Church of God News

Pope Benedict XVI

COGwriter

In what seems to have been his final public statement as Pope, Benedict XVI said that he would obey the next pope:

28 February 2013

The papacy became vacant at 8 p.m. (1900 GMT/2PM ET), marking the first time in six centuries a pope has resigned instead of ruling for life.

In a symbolic gesture, the Swiss Guards who stood sentry at the papal summer residence south of Rome, where the pope flew by helicopter less than three hours earlier, quit their posts and the massive wooden doors of the hilltop residence were closed.

At the same time, the papal apartments in the Vatican were locked and will not be opened until a new pope is elected…

“I will continue to be close to you in prayer, especially in the next few days, so that you are fully accepting of the action of the Holy Spirit in the election of the new pope,” he said. “May the Lord show you what he wants. Among you there is the future pope, to whom I today declare my unconditional reverence and obedience.”

The pledge, made ahead of the closed-doors conclave where cardinals will elect his successor, was significant because for the first time in history, there will be a reigning pope and a former pope living side by side in the Vatican.  http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/28/us-pope-resignation-idUSBRE91Q0BH20130228

While Benedict may do as he pleases, making the unconditional obedience statement goes against the Bible and statements from an early Christian leader who defied the then Bishop of Rome, Victor, in the late second century.

The Bible teaches that when speaking to religious leaders who wanted the apostles to go against God’s teachings, the Apostle Peter would not do it:

29 Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”  (Acts 5:29)

All true successors to the ministry of the Apostle Peter  and original apostles would do so as well.

Polycrates of Ephesus wrote the following to a claimed, but not true successor in Rome (Victor), regarding the date of Passover:

We observe the exact day; neither adding, nor taking away. For in Asia also great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again on the day of the Lord’s coming, when he shall come with glory from heaven, and shall seek out all the saints. Among these are Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who fell asleep in Hierapolis; and his two aged virgin daughters, and another daughter, who lived in the Holy Spirit and now rests at Ephesus; and, moreover, John, who was both a witness and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the Lord, and, being a priest, wore the sacerdotal plate. He fell asleep at Ephesus. And Polycarp in Smyrna, who was a bishop and martyr; and Thraseas, bishop and martyr from Eumenia, who fell asleep in Smyrna. Why need I mention the bishop and martyr Sagaris who fell asleep in Laodicea, or the blessed Papirius, or Melito, the Eunuch who lived altogether in the Holy Spirit, and who lies in Sardis, awaiting the episcopate from heaven, when he shall rise from the dead ? All these observed the fourteenth day of the passover according to the Gospel, deviating in no respect, but following the rule of faith. And I also, Polycrates, the least of you all, do according to the tradition of my relatives, some of whom I have closely followed. For seven of my relatives were bishops; and I am the eighth. And my relatives always observed the day when the people put away the leaven. I, therefore, brethren, who have lived sixty-five years in the Lord, and have met with the brethren throughout the world, and have gone through every Holy Scripture, am not affrighted by terrifying words. For those greater than I have said ‘ We ought to obey God rather than man’…I could mention the bishops who were present, whom I summoned at your desire; whose names, should I write them, would constitute a great multitude. And they, beholding my littleness, gave their consent to the letter, knowing that I did not bear my gray hairs in vain, but had always governed my life by the Lord Jesus (Eusebius. The History of the Church, Book V, Chapter XXIV, Verses 2-7 . Translated by A. Cushman McGiffert. Digireads.com Publishing, Stilwell (KS), 2005, p. 114).

Note that Polycrates:

1 ) Claimed to be a follower of the teachings passed on from the Apostle John
2 ) Claimed that he was being faithful to the teachings of the Gospel
3 ) Relied on the position that teachings from the Bible were above those of Roman-accepted tradition
4 ) Claimed that he was being faithful to the teachings passed down to him
5 ) Was then the spokesperson for many in Asia Minor
6 ) Claimed he and his predecessors observed the time of unleavened bread
7 ) Refused to accept the authority of Roman tradition over the Bible
8 ) Refused to accept the authority of the Bishop of Rome–he preferred to be separate (cf. Revelation 18:4)
9 ) Claimed that his life was to be governed by Jesus and not opinions of men

And that is what true Christians should do.

Sadly, most who profess Christ in and out of the Church of God seem to be willing to accept certain teachings from leaders that simply do not square with the Bible (e.g. see the video The Falling Away Part 2: Positions Presented by Others  or the article The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings).

Now going back directly to Pope Benedict, he faces a potentially horrible position if he gives unconditional obedience to the next pope. One thing he did, that I warned against, was to speed up the election process for the next pope:

At the general congregations, of which there were 13 after John Paul’s death, cardinals will decide when the conclave, the closed-door, ultra-secret series of votes to pick the next pope, will begin. Typically, conclaves are supposed to happen at least 15 days and no more than 20 days after the sede vacante begins, but Benedict changed the rules in the last days of his papacy to allow an earlier start. (Kaleem J.  Sede Vacante And Papal Conclave At The Vatican: What’s Next After Pope Benedict XVI Steps Down.  Huffington Post, February 28, 2013  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/28/sede-vacante-papal-conclave_n_2777332.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D276838)

Irregularities in the election of the final pope are suggested in certain Catholic prophecies telling of the rise of an antipope, who at this stage, could be the final Antichrist.

