Church of God News

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

COGwriter

The Obama Administration is trying to get State governors to support Barack Obama’s plan to delay spending cuts and increase taxes:

February 25, 2013

With less than a week to go until a wide-ranging package of across-the-board budget cuts is set to kick in, President Obama today entreated the nation’s governors to help him convince Congress to compromise on a deal to avert the so-called “sequestration,” predicating his plea on the fact that as governors, “you know that compromise is essential to getting things done.”

Mr. Obama, speaking to the National Governors Association this morning at the White House, reiterated his warnings about the impact the cuts will have on the nation’s economic status, and accused Congress of threatening “to allow a series of arbitrary automatic budget cuts to kick that will slow our economy, eliminate good jobs, and leave a lot of folks who are already pretty thinly stretched scrambling to figure out what to do.”  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57571126/obama-to-governors-help-me-get-congress-to-act-on-sequester/

February 25, 2013The White House released a state-by-state report on how $85 billion in automatic spending cuts will degrade programs from defense to education to public health as officials said they don’t expect to avert sequestration. | http://bloom.bg/ZtyglG

Barack Obama claims, correctly, that there will be short-term economic costs to various USA states 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 complained about Barack Obama’s tactics:

House Republican leaders on Monday urged President Obama to “stop campaigning” and hunker down with Congress to find an alternative to the bludgeon of spending cuts set to hit Friday, saying now is not the time “for a road-show president.  http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/02/25/republicans-urge-obama-to-top-campaigning-over-budget-cuts/

People can see some of what happened themselves if they believe that they can apply blame.

In the long run truly getting serious about the debt (and I am not saying that going through or delaying sequestration is the way to truly get serious about it) should also be of interest to the governors, as well as the USA President and Congress.   I currently hold out little hope that the governors have enough influence that they can cause the federal government debt to drop.

I also hold out little hope that if a deal is made this week between the Obama Administration and Congress that it will actually help the economy in the long run.  They have touted too many other deals which either did not actually work as touted or really did not seriously attempt to fix the debt situation.

The debt problem in the USA is more serious than what most think. It will help lead to the destruction of the USA according to Bible prophecy.

The Bible teaches the following about leaders and end time destruction:

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).

14 ‘But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, 15 and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, 16 I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you…19 I will break the pride of your power…30 I will destroy your high places, (Leviticus 26:14-16,19,30)

43 The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. 44 He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail. 45 Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you (Deuteronomy 28:42-45)

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

The nation with the greatest debt of all time is the United States of America, and on a per capita basis may be the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (and they are close to being, if not actually being, the per capita debt leader–and the UK got its credit rating downgraded a few days ago, see Moody’s dropped UK credit rating, while Scotland considers leaving).

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

The debt problems in the USA are bigger than most Americans realize.  And the “sequestration plan agreed to by Barack Obama and the US Congress to deal with it by now has been pretty ineffective.  So, it appears that the plan is to continue to have disagreement and no real workable plan.  So sad, so theoretically avoidable, and so absurd.

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 this will not happen until after Barack Obama’s second presidential term ends.

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.

Pope Benedict XVI

COGwriter

Since Benedict XVI resigned, many have speculated about his possible replacement.  Without going into all the possible people, perhaps the Bible and Catholic writings can give us a clue about the pope to follow Benedict XVI.

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.

Here is a decades old writing related to the 6,000 years idea:

Six thousand years of human history have almost been completed… Peter said: “The Lord is not slack concerning the promise (of Christ’s coming) . . . but is longsuffering” (II Peter 3 : 9 ). God is patient. He has refrained from intervening in world affairs for nearly 6000 years. Why? Because He will not intervene until humanity is forced to cry out to Him for fear of self-extermination. Recall that the day of Christ’s intervention and rule is compared to “a thousand years” (Rev. 20:4). Peter also wrote the same thing–that a day in God’s plan is as “a thousand years” and “a thousand years” of human civilization as ONE day in His planned week of SEVEN 1000-year days (II Peter 3:8).

Peter knew that Christ would intervene shortly before the close of 6000 years of human struggle and slavery that God would send Jesus Christ to set up His government for the seventh thousand years, which will usher in a time of rest and peace-a sabbatical rest!

How marvellous that in our day, at the very time that 6000 years have almost elapsed, the world is threatened with extinction of life. And Jesus Himself said that when we see this taking place HE WOULD COME AGAIN! (THE BIBLE ANSWERS Short Questions FROM OUR READERS. Plain Truth, November 1957, pp. 12,15)

Years ago, the late evangelist John Ogwyn, based almost entirely upon biblical chronology, indicated that the creation was approximately 3983 B.C.  (for details, see Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?).   That would make the 6,000 years up in or around 2018.  And while John Ogwyn did not attempt to make an allowance for the co-regency of various kings, this would mean that the 6,000 years are probably over some years after his numbers show.

But they do suggest that the next pope could be the last one (especially as some, like John Paul II, were the pontiff for decades).

Now this is consistent with various Catholic writings, such as the Malachy prophecies, that suggest that the next pope will be the last pope, apparently an antipope, and preside over the destruction of Rome (Revelation 17:9,16-18) and end of this age (Revelation 19:20):

Priest Gaudentius Rossi (19^th century): According to St. Malachy, then, only ten, or at most eleven, popes remain to be in future more or less legitimately elected. We say more or less legitimately elected, because out of those future popes it is to be feared that one or two will be unlawfully elected as anti-popes. (Rossi, G. THE CHRISTIAN TRUMPET, OR, Previsions and Predictions about Impending General Calamities, The Universal Triumph of the Church, The Coming of Antichrist, The Last Judgment, and The End of the World. Compiled by PELLEGRINO [Gaudentius Rossi], A Missionary Priest with Superior’s permission. Boston, THOS. B. NOONAND & CO., 1873, p. 139)

J.J. Dietzen (1983): According to the alleged predictions, only two popes remain after the present one {John- Paul II}, ending with Petrus Romanus (Peter of Rome) who is to preside over the destruction of Rome and the end of the present age. (Dietzen JJ.  The new Question box: Catholic life in the ’80s. Revised edition.  Guildhall, 1983, p. 65)

Since there has not been antipope any recognized “antipopes” since Felix V’s time in 1439-1449, if Priest Rossi’s understanding is correct, it would seem then the next pope on Malachy’s list would be an anti-pope as there is only one pope left on his list.

