Church of God News

Palace of Westminster in London

COGwriter

The UK is believed to be on the brink of another recession:

January 25, 2013
Britain’s economy shrank more than forecast in the fourth quarter as the boost from the Olympic Games unwound and oil and gas output plunged, leaving the country on the brink of an unprecedented triple-dip recession.Gross domestic product dropped 0.3 percent from the three months through September, when it grew 0.9 percent, the Office for National Statistics said today in London. That compares with the median of 38 estimates in a Bloomberg News surveyfor a decline of 0.1 percent.The pound fell as the drop highlighted the challenge Prime Minister David Cameron’s government faces to secure momentum in the economy more than three years after it emerged from the deepest recession since World War II.  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-25/u-k-economy-shrinks-more-than-forecast-as-triple-dip-risk-looms.html

The UK has had economic difficulties, and in some respects, more than some other countries.  The UK is also losing a lot of its financial influence in the world.

Although it will have problems before it is fully formed, another financial and military system is starting to arise in Europe and the Anglo-descended nations will not like what will replace Anglo-capitalism.

But ultimately, Jesus will come and establish His kingdom with, amongst other things, a proper economic system. But until then, overall, Britain will see that it has less influence on the world scene than it did in its glory days or even as it did a decade or so ago.

Although the United Kingdom (and related Commonwealth nations) and the United States have dominated the world’s economy the past couple of centuries (as well as the military for over a 1/2 century), a shift is occurring and those in the Anglo-nations will not like what will be happening relatively soon.

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-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
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?
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”?
Large Hadron Collider may result in military applications The Europeans have the largest physics project on the planet. Some scoff, but might it result in military applications? May the Large Hadron Collider help fulfill Revelation 13:4?
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?
Is Tony Blair Apocalyptic? The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom converted to Catholicism shortly after leaving his office and has been active in European affairs. What role might he play?
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? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
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.

COGwriter

On Wednesday and Thursday, I noticed that the Kindle Edition of my latest book (Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Kindle Edition-Second Edition for Second Obama Term) has been number 1 in its two Kindle categories.

Until midnight on 1/25/13  it is still be available for free from Amazon Kindle.  So, if you want a FREE ELECTRONIC VERSION then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Kindle Edition-Second Edition for Second Obama Term. This electronic version is supposed to be free until January 25, 2013, and is only US$2.99 thereafter. If you don’t have a Kindle reader that should not be a problem. Amazon will allow you to download Kindle to almost any device, including personal computers, MACs, Ipads, etc.: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon’s Free Reader Apps (http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771). After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Kindle Edition-Second Edition for Second Obama Termfor your free book! (Note: Amazon Kindle prohibits me from giving the book away directly in electronic form or it will not carry the book, that is why I advise going to Amazon’s free Kindle app site so you can get the book for free during the time that Amazon allows a free promotion of it.) If you like the book, please consider posting a review at Amazon. If you do not like it, consider sending me an email specifying any issues you have with it so I can possibly change possible future versions of it.

This is a 160 page book (in the print version and the Kindle version basically has the same content, with slightly different formatting).  The book  Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States is for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many predictions that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also discusses Republican leaders. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com as well as at Amazon.com or US$9.98.

Received the following unsolicited email for Africa about it:

Thanks for the unique opportunity of offering us (low income brethren) an opportunity to read the powerful book on Barack Obama and the Fall of USA! What a uniquely true fulfillment of various end time prophecies, mostly were not known to many of us!

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For years, after God called me into the knowledge of his truth and church, I was confused by the scripture in the Old Testament that states ” If a prophet arises among you and prophesy something that happens; and the prophet instructs you to follow another God… do not believe him!” I kept wondering how can a false prophet be able to predict something that truly happen? Now , the Barack Obama’s book has removed my blindness, as the multitudes of both Catholic, Islamic and other non-true religious prophecies you cited, are a direct fulfillment of the scripture I mentioned above! It is astonishingly frightening to seen the vile and subtle tricks of the Devil: he uses the same prophecy God has revealed through his true prophets, but seriously changes the names and roles of major players of that prophetic event, by making the “Good Guys of that prophecy appear to be the Bad Guys”, and vice-versus! Really, without God pouring his spirit to his servants like Bob Thiel so that they instruct many during these dangerously crisis at the end, many of even God’s true saints will be mislead!