According to certain prophecies allegedly from a 12th century Catholic saint and bishop named Malachy, there were to be 112 pontiffs from his time until the end.  Pope Benedict was number 111 on the list.  And the next pontiff, 112, is to oversee the destruction of Rome if it is accurate.

Here is an English translation of what Malachy was said to have written in Latin from The Catholic Encyclopedia:

“In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church there will reign Peter the Roman, who will feed his flock amid many tribulations, after which the seven-hilled city will be destroyed and the dreadful Judge will judge the people. The End.” (Devine, Prophecy).

Furthermore, other Catholic prophecies tell of the emergence of an antipope, which if the Malachy list is complete and accurate would have to be the next one.  Some also suggest a time with two popes (which we could have very soon, presuming Benedict lives until the next one is in office), and that one apparently betrays that faith (which is consistent with certain statements in Revelation 17 and 13).

From a biblical, as well as Catholic, perspective, a terrible religious leader is to rise up a few years before Jesus returns (Revelation 13:11-16). Many have long believed that this would be shortly before 6,000 years after Adam & Eve were created or when they left the Garden of Eden have elapsed.

I do not believe that the final pope, the final Antichrist, will truly really believe the Roman Catholic faith, though he will work hard to persuade others that he does–I believe that the final pope is likely to be an antipope, false prophet, and the final Antichrist (1 John 4:1-3).

If the next pope truly is the last pope, and Benedict lives long enough, he may well regret making an unconditional declaration of loyalty to one who will not be loyal to the Bible or even the Church of Rome.

Since God’s 6,000 years for humanity to rule itself is almost over, the next pope MAY be the last pope.

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

COGwriter

The box that the US Congress and the Obama Administrationfirst put themselves into, then delayed, known as “sequestration” is currently supposed to be effective midnight tonight.  Here is a report about some of its possible ramifications:

February 28, 2013

Tomorrow, barring a last-minute Washington miracle, President Obama will officially order the highly-anticipated, much-dreaded “sequestration” – an across-the-board set of budget cuts totaling $1.2 trillion from defense and non-defense spending over the course of the next ten years. The administration has been vehement in its calls for Congress to find a way to avert the legally-mandated package: The cuts, Mr. Obama says, will result in hundreds of thousands of lost jobs, crippling losses for the nation’s public education system, defense cuts that would leave the country unprepared for future military engagements, and a number of day-to-day inconveniences, like long lines at the airport and the shuttering of some public parks.

As sequestration officially becomes law of the land, however, its impacts won’t immediately be clear: Despite warnings of an economic turndown, cuts for 2013 will be rolled out over the next several months, triggering a government slowdown that will hit different agencies with various degrees of speed and impact as time goes on…

“The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) now calculates that sequestration will require an annual reduction of roughly 5 percent for nondefense programs and roughly 8 percent for defense programs,” according to one fact sheet. “However, given that these cuts must be achieved over only seven months instead of 12, the effective percentage reductions will be approximately 9 percent for nondefense programs and 13 percent for defense programs. These large and arbitrary cuts will have severe impacts across the government.”  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57571722/sequestration-looms-but-when-will-the-hurt-feel-real/

The purpose of sequestration is to reduce the increase of the projected spending deficits for the US government.  The cuts were supposed to be so painful that both Republicans and Democrats would simply have to come up with a better debt reduction plan–but such a plan was not be agreed to.  For both the Obama Administration and the House Republicans, political considerations are major factors in how they have, and now are, handling this matter.

Yet, even with sequestration or some last minute deal, the total US federal debt will grow.

This expected debt growth is more dangerous than most imagine, and will ultimately lead to the elimination of the USA per various biblical prophecies, such as those in Habukkuk 2 (see Habakkuk: His message is for us now).

Barack Obama has claimed, correctly, that there will be short-term economic costs to many if he cannot delay spending cuts. He has suggested that his plan contains modest reforms, is balanced, etc. Yet from what I have seen, the plans that are likely to be implemented all increase the total debt for the USA.  House Republicans basically are complaining that Barack Obama does not really wish to cut government spending, but wants to increase taxes and grow the government.

One ramification that I wish to touch on has to do with the military.  The USA has already cut the size of its army and looks like it may need to make further cuts, while the Secretary of the Navy admits that the cuts will reduce the USA Navy’s ability to do its job (see Pentagon concerned about additional looming defense cuts–prophetic ramifications?).  And US President Obama says that they will have a “dire impact” on national security.  The USA, while still the nation with the “strongest fortresses” (cf. Daniel 11:39) is getting weaker, relatively, to several other military forces in the world.  The reality is that as it gets more in debt and changes its national priorities, the USA will not be in the position to be THE superpower of the world.

In terms of military spending, USA Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has warned about the dangers of the cuts as “doomsday” (‘Doomsday’ Defense Cuts) and “unthinkable” (Panetta Weighs Unthinkable Defense Cuts) and yet they may well happen.  Currently, as reported above, the defense cuts seem to be the largest spending cuts related to sequestration.  These cuts may help the stage for the military takeover of the USA that the Bible prophesies in Daniel 11:39.