Back in 2010/2011 I wrote that the last pope may not actually take the a name that includes the term Peter.  So, no matter what name the next pope takes, he still could be the final one.  But since Catholic private prophecies are not always accurate, he may not be the last one.  But if the individual has a lot of ecumenical leanings, that would make him a strong candidate.  Because the Bible warns that there is a particular religious leader that is involved in getting people to worship (Revelation 13:11-16) things that they should not (Revelation 14:9-11), and he is apparently successful at it (Revelation 13:4,8), I believe the Bible supports the idea that the final pope may be ecumenical. And there are many Catholic private prophecies warning of an ecumenical leader that will betray the Roman Catholic faith (some are listed in the article Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies?).

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–and even if a Marian apparition or similar claims otherwise, because of biblical prophecy (cf. Revelation 17:16-18; 19:20) I believe that the final pope is likely to be an antipope, false prophet, and the final Antichrist (1 John 4:1-3).  Also, because the Vatican has also floated the idea of changing certain procedures related to the election of the next pope (e.g. Pope Conclave Change?) then some may later conclude that he is or could be an antipope as his election could somehow differ from convention.

As far as Malachy’s list, here is what he wrote in Latin about the last pope on his list:

In persecutione extrema SRE sedebit. Petrus Romanus, quipascet oves in multis tribulationibus: quibus transactis civitas septicollis diruetur, et Iudex tremendus iudicabit populum suum. Finis. (Gurugé A. The Next Pope. Anura Guruge, 2010, p. 221)

Here is some of what a Catholic writer commented about that:

There are many, around the world, who, thanks to this prophecy, are totally convinced that the next pope will indeed call himself ‘Peter’–most not considering or caring what the implications of this could be.

In the considered opinion of the author, it is highly improbable that the next pope will be ‘Petrus Romanus‘ or even ‘Petrus II.’

For a start, given the Last Judgment implications, many respected Catholic sources have tried to point out, for quite a long time, that the pope talked about in motto 112 does not have to necessarily be the pope who follows the one described by motto 111; this 111th pope now being the current pope, Benedict XVI (#266). The justification for this “hedging’ is that the mottos were not numbered in de Wyon’s 1595 Lignum Vitae. The numbering, to facilitate manageability, came later. Consequently, it can be contented that the author of this prophecy, whoever it was, did not necessarily mean that the pope described in the last motto would come immediately after the one identified in the previous motto. Basically, the last, very long, atypical motto describes the last pope. This last pope may come to be at a much later time–with an indeterminate number of intervening popes between him and the one described by motto 111. Therefore, this last motto may not actually apply to the next pope, in which case, the expectation of ‘Petrus Romanus‘ becomes mute.

But what the proponents of the ‘Petrus Romanus‘ belief do not appear to appreciate is that the next pope, by the sheer necessity of the duties confronting him, is not going to be naive. Naiveté…is not a characteristic that one readily associates with today’s cardinals. They know the ways of the world and are world politic. There will be none amongst them who is not familiar with the Malachy prophecy. They all understand what the ramifications would be if the next pope surprised them all by stating that he will be called ‘Petrus Secundus.’

The protodeacon announcing ‘Petrus Secundus‘ from the balcony of St. Peter’s would be worse than shouting ‘fire’ in a crowded theater. There would be mayhem in what is likely to be another jam-packed St. Peter’s Square. People would panic. There could be a stampede, people could get hurt. The authorities in Rome and the Italian government would be forced to take immediate action to quell the understandable alarm. It would be considered, quite rightly, a security threat! For the first time in over a century there could be troops, Italian, NATO or both, surrounding the Vatican. There would be no celebrations, The Urbi et Orbi blessing, if it was to take place, would be viewed with understandable askance.

It is difficult to imagine the next pope doing anything this reckless. It is difficult to envision the cardinal electors permitting him to do anything this reckless. Hence, it is extremely unlikely that the next pope will be ‘Petrus Secundus,’ let alone ‘Petrus Romanus.’ If he is, head for the hills, and hope for the best. (Gurugé, pp. 221-223)

Now, I agree that the next pope (who could be the last pope) may not chose the name Peter II or anything similar–but that does not mean that he could not fulfill that prophecy. It needs to be clear, whether he does or not pick that name, the last pope will be a destructive antipope.  Malachy’s list generally did not name pontiffs, but give descriptions. And while some have concluded that Petrus Romanus is a name, it could instead be a description. The description could signify that he is a pebble (or “rocky” which is what the term petrus signifies) supporting the final Roman empire.

However it may be of interest to note, there is at least two candidates for pontiff that already have “Peter” in their name.  One is Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson.  He is a long shot, but the fact that his name includes Peter is of interest.

Another is someone who I have followed for some time.  And some have said that he will be the next pope:

The Final Pope will be….Cardinal Taracisio Pietro (Peter) Evasio Bertone (an Italian, fr Rome)

Cardinal Bertone was appointed by Benedict to be the current Secty of State of the Vatican. The Vatican Secty of State (Cardinal) will be the acting pontiff during the period of “sede vacante” prior to the election of a new Pope by the College of Cardinals. Also Benedict has appointed 22 cardinals during his term and now have of the Cardinal electors are European with half of those Italian….so he is stacking the deck in favor of “Peter” Bertone (of Rome). Furthermore, Bertone is at the center of a Vatican conspiracy to keep the details of The Third Secret of Fatima secret. Finally, Benedict may have planned to resign as early as 2009 when he visited the tomb of the last pope to resign hundreds of years ago (Celestine V)…and may have been a willing participant in the Malachy papal prophecy line by selecting the name Benedict even tho he was never a priest of the Benedictine Order. The next pope will also follow that line and select the name “Peter…..the Roman.”