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Once again, thank you so much for the book and for providing it free through online download! God help his people to “WATCH more closely and be VIGILANT”!

Now, perhaps I should mention that one or more who claim association with the Church of God have criticized my use of non-biblical prophecies even to the point of claiming that they can see no reason for me possibly doing so.  Without going into to all the reasons, let me state that the Church of God has long done this (Acts 17:28; Hill, David Jon. Will you be deceived by Antichrist? Good News magazine of the Radio Church of God, October 1964, pp. 9-12,18; Hill DJ.  Christ or Antichrist.  Good News magazine, Radio Church of God, April 1961, pp. 10-11; Stump K.  Arab world in prophecy.  Plain Truth magazine, Worldwide Church of God, December 1979, pp. 11-12), that the Apostle Paul referred to pagan writings to reach his audience at times (cf. Acts 17:22-34; Titus 1:12), and since real Christians are not to be ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11), those who actually believe the Bible more than their own “traditions” should realize that knowing how Satan has planned to deceive the world is an important aspect of being able to complete the final phase of the work (as doctrines of demons will be part of it, cf. 1 Timothy 4:1).  Dealing with false prophecies has long been something that God’s leaders (cf. 1 Kings 18) and prophets (e.g. (Jeremiah 28:15-16) have had to do.

But the Apostle Paul wrote an interesting reason that some simply have overlooked (or at least partially misunderstood):

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.  (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

Notice that the Apostle Paul was willing to tailor his message in order to reach more people.  I would suggest that my doing that with the Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States book this week has been used by God to reach more people than another other COG book on Kindle this week and thus reach people that would not have been reached (at least to this depth and detail) otherwise.

One reality is that there are many who are not interested in an Amazon book only about Bible prophecies as many believe that they have been misled by some of those in the past.  Yet, by showing how some non-biblical prophecies confirm and/or contradict biblical ones (and my books try to make that clear), those who have sufficient “love of the truth” can be better grounded.  The reality is that Philadelphians (and others) are prophesied to reach great multitudes (Daniel 11:32-35; Matthew 24:14; Romans 9:28; ) and not being ignorant of Satan’s devices, including his prophecies, is something that true Philadelphians should want to be aware of.

Perhaps I should add that in the past year, at least two Charolotte-based evangelists have done this publicly (refer to Catholic private prophecies), so it is bizarre that certain of my critics have such a selective memory (many others in their church have also published articles citing Islamic prophecies throughout the years, e.g. Wakefield W. Is This “The End of History”?  Tomorrow’s World magazine, November-December 2011).  Citing non-biblical prophecies has long been a practice in the Church of God, yet the hypocrisy of many about that recently has been disturbing.

But, in the past month or so, I have had to deal with a lot of false statements and “selective memories.”  Yet, despite this, I have reached significantly more people with the second edition of my free Kindle version of Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Kindle Edition-Second Edition for Second Obama Term than I was able to do with the first edition.  I hope to report specific numbers on this later as the free promotion still has hours left (as I type this).

Perhaps I should mention that one or more who also claim association with the Church of God have limited understanding about what the New Testament actually teaches about prophets, and I would suggest that they study the article How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God.  God’s more faithful prophets try to get His message out to whosoever they feel God wants to hear it.

Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States explains about how, by virtue of his background and policies, Barack Obama is fulfilling, and will continue to help fulfill, various prophecies that will lead to the destruction of the United States. Not intended as an anti-Democratic nor pro-Republican book, Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States also tells the truth about Republican leaders and why their possible election to the presidency would also lead to destruction. It answers questions such as “Is Barack Obama apocalyptic? ” and “Is Barack Obama the Antichrist?” Citing Islamic, Kenyan, Catholic, Byzantine, and Bible prophecy, as well as the writings of Nostradamus and others, Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States explains from many source where, why, when, and even some of how, the various aspects of destruction will come.

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

The physical book from Amazon can be purchased at the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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?
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.
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.

