Church of God News

Nagasaki Nuclear Bomb (1945)

COGwriter

North Korea said it conducted a test of a nuclear bomb in order to send a message to the USA:

February 12, 2013

North Korea said the atomic test it conducted Tuesday in the remote, snowy northeast was merely its “first response” taken with “maximum restraint,” in response to what it called U.S. threats, and said it will continue with unspecified “second and third measures of greater intensity” if Washington maintains its hostility.

The underground test, which set off powerful seismic waves, was a crucial step toward its goal of building a bomb small enough to be fitted on a missile capable of striking the United States. The test drew immediate condemnation from Washington, the U.N. and others. Even its only major ally, China, voiced opposition.

After the launch was first reported, U.S. officials confirmed that there are indications that North Korea intends to conduct a second test of its arsenal, reports CBS News correspondent Margaret Brennan.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57568865/north-korea-nuke-test-just-a-first-response-aimed-at-u.s/

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

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

Throughout the world there were condemnation of this North Korean nuclear test:

February 12, 2013

Governments and leaders from around the world are condemning North Korea’s latest nuclear test.United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described the move as “deeply destabilizing.” He says it is a “clear and grave violation” of sanctions banning Pyongyang from nuclear and missile tests.

U.S. President Barack Obama called the test “highly provocative.” In a statement, he said it undermines regional stability and will not make North Korea safer. He called for “swift and credible” international action in response.

NATO said the nuclear test, combined with North Korea’s December missile launch, poses a “grave threat to international peace, security and stability.”

China, North Korea’s main ally, expressed what it called “firm opposition” to the test. Beijing’s foreign ministry urged Pyongyang to abide by its non-nuclear commitment, saying the issue should be resolved in the framework of long-stalled, six-nation de-nuclearization talks.

Even Iran, which the U.S. believes is pursuing a nuclear weapons program of its own, criticized the launch. A foreign ministry spokesperson said although all countries have the right to make use of nuclear activities “for peaceful purposes,” Tehran hopes all weapons of mass destruction and nuclear arms will be destroyed.

South Korea called the test “an unacceptable threat to peace and stability” and a “head-on challenge” to the international community. Seoul says Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan agreed with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry during a telephone call to take “swift and unified action” at the U.N. Security Council, which is meeting later Tuesday to discuss the test.

In Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tokyo would consider its own new sanctions against North Korea in response to the test, which he called “extremely regrettable.”

The European Union called the move a “blatant challenge” to nuclear non-proliferation. Catherine Ashton, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, said in a statement that North Korea should refrain from further provocative actions.

Elsewhere, British Foreign Minister William Hague says his country will push for a “robust” international response to the North Korean test.

French President Francois Hollande said he condemns the test “in the strongest terms,” and promised to back “strong action” by the U.N. Security Council.

Moscow also “decisively” condemned the test as a violation of North Korea’s international obligations.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said the international community should respond to the provocation with a “clear stance,” saying further sanctions against Pyongyang must be considered.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it views the test as a “matter of deep concern.”  http://www.voanews.com/content/nkorean-nuclear-test-prompts-wave-of-international-condemnation/1601811.html

China is likely to agree to new or tightened economic sanctions on North Korea or possibly curb its own assistance as its frustration with its ally grows, experts believe.

China summoned the North Korean ambassador and delivered a stern protest…http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/12/china-north-korea-nuclear-test

If China is really upset and serious enough about this, it could take steps that would lead to the end of North Korea.  However, since it probably does not want to deal with what would happen if South Korea takes over the North, it likely will not take enough steps yet.  But we will see.

Eventually, I believe that there will be major change in the approach of the government of North Korea.

Why?

Because the Koreans are Asians and occupy some of the “land of the sunrise” (Revelation 16:2). Thus I also believe that they are to be part of the kings of the east that the Book of Revelation discusses having a role in the end time (Revelation 9:16). So, eventually North Korea will cooperate more with various ones in Asia.

Both Iraq’s Saddam Hussein and Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi thought that they could be brash and defiant successfully.  And while they were for some time, they later found out that they were mistaken.  The top leadership of North Korea may end up regretting what it has been doing as well.

Some articles of possibly related interest would include the following:

Korea in Prophecy, Any Witness? Does God have a plan for the Koreans? Is Korea mentioned in any prophecies? Will Koreans be among the first in the Kingdom of God? 한국의 언어로 : 한국 예언, 모든 증인에?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? Where did the Japanese people come from? Have they had any witness?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan? Will God save the Japanese?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, Koreans, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

New Orleans Mardi Gras (Infrogmation)

COGwriter

Today is known in some places as Mardi Gras (French for “Fat Tuesday,” called Shrove Tuesday in parts of the UK) and is related to a carnival or carnaval season.

Here are some comments about it:

Mardi Gras is not just a week-long party for New Orleans bar-goers, millions of people around the country celebrate the raving party.

Mardi Gras is infamous for public nudity, chaotic parties, ingesting copious amounts of alcohol and acts as another St. Patrick’s Day for those who aren’t actually Irish, but drink like they are.

The Christian-themed holiday serves as one last hooray before Lent and giving up delicacies until Easter. People party hard for the week leading up to Lent and Ash Wednesday. This usually involves a massive parade, numerous mini-celebrations and masquerade balls sporting gold, green and purple, which represent power, faith and justice.

Citizens hold nothing back, including their sense of humility, during the few days included in Carnival season. Women typically strip for meaningless colorful beads, chocolate or plastic coins thrown from floats, and wear even less out at bars. The women have no shame and the men have no boundaries. http://www.fourthestatenewspaper.com/mobile/off-the-wall/mardi-gras-unexposed-mayhem-1.2781767

Of course, there is nothing truly Christian about Mardis Gras.  It does not come from the Bible nor did early Christians observe it.

According to Wikipedia:

Carnival begins 12 days after Christmas, or Twelfth Night, on January 6 and ends on Mardi Gras, which always falls exactly 47 days before Easter.

The USA city most famous for its Mardi Gras celebrations would be New Orleans. The Washington Post reported the following about it before:

For the past five days, the southern party town has given itself over to excess, good food, lots of drink and maybe a little debauchery. And that’s not the weeks leading up to the event with small parades preparing for the celebration. Mardi Gras is a marathon, New Orleanians will tell you, and Fat Tuesday marks the final stretch.