(CosmicCitizen; a member of AboveTopSecret.com.  The Final Pope will be….Cardinal Taracisio Pietro (Peter) Evasio Bertone (an Italian, fr Rome) http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread925976/pg2#pid15937109)

Because of his contradictory statements about Fatima, and, in my view, credibility issues, Cardinal Bertone is a candidate to watch.  He could be the antipope/final Antichrist if he gains the title Bishop of Rome.  But if not, he is an influential leader in the Vatican and very well would be expected to assist the antipope/final Antichrist.  And there are others that could be antipope/final Antichrist or at least assist him.  Interestingly on April 28, 2010, I reported that Cardinal Bertone suggested that the celibacy issue for priests could be changed (Vatican Willing to Consider Changing Celibacy for Priests), and that is another reason he is one to watch.  The final antipope/final Antichrist will be ecumenical, or at least demonstrate ecumenical leanings.  Tarcisio Pietro Evasio Bertone, was born 2 December 1934 in Romano Canavese, Piedmont, Italy.  Hence in a sense he literally is “Peter the Roman.”  Yet, he does not have to be the final antipope/final Antichrist, as there are reasons to consider that he will be a younger man.  But he is a person of interest.

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

COGwriter

In his booklet, The Seven Laws of Success, the late Herbert W. Armstrong wrote the following related to the sixth law of success:

Importance of Law Number 6

Among the case histories recounted in the beginning pages was that of the president of a major automobile manufacturing corporation. He had utilized the first five of these laws—that is, except he had the usual goal that leads in the wrong direction. Yet in the flash depression of 1920, when he lost his personal fortune, he committed suicide.

This man had reached the point where he was, to all appearances, through! During life he had resourcefully solved emergencies and problems that arose. But now, suddenly, it seemed that everything had been swept from under his feet. Everything he had worked for. Everything he had accumulated. Everything he had set his heart on! There was NOTHING left! He was washed up—finished! So it seemed to him. I never knew his private life.

He gave up! He committed suicide. So near success, yet so far!

Yes, nine in ten, at least once or twice in a lifetime, come to the place where they appear to be totally defeated! All is lost!–`apparently, that is. They give up and quit, when just a little more faith and perseverance—just a little more STICK-TO IT-IVENESS would have turned apparent certain failure into glorious success.

Law number six, then, is PERSEVERANCE—stick-to-it-iveness!

I know! I have reached that point more than once! I, too, had everything swept out from under me in that flash depression of 1920.

I had been making an income, still in my twenties, equivalent to an executive’s salary in today’s dollar value. But some 90 percent of it came from five or six big Midwestern corporations. Most of these great corporations “went under”—that is, they went into “receivers’” hands.

Later, in 1926, an advertising business I had started on the west coast was wiped out from under me by an association decision made in the east. A million-dollar project was dashed to oblivion by the stock-market crash and depression of 1929. But I did not quit or give up living. That was when my life GOAL was changed!

Even the first two years of the operation of Ambassador College stared constant defeat in the face. Nearly everybody thought we were through—we had failed! WHY, they wondered, didn’t I realize it and QUIT? In those days I had to listen to associates around me talking constantly about “when this college folds up.”

But it didn’t fold up! By the year 1949 we got over our first financial hump. Later, the second. Today, I think we may be justified in saying that the college is, indeed, a glorious SUCCESS! And our other operations today are worldwide on a major scale.

Things do not always go as planned. Instead of giving up, Christians should pray and try to persevere when needed.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
The Seven Laws of Success Booklet by Herbert W. Armstrong that can help people become successful.

COGwriter

As Black History month winds down, I thought it might be appropriate to quote some writings from the late Martin Luther King Jr.  Particularly, those on the ancient sun-god religion of Mithraism, that was popular in the Roman Empire from about the first century B.C. until the fourth century A.D.

So here is some of what Dr. King wrote on Mithraism, in a document dated November 23, 1949:

In Avesta, Mithra was the genius of celestial light…The doctrine of the immortality of the soul was another view which was very prominent in Mithraism…

Women were compelled to seek salvation in some other cult, for Mithraism excluded them entirely…

When Mithraism is compared to Christianity, there are surprisingly many points of similarity. Of all the mystery cults, Mithraism was the greatest competitor of Christianity…

That Christians did copy and borrow from Mithraism cannot be denied (King ML. The papers of Martin Luther King, Jr, Volume 4. Clayborne Carson, Ralph Luker, Penny A. Russell editors/compliers. University of California Press, 1992, pp. 213-214, 217, 222, 224).

Of course, true Christians did not really borrow from Mithraism, but the Greco-Roman faiths did.

Here is some of what Dr. King wrote in a document dated February 15, 1950:

Mithraism…was suppressed by the Christians sometime in the latter part of the fourth century A.D.: but its collapse seems to have been due to the fact that by that time many of its doctrines had been adopted by the church, so that it was practically absorbed by its rival.

…the Church made a sacred day out of Sunday partially because…of the resurrection. But when we observe a little further we find that as a solar festival, Sunday was the sacred day of Mithra: it is also interesting to notice that since Mithra was addressed as Lord, Sunday must have been “the Lord’s Day” long before Christian use. It is also to be noticed that our Christmas, December 25th, was the birthday of Mithra, and was only taken over in the Fourth Century as the date, actually unknown, of the birth of Jesus.

To make the picture a little more clear, we may list a few of the similarities between these two religions: (1) Both regard Sunday as a Holy Day. (2) December 25 came to be considered as the anniversary of the birth of Mithra and Christ also. (3) Baptism and a ritual meal were important parts of both groups…

In summary we may say that the belief in immortality, a mediator between god and man, the observance of certain sacramental rites…were common to Mithraism and Christianity. (King ML. The papers of Martin Luther King, Jr, Volume 4. Clayborne Carson, Ralph Luker, Penny A. Russell editors/compliers. University of California Press, 1992, pp. 307, 309.)

Notice that Martin Luther King, Jr. clearly understood that the Sunday churches dropped the Sabbath, that “the Lord’s Day” essentially first meant the day of Mithra, and that the worlds’ churches did adopt many practices from Mithraism.

I wish he and others emphasized this aspect of his writings more. His writings on Mithraism should help raise the awareness of its influence to all.  Hopefully, so people who claim Christ will realize that they should not continue practices that many obtained outside of the Bible, but from the influence of Mithraism.

I would again like to emphasize that Christians faithful to the original teachings of Christ, the apostles, and the New Testament did not adopt the practices of Mithraism.