Gonococcal Ophthalmia Neonatorum

COGwriter

There seems to be an increase in antibiotic resistant bacteria:

24 January 2013

Antibiotic ‘apocalypse’ warning

By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News…

Prof Dame Sally Davies said bacteria were becoming resistant to current drugs and there were few antibiotics to replace them.

She told a committee of MPs that going for a routine operation could become deadly due to the threat of infection.

Experts said it was a global problem and needed much more attention.

Antibiotics have been one of the greatest success stories in medicine. However, bacteria are a rapidly adapting foe which find new ways to evade drugs.

MRSA rapidly became one of the most feared words in hospitals wards and there are growing reports of resistance in strains of E. coli, tuberculosis and gonorrhoea…

Prof Pennington said the drugs companies had run out of options too as all the easy drugs had been made.

“We have to be aware that we aren’t going to have new wonder drugs coming along because there just aren’t any.”  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21178718

7…And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:6-8)

We seem to be in the time Jesus called “the beginning of sorrows.”  There have been “earthquakes in various places” this year. However, what will be coming will be worse (see ).

As Jesus said:

37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! (Mark 13:36-37)

Some articles of related interest may include:

Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse What is the pale horse of death and pestilences? What will it bring and when?
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?
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?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2013 or 2014? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What happens in the “beginning of sorrows”? What is the Day of the Lord?

Flag of Korea, 1889

COGwriter

North Korea has decided to engage in some sabre rattling:

January 24, 2013

SEOUL — North Korea is amplifying its rhetoric about carrying out more rocket launches and a third nuclear test.

North Korea’s National Defense Commission says the reclusive state will conduct an “all-out confrontation battle” that will include further satellite and long-range launches, as well as what it calls a nuclear test of a “higher level.” It says these actions will be aimed at its sworn enemy, the United States.

Some experts speculate the reference to an enhanced nuclear test likely will be an attempt to detonate a uranium bomb, compared to the plutonium devices North Korea tested in 2006 and 2009.

The statement, carried by the state’s official news agency and broadcast on radio Thursday, totally rejects Tuesday’s U.N. Security Council condemnation of North Korea, calling it an illegal resolution concocted by the United States.

An announcer, reading the defense commission statement, says “settling accounts with the United States needs to be done with force, not with words as the U.S. regards jungle law as the rule for survival.”

The Security Council imposed additional sanctions on Pyongyang for its December 12 long-range rocket launch.

The resolution came after weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations on wording between the United States and China, which is North Korea’s sole remaining significant ally.

South Korea Foreign Ministry spokesman Cho Tai-young says the latest statement from Pyongyang is deeply regrettable.  http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korea-vows-nuclear-test-aimed-at-us/1589931.html

The North Korean politicians have often been playing a dangerous game with their country and their people.

While North Korea is not prophesied to take over the USA (Europe is per Daniel 11:39, etc.), it certainly is possible that it may decided to actually launch one or more missiles at the USA in the future.

Yet some time from now, biblical prophecy seems to suggest cooperation by North Korea with likely South Korea and others in Asia in the final time just prior to the return of Jesus Christ (Revelation 16:12).

The Koreans are Asians and occupy the “land of the sunrise” (Revelation 16:2) and I believe that they are part of the kings of the east that the Book of Revelation discusses having a role in the end time (Revelation 9:16).  But North Korea may take unusual actions before then, and it may regret doing so.

Two 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?
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?

Beyoncé Knowles with daughter (Hollywood Branded)

COGwriter

Because Beyoncé Knowles apparently lip-synced the national anthem of the United States at President Obama’s inauguration Monday, some are satirically calling for him to resign according to something that came out a few hours ag0:

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report) – A rising chorus of congressional Republicans are calling on President Obama to acknowledge that the pop singer Beyoncé lip-synched during his inaugural festivities on Monday and resign from office, effective immediately.

“By lip-synching the national anthem, Beyoncé has cast a dark cloud over the President’s second term,” said Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky).  “The only way President Obama can remove that cloud is by resigning from office at once.”

While many in the media have blamed Beyoncé for the lip-synching controversy, Mr. Paul said, “We must remember that this happened on President Obama’s watch.”

Mr. Paul said that the White House’s refusal to comment on the Beyoncé crisis “only serves the argument that this President has something to hide.”