While the Republicans and Democrats have used this as a major partisan fight, the reality is that the rest of the world is also watching and is very disturbed by all of this.  The Europeans and others are realizing that the USA is losing its position of world leadership–and when it does, this will be the final “time of the Gentiles” that the Bible warns of (Ezekiel 30:2-3; Luke 21:23-24; Revelation 11:2).

Notice that the Bible shows that the power with the strongest fortresses will be taken over, and that the world will marvel at the military ability of a power that it did not expect to be able to do that:

39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain…the king of the North (Daniel 11:39,40)

3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him? (Revelation 13:3-4)

Spending cuts and reduction in size of the military of the USA will make, what now seems impossible, feasible.  According to Bible prophecy, it will come to pass.

And even though some in the world and the USA are starting to notice this, the time will come when the creditors of the USA will rise up quickly and the USA will be taken over (Habakkuk 2:6-8). But the final takeover will not happen until after Barack Obama’s second presidential term ends–but perhaps not too long thereafter–yet the stage is being set right now.

To learn more, please check out the following articles:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
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.

COGwriter

Dennis Luker of the United Church of God (UCG) sent out the following:

February 27, 2013

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Dear Fellow Ministers and All Brethren,

I am writing this personal letter to you to make you aware of an important decision that I have made in my life. My three-year term as president is nearing its end…

The decision that I have come to, with advice and counsel from my wife and others is that I should not seek nor accept a second presidential term. Here is why. While it is not well-known outside of my family and some people here in Cincinnati, my health has taken a serious downturn in the last few months because of complications from an enlarged prostate gland. This is common among older men and for years I have privately struggled with this, doing my best   to maintain my health with proper nutrition, exercise and medical advice.

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Most important of all, I have been anointed and put my faith and trust in God for healing. My healing and my life are in God’s Hands and I want His Will, not mine.

Serving as the president is a 24/7 job. At this time I do not have the energy or strength to fulfill the responsibilities of president of UCGIA for another three-year term—which would begin on July 1 of this year. I have discussed all this with the Council of Elders and they have accepted my decision to decline from seeking a second term as president…

What are my plans from here? God willing, I do plan to complete my term, which ends on June 30. Afterwards, LeeAnn and I will return to our home in Seattle, Washington, and spend more time with our family. Our son lives in Portland, Oregon. Our daughter is in the Seattle area where we also have five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. So, we will be returning “home” to our family whom we have greatly missed.

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If I am unable to complete my term, per the Church’s bylaws the chairman of the Council will serve as interim president until a new president is selected.

I will not be returning to pastor a church (I will be 76 years old), but I will continue to serve as an elder in every way possible.

Sincerely, in Christ’s service,

.

Dennis Luker

UCG has had several presidents since it began.

The first one, David Hulme left when he failed to get re-elected and founded  COGaIC.

Two other former UCG presidents, Les McCullough and Clyde Kilough, left and became associated with a then new groups called COGWA.  Peter Hawkins, former CEO of UCG in the United Kingdom, also went with COGWA.

The fact that Dennis Luker is basically retiring because of age and health would appear to be much easier on UCG.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Bible, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Was it hierarchical? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it?
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
Concerns about Church of God, a Worldwide Association This seems to be the largest group that came out of the United Church of God. Here is some history and concerns about it.
Church of God, an International Community (COG aic) This is the group led by David Hulme. It seems to minimize parts of biblical prophecy.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.
Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God Several have speculated reasons, but here is the truth.
What About the Living Church of God? Are there Doctrinal Differences with the Continuing Church of God? This article explains some information and doctrines of the Living Church of God as led by Roderick C. Meredith and some concerns about them.
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, which is best represented by the Continuing Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.

Interior of Modern Cenacle, Jerusalem

COGwriter

A reader sent the following:

An historic agreement has been drafted between Israel and the Vatican. The Israeli authorities have granted the Pope an official seat in the room where the Last Supper is believed to have taken place, on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, and where David and Solomon, Jewish kings of Judea, are considered by some researchers, to also be buried…

According to our sources, the agreement, which is expected to be ratified next June, gives the Pope a “special authority” over the second floor of the building, so that Christian pilgrims will be able to celebrate religious functions like Pope John Paul did in 2000.

The agreement constitutes Israel’s capitulation to the Vatican’s efforts to “Christianize” the holy site, like when a Catholic convent was built in Auschwitz.

The Catholic Church has long wanted control over part of the area on Mt. Zion so as to turn it into an international religious center for Catholics. The blueprint of the agreement reads as follows: “The Vatican hands over this use of the Cenacle to the Custody of the Holy Land which will keep the Cenacle open from 6 AM to 8 AM for the celebration of the Holy Mass”.  http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/12814#.USKyVfL-uSq

The upper room there is in the building known as the “Cenacle.”

Certain Catholics and some others consider that it is the “Mother Church” (http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/jerusalem-patriarch-s-holy-thursday-homily).