While Dr. King was most known for his civil rights protests, he figured out that much of what passed for Christianity in his day was really a form that adopted Mithratic practices. Does that include your version? Are you sure?

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity?
Is Revelation 1:10 talking about Sunday or the Day of the Lord? Most Protestant scholars say Sunday is the Lord’s Day, but is that what the Bible teaches?
The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church?
What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them?
Sunday and Christianity Was Sunday observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians? Who clearly endorsed Sunday?
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differ from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the genuine Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the 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.
Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

COGwriter

Moody’s credit rating agency downgraded the credit of the United Kingdom and this may cause some in favor of independence for Scotland to essentially cheer:

By TOM PETERKIN AND EMMA COWAN
Published on Sunday 24 February 2013 00:35

THE anti-independence campaign was dealt a severe setback this weekend as the UK government’s strategy for financial recovery was thrown into disarray.

Yes Scotland claimed that the No campaign had been dealt a “hammer blow” with the withdrawal of the UK’s much-vaunted AAA credit rating because of the economy’s continuing sluggish prospects for growth.

Alistair Darling’s Better Together campaign had put Britain’s AAA status at the heart of its efforts to prevent the break-up of Britain, arguing that the UK’s top rating saved Scots billions of pounds on the cost of their mortgages.

In the past, No campaigners have warned that an independent Scotland would not inherit a AAA rating, an outcome that would force up interest rates in Scottish banks, leading to bigger repayments for hundreds of thousands of families and small businesses.

Keeping the coveted rating has also been at the heart of the coalition government’s plans for recovery through austerity. Economists have warned that loss of the AAA status could see an increase in interest rates charged on government borrowing.

Last night the SNP’s Treasury spokesman Stewart Hosie said: “No campaigners used the UK’s AAA credit rating as one of their core arguments against independence. Now that has been shown up as misleading scaremongering…

What do the ratings mean?

Moody’s grades credit-worthiness on a scale of AAA, the highest, to C, the lowest. The numbers one to three modify the rating, with one being the highest.

When did UK get AAA rating?

March 1978. Moody’s is the first of the three main credit ratings agency to downgrade the UK.

What did Moody’s say about it?

It blames the UK’s “sluggish growth”.  http://www.scotsman.com/news/snp-seizes-on-moody-s-uk-credit-downgrade-1-2807489 

23 February 2013

The Scottish National Party is calling on the No campaign to pulp leaflets that they are distributing this weekend with misleading information following Moody‘s removal of the AAA credit rating from the UK.

The downgrade has blown an embarrassing hole in the No campaign’s assertion that the benefits of a triple-A rating were only secure through the UK. Leaflets being distributed today by No list this as one of their core arguments against independence.

The SNP pointed out that almost two-thirds of the countries that now hold triple-A status have populations of less than ten million – including Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2013/feb/uks-loss-aaa-shows-failure-westminster

23 February 2013

Britain lost its top credit rating by Moody’s Investors Service, which cited weakness in the nation’s growth outlook and challenges to the government’s fiscal consolidation program.

The rating on the U.K. was lowered one level to Aa1 from Aaa and the outlook on the nation’s debt changed to stable from negative, Moody’s said in a statement yesterday. With the U.K.’s high and rising debt burden, deterioration in the government’s balance sheet is unlikely to be reversed before 2016, Moody’s said in the statement…

The U.K. economy shrank 0.3 percent in the fourth quarter of last year from the prior three- month period, leaving the country on the brink of an unprecedented triple-dip recession. The pound fell after the downgrade…http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-23/u-k-stripped-of-top-rating-by-moody-s-amid-weak-growth-outlook.html

The United Kingdom is not so united that Scotland could not possibly leave.  There are many ramification associated with credit downgrades, beyond raising borrowing costs and risking hyperinflation.  As far as Scotland goes, even if it gets independence, I expect that it will normally cooperate with England and the rest of the remaining UK.  But I do believe that if it gains independence that this will not be good for the rest of the UK.

As far as debt goes, on a per capita basis, the UK is one of the most indebted nations in the world.  On a total basis, the USA is the most indebted nation in human history.  Other agencies have dropped the USA’s credit rating and Moody’s has suggested that it would do so.

For the past couple of centuries, the UK and/or the USA have essentially been the head of the old world order. The Bible shows that a curse to come would instead to become the tail:

43 “The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. 44 He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail.

45 “Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. 46 And they shall be upon you for a sign and a wonder, and on your descendants forever. (Deuteronomy 28:43-46)

Some of this is starting to happen. Most in the world, including the world of the primarily Anglo-nations, do not realize what will happen if they are no longer on top. Real severe economic problems, such as lack of food, is coming to the Anglo-descended nations (cf. Matthew 24:7-8; Jeremiah 30:7).

National repentance is the only hope now for the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

They are all in at least relative decline, despite the appearance of prosperity in their lands. And others are starting to truly notice.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
Just What Do You Mean Conversion? Many think that they are converted Christians. But are they? Would you like to know more about conversion. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
False Conversion Have you really been converted? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this article on this important subject.
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.

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’ (Matthew 25:31-34).

COGwriter

The sermon that many watched in the Continuing Church of God yesterday was titled The Gospel of the Kingdom.  Those who would like to can watch the YouTube sermon which is at the ContinuingCOG channel and you can click the following to watch it: The Gospel of the Kingdom.

Do you know that the first and last things that Jesus apparently preached about concerned the gospel of the kingdom of God? Do you recall that the end cannot come until the kingdom of God is preached to the world as a witness? Do you know that the kingdom of God was the emphasis of the apostles and those that followed them?

The actual kingdom of God does not get emphasized by many who profess Christ these days, but there is a group that makes it its top priority.

Is the kingdom of God the person of Jesus? Is the kingdom of God Jesus living His life in us now? Is the kingdom of God some type of future actual kingdom?

What is a kingdom? Just what is the kingdom of God? What does the Bible teach? What did the early Christian church teach?

This post will attempt to provide some answers to these questions.

Before getting into the specific scriptures and historical comments, it is important to understand that a kingdom requires a king, territory, subjects, and laws. Those are the components of a kingdom and also components of the kingdom of God.