For the non-New Orleanians, a quick primer on Mardi Gras: Before the Catholic holiday of Lent, in which worshipers fast and repent for 40 days, people do their best to make up for the days of restraint with jam-packed days of plenty. Festivals are observed all over the world, such as Carnival in Brazil, but it’s never been so associated with a city’s identity as it has with New Orleans…

The food is the king cake, a gooey, butter-rich cake with a hidden baby Jesus tucked inside. The Post’s Tim Carman looked into the history of the cake and found “The cake’s appeal becomes clearer the closer you get to the city limits and, conversely, becomes more comical the farther you travel from the voodoo-sexual-second-line cultural vortex of the Big Easy. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/blog-post/2011/03/mardi_grass_fat_tuesday_the_mu.html

Here is another item about it:

The Salt Lake Tribune – Jan 8, 2008

Although the origins of Carnaval are shrouded in mystery, some believe the fest began as a pagan celebration of spring’s arrival sometime during the Middle Ages. The Portuguese brought the celebration to Brazil in the 1500s, but it took on a decidedly local flavor by adopting Indian costumes and African rhythms. The word itself probably derives from the Latin “carne vale,” or “goodbye meat,” a reference to the Catholic tradition of giving up meat (and other fleshly temptations) during Lent…

Rio’s first festivals were called entrudos, with locals dancing through the streets in colorful costumes and throwing mud, flour and suspicious-smelling liquids on one another. In the 19th century, Carnaval meant attending a lavish masked ball or participating in the orderly and rather vapid European-style parade. Rio’s poor citizens, bored by the finery but eager to celebrate, began holding their own parades, dancing through the streets to African-based rhythms…

…an event that happens annually in Brazil on the days leading up to Ash Wednesday. In 2008, Carnaval officially begins Friday, Feb. 1, when the mayor gives the keys to the city to King Momo, the portly pleasure-seeker who ushers in the bacchanalia. The next four days are marked by neighborhood parties, lavish masked balls and impromptu fests all over town (http://www.sltrib.com/travel/ci_7883824).

Here is some of what the American Catholic reports about it:

Mardi Gras, literally “Fat Tuesday,” has grown in popularity in recent years as a raucous, sometimes hedonistic event…Carnival comes from the Latin words carne vale, meaning “farewell to the flesh.” Like many Catholic holidays and seasonal celebrations, it likely has its roots in pre-Christian traditions based on the seasons. (Catholic Roots of Mardi Gras. American Catholic. http://www.americancatholic.org/features/mardigras/)

Essentially, this is a pagan holiday that the Catholics adopted as a compromise to keep members. Participants eat a lot (hence the name “fat Tuesday”) before they begin a fast now called Lent–another observance with pagan origins. Parades involving under-clothed women are common. And that is not just in the USA:

Rio celebrates as Carnival opens in Brazil…

Carnival…five-day annual exaltation of music, booze and flesh…The rotund King Momo embodies Carnival, a raucous free-for-all where excesses are encouraged and the natural order of things is turned upside down: men dress as women…In addition to the elaborate two-day samba group parade and the high-dollar costumed balls where the rich spend a lot to wear very little in the most exclusive company, Rio’s free, open-to-all street Carnival is bigger than ever.

The Bible teaches against cross-dressing:

5 “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God.  (Deuteronomy 22:5)

Of course, Mardi Gras festivities are not biblical, despite their popularity. Millions come to the streets in Rio de Janeiro to celebrate it (see Carnaval’s Popularity is Growing).  And, it is incredibly popular in New Orleans and certain other cities.

Lent, which also is not of biblical origin, is thus becoming an excuse essentially for loud and wild parties all over the world, which stop the night before it.  Which would be tonight.

Mardi Gras tends to be associated with drunkenness, lust, and other practices that the Bible condemns.

It really should not be considered as something that real Christians would participate in.

Some articles of related interest may include:

Is Lent a Christian Holiday? When did it originate? What about Ash Wednesday? If you observe them, do you know why?
Why The Continuing Church of God Does Not Wear Green on St. Patrick’s Day Should non-Catholics observe a Catholic holiday?
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.
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
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?
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?

COGwriter

Representatives of the Obama Administration are extending certain benefits to “spouses” of homosexual partners:

11 February 2013

(Reuters) – The Pentagon announced on Monday it would extend more of the benefits offered to spouses of heterosexual troops to those of gay personnel…The announcement came on the eve of President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address and just weeks after he made history by becoming the first U.S. president to praise progress on gay rights in his inaugural address.

“Secretary Panetta’s decision today answers the call President Obama issued in his inaugural address to complete our nation’s journey toward equality,” said Allyson Robinson, head of the advocacy group OutServe-SLDN and an Army veteran.  http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/11/us-usa-military-gays-idUSBRE91A0XZ20130211

The movement to expand homosexual issues in the USA mainly keeps going forward, despite biblical injunctions that are opposed to it.

Yet, while the movement in favor is also gaining ground in the UK, especially after the House of Commons approved a homosexual marriage bill last week, some in the UK are opposing it:

11 February 2013

More than half the Conservatives in the House of Lords are planning to vote against the same-sex marriage bill alongside “dozens” of Labour and Liberal Democrat peers…On 5 February MPs voted 400 to 175 in supporting the government’s Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill – a majority of 225 votes – following an afternoon of heated debate in the House of Commons. The bill will now go to a Commons committee, and is set to be voted on by the House of Lords in May.  http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/02/11/house-of-lords-may-stage-an-anti-equal-marriage-rebellion/

Stewart Keiller, leader of Bath City Church, and Bath Abbey rector the Rev Edward Mason will put forward the case for MPs voting against the Bill…

Mr Keiller said: “The issue for me is that this is not really about fairness or equality. Marriage as defined by the Bible has been the basic building block of British society for about a couple of thousand years and we are literally changing the definition of this word in a rather rushed piece of legislation. It’s not about being anti-gay, most Christians I mix with are not at all anti-gay, but marriage has a clear definition, or did at least.” http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Public-debate-gay-marriage-legislation-planned/story-18116715-detail/story.html#ixzz2KdO737iy

While it is good that some are willing to stand up for biblical marriage, the overwhelming vote by the UK House of Commons, which was also endorsed by UK Prime Minister David Cameron, suggests that the UK plans to take a non-biblical position.

Those in the USA and UK who approve of homosexuality and want to redefine marriage, etc. should consider that the Bible teaches the following:

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)

7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 7)

6…the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6,
NKJV)

Sadly, as the population pays less attention to the words of the Bible, it is embracing more and more practices that the Bible condemns.  This will not be good for the USA, UK, or their Anglo-descended allies.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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

Is there just one Pontiff past Pope Benedictus XVI?

COGwriter

The Pontiff of the Church of Rome announced his resignation:

11 February 2013

Pope Benedict XVI Says He Will Resign

ROME – Citing advanced years and infirmity, Pope Benedict XVI stunned the Roman Catholic world on Monday by saying that he would resign on Feb. 28 after less than eight years in office, the first pope to do so in six centuries…

“In today’s world,” the pope said, “subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of St. Peter and proclaim the gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.”

“For this reason,” he continued, “and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom, I declare that I renounce the ministry of bishop of Rome, successor of St. Peter.”

Pope Benedict XVI To Resign On Feb. 28 Due To Health Concerns

Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday that he would resign on Feb. 28 — the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years.