The Cenacle is believed to have been the site of perhaps the earliest real Christian church building.  Some legends suggest this is near or where the last Passover of Jesus, Pentecost of Acts 2, and/or certain other notable New Testament events took place (like Matthias being chosen as an apostle, Acts 1:12-26).  However, while its New Testament use is scientifically questionable (and not highly likely), it certainly was a location that the Nazarene Christians(these would have practices much more like the Church of God as opposed to Church of Rome) used until they were forced out of it in the fourth century by supporters of Emperor Constantine’s professed faith.  Although the Greco-Romans have built their type of church around it, some few of the original bricks continue.  You can see the some of the original cenacle building bricks by looking at the front cover of the Jan-March 2013 edition of Bible News Prophecy magazine:

The original bricks constitute a type of “temple” in the sense that this seems to have been the closest thing to a physical church building (and actually more closely resembled a synagogue) where real Christians attended for services.

Several years ago, on November 26, 2008, in a paper submitted to evangelists in my former association, I wrote that  the Cenacle was a possible building for the man of sin to sit in:

If a Jewish temple is not being discussed in 2 Thessalonians 2:4, then where might the “man of sin” sit?

… if Revelation 11:1-2 allows for it (which it may not, see further below), there is an ancient building, usually now referred to as the Cenacle (the word is a derivative of the Latin word “cena,” which means dinner), that may be the possible location.  It is believed to have been used by the original Christians in Jerusalem until the Greco-Romans took it through with Imperial support in the fourth century.

Michael P. Germano wrote:

In Jerusalem, just outside the Zion Gate of the Old City near the crest of Mount Sion, lie the partial remains of an ancient synagogue consisting of a niche, walls, floors, and foundations, incorporated into a dilapidated building…

Do these ancient ruins belong to the first-century Judeo-Christian synagogue seen by Roman emperor Hadrian on his grand progress? Are these the remnants of the building on Mt. Sion…called the Church of the Apostles and the Holy Church of God? These are the traditions…tradition suggests this is also the site of the Upper Room where Jesus of Nazareth observed his last Passover with his followers and where his disciples resided following his Crucifixion awaiting the Day of Pentecost…

The Cenacle

In this work its identity and title is simply “the ancient synagogue” or the Ancient Church of the Apostles. In the fourth and fifth centuries, however, orthodox…referred to the building in a variety of ways.

For Eusebius it was the “Holy Church of God” (Eusebius, Proof of the Gospel 6.18; Ferrar 1920b:30-31). Cyril said it was the “Upper Church of the Apostles” (Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures 16.4; Schaff and Wace 1989a:116). Egeria often referred to it as “On Sion” (Wilkinson 1971:294). Epiphanius, alluding to it in its second century context, said when Hadrian visited Aelia Capitolina it was a small “Church of God” (Epiphanius, De Mensuris 14; Koester 1989:93). Theodosius said it was “Holy Sion which is the Mother of all Churches” (Wilkinson 1977:66)…

On July 30, 381, following the First Council of Constantinople, emperor Theodosius I issued an edict authorizing  the seizure of the properties of all non-orthodox churches. This resulted in the ancient synagogue, then in possession of Judeo-Christians, passing into Greco-Roman Christian control.  The surrender was made to the orthodox bishops. (The Ancient Church of the Apostles. Copyright © 2002 by Michael P. Germano, pp. 1-4).

Even though the original Christians who used that location for nearly four centuries held to what are most often known as Judeo-Christian (as opposed to Greco-Roman) practices, there have been reports that the Catholics of Rome would like to expand their presence and basically takeover the Cenacle (Owen R. Vatican offers swap deal to regain site of Last Supper. The Times, October 13, 2005)…

Thus, it may be that what was possibly the first and original church building location of the original apostles could appear to be a potential location of the “temple of God”.

Yet, because of Revelation 11:1-2 (discussed below) and the persecution of Christians during the Great Tribulation (Revelation 12:17), I am much more inclined to believe that a building more recently used by the faithful Christians would be better used for political purposes by “the man of sin”, than the ancient one in Jerusalem.

On the other hand, as the Bible shows plans for Jerusalem apparently for eternity (cf. Revelation 21:2-3), perhaps it may be that the ancient location of where the apostles themselves (who became part of  “the temple of God”) may possibly be what God had in mind when He inspired Paul’s writings.

But irrespective of which building is referred to in 2 Thessalonians 2:4, it would not seem to be possible for it to be a Jewish, non-Christian, temple in Jerusalem.

The idea of Jerusalem being the “mother church” partially comes from the following scripture:

26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. (Galatians 4:26, KJV)

We in the Continuing Church of God understand that scripture is referring to a spiritual situation, and not a building.  However, the wall of the building now called the Cenacle is still of interest and perhaps could have prophetic ramifications.

A scripture, written by the Apostle Paul, that should be of related interest would be the following commendation to a Gentile church for following the spiritual practices that those in Judea had:

13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 2:13-14, KJV).

And the spiritual practices that the churches of God in Judea (which included Jerusalem) had were those that modern theologians tend to consider to be Jewish or Judeo-Christian.

Sadly, those practices were lost in Jerusalem by the Greco-Romans after the takeover in 135 A.D. under Emperor Hadrian.  But the more faithful later returned,  and until the time of Constantine often met in the location of the building now called the Cenacle.