Daniel Taught About the Kingdom

The prophet Daniel was told to record this about the kingdom of God:

And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever (Daniel 2:44, NKJV throughout unless noted).

But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’ (Daniel 7:18).

From Daniel, we learn that the kingdom of God will destroy human kingdoms and last forever. And that the saints will have their part in receiving it.

Isaiah Taught About the Kingdom

God inspired Isaiah to write the following about the Leader of the kingdom this way:

6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Notice that Isaiah said that Jesus would come and establish a kingdom with a government. While many who profess Christ quote this passage, especially in December each year, they tend to overlook that it is prophesying more than the fact that Jesus would be born. The Bible is clear that the kingdom of God has a government, with laws, over subjects, and Jesus will be over it. Isaiah, Daniel, and others prophesied it.

Roman Catholics Teach The Kingdom is Important, But…

Pope Pius XI in his encyclical Quas Primas taught:

…the Catholic Church…is the kingdom of Christ on earth. (Cited in Kramer P. The Devil’s Final Battle. Good Counsel Publications, 2002, p. 73).

But that is not consistent with the teaching of the Bible. Instead, the Church of Rome now seems to teach so strongly against the millennial kingdom that it is about the only “doctrine of Antichrist” they list in the official Catechism of the Catholic Church:

676 The Antichrist’s deception already begins to take shape in the world every time the claim is made to realize within history that messianic hope which can only be realized beyond history through the eschatological judgment. The Church has rejected even modified forms of this falsification of the kingdom to come under the name of millenarianism, especially the “intrinsically perverse” political form of a secular messianism. (Catechism of the Catholic Church. Imprimatur Potest +Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. Doubleday, NY 1995, p. 194).

Thus, those associated with the Church of Rome will have major problems with the proclaiming of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God in the end. And the end-time version of it will take terrible steps against it.

Jesus Taught the Gospel of the Kingdom

In the New Testament, the English word “kingdom” for this particular kingdom is mentioned approximately 149 times in the NKJV and 151 in the Douay Rheims Bible.

When Jesus began His public ministry, He began by preaching about the gospel of the kingdom of God. Here is what Mark reported:

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:14-15, NKJV throughout unless otherwise indicated).

Here is the first public teaching that Matthew records,

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 4:23).

Matthew also records:

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matt 9:35).

Luke, like Isaiah, shows that Jesus will reign over the kingdom forever:

And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end (Luke 1:33).

Luke records that the purpose that Jesus was sent was to preach the kingdom of God. Notice what Jesus taught:

He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent” (Luke 4:43).

Have you ever heard that preached? Did you ever realize that Jesus’ purpose for being sent was to preach the kingdom of God?

Luke also records that Jesus did go and preach the kingdom of God:

And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God (Luke 9:10-11).

The kingdom of God was not only the emphasis of Jesus’ ministry, He wanted it to be the top priority for those who would follow Him as He taught:

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:31-32).

Notice that the kingdom will be given to a little flock. Hence the kingdom cannot be a massive church that now exists.

Jesus taught that His followers would pray for the kingdom to come, hence they do not already possess it:

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done (Matthew 6:9-10).

During His ministry, He sent the disciples out to preach the kingdom of God:

Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God (Luke 9:1-2).

Jesus taught that His presence alone was not the kingdom, because it was not there yet:

But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you (Matthew 12:28).

The kingdom is in the future, it is not here now as these verses from Mark show:

And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast (Mark 9:47).

Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:23-25).

Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God” (Mark 14:25).

Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage (Mark 15:43).

Jesus taught that the kingdom is not now part of this present world:

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36).

Jesus taught that the kingdom will come after He comes again and that He will be its King:

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:31-34).

Jesus provided some explanations of what the kingdom of God is like:

And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come” (Mark 4:26-29).

Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.” And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened” (Luke 13:18-21).

These parables suggests that, at first, the kingdom of God is quite small, but will become large.

Luke also recorded:

They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God (Luke 13:29).

Thus, the kingdom is something that one can sit down in. And that is true of all kingdoms. They have a king, they cover a geographic area, they have rules, and they have subjects.

Also, people will actually eat in the kingdom:

“Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!” (Luke 14:15).

Since people will (in the future) eat in the kingdom, it is not just something set aside in their hearts now (in spite of mistranslations of Luke 17:21 which suggest otherwise).

The disciples knew that the kingdom was not within them, and that it had to appear as the following shows:

Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately (Luke 19:11).

Jesus confirmed this, as Luke records:

Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near (Luke 21:29-31).

Jesus clearly showed that the kingdom of God was something that would happen in the future when He taught:

“With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes” (Luke 22:15-18).

The kingdom did not come as soon as Jesus was crucified either as both Mark and Luke show us:

Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage (Mark 15:43).

He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God (Luke 23:51).

After the resurrection, one will be born again in the kingdom of God as John records:

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3-5).

(More information on this subject can be found in the article Born Again: A Question of Semantics?)

After Jesus was resurrected, He again taught about the kingdom of God:

He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).

Thus, apparently the first and and several of the last sermons that Jesus gave were about the kingdom of God.

Jesus also had the Apostle John write about the millennial kingdom that would be on the earth. Notice what He had John write:

I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years (Revelation 20:4).

Why, if the kingdom of God is so important, haven’t most of you heard much about it? Because Jesus did not intend that most people would understand it in this age. He called it a mystery:

And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables (Mark 4:11).

Notice that Jesus said that the end will come (soon) AFTER the gospel of the kingdom is preached to all the world as a WITNESS:

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).

Thus, the true Christian church should be proclaiming that gospel now. This should be its top priority for the Church (a related article of interest may be Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work?). And this is what the Continuing Church of God strives to do.

Much more information on this subject is covered in the article The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church, as well as the YouTube video titled  The Gospel of the Kingdom.

Some articles 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 from lower level leaders?
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?  You could also watch a YouTube video on it by clicking the following: The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? A booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom.
Parable of the Mustard Seed Jesus told many parables. Why? What might this one mean?
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.

 

Did he resign for reasons other than just his age?