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/borowitzreport/2013/01/obama-urged-to-resign-over-beyonc-scandal.html#ixzz2IqW4OkDt

Singers lip-sync all the time in certain public settings for many reasons, including insuring the integrity of the sound quality (although the way that one source suggested that Beyoncé did it she took extra steps to hide the lip-syncing).  While I did not hear Beyoncé sing, one person who heard her told me that she felt that Beyoncé did a remarkably good job.  This is not an item that I feel that U.S. President Obama needs to deal with.

On the other hand, it was somewhat difficult for me to find a photograph of Beyoncé that I felt would be appropriate to post here.  She simply has had a lot of public photos of her wearing insufficient clothing for public display.

A couple of years or so ago, Stephanie Gräfin von Bismarck Schönhausen zu Guttenberg made the news for blasting pop singers inappropriately-attired female celebrities:

Stephanie zu Guttenberg, the wife of German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, on Tuesday attacked the sexed-up, porn-influenced style of pop stars such as Lady Gaga and Rihanna and their potentially harmful influence on children.

“When I see nine-year-old girls are already watching Top Model-style shows on television or excitedly discussing the new video clip from Lady Gaga – with black leather corset, suspenders and naked bottom cheeks – then I am really worried about the female role models these children are growing up with,”…wrote…the 33-year-old the great-great-granddaughter of Germany’s Chancellor Otto von Bismarck…

“Cultural experts call the look of the noughties ‘porno chic’ – and artists like Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna or Britney Spears actually do sometimes appear in their videos or performances as characters in such films,” she wrote. (The Local, 14 September 2010. http://www.thelocal.de/society/20100914-29803.html)

And Stephanie Gräfin von Bismarck Schönhausen zu Guttenberg is totally correct. Singers like Lady Gaga and Beyoncé often intentionally wear sexually provocative outfits and often promote an anti-biblical morality message (Matthew 5:27-28). And they should not do that (cf. Luke 17:1-2).

Of course, pornography itself is a big business and causes a variety of problems, such as the fact that it hurts families as well as society in general.  It also hurts those who watch and who provide it.

What does any of this have to do with Barack Obama?

While he is not responsible for Beyoncé’s lip-syncing,  notice some statements from my book Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term:

the Bible itself warns…:

⁴³ The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower (Deuteronomy 28:43).

¹²…O My people! 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)…

Notice two public statements from Barack Obama:

Beyoncé could not be a better role model for my girls.

{Abortion} I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose and this fundamental constitutional right.

Beyoncé is a female American singer who often seems to violate standards of modesty (cf. 1 Timothy 2:9). Abortion is murder, and abortion is wrong. Promoting and/or approving biblically-condemned actions is dangerous and puts the U.S.A. at increasing risk God’s judgment (Romans 1:32).

It is Barack Obama’s public statements claiming that Beyoncé could not be a better role model for my girls (September 2012) which he should have apologized, etc. for.  But instead, he arranged her to get more publicity earlier this week.

Promoting sexual immorality is wrong (cf. Romans 1:18-32).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

British and American Moral Decay Public nudity is becoming more prevalent in the Anglo-lands. What are some of the consequences?
CG7 on Pornography This is an article excerpt from the Church of God, 7th Day-Denver about pornography.
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?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-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.
(If you want a FREE ELECTRONIC VERSION of my book, go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Kindle Edition-Second Edition for Second Obama Term. This electronic version is scheduled to be free from January 21, 2013 until January 25, 2013 (that is the longest period that Amazon allows), and is only US$2.99 thereafter. If you don’t have a Kindle reader that should not be a problem. Amazon will allow you to download Kindle to almost any device, including personal computers, MACs, Ipads, etc.: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon’s Free Reader Apps (http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771). After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Kindle Edition-Second Edition for Second Obama Term for your free book! (Note: Amazon Kindle prohibits me from giving the book away directly in electronic form or it will not carry the book, that is why I advise going to Amazon’s free Kindle app site so you can get the book for free during the time that Amazon allows a free promotion of it.) If you like the book, please consider posting a review at Amazon. If you do not like it, consider sending me an email specifying any issues you have with it so I can possibly change possible future versions of it.)