Now, as far as “apostolic succession” goes, those interested in learning more about that should read the article titled Apostolic Succession.

In the past, some have criticized me for following a practice in the Church of God to sometimes cite non-biblical prophecies and explain what they may mean from a Christian perspective.  But this is an established practice as fair-minded seekers of the truth (who may wish to be like the Bereans of Acts 17:10-11) have long done (cf. (Acts 17:28; Hill, David Jon. Will you be deceived by Antichrist? Good News magazine of the Radio Church of God, October 1964, pp. 9-12,18; Hill DJ.  Christ or Antichrist.  Good News magazine, Radio Church of God, April 1961, pp. 10-11; Stump K.  Arab world in prophecy.  Plain Truth magazine, Worldwide Church of God, December 1979, pp. 11-12).  Where I have differed is mainly in looking at more of them than others I am aware of, but by also attempting to show when they tie to scriptures in the Bible.

Anyway, got an email from someone today that stated:

Hi, Bob,

Seems like you missed a good chance to prophesy that the pope was going to resign (first time in 600 years!).

But no worries, who’s your money on for his successor? If you get it right, it will greatly enhance your cred.

Il papa si è dimesso. Viva il papa!

___

My response was:

Dear ___:

Actually, I am pretty sure that I did write that he might resign.

Best regards,

Bob Thiel

So, after sending the above email, I found that the headline of a post I made on April 8, 2012 was Might Pope Benedict XVI Resign?  Also I found the following that I posted on July 19, 2008 (One More Pope?):

In the 12th century, a Catholic saint named Malachy predicted, with what some to believe is complete accuracy, every pope since 1143. When it his list became public in the 16th century, it was considered to have been so accurate in predicting the 12th – 16th century pontiffs, that some thought it that it had not been written until the 16th century.

While its original date is hard to absolutely prove (I tend to accept the 12th century date), many of the post 16th century predictions on Malachy’s list have apparently come true. Some Catholics have written the following about it:

…a list…attributed to St. Malachy…has given fitting descriptions of every pope since the 16th century, when it was discovered (Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p.19).

…the vast majority of Malachy’s predictions about successive Popes is amazingly accurate (Bander, Peter. Introductory commentary in The Prophecies of St. Malachy. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p. 11).

I should add that Malachy’s list includes several leaders that the Roman Catholics call antipopes (e.g. Clement VII, Benedict XIII, Felix V, Alexander V, etc.) and those are inserted sometimes together as opposed to always being in strict chronological order. The fact that Malachy’s list is NOT completely accurate should show people that the list was not inspired by God. But it is accurate enough that I believe that the False Prophet will point to it as further “proof” that the Roman Catholic Church is the proper church, and many people will be deceived.

Specifically, I believe that the False Prophet (like most other Catholic bishops have) will falsely claim that there were bishops in Rome from Peter onwards (which is untrue, please see chapter ), that there have been bishops of Rome from the 2nd through 21st centuries (which is essentially true, though some were in France), and that since Malachy’s list has accurately predicted every pope since the middle of the 12th century (which is not quite true as the list includes what Catholics would consider to be false or “antipopes” without indicating that they would be false), that therefore the Roman Catholic Church is the one true Christian faith (which is untrue).

Now if Malachy’s prophecies on the popes is a complete list, there is only one pope left to come after Benedict XVI.

Since some other Catholic prophecies that state prior to the last pope, another pope will flee and die, then (if these prophecies are accurate) this would mean that this would happen with the current pope (who is elderly and German). Therefore, the following are Catholic prophecies that might apply to Pope Benedict XVI:

Nun Emmerich (19th century): I also saw the Holy Father– God-fearing and prayerful. Nothing left to be desired in his appearance, but he was weakened by old age and by much suffering (Dupont p. 68).

Helen Wallraff (19th century): Some day a pope will flee from Rome in the company of only four cardinals . . . and they will come to Koeln [Cologne] (Dupont, p. 78).

The Prophecy of Premol (5th century): And I see the King of Rome and his Cross and his tiara, shaking the dust off of his shoes, and hastening his flight to other shores. Thy Church, O Lord, is torn apart by her own children. One camp is faithful to the fleeing Pontiff, the other is subject to the new government of Rome which has broken the tiara. But Almighty God will, in His mercy, put an end to this confusion and a new age will begin. Then, said the Spirit, this is the beginning of the End of Time.

Comment: From this prophecy, it is clear that the true Church will be faithful to the Pope in exile; whereas the new Pope in Rome will be, in fact, an anti-pope…a large number of Catholics will be misled into accepting the leadership of the anti-pope (Dupont, pp. 72-73). {Note the comment is from Dupont personally}.

So if the current pope flees and goes to Cologne (Germany) he might fulfill those prophecies.

However, it should be noted that decades ago, the editor of a book I own on Malachy’s list specifically wrote that Malachy’s list does not require that there could be no other popes prior to the last one. Notice:

Some medieval interpreters have gone out of their way to stress that Malachy in his prophecies does not specifically mention that no Popes reign between Gloria Olivae and the last Petrus Romanus; nor on the other hand does he mention that there will be others (Bander, p.96).

So, the above does give the Roman Catholics “wiggle room” if there remains more than one pope left. But if there is only one, the next one would likely be the False Prophet of Revelation 16:13.

Notice also the following prophecy:

St. Malachy (12th century): During the persecution of the Holy Roman Church, there will sit upon the throne, Peter the Roman…the City of Seven Hills (Rome) will be utterly destroyed (Culleton, R. Gerald. The Prophets and Our Times. Nihil Obstat: L. Arvin. Imprimatur: Philip G. Scher, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno, November 15, 1941. Reprint 1974, TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 138).

Notice that the final Pope sits on the City of Seven Hills (which the Catholic writer G. Culleton labeled Rome Babylon the Great sits on in Revelation 17:9—…but then God has it destroyed in verses 14-18.

Certain Catholic prophecies warn that a major “antipope” is to come—and since this has not happened—they could be interpreted to mean that the next pope is likely to be an antipope:

Anna-Katarina Emmerick (19th century): I saw again a new and odd-looking Church which they were trying to build. There was nothing holy about it… (Dupont, p. 116)

Yves Dupont {writer interpreting A. Emmerick}: They wanted to make a new Church, a Church of human manufacture, but God had other designs…The Holy Father shall have to leave Rome, and he shall die a cruel death. An anti-pope shall be set up in Rome (Dupont, p. 116).

Jeanne le Royer (d. 1798): I see that when the Second Coming of Christ approaches a bad priest will do much harm to the Church (Culligan E. The Last World War and the End of Time. The book was blessed by Pope Paul VI, 1966. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 128).

Yves Dupont {reader and collector of Catholic prophecies}: “prophecies are quite explicit about the election of an anti-pope…Many prophecies predict an anti-pope and a schism ” (Dupont, pp. 34,60-61).