COGwriter

Several have sent me articles containing a variety of speculation about possibly why Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation.  Here are some Vatican denials of some of the reasons the press has reported speculations about:

23 February 2013

VATICAN CITY, Feb 23 (Reuters) – The Vatican on Saturday accused the Italian media of spreading “false and damaging” reports in what it condemned as a deplorable attempt to influence cardinals who will meet in a secret conclave next month to elect a new pope.

Since Pope Benedict announced his resignation on Feb. 11, Italian newspapers have been full of rumours about conspiracies, secret reports and lobbies in the Vatican that they say pushed the pope to abdicate…

Some Church officials, speaking privately, have said foreign cardinals coming to Rome to choose the next pope have been alarmed over reports of corruption and might be inclined to elect someone not connected with the Curia, which is predominantly Italian.

The Vatican statement said the Italian media reports were an attempt to influence the outcome of the conclave through negative public opinion much like states and kings tried to influence papal elections centuries ago.

The pope has announced that he will step down on Feb. 28, becoming the first pontiff to abdicate in some six centuries.  http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/23/pope-resignation-media-idUSL6N0BN0QC20130223

23 February 2013

Rome (CNN) — The Vatican sought Saturday to tamp down rumors involving sex, money and gay priests that have been swirling in the Italian media and have been linked by some to Pope Benedict XVI‘s decision to resign.

Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone said it was “deplorable” that as the time for the Roman Catholic cardinals to elect a new pope approaches, a rash of “often unverified, unverifiable or completely false news stories” has appeared.

Such unfounded stories “cause serious damage to persons and institutions,” he said, and are an attempt to influence the cardinals’ free will in the election “through public opinion.”

Bertone did not address the specific claims that were first published in La Repubblica, the country’s largest circulation daily newspaper, on Thursday and Friday.

The newspaper stories center on an investigation last year by three cardinals into a scandal involving leaks from the Vatican.

La Repubblica, citing unnamed sources familiar with the investigation, alleged that the investigation revealed a series of scandals involving sex, money and power that touch cardinals, priests and lay people that work in the Vatican…

The pontiff is considering changing the Vatican constitution to allow a vote for his successor to begin before March 15, Lombardi said Wednesday.

Existing rules say the Roman Catholic Church’s cardinals should start voting on a replacement from 15 to 20 days after the papal throne becomes vacant. With Benedict due to depart on February 28, the cardinals’ conclave ordinarily would start no sooner than March 15.  http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/23/world/europe/vatican-pope-scandal/

23 February 2013

The Vatican’s Secretariat of State — effectively the central administration of the Roman Catholic Church — took the highly unusual step of issuing a formal statement condemning “unverified, unverifiable or completely false news stories”…

It said recent media reports were “deplorable” and “cause serious damage to persons and institutions”, adding that they did not capture “the spiritual aspect of the moment the Church is living”.

The pope last year appointed three cardinals to conduct a wide-ranging investigation into the Roman Curia, the Vatican hierarchy, in parallel with a police inquiry into a scandal known as “Vatileaks”.

Benedict’s butler Paolo Gabriele was arrested, convicted and later pardoned by the pope for leaking confidential documents to the press, but suspicions linger that more people were involved.

The cardinals submitted their report for the pope’s eyes only, but Italian media have said they will also share their conclusions with other cardinals ahead of the pontiff’s resignation on Thursday.  http://www.emirates247.com/vati-leaks-scandal-vatican-hits-back-2013-02-23-1.496128

These rumors, whether or not there is much truth in them, could be a factor in who will end up becoming the next pope.  While the stress of various scandals probably played a role (and even Pope Benedict’s brother confirmed that) in Benedict XVi’s resignation, the reality is that the pontiff is old, saw what happened when his predecessor Pope John Paul II was too old to govern, and likely decided not to put his church in the same position.  This would suggest that a younger man could become the next pope.

Perhaps I should mention that other “sources” have suggested that Pope Benedict XVI resigned to take the blame for as many scandals as possible so that the next pontiff will not look tainted and hence prepare the Church of Rome for growth.  Both biblical and Catholic prophecies suggest that a time a growth will occur for the Church of Rome, but improper signs and wonders are listed as part of the reason for that growth.

But what about now?

If the rules are changed to allow voting for a new pontiff earlier than usual, this would be consistent with my view that a change to how the next pope gets into office could point to him being a type of 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.

Catholic priest and writer R. Gerald Culleton (20th century) wrote:  “A schism of short duration is destined to break out…An antipope, of German origin, is to be set up, and finally Rome itself will be destroyed” (Culleton, p. 42).  While the Bible does not specify that this leader will be of Germanic origin, since various prophecies tell of an end time people with Assyrian heritage causing destruction, and history suggests that they are Germanic (see article Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History), it certainly could be that this “antipope” will have at least some Germanic origin.

Many other Catholic prophecies about an antipope do not specify his ethnicity.  But if the next pontiff is Germanic, he could possibly fulfill biblical and Catholic prophecies that warn against him.

As we are living in the last days, the next pope could be the final antipope, and scandals and changes associated with Rome may be a factor in his election.

COGwriter

In a move that is in conflict with scripture, as well as possibly (in my view) his oath of office, the Obama Administration filed a brief against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA):

February 23, 2013

The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has filed a legal brief with the Supreme Court to strike down a 1996 law defining marriage exclusively as a union between a man and a woman.

The document, filed Friday, marks the first time a U.S. president has endorsed same-sex marriage rights before the high court.

The White House’s position is that the Defense of Marriage Act – DOMA – violates the constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the law.

The brief said DOMA denies federal benefits to tens of thousands of same-sex couples that are granted to heterosexual couples.

The case before the Supreme Court involves Edith Windsor, a lesbian who had been legally married to her decades-long partner. However, Windsor was required to pay a hefty estate tax bill when her partner died because she was not considered legally married under DOMA.

Republicans in both the Senate and the House of Representatives have voiced their opposition to the president’s stance on gay marriage.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case next month.

Also, the court will consider next month a California law, Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in that state.  http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-asks-supreme-court-to-overturn-gay-marriage-ban/1609335.html

Years ago, one of my brothers asked me if I felt that California’s Proposition 8 law would remain in effect, and I told him no, that it was likely that the courts would nullify it.  We will see if that will happen this year.