Beijing After Rain Beijing on a Normal Sunny Day

COGwriter

It’s not just China that has problems with air pollution:

Toxic fog settles over Salt Lake City, warn doctors

23 January 2013

SALT LAKE CITY A group of Utah doctors is declaring a health emergency over the Salt Lake City area’s lingering air pollution problem.

Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment planned to deliver a petition Wednesday demanding immediate action by elected officials.

The group wants Gov. Gary Herbert and mayors of northern Utah cities to cut the pollution.

The problem hits home for Michelle Francis, who keeps one eye on Utah’s air quality index and the other on her 9-year-old daughter’s chronic asthma these days. The air pollution is so awful in her Salt Lake City suburb that Francis keeps her daughter indoors on many days to prevent her cough from being aggravated.

“When you add all the gunk in the air, it’s too much,” Francis said.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has singled out the greater Salt Lake region as having the nation’s worst air for much of January, when an icy fog smothers mountain valleys for days or weeks at a time and traps lung-busting soot.

The following passage which involves the second coming of Jesus ends with an interesting statement:

8 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth. (Revelation 11:18)

Are not pollution problems part of how humankind is destroying the earth?

Jesus will need to return to save humanity from destroying itself (Matthew 24:22).

But when?

We in the Continuing Church of God believe that God gave humans 6,000 years to live their own way (please see the article Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism and a 6000 Year Plan?). And that humans will mess things up so bad, “unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved” (Matthew 24:22). And that 6.000 years is close to being up–and probably will be in the next decade or so.

But because God has a plan for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 13:38) and a God of love (1 John 4:8,16; John 3:16), that He will intervene and send Jesus to establish a millennial kingdom on earth (Revelation 11:15; 20:4). During this 1000 year reign the world will become beautiful again (Isaiah 35:1-10; 58:12) (see also Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism?).

After this thousand year reign, all who ever lived will be resurrected (Revelation 20:5). The judgment will begin (Revelation 20:12) and God will plead His case (Isaiah 3:13; Jeremiah 25:31). When humans see how they started out with a very good and beautiful earth and messed up and nearly completely destroyed it in their 6,000 years, it appears that they will realize that humankind that distanced itself from the true God cannot properly govern itself. However, when they see how when starting with a messed up and nearly completely destroyed earth at the end of the 6,000 years (please see the article Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?), that it was restored to being very good again, like Eden (Isaiah 51:3), because people obeyed the King of Kings during the millennium (please see Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism?), then apparently nearly all who ever lived will repent of their ways, accept Jesus as the Christ, and will live God’s way of life.

Since God is love (1 John 4:16), we in the Continuing Church of God believe that He has a plan that takes into account how human beings would have rebelled against Him (cf. 1 Peter 1:20-21). We also believe that God is smart enough to have developed a plan that does not result in the vast majority of humanity having to suffer endless torment. Thus we believe it is logical that His plan will result in nearly everyone who ever lived, no matter what their religion or background was, to be saved. And that there are hundreds of verses in the Bible that show this—and this is God’s will (2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16-17). This plan is also consistent with writings about Christianity throughout history—though most in modern times seem to wish to overlook that fact. And a little known fact is that there are hundreds of verses in the Bible that show this (documentation is in the article Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis).

And this will be good news for all of humanity.

Some articles of interest may include the following:

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-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 FREE until 1/25/2013 (and will be available for only US$2.99 after that). 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.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2019 or 202x?
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.
Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Will God call everyone? Will everyone have an opportunity for salvation? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.

Jerusalem

COGwriter

Since Israel tends to have coalition governments, the results of its elections are not as certain as those in countries like the United States.  However, analysts believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu will keep his job:

By HERB KEINON, GIL HOFFMAN, JPOST.COM STAFF

01/23/2013

Despite suffering a significant setback at the polls, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Wednesday afternoon the elections show the country wants him to continue to lead the nation.

Netanyahu told reporters that the coalition he will put together will deal with greater equality in carrying the military burden, institute cheaper housing and government reform.  http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=300673

23 January 2013

With almost all the votes counted in Israel’s election, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks likely to hang on to his job for a third term.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21161550

Prime Minister Netanyahu has in the past expressed a willingness to attack Iran to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons, Syria if its chemical weapons pose more of a threat, and Gaza (which he did in response to attacks from there, see Israel Expanding Actions Against Gaza; France & Egypt Want Cease-fire).  He is not considered to be a political “dove.”