But after they were forced out, changes were made.  And between the changes, the Crusades, and other events, other than one wall, what stands at the location of the Cenacle is not an actual Church of God building, but it is possible that God could possibly consider that the area is sufficiently related to the temple that it could possibly fulfill 2 Thessalonians 2:4.  We will see.

The fact that the Church of Rome now has permission for the Pope (and others) to have a seat there suggests there is a chance the man of sin (the beast of Revelation 13 and King of the North of Daniel 11) might.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church.
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Should Christians be Nazarenes today? What were the practices of the Nazarenes.
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
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.
Apostolic Succession What really happened? Did structure and beliefs change? Are many of the widely-held current understandings of this even possible? Did you know that Catholic scholars really do not believe that several of the claimed “apostolic sees” of the Orthodox have apostolic succession–despite the fact that the current pontiff himself seems to wish to ignore this view? Is there actually a true church that has ties to any of the apostles that is not part of the Catholic or Orthodox churches? Read this article if you truly are interested in the truth on this matter!
Early Church History: Who Were the Two Major Groups Professed Christ in the Second and Third Centuries? Did you know that many in the second and third centuries felt that there were two major, and separate, professing Christian groups in the second century, but that those in the majority churches tend to now blend the groups together and claim “saints” from both? “Saints” that condemn some of their current beliefs. Who are the two groups?

COGwriter

Pope Benedict XVI gave what has been billed as his final public speech prior to his official resignation:

27 February 2013

Addressing the crowd, Pope Benedict, 85 years old, said he had “suffered” over his decision to relinquish control of Roman Catholicism’s one billion followers as of Thursday evening, adding that his resignation was in the best interest of the Church…

“There is no return to the private. My decision to renounce the active exercise of ministry doesn’t revoke this. I’m not returning to a private life,” Pope Benedict said, addressing the square, which thronged with banners from around the world. “I’m not abandoning the cross, but remaining in a new way beside the crucified Lord,” he said.  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324662404578329730238461240.html

It should be noted that while he believes what he has done will be in the best interest of his church, the Bible and Catholic prophecy suggest that one of his successors, and possibly the next one to be declared pontiff, will betray that church.  Thus, Pope Benedict XVI might not like much of what will happen later.

The fact that he realizes that he is likely to continue to have a public role is consistent with certain beliefs and posts that I have made about him (cf. Pope Benedict announces resignation! Might he fulfill Catholic prophecies and COGwriter speculation?).  If Benedict lives long enough after his resignation, he will have to face many very difficult situations.  If he maintains his mental faculties, and will truly decide to listen to the Bible, he will even more not like what is going to happen to his church.

As far as Pope Benedict XVI goes, notice also the following about titles he will be called after his resignation:

27 February 2013

In retirement, Benedict will continue to wear white and will be called “Pope Emeritus,” or the “Supreme Roman Pontiff Emeritus” or “Your Holiness,” the Vatican announced Tuesday.  http://abcnews.go.com/International/pope-benedict-xvi-delivers-farewell-address/story?id=18604583

Some Catholics are not pleased with much of this:

Although they have been quiet about it, conservative Roman Catholics have reservations about Pope Benedict XVI’s impending departure completely unrelated to their sadness at losing a pastor they admire. Those misgivings are likely to be exacerbated by the news that Benedict will be known officially as “pope emeritus” or “Roman pontiff emeritus.” Although a papal resignation is provided for in church law, Benedict’s decision undermines the mystique of papal uniqueness…

He will continue to wear a white cassock, be known as Benedict…the existence of two men who are addressed as “your holiness” changes the ecclesiastical atmospherics. For a lot of traditionalist Catholics, two “popes” (even if one is emeritus) is one pope too many.   McGough M. For conservative Catholics, one pope too many.  Los Angeles Times, February 26, 2013.  http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-pope-benedict-resignation-20130226,0,6964036.story

Traditionally in Catholicism, the wearing of the white cassock has been reserved for the pope.  So, this seems to align with the view that there could be two “popes,” with one perhaps being an antipope.

Consistent with biblical prophecies about a religious leader associated with the “seven-hilled” city being involved in betraying that church (cf. Revelation 13 & 17), Catholic prophecies also tell of the rise of an antipope who will badly damage their church.

Both the Bible and private Catholic prophecies point to this happening in the last days of this age.

The 6,000 years that God gave humanity to live as it has are about over (see also Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?).  If certain Catholic private prophecies are correct the next pope is the last pope and will be an antipope (for various details on biblical and other prophecies, please watch the YouTube video Will Pope Benedict’s resignation lead to the prophesied Antichrist?).

As we are living in the last days, the next pope could be an antipope and the final Antichrist of biblical prophecy.

COGwriter

The European Union and USA have agreed to some negotiations which could be related to a new global economic order:

27 February 2013

Feb 27, 2013 4:34am EST. LONDON (Reuters) – The euro edged away from a seven-week low against the dollar on Wednesday but looked vulnerable to the risk an inconclusive Italian election will sour demand for the country’s bonds at an auction later.Strategists said higher borrowing costs at the sale of five- and 10-year bonds would fuel concerns the euro zone debt crisis could re-emerge in the region’s third largest economy and could push the euro lower…

Bernanke’s comments curbed demand for the dollar, which tends to be weakened by loose U.S. monetary policy.  http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/27/us-markets-forex-idUSBRE91514J20130227

The actions by the head of the Federal Reserve are hurting the dollar and ultimately will contribute to its crash.  Yet, Ben Bernanke attempted to justify his debt creation machine known as “quantitative easing” yesterday:

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke defended the central bank’s unprecedented asset purchases, saying they are supporting the expansion with little risk of inflation or asset-price bubbles.