The move by the Obama Administration is not a surprise as nearly two years ago, it came out against relying on the biblical definition of marriage (see Obama Announces He Wants to Repeal Defense of Marriage Act and Increase Debt).

The Bible defends marriage and only defines it as between a man and a woman (cf. Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5-10). It repeatedly condemns homosexual acts (for specific scriptures, see US Senate Votes to Lift Homosexual Ban in Military).

Notice also the following:

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

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

14 ‘But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, 15 and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, 16 I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you…19 I will break the pride of your power…30 I will destroy your high places, (Leviticus 26:14-16,19,30)

The inability to think clearly and to approve of homosexuality is specifically discussed in the New Testament:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:18-32)

Because many do not wish to retain God in their knowledge, this is part of why much of the leadership of the USA thinks that increasing debt is a good thing. And why non-homosexuals politicians (and others) are supporting homosexual causes.

The USA is setting itself up for complete ruin.  Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed as examples (Jude 7; 2 Peter 2:6). The currently militarily strong USA will not be spared (Daniel 11:39).

Watch (Mark 13, Matthew 24).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality?  Can homosexuals change?
God Created Marriage Some falsely claim that God did not create marriage and that fornication is fine.  What does the Bible really teach?
Why Marriage? Soon Obsolete? This is a booklet from Herbert Armstrong on this important topic.
Here’s the Plain Truth About OLD TESTAMENT POLYGAMY by Herbert Armstrong.
Love, Marriage, and Sex It is important to get them in the right order.
Five Rules for Effective Parenting Do you know that there are five simple rules that can make you a more effective parent? There is also a 12 1/2 minute YouTube video on this, also titled Five Rules for Effective Parenting.
Prophecies of Barack Obama? This article has some reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic as well as why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. It 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? This is the longest and most complete article at the COGwriter website on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”. Might Bible prophecy be fulfilled since he is to be the USA president?
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?
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?

“Martyrdom of Polycarp” from Ceiling of the Church of St. Polycarp, Smyrna (now called Izmir, Turkey)

COGwriter

February 23rd is considered the “Feast of Polycarp” by the Roman and Eastern Orthodox Catholics. Some believe that he was martyred on that date (though an early Spring martyrdom seems to have been more likely), and thus some read parts or all of a second century account called The Martyrdom of Polycarp.

Polycarp was a disciple of the Apostle John. In the late 1st century (or the early second century) he was put in charge of the Church of God in Smyrna. Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox revere him as a saint (as do some Protestants). We in the Continuing Church of God primarily trace our early history from Peter, Paul, and John through Polycarp (we also trace our history through other areas that had faithful Christians for a while, such as Jerusalem).

Almost everyone associated with Christendom considers that Polycarp was a true and faithful Christian leader.

In the late second century, the Catholic and Orthodox saint Irenaeus wrote:

But Polycarp also was not only instructed by apostles, and conversed with many who had seen Christ, but was also, by apostles in Asia, appointed bishop of the Church in Smyrna…always taught the things which he had learned from the apostles, and which the Church has handed down, and which alone are true. To these things all the Asiatic Churches testify, as do also those men who have succeeded Polycarp down to the present time (Irenaeus. Adversus Haeres. Book III, Chapter 4, Verse 3 and Chapter 3, Verse 4).

So if Polycarp was a faithful saint who was appointed by the apostles, then perhaps real Christians would follow his practices as he followed the Bible?

In the famous account of his martyrdom, he made some statements that even under the face of death suggested that he had a sense of humor:

9:1 But as Polycarp entered into the stadium, a voice came to him from heaven; ‘Be strong, Polycarp, and play the man.’ And no one saw the speaker, but those of our people who were present heard the voice. And at length, when he was brought up, there was a great tumult, for they heard that Polycarp had been apprehended.

9:2 When then he was brought before him, the proconsul enquired whether he were the man. And on his confessing that he was, he tried to persuade him to a denial saying, ‘Have respect to thine age,’ and other things in accordance therewith, as it is their wont to say; ‘Swear by the genius of Caesar; repent and say, Away with the atheists.’

Then Polycarp with solemn countenance looked upon the whole multitude of lawless heathen that were in the stadium, and waved his hand to them; and groaning and looking up to heaven he said, ‘Away with the atheists.’

9:3 But when the magistrate pressed him hard and said, ‘Swear the oath, and I will release You; revile the Christ,’ Polycarp said, ‘Fourscore and six years have I been His servant, and He hath done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?’

Perhaps it should be mentioned that some have interpreted the above account as proof that Polycarp died at age 86 and hence was baptized as an infant, but another ancient document (known as the Harris Fragments) records that he lived until age 104, thus is supportive that Polycarp was baptized at age 18 (see also Baptism and the Early Church).

And even though many Greco-Romans observe the presumed date of his martyrdom as a feast, it is not likely that many of those who do so realize that he held many (though not all) views that sometimes conflict with those now held by the Greco-Roman churches. Actually, he was a heretic fighter and even tried to get Anicetus, Bishop of Rome to change.

Here is a summary of some of Polycarp’s beliefs and practices:

A Binitarian view, that acknowledged the Holy Spirit, was held by the apostolic and post-apostolic true Christian leaders, like Polycarp.
Hierarchical church governance was advocated by Polycarp.
The canon of the New Testament was known by Polycarp as he seemed to refer to all the books it in the famous Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians.
Christmas was not observed by Polycarp nor any professing Christ prior to the third century, or ever by those holding to early teachings.
Deification of Christians after the resurrection was taught by the early leaders of the Church, including Polycarp.
Easter per se was not observed by the apostolic church, and Polycarp fought against it.
The Fall Holy Days were observed by true early Christians, including Polycarp.
The Father was considered to be God by all early professing Christians, including Polycarp.
Polycarp taught against idols (and that would include icons).
Polycarp taught against the immortality of the soul.
Jesus was considered to be God by the true Christians, including Polycarp.
The Kingdom of God was taught by Polycarp.
Leavened Bread was removed from the homes of early Christians like Polycarp.
Lent was not observed by Polycarp.
Limbo was not taught by Polycarp.
Military Service was not allowed for true early Christians like Polycarp.
Millenarianism (a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth, often called the millennium) was taught by the early Christians who succeeded Polycarp.
Passover was kept on the 14th of Nisan Polycarp.
Purgatory was not taught by Polycarp.
The Resurrection of the dead was taught Polycarp.
The Sabbath was observed on Saturday by Polycarp.
The Ten Commandments were observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians, including Polycarp–and in the order that the Continuing Church of God claims they are in.