Catholic priest and writer R. Gerald Culleton (20th century): 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).

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

Blessed Joachim (died 1202): Towards the end of the world Antichrist will overthrow the Pope and usurp his See (Connor, p. 76).

Merlin (7th century): There will come a German Anti-Pope. Italy and Germany will be sorely troubled. A French King will restore the true Pope (Culleton, p. 132).

St. Francis of Assisi (d. 1226): There will be an uncanonically elected pope who will cause a great Schism, there will be divers thoughts preached which will cause many, even those in the different orders, to doubt, yea even agree with those heretics which will cause My order to divide, then will there be such universal dissentions and persecutions that if these days were not shortened even the elect would be lost (Culleton, p. 130).

Priest E. Sylvester Berry (published 1920): It has been a matter of history that the most disastrous periods for the Church were times when the Papal throne was vacant or when anti-popes contended with the legitimate head of the Church. Thus shall it be in those evil days to come (Berry ES. The Apocalypse of St. John, 1920. Quoted in Culleton RG. The Reign of Antichrist. Reprint 1974, TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 195).

Catholic writer and priest P. Huchedé (19th century): …the false prophet…will not be a king, nor a general of an army, but a clever apostate, fallen from episcopal dignity. From being an apostle of the Gospel he will become the first preacher of the false messiah…(Huchedé, P. Translated by JBD. History of Antichrist. Imprimatur Edward Charles Fabre, Bishop of Montreal. English edition 1884, Reprint 1976. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 24).

Priest Herman Kramer (20th century): This false prophet possibly at the behest of Antichrist usurps the papal supremacy…His assumed spiritual authority and supremacy over the Church would make him resemble the Bishop of Rome…He would be Pontifex Maximus, a title of pagan emperors, having spiritual and temporal authority. Assuming authority without having it makes him the False Prophet…Though he poses as a lamb, his doctrines betray him (Kramer H.B. L. The Book of Destiny. Nihil Obstat: J.S. Considine, O.P., Censor Deputatus. Imprimatur: +Joseph M. Mueller, Bishop of Sioux City, Iowa, January 26, 1956.Reprint TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 319).

Thus there are many Catholic writers who have warned of some type of an antipope, and that he could even be the False Prophet.

And, it is highly possible that this could be the next Pope (or antipope).

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

COGwriter

Iran seems to have developed another capability which will accelerate its ability to perhaps make nuclear weapons:

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Sunday that he is ready to have talks with United States if the West stops pressuring his country, the latest in a series of hints from leaders in both Washington and Tehran about the prospect of direct bilateral negotiations over the Islamic Republic’s controversial nuclear program.

However, Washington is highly unlikely to relax sanctions on Iran — and Tehran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on key state decisions, says that his country won’t negotiate under threat. This makes it hard to envision how talks could take place.  http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/02/10/ahmadinejad-will-talk-if-pressure-stops/1906285/

If the USA agrees to this, this would seem to give Iran more time to develop its nuclear capabilities.  Something that it recently seems to have moved further towards accomplishing (see Iran closer to developing nuclear weapons).

Notice also the following that comes from an Iranian news source:

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast underlined that western sanctions and boycotts cannot force the Iranian nation to bow to pressures or leave the path of the Islamic Revolution.

Mehman-Parast made the remarks to FNA on Sunday and on the sidelines of the massive public turnout in Tehran in the February 10th rallies marking the 34th anniversary of the victory of Iran’s Islamic Revolution…He said all anti-Iran moves are because of the Islamic Republic’s peaceful nuclear program while enemies have not been successful in providing any documents proving Iran’s deviation from peaceful purposes.

The US and its western allies allege that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons program while they have never presented corroborative evidence to substantiate their allegations against the Islamic Republic.   http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9107143346

Western analysts tend to disagree that the West has failed to provide any evidence of Iran’s military intent for its nuclear program.  Notice something that I reported about earlier (see Khamenei Has Claimed Iranian Nuclear Weapons Need for the Arrival of the 12th Imam):

The 2009 document, prepared for the International Atomic Energy Agency, is a collection of statements made by Iranian leaders about nuclear weapons, as gleaned from the nuclear watchdog’s intelligence sources. It cites an April 1984 meeting in which Khamenei allegedly endorsed a decision by then-leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to launch a secret nuclear weapons program.

“According to Ayatollah Khamenei, this was the only way to secure the very essence of the Islamic Revolution from the schemes of its enemies … and to prepare it for the emergence of Imam Mahdi,” states the IAEA document, which was obtained by the Institute for Science and International Security, a Washington-based nonprofit group that analyzes nuclear weapons programs. In Shiite Islam, “Imam Mahdi” is the prophesied 12th Imam who will purge the world of evil in humanity’s last days.  http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2012/04/hillary_clinton_embraces_fake_fatwa.html#ixzz1szDxw5pH

Various statements from Iranian leaders, combined with other actions (see Iran closer to developing nuclear weapons), have concerned Western and certain Arabic nations about Iran’s real intent.

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”).

Since Iran’s President’s Ahmadinejad’s term ends on 3 August 2013 and he indicated he wanted to cause the Mahdi to arrive before he leaves office (e.g Farah J. Iran Leader’s Messianic End Time’s Mission. World News Daily, January 6, 2006), he may cause enough chaos to try to cause this to happen soon–perhaps he will use the lack of perhaps getting the response he now wants from the USA as an excuse–although he may not personally have enough clout in Iran to be able to make this happen. Yet, various prophecies of the Mahdi state that he would return in an even numbered year, like the one beginning with the end of 2012 (Zumwalt J. Iran’s Dynamic Duo Dedicated to Global Destruction. August 13, 2010. http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=38528), since the Islamic calendar runs differently than the Roman calendar). The Mahdi is supposed to be recognized in an even numbered year, and the current Islamic year 1434 runs from November 15, 2012 to November 3, 2013. So, this could be a year (as can future ones).

To push this further, apparently in March 2011, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad approved a video that quotes someone as saying this Imam Mahdi leader arrives after a time of great earthquakes and sedition. It shows photos of American, Jewish, and European leaders that it does not approve of. It says that, according to the Hadith, Iran is to be among the “preparers” for the arrival of the Imam. It blames the USA and its allies for causing Islamic fear-mongering since 9/11/2001. The video indicates that Islamic writings have warned that westerners would invade the Middle East first and its suggests that Iraq and other western military interventions are proof that the Imam Mahdi is about to appear. It tells that a time of Arab cooperation is prophesied, while also claiming that annihilation of the “Zionist regime” needs to happen prior to the arrival of the Mahdi.

It also essentially tries to explain who is Seyed Khorasani (the current top leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei). It also says that 72 months prior to the arrival of the Imam Mahdi that Seyed Khorasani will appoint Shoeib to assist. It then asks if “Doctor” Ahmadinejad could be the Shoeib. It shows Ahmadinejad making various speeches and discusses him taking over Jerusalem in the future–and prior to the arrival of the Imam Mahdi. It basically ends with stating that the Imam Mahdi will rise up soon and that all should praise God with Jihad.