“We do not see the potential costs of the increased risk- taking in some financial markets as outweighing the benefits of promoting a stronger economic recovery,” Bernanke said today in testimony to the Senate Banking Committee in Washington. “Inflation is currently subdued, and inflation expectations appear well anchored.”  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-26/bernanke-defends-asset-buying-as-benefits-outweigh-risks.html

So, is the policy of the Federal Reserve truly good for the economy of the USA or will it help lead to the end of the USA?  Do the benefits really outweigh the risks?  While most hope for the former, the reality is that the latter will happen.

The Bible warns against those who prefer to believe a lie over the truth:

14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.  (Revelation 22:14-15)

Many in the USA and elsewhere seem to prefer to love the lie that it is okay to debase the currency through debt-related shenanigans and that this is good.  It is not.

Notice some biblical warnings about currency debasing:

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 and quantitative easing programs (QE1, QE2, and QE3, from the Fed Chairman) are a way to dilute the value of currencies. This is not the biblical solution to US economic problems. Quantitative easing programs are a form of “dishonest profits” that the U.S.A. is improperly reaping because of its position in the world, but that is not good:

13 “Behold, therefore, I beat My fists at the dishonest profit which you have made, and at the bloodshed which has been in your midst. 14 Can your heart endure, or can your hands remain strong, in the days when I shall deal with you? I, the Lord, have spoken, and will do it. 15 I will scatter you among the nations, disperse you throughout the countries, and remove your filthiness completely from you. 16 You shall defile yourself in the sight of the nations; then you shall know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 22:13-16)

QE3 is sending a strong signal to the world that the USA does not know how to truly fix its economy, but that it hopes because its dollar is the primary world’s reserve currency that it can get away with currency debasement and the rest of the world will put up with it–and while that may be true in the short run, it is sending a signal to the rest of the world that the US dollar needs to be replaced as the world’s primary reserve currency. Now, the real cause of why all of this is happening to the USA is sin.

While the Europeans will make various deals with the USA, many there see what is happening in the USA (e.g. IMF: Suspending debt ceiling hurts United States tremendously) and realize that this will give the Europeans the opportunity to lead a new global order.  This new world order is warned against in the Bible (cf. Revelation 13, 18).

The new global order will not be good for the USA or its Anglo-descended allies (nor ultimately for Europe).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Using the Tower of Babel and “Beast” images suggests it is not concerned about its role as being part of the future Babylon of Bible prophecy.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? What MUST happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2013, 2014, or 2015? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? Who confirms the “peace deal of Daniel 9:27? 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?
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 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.

COGwriter

Tuberculosis is a problem in part of Los Angeles:

Persistent strain of TB claims victims on L.A.’s skid row…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has dispatched scientists to Los Angeles to help local health officials determine why the disease is spreading and how to stop it.

Officials say 11 have died since 2007. Sixty of the 78 cases were among homeless people who live on and around skid row.

Scientists have recently linked the outbreak to a tuberculosis strain that is unique to Los Angeles, with a few isolated cases outside the area.

“This is the largest outbreak in a decade,” said Jonathan Fielding, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “We are really putting all of our resources into this.”

Health workers have identified about 4,650 people who were probably exposed and are trying to track them down for testing and treatment.   http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-tb-outbreak-20130222,0,4394287.story

While there are various reasons why those on “skid row” (a term referring to areas in cities where more homeless, alcoholics, and drug-addicts tend to reside), are more susceptible to various strains of tuberculosis, it could (directly or indirectly if it changes) infect more of the general population.

Tuberculosis often can be a deadly virus.

Infections are part of the pestilences that the Bible warned about for the end times. Jesus taught:

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 past year. There are some famines and they may increase soon. Candida, other fungi, bacteria, and viruses are not the only pestilences starting to rise up either.

As Jesus said:

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

Three articles of related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
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?
Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse What is the pale horse of death and pestilence? What will it bring and when?

Cross of Ashes

COGwriter

The Protestant publication which calls itself “Christianity Today” (CT) has had various articles about Lent. Basically, the writers seem to somewhat support this Catholic holiday, but also seem to have some reservations about its usefulness.

Lent is considered to be a forty-day period of abstinence, beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending around Easter. We are now in the current “Lenten season” for 2013.

Here is one article in CT from 2013:

What People Gave Up for Lent 2013 (According to Twitter)

The final results are in. Whatever happened to giving up chocolate?…Chocolate, among the most popular Lenten sacrifices in 2012 and in 2011, slipped all the way to No. 17, possibly because Valentine’s fell the day after Ash Wednesday this year. Food remained the most popular category of items to forgo, with chips to frozen yogurt making the list.

Lent began on Ash Wednesday, February 13, and ends before Easter, March 31.