The Continuing Church of God has all of the same beliefs and practices as Polycarp (although we observe no particular day in his honor).

If Polycarp really was a saint that was placed in charge by Christ’s apostles–which he was–shouldn’t you have the same beliefs and practices?

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians Did Polycarp refer to all the books in the New Testament? This is Roberts and Donaldson’s translation, corrected by me in one place, where they made a small error in translating Latin by omitting one word. It is also annotated with scriptures to demonstrate that Polycarp did have the New Testament canon.
Polycarp of Smyrna: The Heretic Fighter Polycarp was the successor of the Apostle John and a major leader in Asia Minor. Do you know much about what he taught? Does the Continuing Church of God or the Church of Rome more faithfully follow his teachings and practices?
The Martyrdom of Polycarp This was written shortly after Polycarp died; likely involving Papirius. A mistranslation is corrected in this version.
Polycarp, Fragments from Victor of Capua This may have been written by Polycarp or “pseudo-Polycarp”.
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.
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.
Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?

Damascus, Capital of Syria

COGwriter

Syrian opposition leaders are starting to discuss what they hope will be a post-Syrian President Assad period:

February 22, 2013

Syria’s main opposition group agreed to set up a transitional government seeking recognition as the legitimate alternative to President Bashar Assad’s rule, as rebels said they seized control of a nuclear research center.

The Syrian National Coalition will name a premier for the new administration within 10 days, Haitham El-Maleh, a leading member of the group, said in a phone interview.  http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=304188

The commander of the Free Syrian Army, encouraged by recent successes on the battlefield, said that he is ready to meet with military officers from the regime of President Bashar al-Assad to “discuss how to keep order in the country” should Assad give up power.

Brig. Gen. Salim Idriss, who became commander in chief of the rebel forces three months ago, made the surprising offer of talks in a telephone interview Friday from Turkey…Idriss’s comments were the first clear sign that the Free Syrian Army command is making serious plans for how to stabilize the country if Assad falls.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2013/02/22/syrian-rebel-commander-salim-idriss-talks-post-assad-syria/

While a stable and peaceful Syria would be a major improvement, even if that is temporarily attained, it will not remain that way.

Both biblical and Islamic prophecy tell of the destruction of at least parts of Syria, such as Damascus. Here is some of what Bible prophecies teaches:

7 thus says the Lord God: “It shall not stand, Nor shall it come to pass. 8 For the head of Syria is Damascus (Isaiah 7:7-8)

3 Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they have threshed Gilead with implements of iron. (Amos 1:3)

1 The burden against Damascus. “Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap. (Isaiah 17:1)

23 Against Damascus. “Hamath and Arpad are shamed, For they have heard bad news. They are fainthearted; There is trouble on the sea; It cannot be quiet. 24 Damascus has grown feeble; She turns to flee, And fear has seized her. Anguish and sorrows have taken her like a woman in labor. 25 Why is the city of praise not deserted, the city of My joy? 26 Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, And all the men of war shall be cut off in that day,” says the Lord of hosts. 27 “I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, And it shall consume the palaces of Ben-Hadad.” (Jeremiah 49:23-27)

This destruction could come as the result of the current civil war.  And if the Assad regime uses chemical weapons and/or becomes engaged in a conflict with Israel, that could also fulfill the above.

Furthermore, because the Bible suggests that Syria will be involved in a confederation of North African and Middle Eastern nations (Ezekiel 30:1-8; Psalm 83:4-8) who will support a leader that the Bible refers to as the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43), this likely means that the Assad regime will have to at least change, if not completely fall, and that whatever regime replaces it, it will most likely agree to be in this prophesied confederation.  A confederation that is also prophesied to fail.  The Muslim Brotherhood has long pushed for the type of confederation that the Bible warns will involve many Arabic nations.

Interestingly, there are various Islamic views on an Muslim leader, sometimes called the Imam Mahdi rising up (who could be the King of the South of Daniel 11:40-43) in a time related to Syria. Here is one that suggests this Islamic leader does so after Syria has problems:

Traditions have been reported mentioning the signs for the time of the appearance of the Imam who will arise (qa’im), peace be on him, and the events which will take place before his appearance, together with the indications and features of it. Among them are: The Sufyani will come out in revolt; the Hasanid will be killed; the Abbasids will dispute over worldly kingdom…the people of Egypt will kill their ruler and destroy Syria; and three standards will dispute over it (Syria)…

The Abbasids will dispute; a voice will call from the sky; one of the villages of Syria called al-Jabiyya will be swallowed up; the Turks will occupy the region of al-Jazira; the Byzantines will attack al-Ramla; at that time there will be much conflict throughout the land until Syria is destroyed. (Kitab al Irshad Chapter: The Twelfth Imam (Peace be on him) Page (s): 541 – 548 Published by Tehrike Tersile Qura’n. Contributed by Br. Ali Abbas, abbas@seas.gwu.edu http://www.al-islam.org/masoom/bios/12thimam.html viewed 7/22/12)

So, there are biblical and Islamic prophecies suggesting destruction to at least parts of Syria and the rise of a leader in the region of the Middle East and North Africa. And while I am relying on biblical prophecy, it may be that some in the Islamic world may decide that Islamic prophecy is encouraging them to change the situation currently in Syria.

Yet, partially because of the internal civil war in Syria, Syria’s President Assad may decide that attacking Israel, probably in conjunction with support from Iran, is his best carnal option (which could include supporting Iran if it attacks Israel or Israel attacks it). Attacking Israel, however, will not be his best option (he should repent and probably leave office), though he may do that. Since the Bible suggests that Syria will support the coming final King of the South it will come to pass.

More trouble is coming to Damascus as it will be destroyed (Isaiah 17:1). An Islamic confederation that will include the land of Syria is coming (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:1-8; Psalm 83:4-8) is coming.

Do the opposition leaders in Syria understand that?

“And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13:37).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims?