15/08)

Jeanne le Royer (died 1798): One day I heard a voice which said, ‘The new Constitution will appear to many other than what it really is. They will bless it as a gift from heaven; whereas it is really a gift from {haydes} and permitted by God in His just wrath. It will only be by its effects that people will be led to recognize the Dragon who wanted to destroy all and devour all (Dupont, p. 53).

Whether this is last item a reference to some type of power agreement with the Beast (Revelation 17:12-13) or the ecumenical council (cf. Revelation 13:1-4), notice that it is expected to be satanic (Satan is the Dragon, per Revelation 12:9).

Either way, it is clear that even some Catholic prophecies suggest danger involved with ecumenism (see also Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox?).

It is not currently clear how many doctrines those claiming Rome will ultimately compromise on in order to attain unity with the Orthodox.  But, I will tell all Catholics that when I was in Istanbul in May 2008, I was specifically told by a representative of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople that when Pope Benedict XVI visited there, a papal representative told the Patriarch that Rome would change all doctrines necessary to attain full unity with the Orthodox, if the Orthodox would accept papal authority.  And this definitely included changing Rome’s position on the Filioque clause (one of the more official reasons that the two groups are currently apart).  Hence, those associated with the Church of Rome need to understand that this means that the Vatican’s current (and likely future) leadership is willing to compromise on something that it has long held as being of “great dogmatic and historical importance.”

Notice also some Eastern Orthodox prophecies about the coming ecumenical unity:

Many Catholic prophecies speak of the victory of the ‘true Catholic faith’, while Orthodox prophecies, although they agree on everything else, predict a victory of the ‘true Orthodox faith’…When we speak of the future Council, it is bound to be ecumenical…there will come a true re-unification of the Christian Churches…This Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church is not going to be Roman Catholic as understood today…The error-free Orthodox faith…The Orthodox did not experience a Vatican II, they did not begin to rewrite Scriptures…Hence, error-free in the sense that it has not been contaminated by satan…(Tzima Otto, pp. 120-122)

Saint Nelios the Myrrh-Gusher (died 1592): During that time the Eighth and last Ecumenical Synod will take place, which will satisfy the contentions of the heretics…(Tzima Otto H. The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Scriptural Prophecies. Verenikia Press, Rock Hill (SC), 2000, p. 111).

By satisfying “heretics”, clearly this council compromises and changes the religion, which will be called “Catholic.” If heretics are truly heretics, should their complaints be satisfied?

The Bible warns about a leader who “he shall think himself able to change times and laws” (Daniel 7:25, Douay-Rheims). The Catholic saint Jerome wrote that this leader was the King of the North (in his commentary on Daniel 11) and Antichrist (in his commentary on Daniel 7 as he, like many, confused the two):

“. . .And he shall crush the saints of the Most High, and will suppose himself to be able to alter times and laws.” The Antichrist will wage war against the saints and will overcome them; and he shall exalt himself to such a height of arrogance as to attempt changing the very laws of God and the sacred rites as well…” (Jerome. Commentary on Daniel, Chapter 7. Translated by Gleason L. Archer. (1958). http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/jerome_daniel_02_text.htm viewed 07/30/11)

(The Beast/King of the North is primarily a political-military leader who will persecute the saints, per Daniel 11:30-35, while the final Antichrist is primarily a religious leader per 1 John 4:1-3 who will support that Beast per Revelation 13:12.)

But if an antipope convened/attended an ecumenical synod that satisfied heretics, would he not also be supportive of changing laws? Many Catholic prophecies warn about an antipope who will arise and who could be the final Antichrist.

While proper cooperation with various church groups should be encouraged, Pope Benedict’s real goals of unity (the way I think he wants it) should not be.

Those in the COGs need to be aware that the Latins (Roman Catholics) and the Greeks (Eastern Orthodox) are determined to attain unity and continue to have meetings to make such destined unity a reality.  And, Pope Benedict has again confirmed that.

More details can be found in the following:

Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Do Protestants realize what the goal of the ecumenical Catholics is?
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
COGwriter Position on Other Churches and Religions What is the fate of those who do not know Christ? What about those who profess Christ outside the Church of God?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics The talks for unification involve compromise and the apparent rising up of a changed religion that no one should accept.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing 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.
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?

COGwriter

What is the purpose of your life? Does God have a plan for you personally?

Yes, but it is different than what many have believed.

Why did God make YOU? What is YOUR purpose?

The Bible teaches:

God is love (1 John 4:16).

The LORD is good (Nahum 1:7).

God made you to share His love with YOU.

As a matter of fact,

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:16-17).

Love is the main part of the meaning of life.

And YOU are also to love,

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love (1 John 4:7-8 7).

The Bible also shows,

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also (John 4:20-21).

29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

32 So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. 33 And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” (Mark 12:29-34)

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well (James 2:8).

He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. (John 14:21)

The Sabbath, for example, reflects love towards others as well as God’s love toward humanity–as it is clear that God intended Divine rest from the beginning. The Bible does teach that real love and ethics are found in the law of God. For more on the Bible and love, please read the article The Ten Commandments Reflect Love.

Jesus taught:

And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise (Luke 6:31).

Jesus also taught:

It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)

Since we are to be blessed (Matthew 25:34), this means that we are to be givers.

You may be thinking, “well I have heard some of this before from some religion”, what is MY purpose? Who am I? Why me?

YOU are unique. You are one who can give love in a unique way. Ultimately God has special plans for YOU personally. YOU are not the same as everyone else.

The Bible makes it clear that we are not all the same and are not to contribute the same way, and it uses the analogy of the body in 1 Corinthians 12:12-23 to do so:

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free–and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

Yes, YOU, whether strong or weak, are necessary. God’s plan includes a plan for YOU! Yes, you.

If you are having trouble now and wonder if your life is not going as it should, you may wish to read a booklet, based upon biblical principles, titled The Seven Laws of Success.

You are to receive and you to give love.

This is the true Christian meaning of life.

In the Old Testament, Job understood that God had a plan for him when he stated to God, “You shall desire the work of Your hands (Job 14:15). What Job meant was that after he was resurrected (this is discussed in the verses prior) Job knew that God had a meaning of life for him personally.

In the New Testament, Jesus taught the same thing. When He taught,

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself (John 14:2-3).

Jesus was saying that He would prepare a place for YOU if you were one of the Father’s children. God will work with you and you will not ever be forsaken:

6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6)

5…For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Furthermore, notice the following:

But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked (1 John 2:5-6)

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:9-11).

We are to love and receive love.  And through various tests and trials build the type of character that will flourish in the coming Kingdom of God.

Those who are depressed about the suffering in today’s world need to understand that the Bible teaches,

God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:3-4).

And the happiness we will experience will be beyond that which humans can imagine (1 Corinthians 2:9).

God’s plan for you is to show you love through the forgiveness of sins, to ultimately reveal His loving plan of salvation to all, to give you more than you can even imagine, and for you to be able to show love to others throughout eternity.

God does have a plan for you. God loves you and wants you to love others.

The sermon given last week and being played today by many affiliated with the Continuing Church of God is titled:  What is the meaning of your life?

The sermon contains a lot of information that is not in this post such as a few ways to demonstrate why God’s existence is logical and more about the an individual’s purpose, and even some speculative comments about why people die when they do.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge.
Where Did God Come From? Any ideas? And how has God been able to exist? Who is God?
How is God Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient? Here is a biblical article by Wallace Smith which answers what many really wonder about it.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
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.
Deification: Did the Early Church Teach That Christians Would Become God? What does the Bible teach? Is deification only a weird or cultic idea?

Vaclav Klaus

COGwriter

Charles Krauthammer had some comments about the Obama agenda, and also mentioned something about President of the Czech Republic:

 26 January 2013

WASHINGTON — The media herd is stunned to discover that Barack Obama is a man of the left. After 699 teleprompted presidential speeches, the commentariat was apparently still oblivious. Until Monday’s Inaugural address.

Where has everyone been? The only surprise is that Obama chose his second Inaugural, generally an occasion for “malice toward none” ecumenism, to unveil so uncompromising a left-liberal manifesto.

But the substance was no surprise. After all, Obama had unveiled his transformational agenda in his very first address to Congress, four years ago (Feb. 24, 2009). It was, I wrote at the time, “the boldest social democratic manifesto ever issued by a U.S. president.”

Nor was it mere talk. Obama went on to essentially nationalize health care, 18 percent of the U.S. economy — after passing an $833 billion stimulus that precipitated an unprecedented expansion of government spending. Washington now spends 24 percent of GDP, fully one-fifth higher than the postwar norm of 20 percent.

Monday’s inaugural address…It was a paean to big government. At its heart was Obama’s pledge to (1) defend unyieldingly the 20th-century welfare state and (2) expand it unrelentingly for the 21st.

The first part of that agenda — clinging zealously to the increasingly obsolete structures of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid — is the very definition of reactionary liberalism. Social Security was created when life expectancy was 62. Medicare was created when modern medical technology was in its infancy. Today’s radically different demographics and technology have rendered these programs, as structured, unsustainable. Everyone knows that, unless reformed, they will swallow up the rest of the budget.

As for the second part — enlargement — Obama had already begun that in his first term with Obamacare. His Inaugural address reinstated yet another grand Obama project — healing the planet. It promised a state-created green-energy sector, massively subsidized.