Groups like the Muslim Brotherhood seem to know that and they believe that war (jihad) is the way that they will get Jerusalem away from Israel to be part of their hoped for empire (called a caliphate):

The supreme guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, from which Egypt’s President Mohammed Mursi emanated, called on Thursday for a jihad (holy war) to liberate Jerusalem from Israeli rule.

“Jerusalem is Islamic … and nobody is entitled to make concessions” on the Holy City, said Sheikh Mohammed Badie in his weekly message to supporters.

“The jihad for the recovery of Jerusalem is a duty for all Muslims,” he said, stressing that the liberation of the Holy City “will not be done through negotiations or at the United Nations.” (Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood chief urges Jihad for Jerusalem. Al Arabiya with AFP. 11 October 2012. http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/10/11/243221.html)

The likely re-election of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will likely strengthen the resolve of some in the Muslim Brotherhood to utilize military means as part of their strategy to acquire Jerusalem.  As I reported before (Palestinian Leader Says, ‘Jerusalem is Eternal Capital’ and A call for Jerusalem to be the ‘capital of the caliphate’), Palestinian leaders also want Jerusalem and have shown a willingness to use violence in order to further their agenda.

In Jordan (a country that borders Israel and once had part of Jerusalem in its territory) there was also an election:

January 23, 2013

AMMAN, Jordan — Jordanians went to the polls on Wednesday in the first parliamentary elections since protests targeting corruption and calling for greater political freedoms started to spread two years ago, shaking the rule of King Abdullah II.

The monarch, a close ally of the United States, is relying on the elections to quiet his critics and has promised that the contest could usher in the formation of strong political parties and allow the public a greater say in the selection of the government. His critics have dismissed the vote as an attempt by him to avoid yielding any measure of his absolute powers and say it is likely to contribute to a spreading sense of political alienation.

The country’s main opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Islamic Action Front, boycotted the vote, increasing the chances that the election would be followed by more unrest. The Brotherhood and other groups which did not vote complained about an election law that underrepresents the kingdom’s majority citizens of Palestinian origin, favoring members of tribes loyal to the king.  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/24/world/middleeast/jordanians-vote-in-first-parliament-elections-since-protests.html?_r=0

The Muslim Brotherhood wants Jordan, but so far has not succeeded in getting it.  Ultimately, however, I believe that it or a group like it, will be able to pressure Jordan and the Gulf states to support it, even though they really do not want to.

Why?

Because the Bible tells of a final Arabic power known as the King of the South (Daniel 11:40) and this is consistent with the goals of the Muslim Brotherhood.  This confederation will include countries that are currently in North Africa and the Middle East per Daniel 11:40-43 and Ezekiel 30:1-9.  But the Bible also makes it clear that some  in that confederation will betray it (Daniel 11:25b-26) and that may include countries such as Jordan, some Gulf states, and likely Turkey (cf. Daniel 11:41).  But, since the Bible shows that they will be temporarily aligned with the King of the South, at some point in time they must be.

The caliphate that the Muslim Brotherhood wants to establish is from the western coast of North Africa to the Arab peninsula and beyond (see also The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy). Basically an Islamic empire that many Muslims hope will take over the world. Since the Arab Spring, more and more events have aligned for the possible foundations of this Islamic empire.

Many associated with the Muslim Brotherhood feel that they need a caliphate first, and many want Jerusalem as its capital. This makes Jerusalem an item of contention as Israel basically claims it is its eternal and undivided capital (though it is somewhat divided already).

Talking about the end times, Jesus said, “Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”  This suggests that Israel will no longer have control over all of it.

World events continue to align with Bible prophecy. And despite sabre rattling (and a likely regional war) an apparent peace deal will come (Daniel 9:27).  Israel at some point will agree to some type of division per Zechariah 14:2 (there is also a de facto division there now, so technically Israel would not necessarily have to agree to anything, but likely will).