Thus, as the video illustrates, the leadership of Iran basically believes that it needs to cause military conflict in order to provoke the arrival of the Islamic leader called the Imam Mahdi. And apparently developing nuclear weapons is considered a factor that can speed up this arrival in their view.

For years, it has been believed that the Iranians have studied the ability to produce electromagnetic pulse weaponry (EMP bombs) and it was reported last year that Iran tested a missile that seemed capable of send an emp-type bomb.  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.  The offer for talks may be another delaying tactic–whether or not the USA agrees to them.

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.)

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

COGwriter

Since some of the internet have suggested that they would like to see more detail on the proclamation statistics of the Continuing Church of God, I decided to post additional information here.   Since many stats were included in the post nearly to weeks ago titled CCOG met COG proclamation goal, all will be repeated here.

What triggered this today was that James Malm emailed me earlier today and specifically asked to see my AWStats (a program that measures internet impact). After seeing them, he suggested to me that they be posted “on your site to remove some of the suspicion surrounding the totals you claim.”

So, here are the AWStats for the COGwriter.com website for January 2013 for those who want that type of detail:

Summary

Reported period Month Jan 2013 First visit 01 Jan 2013 – 00:00 Last visit 31 Jan 2013 – 23:59 Unique visitors Number of visits Pages Hits Bandwidth Viewed traffic * 100,403 173,010 (1.72 visits/visitor) 353,889 (2.04 Pages/Visit) 1,532,964 (8.86 Hits/Visit) 36.71 GB (222.46 KB/Visit)

Day	Number of visits	Pages	Hits	Bandwidth
01 Jan 2013	5,410	11,969	49,958	1.11 GB
02 Jan 2013	5,561	12,288	52,213	1.48 GB
03 Jan 2013	5,223	12,345	48,773	1.65 GB
04 Jan 2013	5,673	12,831	56,442	1.60 GB
05 Jan 2013	5,507	12,398	55,454	1.45 GB
06 Jan 2013	5,592	11,978	54,324	1.09 GB
07 Jan 2013	5,433	11,211	51,672	1023.89 MB
08 Jan 2013	5,399	11,155	49,023	1.01 GB
09 Jan 2013	5,808	11,697	52,162	1.30 GB
10 Jan 2013	5,308	10,146	44,331	1.14 GB
11 Jan 2013	5,506	12,488	56,265	1.36 GB
12 Jan 2013	5,374	11,081	48,469	1.10 GB
13 Jan 2013	5,373	9,773	42,507	1.19 GB
14 Jan 2013	5,471	10,440	48,870	1.11 GB
15 Jan 2013	5,649	10,397	47,384	1.14 GB
16 Jan 2013	5,781	11,183	48,021	1.14 GB
17 Jan 2013	5,367	10,516	47,685	1.05 GB
18 Jan 2013	5,371	10,818	50,469	1.34 GB
19 Jan 2013	5,481	11,206	47,452	1.26 GB
20 Jan 2013	5,747	11,753	45,749	1.26 GB
21 Jan 2013	6,134	11,759	50,223	1.24 GB
22 Jan 2013	5,856	11,675	46,680	1.07 GB
23 Jan 2013	5,781	11,361	48,473	1.02 GB
24 Jan 2013	5,939	12,022	53,446	1.07 GB
25 Jan 2013	5,649	12,014	55,640	1.11 GB
26 Jan 2013	5,491	11,797	48,531	1.26 GB
27 Jan 2013	5,672	11,486	46,108	1.12 GB
28 Jan 2013	5,839	11,060	47,382	1.11 GB
29 Jan 2013	5,852	11,146	47,579	1.00 GB
30 Jan 2013	5,494	11,578	46,092	988.81 MB
31 Jan 2013	5,269	10,318	45,587	967.31 MB
Average	5,580	11,415	49,450	1.18 GB
Total	173,010	353,889	1,532,964	36.71 GB

The results for the first few days of February 2013 averaged no less–we in CCOG are reaching tens of thousands on the internet every week.

And those who want to see how the two YouTube channels are doing, can simply click on the following as those results currently represent about five weeks each for those two sites (they had items posted to them  after CCOG formed):

Bible News Prophecy channel

ContinuingCOG channel

Now, another comment probably should be added about the reach that CCOG had on the radio in its first 30 days. Some have wondered how doing three radio interviews could possibly reach over 2,000,000 people. Those that seemed to have publicly questioned that did not seem to realize that when I posted that two of them were on a radio show with a much larger audience, that the show was syndicated over at least 60 radio stations, plus various internet outlets, etc.

Hopefully, all of the above will help demonstrate the accuracy of the statistics in the post titled CCOG met COG proclamation goal for those who wanted more detail.

Also as posted last Friday, we now have a new magazine, which you can read if you wish if simply click on Bible News Prophecy: January – March 2013.

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

Please pray as Jesus said:

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

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

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

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

Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now essentially the most faithful in the Church of God, and is best represented by the Continuing Church of God.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from lower level leaders?
Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God “Contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3, NKJV), “Let brotherly love (Philadelphia) continue” (Hebrews 13:1) “…continuing stedfastly in the teaching of the apostles” (Acts 2:42 YLT). So, what does that really mean in terms of specific beliefs?

COGwriter

The sermon that most in the Continuing Church of God  listened to yesterday was titled The Falling Away Part 2: Positions Presented by Others.

This was the second part, as the first part, a week earlier was titled Sermon: The Falling Away Part 1: The Bible and Church History.

Those with a COG background, as well as those who wonder about the subject, should consider watching both.

As many regular readers of this page are aware of, a COG group changed it position on this in 2012.  It teaches that 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is not teaching that the Apostle Paul is warning Christians not to turn aside from the truth in that the Church of God has, but instead is a warning that after the son of perdition does signs and lying wonders that the world will “fall away from the fundamentals of biblical Christianity.”

An official statement from that group also improperly claimed:

“HWA did not apply “the” falling away to church members who know the truth and fall away.”

Yet, Herbert W. Armstrong (called “HWA” above) specifically taught that the falling away of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 had to do with Christians and that the later verses like verse 7 had to do with the Simon Magus type of “Christianity” (see Armstrong HW. The Incredible Human Potential. 1978, pp. 8, 161-162; coworker letter, February 21, 1974)–plus the church HWA ran did as well (see articles, Neff L.  Why Some Fall Away.  Good News, January 1961; Antion D.  Will You Fall Away?  Good News.  May-June 1968). Thus the assertion was not true.