The playbook is well known. As Czech President (and economist) Vaclav Klaus once explained, environmentalism is the successor to failed socialism as justification for all-pervasive rule by a politburo of experts. Only now, it acts in the name of not the proletariat but the planet.

Monday’s address also served to disabuse the fantasists of any Obama interest in fiscal reform or debt reduction. This speech was spectacularly devoid of any acknowledgment of the central threat to the postindustrial democracies (as already seen in Europe) — the crisis of an increasingly insolvent entitlement state.

On the contrary. Obama is the apostle of the ever-expanding state. His speech was an ode to the collectivity. But by that he means only government, not the myriad of voluntary associations — religious, cultural, charitable, artistic, advocacy, ad infinitum — that are the glory of the American system.http://www.lowellsun.com/oped/ci_22456281/obama-unbound-unleashes-his-ultra-left-manifesto#ixzz2J5s11tfc

Although years ago, US President Barack Obama declared that US government debt levels were “unsustainable,” I declared that Barack Obama would, in fact, continue to increase that debt.  And he has. This should have raised more concerns than it has, but some are noticing.  The fact that Charles Krauthammer also sees that what is going on with the USA is unsustainable shows that some others also realize something is terribly wrong about the direction of the economy of the USA (cf. Isaiah 30:12; Deuteronomy 28:42-45,47-52).

But I wanted to focus a bit more on the economically-trained Vaclav Klaus.  Notice something that the BBC reported about him:

Mr Klaus – free market devotee and the bane of Brussels bureaucrats – will step down on 7 March after 23 years at the top of Czech politics. Few, however, believe he will spend his retirement on the golf course.

Vaclav Klaus is a bit like modern jazz. You either love him or hate him. The veteran politician – who served as finance minister and prime minister before succeeding arch-rival Vaclav Havel as president in 2003…

said Petr Honzejk, a commentator for leading financial daily Hospodarske noviny…”He taught Czechs capitalism.”  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20961896

Properly educated economists realize that economic growth comes from producing goods and services that others are willing to pay for (sometimes referred to as capitalism–though capitalism has additional meanings).  Vaclav Klaus seem to realize this.  In the long run, economists should realize that debt cannot continue to greatly increase forever.  And one does not need to be an economist to realize that  if something is unsustainable that it cannot continue forever.   Thus, the USA is in for a rude awakening (Habakkuk 2:6-8; Daniel 11:39).

Now as far as other rude awakenings go, months ago, Vaclav Klaus made some warnings about some of what was really going on with the European Union that most discounted:

Václav Klaus warns that the destruction of Europe’s democracy may be in its final phase

‘Two-faced’ politicians have opened the door to an EU superstate by giving up on democracy, Václav Klaus, the veteran Czech statesman, tells Bruno Waterfield.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/9559937/Vclav-Klaus-warns-that-the-destruction-of-Europes-democracy-may-be-in-its-final-phase.html

Major new drive to claw back powers from EU ‘superstate’

New moves towards a European superstate have led ministers to step up a drive to repatriate powers from Brussels.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/9560306/Europe-EU-David-Cameron-referendum-superstate-repatriation.html

But Vaclav Klaus was basically right.  The Czech President has always had concerns about the EU’s direction and he rightly sees that the EU will end up with full political union if it keeps going the way that many are trying to push it (see, for example, EU Nations Calling for Stronger Presidency, Elimination of UK Veto, and European Army).

The European Beast power (Revelation 13) is in the process of forming right now, yet many simply do not see it. Vaclav Klaus is one of few high level European leaders that not only senses some of it, but is willing to publicly warn about it. Other politicians oppose certain losses of sovereignty, but normally (other than some in the UK) seem less concerned about that.

But, as the BBC reported, Vaclav Klaus is on his way out.  His expected replacement is believed to have a very different agenda:

Published January 26, 2013

PRAGUE –  Left-leaning former Prime Minister Milos Zeman is leading in the race for the largely ceremonial post of Czech president.

With the votes from more than 50 percent of polling stations counted Saturday, the outspoken Zeman was leading with 57.62 percent of the vote…

Czechs are electing the country’s president in a direct popular vote for the first time, choosing a leader to replace euro-skeptic President Vaclav Klaus…

Klaus’ second and final term in office ends March 7. The new president will be sworn in the following day. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/01/26/milos-zeman-leads-in-czech-presidential-vote-to-replace-euro-skeptic-vaclav/#ixzz2J5rDxZM5

Mr Zeman is seen as a hard-drinking, chain-smoking politician, known for his witty put-downs of opponents.

As president, he will…support deeper integration of the European Union.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21210495

So, probably one of the biggest official voices on the continent that opposed what the European Union has been trying to do is being replaced by one who is believed to be much more supportive of European integration.  Although European integration is something that Bible prophecy shows will happen (Daniel 2:41-43; Revelation 17:12-13), it also warns against it (cf. Revelation 18:4; 14:9-11).