While the forming of an Islamic caliphate is consistent with Bible prophecy related to the rise of one called the King of the South (Daniel 11:40), it should be understood that he and his followers will not end up well (Daniel 11:40-43), nor will they control Jerusalem in toto for very long (if they ever do).

The elections in Jordan and Israel are steps towards the fulfillment of end time prophecy.

But the end is not here, yet (Matthew 24:6).  But as Jesus said, “Watch” (Mark 13:37).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2013 or 2014? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000?
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?
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?
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?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? What will happen to the nation of Israel and Jerusalem?

COGwriter

Perhaps signaling an odd form of “bipartisanship,” a few hours ago, a representative of the Obama Administration stated that Barack Obama would not oppose a Republican party proposal to extend the debt-ceiling for another three months:

House Republicans are advancing a novel plan to suspend enforcement of the federal debt limit through May 18, a move that would lift the threat of a government default and relieve the air of crisis that has surrounded their budget battle with President Obama.The measure — set for a vote Wednesday in the House — would not resolve the dispute over how to control the national debt. But after the traumatic “fiscal cliff” episode at the end of last year, it would buy policymakers a little breathing room to continue the argument without another economy-rattling deadline just around the corner.

The White House tacitly endorsed the proposal Tuesday, issuing a statement that said Obama “would not oppose” the temporary respite. The president has called for a long-term extension of the Treasury Department’s borrowing authority, which he argues would “increase certainty and economic stability.”

But, White House press secretary Jay Carney said, “clearly, we support extension of the debt ceiling without drama or delay.”

I reported about this Republican proposal a few days ago (see Republicans propose lifting debt ceiling for three months).  For a long time, the debt and budget issues have been kicked further down the road–and this is just one more delay.

The reality is that the debt in the USA is going to continue to mainly increase. And that is not good.

Inflating the money supply through debt 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)

Dross is a cheaper metal that is normally placed inside a covering of a precious metal like silver. Governments began to do this thousands of years ago when they had financial problems. Putting dross into silver cheapens currency, just like putting water into wine dilutes the wine’s value. In modern times, government spending in excess of revenues are a way to dilute the value of currencies. This is not the biblical solution to US economic problems.  Nor is encouraging Congress or the President to create more debt.

The Bible warns:

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).

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

The fact that the debt clock has exceeds $16 trillion should serve as a wake-up call that the end of the USA will be coming (Habakkuk 2:3,5,6-8; Deuteronomy 28:42-45,47-52). This tentatively accepted proposal by US Republicans to try to add three months more debt to the limit, while it has one or two interesting parts, basically does not solve any of the underlying problems facing the USA or its economy.

The USA is setting itself up for ultimate disaster.

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?
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 FREE until 1/25/2013 (and will be available for only US$2.99 after that). 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.

COGwriter

According to ICG’s Mark Armstrong, his mother Shirley is out of the hospital:

Shirley Armstrong was the wife of the late Garner Ted Armstrong.  I believe I saw her once at the Feast of Tabernacles in 1977, but do not believe that I ever actually met her (though I have spoken to her son Mark a couple of times and recently met her nephew Dan Mattson).

Glad to hear that she is doing better.

COGwriter

For years, many have suggested that Barack Obama has a Jesus-like savior role (including the above painting by Michael D’Antuono).  Sadly, some others have suggested that Barack Obama is some type of lord and savior (see, for one example, Obama Called ‘Lord and Savior’).  Of course, those who read enough of the Bible are aware that Barack Obama is not our “lord and savior.” 24 of the 24 times (NKJV) the New Testament uses the term “savior” it is a direct reference to God and/or Jesus Christ.

As I mentioned before, Newsweek portrays him, in a sense as a savior (it is the “second coming” of Jesus, not Barack Obama, that Christians wait for, cf. Revelation 22:20), as its cover for this week shows:

And now there is an unofficial inaugural poster that suggests another claim:

Street vendors and souvenir stores across Washington, D.C. are selling posters…The poster, which does not have the official endorsement of the White House, features an image of the president in prayer with the headline, “Prophecy Fulfilled.”  http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/inauguration-poster-likens-obama-to-jesus.html

Some articles of related interest may include:

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.
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?
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?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2013 or 2014? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000?