Yet at least one top leader in the “falling away church,” implied that its new doctrine was not really a change. Furthermore, this group has somewhat decided to identify itself by that change, so sometimes (like in the The Falling Away Part 2: Positions Presented by Others sermon) I have referred to them as the “falling away church”) as it has claimed:

Clarifying this issue and powerfully delivering this prophetic warning about a universal falling away from the fundamentals of biblical Christianity, led by a Beast, a Man of Sin and Miracles will clearly set the _____Church of God apart…

This will be an issue that will clearly set apart the ______ Church of God from others who will be teaching something very different…This is also going to set the ______ Church of God apart from false teachers that say it has already happened….

This perspective that 2 Thessalonians 2 only applies to the Church of God takes it out of its biblical and historical context.

Now, none that I am aware of in the COG believe that 2 Thessalonians 2 only applies to the Church of God as various verses in that chapter are clearly referring to those that do not have the “love of the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:10)–it is 2 Thessalonians 2:3 that the sermon focused on, and truly 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is directed towards those who have some type of a Church of God background.

Now the “falling away church” also published something that stated:

Mistaken Assumptions

As many readers of this magazine know, the organization led by Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong for more than 50 years underwent a terrible crisis in the early 1990s, as his successors abandoned long-held doctrines of God’s Church and tried to bring the organization into “mainstream Christianity.” Scores of thousands left the Worldwide Church of God as its doctrines were changed. That organization even changed its name, acknowledging openly that it no longer considers itself a “Church of God.”

So, could that have been the “falling away” prophesied by Scripture? No less an authority than Mr. Armstrong himself would disagree with that assertion.

To conclude that Herbert Armstrong would not consider that the massive falling away that occurred after his death could have been the Tkach is an assumption/conclusion that does not agree with the totality of the writings published under the time of his leadership, including his own writings.

Twice after that was published I spoke to Aaron Dean (who served as a personal aide to Herbert Armstrong in his latter years and probably spent more time with him then than any currently in any of the COGs) about how Herbert W. Armstrong viewed the falling away in his latter years.  And last week, Aaron Dean specifically told me that it was Herbert W. Armstrong’s view that the falling away would come as the result of his death and that at least 50% would fall away–and that happened.

The Tkach-era falling away is exactly the type of falling away that Herbert Armstrong was worried that would happen after his death and fulfill (at least partially) 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

Furthermore, please consider what the late Dr. Hoeh wrote:

“Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day”-the time of God’s  intervention in human affairs when Jesus Christ will return to rule the nations–“shall not come except there come a falling away FIRST” (I1 Thess. 2: 3 ). The wholesale departure of Christians from the truth was the FIRST event prophesied to befall the true Church…

The world doesn’t want to receive the truth, but would rather be lulled to sleep by false ministers who preach what the people want to hear…

In instructing the evangelist Timothy, the apostle to the Gentiles instructed him to “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come that they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts”-the congregations wanting to do what they please–“shall they heap to themselves teachers”–elect ministers who will preach what they want to hear –“and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (I1 Timothy 4: 3, 4).

This was in the days of the apostles and evangelists, not at the Protestant Revolt! MANY who fellowshipped in the local congregations of the early church, after about two generations, did not endure sound doctrine because they had not repented and received the Holy Spirit.  (Hoeh H.  Why So Many Denominations?  Plain Truth, September 1953, pp. 3,4)

Hence, Dr. Hoeh applied this to the church.  But, at least once, as cited earlier HWA applied at least part of 2 Timothy 4:3-4 to the world’s churches (Armstrong HW. End Time Falling Away,  HA103A.MP3)—but HWA sometimes proof texted and cited the same scripture for different purposes.

It is the which Bible shows that 1 Timothy 4:1 and 2 Timothy 4:3-4 support that a departure from THE FAITH is prophesied—and it is the Bible, and not sometimes conflicting Radio/Worldwide Church of God positions, that must be the guide for those trying to be most faithful.  Both the terms for “the” and “faith” are in the original Greek in 1 Timothy 4:1.

The context on 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, which is addressed to the “brethren” suggests that the falling away/the rebellion/the apostasy (the Greek term is apostasia) is against the true faith.  The abundance of other scriptures strongly support this belief.  Biblically, 2 Thessalonians is addressed to the Church in the same way Revelation’s Church eras are addressed to the Church of God.

Additionally, it may be of interest to note that there is a related Greek word, apostasion (Strong’s 647), that means something separative, and all three times it is used in the New Testament, it is always specifically translated as “of divorcement” (NKJV).   The relative permanency of apostasion and its close relationship to apostasia suggests to me that the falling away (apostasia) is not a simple rebellion that Protestants may decide to change their minds about later (like when some of them respond to the two witnesses), but an intentional rebellion from the truth.

I also believe that the view 2 Thessalonians 2:3 is speaking about Protestants and/or Catholics and/or agnostics is not correct because:

1. We of the Philadelphia remnant should know who the son of perdition is well before the world totally falls after him.
2. The son of perdition has not yet been fully revealed.
3. The falling away is listed in scripture as to first precede the revealing of the son of perdition and I do not believe that the ecumenical movement per se (that many Protestants and Catholics are now part of) really fits this.
4. There was a major falling away that preceded the revealing of the son of perdition during the Tkach-era.
5. The Tkach-era falling away has preceded the final fulfillment of Matthew 24:14-16.
6. Lawlessness, by many, was the result of the Tkach-era falling away.
7. A falling away from the world’s religions, such as Protestants and Catholics more directly again embracing Catholicism (which was the original faith of most of the Protestant reformers) would not be a departure from the true faith (1 Timothy 4:1) as they have not truly known what it is.

While it is obvious that the whole world will worship the beast (Revelation 13:3-4), since this is not now God’s world (cf. John 15:19), I do not believe that the apostasia in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 can be referring to people of the world (though the fact that people will leave the truth shows that they are somehow worldly).

There Are Changes to Two Groups

On the other hand, the true biblical position does not have to be an exclusive either or.  I do believe that a future falling away for the COG not only is possible, it will happen (cf. Daniel 11:33-35).  Whether it is the Tkach-era or the future departure from the faith was intended by God in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 will be known later.

The end time Philadelphia message identifying that the prince in Daniel 9:26-27 will be the King of the North and will cause desolation is one that will separate us in the Continuing Church of God from the other COG groups.  Circumstances, as well as persecutions that the King of the North partially institutes, will likely lead to some affiliated with the Philadelphia remnant will leave it (some in other COGs will also likely be affected as Satan’s servants will not always clearly discriminate).

Those wishing to learn more can read the article The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings and/or watch the sermon Sermon: The Falling Away Part 1: The Bible and Church History and The Falling Away Part 2: Positions Presented by Others

Many have fallen away from the truth. And many more from important parts of it.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings Who is 2 Thessalonians 2:3 referring to? Are there multiple falling aways?
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.
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.
Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God Several have speculated reasons, but here is the truth.