Of course, in the USA and Canada, most just see a bunch of bickering European states and no real union. Yet, Bible prophecy indicated that there would be unity issues in Europe (cf. Daniel 2:41-43)–but that eventually a restructuring would occur, with complete loss of sovereignty (Revelation 17:12-13). And the world would eventually marvel at what happens because of this (Revelation 13:1-8).

Right now we see that the European empire is in the process of forming, with some occasional bumps in the road. And it may be fully formed within the next decade or so.  Vaclav Klaus was one of the few voices over on the continent to warn what was starting to happen there, and he is basically being ignored.

People such as Charles Krauthammer and I have warned about the direction of the USA (with me more focused on the moral direction) and sadly have been ignored by too many.  The end of the USA is coming and certain economic steps are accelerating that process (cf. Habakkuk 2:6-8; Daniel 11:39; Isaiah 30:12).

Although national repentance to prevent this seems impossible, personal repentance still is possible and is the only real solution until the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His kingdom–and that is the good news.

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”? What is ahead for Europe?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?  Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests?  Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
Just 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.
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?
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? A booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom.

COGwriter

The Continuing Church of God is pleased to announce a new video on our YouTube channel called Bible New Prophecy.

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde

COGwriter

While the Republicans and US President Barack Obama seem to be fine with the idea of suspending the debt ceiling for the USA for now (see, for example, Obama Administration will not oppose debt-ceiling delay proposal), this does not mean that the international community agrees:

2013 a “make or break year” for U.S. economy

International Monetary Fund managing director Christine Lagarde speaks with Anthony Mason at the 2013 Davos about what she calls a “make or break year” for the U.S. economy.

Suspending debt ceiling hurts U.S. “tremendously”

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50139680n

This is not her first warning about this, notice what she said last week:

IMF’s Lagarde: US Debt-Ceiling Delay Could Be ‘Catastrophic’…

In an interview with Reuters Insider television, Lagarde warned that a fight in the United States over raising the nation’s $16.4 trillion borrowing limit could be “catastrophic” for the global economy if it is not raised in time.

“I very, very strongly hope that all parties, all views will converge in the national interest of the U.S. economy and in the international interest of the global economy,” she said. “To imagine that the U.S. economy would be in default, would not honor the payments that it owes, is just unthinkable.”

http://www.moneynews.com/StreetTalk/IMF-Lagarde-US-Debt-Ceiling/2013/01/17/id/471951#ixzz2J1HbH8sM

Last week, Christine Lagarde considered that not raising the US debt ceiling would be catastrophic and this week she is saying that the political answer in the USA to suspend the limit for some period of time hurts the USA tremendously.  And the actions, delays, and inactions by US politicians are hurting the USA and its economic influence in the world.

And while many want to consider that a USA default on its debt is “unthinkable,”  clearly more are noticing that the political gridlock, etc. in the USA is putting the future of the USA dollar at risk.  And, I would add, that it is much worse than that.  But also is giving nations reasons to think about the “unthinkable,” and some are trying to take steps related to that.

While they are not ready yet, the Bible tells of a time when a European power will rise up and rule (Revelation 13; for more details you can read The King of the North will arise or watch a YouTube video titled Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?).  Notice that this power will exert economic control:

16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.   (Revelation 13:16-18)

Though many Americans (including Canadians) realize the above scriptures are true, few have probably given much thought as how the USA itself is going to help make this happen.

How is it doing that?

Well, amongst other reasons, mismanaging its economy and greatly increasing its debt.

For a long time, the debt and budget issues have been kicked further down the road–and now the IMF’s Director is warning that this hurts the USA tremendously. The USA is going to, and probably not intentionally, compel other power in the world to take steps to replace the USA dollar as the world’s reserve currency and replace it with something else.

Notice 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)

12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel:  “Because you despise this word, And trust in oppression and perversity, And rely on them, 13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you Like a breach ready to fall, A bulge in a high wall, Whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant.  (Isaiah 30:12)

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).

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 (cf. Daniel 11:39; Habakkuk 2:6-8).

Immoral as well as certain economic policies of the USA are putting that nation at great risk.  And while the American politicians can act like they believe that they are taking the proper steps, many in the world are noticing that these steps are not proper for a nation that wishes to have the greatest single control over the world economy.

And when the USA does lose its economic control, the problems in the USA will be more massive than nearly all politicians in the USA have probably realized is possible.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
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?
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 Who is 666? This article explains how the COG views this, and compares this to Ellen White.
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?
Does God Have a 6,000/7,000 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? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2018 or 2019?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2013, 2014, or 2015? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term 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? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-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-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.