Here was are some interesting comments from a reader at the CT site who responded to an earlier article about what people give up for Lent:

This reminds me of tithing mint dill, and cumin. Lent is a man made holiday… Lent is whatever you want it to be…a weight loss holiday, a self abasement holiday, a self-improvement holiday preceded by Shrove Tuesday (the day of pancakes or Mardi Gras) and Ash Wednesday… Paul warned us against these very “spiritual” rituals in Colossians “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.” But of course 200 years after writing these words the church began formulating these ascetic rituals like Lent, originally a 40 day total fast.

While much of the above is true, the true Church never adopted Lent. However, many who have compromised have, and some have really misinterpreted scripture along this line.

Notice this disturbing comment from a writer at the CT site titled Giving Up Self-Discipline for Lent:

In short, I don’t believe we need Lent or God to improve ourselves in these small matters. But we need Lent and God if we’re going to get saved.

Well, while we do need God to be saved, we most certainly do not need Lent. If Lent was needed, one would feel that the original apostles would have endorsed it or practiced it, but they did not.

The Catholic Saint Abbot John Cassian (also known as Cassianus, monk of Marseilles) in the fifth century wrote:

Howbeit you should know that as long as the primitive church retained its perfection unbroken, this observance of Lent did not exist (Cassian John. Conference 21, THE FIRST CONFERENCE OF ABBOT THEONAS. ON THE RELAXATION DURING THE FIFTY DAYS. Chapter 30).

The historian A. Hislop wrote:

Among the Pagans this Lent seems to have been an indispensable preliminary to the great annual festival in commemoration of the death and resurrection of Tammuz, which was celebrated by alternate weeping and rejoicing (Hislop A. Two Babylons. pp. 104-106).

Yet, oddly, Protestant groups, like the falsely named Christianity Today seem to have endorsed it. Notice comments from two older articles at its website:

Let’s Lengthen Lent…
pre-Lenten festivals such as the Mardi Gras have turned into bacchanals that have become a reproach to civilization.So what do we do? Observe Lent or ignore it?…I hope to be in my church on Ash Wednesday as a worshiper. (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/marchweb-only/34.0.html)

Lent…

Lent is one of the oldest observations on the Christian calendar. Like all Christian holy days and holidays, it has changed over the years…(http://www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/)

Despite claiming that it is part of the “Christian calendar,” the fact is that neither Ash Wednesday nor Lent can be found to be endorsed in the Bible nor in the writings of the early followers of Jesus. Obviously, many of those at the falsely named Christianity Today do not believe in sola Scriptura.

Do not the editors of that publication realize how far they are straying from scripture? Of course, this has always been a problem within Protestantism.

Some articles of possible interest may include:

Is Lent a Christian Holiday? When did it originate? What about Ash Wednesday? If you observe them, do you know why?
Mardi Gras: The Devil’s Carnival? Do you know that in Bolivia the carnival/Mardi Gras time is part of a celebration known as the Devil’s Carnival? Did Jesus celebrate Carnaval? Where did it come from?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Easter? If not, when did this happen? What do scholars and the Bible reveal?
Marcus, the Marcosians, & Mithraism: Developers of the Eucharist? Marcus was a second century heretic condemned for having a ceremony similar to one still practiced by many who profess Christ. Might he also be in the apostolic succession list of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria?
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. December 25th was celebrated as his birthday. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity?
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the Living Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example?
Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, did Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority? Statements from him changing and/or discounting 18 books of the Bible are included. Do you really want to know the truth?

Nagasaki Nuclear Bomb (1945)

COGwriter

World leaders are meeting to discuss what to do about Iran and its potential development of nuclear weapons:

February 26, 2013

Officials from six world powers and Iran are meeting to discuss the country’s controversial nuclear program, in the latest talks to address a decade of concerns that Iran is working to develop a nuclear weapon.

The meeting Tuesday in Almaty, Kazakhstan, includes the so-called P5+1 group of nations – the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany – and is not expected to produce any major breakthroughs.

The world powers are expected to offer to ease some sanctions against Iran, if the government agrees to halt some of its enrichment activity.

Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, but many nations around the world are concerned it is actually aimed at building an arsenal of nuclear bombs.

Speaking in London on Monday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that “an Iran with a nuclear weapon, in that region, and given all that has happened, is simply unacceptable.”

Kerry said the United States goes to the talks in Almaty prepared to work in “good faith” and “mutual respect” to avoid what he called the “consequences” of a failed deal.

The International Atomic Energy Agency recently said that Iran has begun installing a new generation of centrifuges at its Natanz enrichment plant, a move U.S. officials have deemed “provocative.”

The meeting marks the first time in eight months that the parties are gathering to discuss Iran’s uranium enrichment program.  http://www.voanews.com/content/world-powers-iran-hold-nuclear-talks/1610832.html

Both the USA and Israel have stated that it was unacceptable for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, yet Iran has taken steps consistent with the development of them.  The time for additional intervention by the USA and/or Israel may be near.

As regular readers of the COGwriter news page are aware, I have been warning for some time that a regional war involving Iran, Israel, the USA, and/or Syria seems likely. And Iran keeps taking steps which may help it get ready for such a war.