World Currencies

COGwriter

Potential currency wars are a topic of major international concern this week:

10 February 2013

PARIS- The strength of the euro, the state of the global monetary system and controversy over a so-called “currency war” will dominate the economic stage at eurozone and G20 ministerial meetings this week.

The currency issue has been revived by Japan and is beginning to cause concern in some quarters in Europe…

France wants the eurozone to arm itself with a policy for the foreign exchange rate. The external value of the euro should not be left to market forces of the moment, French President Francois Hollande has argued…

Rich countries, forced to contain or reduce debt, are injecting huge amounts of money into their economies to support activity.

Leading central banks have used various levers to this end, notably the United States. The Japanese government has just convinced its central bank to go down this road in an attempt to arrest a deflationary spiral that has sapped its economy.  http://business.inquirer.net/106895/currency-wars-back-on-international-agenda

As debate about potential currency wars heats up, commentators including myself have called out the likely losers…the currency market is a zero-sum game – as one currency declines, another must go up…Now I know that some will point to gold being money and the ultimate winner of the race to the currency bottom…The safe haven status of the Australian dollar, Canadian loonie and Norwegian krone will be under threat…I’m not optimistic on a U.S. recovery…Many argue that the Chinese yuan is undervalued and will inevitably appreciate in future. Particularly as other countries seek to become more competitive by devaluing their own currencies. But I couldn’t disagree more with this assessment.  http://asiaconf.com/2013/02/08/who-will-win-the-currency-wars/

On Feb. 8, the nation of Venezuela became the 8th country to enter into the global currency war as it devalued its currency by 46% in an attempt to halt inflation and rising prices. Venezuela now joins Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and three others in the race to the bottom in an attempt to push up exports, and fix their recessionary economies.

While the rest of the developed world is scrambling here and there, politely prodding its central bankers to destroy their relative currencies, all the while naming said devaluation assorted names, “quantitative easing” being the most popular, here comes Venezuela and shows the banana republics of the developed world what lobbing a nuclear bomb into a currency war knife fight looks like http://www.examiner.com/article/venezuela-becomes-eight-country-to-enter-into-currency-war-with-new-devaluation

Here is a more radical assessment of this by a source quite outside of the mainstream news:

Currency war, (World War C) also known as competitive devaluation, is a condition in international affairs where countries compete against each other to achieve a relatively low exchange rate for their own currency. As the price to buy a particular currency falls so too does the real price of exports from the country.

Imports become more expensive. So domestic industry, and thus employment, receives a boost in demand from both domestic and foreign markets.

However, the price increase for imports can harm citizens’ purchasing power. The policy can also trigger retaliatory action by other countries which in turn can lead to a general decline in international trade, harming all countries.

Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega, widely credited with coining the term “currency war”, further warned yesterday that the global situation could get even worse if Europe joins the fray, and which this MOF report warns the will have to do in the “very near future.”…

Richey says, for the US Federal Reserve, the Swiss National Bank, the Bank of Japan, the Central Bank of Brazil, and the People’s Bank of China, all of whom have been very interested in the relative valuation of their currencies. And this is a list that matters because three of the top five global currencies are represented on that list and all of them have been engaged in competitive devaluations of their currency in order to promote their own exports…the US propaganda media is failing to alert the American people to the shattering of their economy…http://www.whatdoesitmean.com/index1656.htm

The economies of the world will change.

The current world order with the USA and the Anglo-descended nations will change–and this is starting to happen. Furthermore, a power in Europe will control much of the world’s economies for a while–and some of the steps for this to occur have already happened. And eventually, after massive devastation (the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord), Jesus will return and establish His kingdom.

And Jesus will return relatively soon–but not until at least 2020.

But before then, we may see serious currency wars that could impact the world economy.  But have no doubts about it, the USA is engaged in a currency devaluation scheme with its “quantitative easing” program where the US Federal Reserve “creates” about $85,000,000,000 is USA currency each month, along with the approximately $60,000,000,000-100,000,000,000 created each month by the increasing USA federal debt.

Here are some comments related to the future of the USA dollar from my book Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term:

The Bible clearly warns against cheapening the money supply and encourages having it hold its value (Proverbs 25:4 Isaiah 1:25, Ezekiel 22:18-22).  Barack Obama’s policies, following certain other administrations, have ignored these warnings.

Furthermore, the time will come when the U.S.A. government will no longer be able to borrow at low interest rates and/or it will create more money electronically and/or via the printing press to try to continue.  Massive inflation is coming.  Make no mistake about it, the U.S.A. dollar will ultimately crash and be worthless.  That “pride” of American power will be broken (cf. Leviticus 26:19)…

The U.S.A. lost its “AAA” credit rating during the Obama Administration. The credit rating for the U.S.A. will drop further (though it could temporarily improve).

When the U.S. dollar is no longer the de facto reserve currency for the world, this will hurt the U.S.A. financially.  Increasing debt, including “quantitative easing,” is a form of dishonest profits that is not something that God approves of and will punish the U.S.A. for (cf. Ezekiel 22:13-16).  Inflation will eventually hit the U.S.A. extremely hard.  As the world becomes less attached to the American dollar, many financial jobs and opportunities will be in places other than the U.S.A.  Eventually, and not in Barack Obama’s second term, the U.S.A. dollar will become worthless…

It seems since many are now questioning the role of the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency, more are looking into other currencies as well as gold.  Gold will set records in U.S. dollar terms.  When the U.S. dollar totally collapses people all around the world will consider that even if the Euro (or something similar) is strong, having a more gold-backed currency would be safer.  The collapse of the U.S.A. dollar will shake a lot of the world’s confidence in non-gold backed currencies.

Having the European power acquiring a lot more gold to back the Euro (even if the backing is only implied) or possibly other future European currency (that might potentially replace the Euro or even a basket of currencies) may greatly increase European credibility, prosperity, and influence around the globe.

The financial policies of the Obama Administration (which are a massive acceleration of the previous policies of the Bush Administration) are heading the world into the direction that something other than the U.S. dollar will be valued as its reserve currency. (Thiel B. Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term. Nazarene Books, 2013, pp. 15,67,133)

Some in Europe are already concerned about what the USA is doing to its dollar and the impact that this is starting to have on the Euro.  The USA, and certain other nations, are on a slippery slope with their direct and indirect currency devaluations and this will not end up well for the USA or its Anglo-descended allies.

For some items of possibly related interest, please check out the following:

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?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? What is ahead for Europe?
The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? What do economists and the Bible teach about gold? Gold and silver may drop in value. Inflation/deflation? What do Christians need to know about gold?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British-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?
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?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2013, 2014, or 2015? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

COGwriter

Although Valentine’s Day is not an actual Christian holiday, many in Islam consider it to be so.  And its observance concerns them.

Here are some reports about it:

Terengganu PAS deputy publicity chief Azman Shapawi Abd Rani said any celebration must be completely stopped as it could lead to immoral activities “between men and women without any legal ties.”

“PAS will take action to discourage Muslims from celebrating Valentine’s Day as it goes against their morality,” he said…

The Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs had in 2005 decreed that celebrating Valentine’s Day was forbidden in Islam as it could lead to moral decadence. (PAS to go on campaign to discourage Muslims from celebrating Valentine’s Day. The Star, February 1, 2013. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2013/2/1/nation/12656262&sec=nation)

KUALA LUMPUR – More than 300 volunteers between 19 to 25 years-old today joined a programme to make Muslims wary of the importance of not celebrating Valentine’s Day.

Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director of Family, Social and Community Division, Saimah Mokhtar hopes parents take the ban on Valentine’s Day celebration seriously as it has elements of Christianity and mixed with vices forbidden by Islam.

The programme called “Jerat Hari Valentine” (Valentine’s Day Trap) targets several locations in Kuala Lumpur, said Jakim director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha. (Bernama. Now Jakim wants parents to ban Valentine’s Day celebration. Malaysian Chronicle. February 3, 2013. http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=51672:now-jakim-wants-parents-to-ban-valentines-day-celebration&Itemid=2)

Valentine’s Day includes elements of paganism, idolatry, and sexual immorality. Notice what the Bible teaches:

22…You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written. (Romans 2:22-24)

1…there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. (2 Peter 2:1-2)

Does not the observance of Valentine’s Day contribute to blasphemy by the Gentiles (at least the Muslim ones) because many who profess Christ keep it? This should never be.  If you keep Valentine’s Day, you are contributing to blasphemy against Christianity by Muslims.

Valentine’s Day is a worldly holiday of lust–it is not Christian.

Notice something that the Apostle John was inspired to write:

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17, NKJV)

None who profess Christ should observe this February 14th “holiday”–it simply is not a Christian holiday. Its observance has caused the way of truth to be blasphemed.

For more information, please consider studying the following:

Valentine’s Day: Its Real Origins Christianity Today suggests that Valentine’s Day is good for Christians to observe. Is this true?
Should Christians Observe Valentine’s Day? This is a YouTube video about the origins of Valentine’s Day and why real Christians should not observe it.
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
Are the Ten Commandment Still in Effect? This article quotes the ten commandments and combines some of the previous articles into one article about the ten commandments. The commandments are shown at Mount Sinai, before Mount Sinai, in the teachings of Jesus, after the crucifixion, and in the teachings of Paul. It addresses the most common “traditions of men” regarding them as well.
Were the Pharisees Condemned for Keeping the Law or Reasoning Around it? Many believe that the Pharisees were condemned for keeping the law, but what does your Bible say? If they were not condemned for that, what were they condemned for?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.
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?

Muslim Brotherhood
الإخوان المسلمون
Al-Ikhwān Al-Muslimūn

COGwriter

While many in the West have hoped that the protests in Egypt and Tunisia in recent weeks were going to lead to secularists gaining a lot of power, the Islamists still have strength.  Notice:

9 February 2013

TUNIS — Thousands of Islamists marched in Tunisia’s capital Saturday a day after the funeral of secularist politician Chokri Belaid, who was shot dead earlier in the week. The demonstration is the latest signal of deepening divisions in this North African country.

A day after a massive outpouring of grief and anger against religious hardliners in Tunis, supporters of the ruling Islamist Ennahda party staged their own counter-demonstration in the capital Saturday.

Chanting pro-Ennahda slogans, several thousand protesters marched down the tree-lined Habib Bourguiba boulevard. Many were men, but there were also women wearing the body-covering hijab and a few children.

Many carried the white Ennahda flag. Some unfurled banners calling on former colonial power France to butt out of Tunisian affairs.

The slogans appeared to be a response to remarks by a French minister warning of rising “Islamist fascism” in Tunisia following the shooting death of Chokri Belaid – who had been a fierce critic of Ennahda and Islamists.  http://www.voanews.com/content/ruling-tunisian-party-calls-a-rally/1600340.html

The Ennahda party basically rules Tunisia and is a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood (which is based in Egypt).  Specifically notice what the website of the Muslim Brotherhood wants:

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

When the Ennahda party won an election in the Fall of 2011, notice what some of its leadership declared:

 Tunisia’s Islamists hail arrival of the ‘sixth caliphate’

The Islamist politician likely to become Tunisia’s first democratically elected prime minister has alarmed liberals and secularists by claiming the arrival of the “sixth caliphate”, a controversial term for a Muslim empire.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/tunisia/8894858/Tunisias-Islamists-hail-arrival-of-the-sixth-caliphate.html

Tunisian Pledges a New Caliphate

Secular Tunisians are expressing concerns after a leader of the country’s Islamist Al-Nahda movement said Tunisia’s emerging government marks “the Sixth Righteous Caliphate.”

The fifth caliphate, an Islamic imperial governing system, was abolished by Turkish secular Kemal Ataturk in 1924. http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.10839/pub_detail.asp

The implementation of the sixth caliphate has long been the goal of the Muslim Brotherhood. Before that election, I had warned that the 2011 Tunisian election was going to “more towards an Islamic state” and “that the election in Tunisia will ultimately help groups like the Muslim Brotherhood” (Muslim Brotherhood Scores a Gain in Tunisia’s Election).

And while the Islamists, in many lands (including in Tunisia) will likely have set backs, the reality is that according to Bible prophecy, they will end up with some type of confederation consistent with their caliphate.

Notice a couple of biblical prophecies referring to a confederation to come that involves peoples in lands in the Middle East and Northern Africa:

40 “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels.  (Daniel 11:40-44)

2 “Son of man, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God:

“Wail, ‘Woe to the day!’
3 For the day is near,
Even the day of the Lord is near;
It will be a day of clouds, the time of the Gentiles.
4 The sword shall come upon Egypt,
And great anguish shall be in Ethiopia,
When the slain fall in Egypt,
And they take away her wealth,
And her foundations are broken down.

5 “Ethiopia, Libya, Lydia, all the mingled people, Chub, and the men of the lands who are allied, shall fall with them by the sword.”

6 ‘Thus says the Lord:

“Those who uphold Egypt shall fall,
And the pride of her power shall come down.
From Migdol to Syene
Those within her shall fall by the sword,”
Says the Lord God.

7 “They shall be desolate in the midst of the desolate countries,
And her cities shall be in the midst of the cities that are laid waste.
8 Then they will know that I am the Lord,
When I have set a fire in Egypt
And all her helpers are destroyed.  (Ezekiel 30:2-8)

Since Tunisia is located in North Africa between Libya and Algeria, and has ties to Egypt, the above prophecies appear to be referring to a confederation of Arabic nations that will include Tunisia.  Hence, despite some issues, Tunisia will end up with some type of Islamic confederation–but one that will not be good for it or its people.  Sadly, today’s protesters in favor of Islamic rules do not really know where this will all lead.

Some articles of 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?
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2013, 2014, or 2015? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000?