Since Iran, however, is NOT really south of Jerusalem (though it may support such a king per certain interpretations of the peoples listed in Ezekiel 30:1-9), it will not be the final King of the South of Bible prophecy (cf. Daniel 11:40-43). Because of that, I have tended to believe that Iran may somehow get “neutralized” before this final king rises up. A serious attack by the USA and/or Israel may neutralize Iran and much of its influence. It also may take a regional war for the seven-year confirmation of the deal in Daniel 9:27 to come about.

My reading and re-reading of Bible prophecy simply does not show that Iran will be a major player in Daniel 11:21-44 nor the deal of Psalm 83:4-8 (Arabs, Turks, and Europeans are); though Ezekiel 30:1-9 possibly implicates Iran as a supporter of an end-time confederation involving Egypt.

“Neutralizing” Iran would allow most of the other Islamic states (like Saudi Arabia and Egypt) to continue to exist (Syria might not do well per Isaiah 17:1) and allow for the rising of the prophesied King of the South to rise up (revolution in Iran, is also another possibility, for its “neutralization”).

Leaders in the USA and Israel have suggested that they may intervene and attack Iran. But if the USA and Israel do hit Iran, Iran would likely not fare well, but that does not mean that the USA would not suffer.

The USA, as is Europe, is vulnerable to being hurt by EMP weapons (which Iran may have), chemical weapons (which at least Syria has), dirty bombs (which Iran already can make), terrorism (which Iran sometimes sponsors), and biological weapons (which both Iran and Syria likely have). Although the USA (nor Europe) will NOT to eliminated by this type of conflict, the USA certainly could be partially or even greatly weakened by these type of attacks. And they could trigger civil unrest in Europe and elsewhere.

If there currently is a “King of the West,” it would currently seem to be the USA, and the Bible does not seem to show it existing much into the Great Tribulation (cf. Daniel 11:39). It likely will be weakened in many ways. Thus, unlike the military interventions in places like Iraq, do not be surprised if the USA itself is not to be unscathed if it engages Iran and/or Syria. This would not be the Great Tribulation per se, but part what Jesus called “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:4-8) that could help further weaken the USA and make it more vulnerable for being taken over.

Iran keeps taking steps suggesting that it is expecting such conflict.

Gaza City

In other Middle East related news, the situation in Gaza seems to be heating up again:

JERUSALEM | Tue Feb 26, 2013 5:02am EST. JERUSALEM (Reuters) – A rocket fired from Gaza exploded in Israel on Tuesday, the first such attack since a November truce and an apparent show of solidarity with West Bank protests after the death of a Palestinian in an Israeli jail.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a militant group in Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s West Bank-based Fatah movement, claimed responsibility for the rocket strike, the Palestinian Ma’an news agency said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/26/us-palestinians-israel-gaza-idUSBRE91P04420130226

Israel is in a tough spot as it feels it cannot allow its cities to be attacked and not respond, while also realizing that responding can further upset others in at least the Islamic world.  The group that launched the latest rocket attack is considered to be somewhat outside of the Gaza government, which further complicates matters for Israel.

Syria and Iran may ultimately try to take advantage of this and escalate matters against Israel–those nations are aware that Israel hopes to attack them, so if this escalates, this could be a time that they will decide to get involved, we will see.

Of course, if the meeting on Iran results in something that Iran does not like, that could escalate matters there.  It is a dangerous time in the Middle East.

Some articles (and books) of possibly related interest may include:

Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? 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, 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?
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?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2012, 2013, or 2014? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What is the seven-year deal? 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 This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States–Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon’s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States–Amazon Kindle edition.)

COGwriter

A reader sent me the following news item:

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Though surveys show that four in five Americans believe in the healing power of prayer and a majority of medical doctors say miraculous healing sometimes occurs, few researchers have subjected such claims to scientific investigation. Enter Candy Gunther Brown, who used data derived from eight years of studying the prayer healing practices of Pentecostal Christians to write “Testing Prayer: Science and Healing,” recently published by Harvard University Press.

Brown worked in Mozambique with medical researchers, who used portable machines and vision charts to examine — before and after — the hearing and vision of subjects who claimed to have been healed through prayer.

“We found statistically significant improvement in both hearing and vision, much greater than would be expected from random recovery or placebo effects,” she said…

“Generally, you would not expect to see the level of improvement we found,” she said. “The data did not tell us what mechanism caused the change — only that there were changes.”

Brown also conducted long-term follow-up interviews — for several years — of people who claimed healing through prayer.

“Some of them had written narratives of their healing and medical records over several years,” she said. “Some continued to believe they’d been healed, and others said their physical ailment had returned.”

Brown said many of those who were convinced they’d been healed interpreted the healing as an act of God’s love for them. http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/IU-researcher-examines-role-of-prayer-in-healing-4268472.php#ixzz2L5d5e300

There have been a variety of studies which have basically correlated prayer with better recovery.  And the above is one of the newer ones.

The Bible teaches:

14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.  (James 5:14-16)

Prayer avails, and much, if it is from one who is fervent, effectual, and righteous.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

What Should I Pray About? An old article by Lynn Torrance on prayer.
Does God Heal Today? This historical article is by Herbert Armstrong and provides his views circa 1952, which he seemed to later modify, at least to some degree.
Importance of Fasting An old article by Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject.
A Short Article on Faith A subject that could fill many books.