Church of God News

Damascus, Capital of Syria

COGwriter

Israel dropped bombs into Syria:

May 4, 2013

Israel has confirmed its warplanes have carried out an air strike into Syria. Unnamed Israeli officials said the target was a shipment of missiles believed to have been bound for Hezbollah militants in neighbouring Lebanon.

Previous reports that planes had struck a Syrian chemical weapons factory have been denied.  http://www.euronews.com/2013/05/04/israeli-officials-confirm-air-strike-on-syrian-target/

May 04, 2013

Sources in Israel have confirmed that the country’s air force launched a strike in Syria against what are believed to be stockpiles of weapons headed for the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon.

There has been no official statement on the attack from the Israeli government.

U.S. officials told news agencies late Friday that the strike occurred late Thursday or early Friday.  The reports said there is no indication that Israeli warplanes entered Syrian airspace. The officials spoke to reporters anonymously.

Online news source Politico cites U.S. Senator Lindsay Graham, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, as telling the audience at a Republican fundraising dinner Friday that Israel had bombed Syria that day. He did not elaborate.

If confirmed, this would be the second time Israel has conducted airstrikes on Syria this year.  Israel recently stated that it conducted a January airstrike on a weapons convoy in Syria that was thought to be headed for Lebanon’s Hezbollah rebels. http://www.voanews.com/content/israeli-airstrike-in-syria-targeted-weapons-cache/1654492.html

May 4, 2013

WASHINGTON — Israeli aircraft bombed a target in Syria overnight Thursday, an Obama administration official said Friday night, as American officials said they were considering military options, including carrying out their own airstrikes.

American officials did not provide details on the target of the Israeli strike. The Associated Press quoted Israeli officials on Saturday as saying the target of the raid was a shipment of advanced missiles bound for the Hezbollah Shiite militia in Lebanon. While saying the shipment did not include chemical arms, the official described the missiles as “game changing,” an apparent reference to the capability of the missiles. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/05/world/middleeast/israel-syria.html?_r=0

May 4 2013

An Israeli airstrike against Syria was targeting a shipment of advanced missiles believed to be bound for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, Israeli officials confirmed Saturday…

The strike comes as the U.S. considers how to respond to indications that the Syrian regime may have used chemical weapons in its bloody civil war. Mr. Obama has described the use of such weapons as a “red line,” and the administration is weighing its options — including possible military action.

As to whether Mr. Obama would ever send U.S. forces to fight on the ground in the middle of that Syrian civil war, he came as close as he ever has to ruling that out Friday, Garrett reports.

“I do not foresee a scenario in which boots on the ground in Syria, American boots on the ground in Syria, would not only be good for America but also would be good for Syria, and, by the way, when I consult with leaders in the region, who are very much interested in seeing President Assad leave office and stabilizing the situation in Syria, they agree with that assessment,” Mr. Obama told reporters.,,

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly warned in recent weeks that Israel would be prepared to take military action if chemical weapons or other arms that would upset the balance of power with Hezbollah were to reach the Islamic militant group.

The Israeli officials said the attack took place early Friday and was aimed at sophisticated “game-changing” weapons, but not chemical arms.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57582884/israeli-strike-on-syria-targeted-weapons-shipment/

LATE UPDATE:  10 hours after the above news, the following was reported:

WASHINGTON — The airstrike that Israeli warplanes carried out in Syria overnight on Thursday was directed at a shipment of advanced surface-to-surface missiles from Iran that Israel believed was intended for Hezbollah, the militant Lebanese organization, American officials said Saturday.  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/05/world/middleeast/israel-syria.html?_r=0

Iran and Syria are close allies and Israel has suggested that it would need to take military action against both.

It could be that Israel has apparently figured out Barack Obama’s earlier “red line” comment about Syrian use of chemical weapons did not mean that he wanted to directly attack Syria militarily, and Israel has taken its own, somewhat covert, action.  And may be signally Syria that it is serious enough to go it alone against Syria.

Israel has contended that Syria is using chemical weapons crossed that “red line” (Britain and France claim Syria has used chemical weapons, while Israel considers a military strike) and this could lead to war (Iran’s nuclear program crossed red line? Syria’s chemical weapons crossed red line? Karl zu Guttenberg: ‘Germany must have Israel’s back’).  Now, with this apparent bombing, the drum beats of war in this area appear to be increasing.

The reality is that the cost to Israel for a major regional war involving Syria and/or Iran will be higher than many in Israel believe. Between terrorist acts, sustained resistance, chemical weapons (Syria Reportedly Has Loaded Chemical Weapons into Bombs), biological weapons, EMP-type bombs (EMP attack can do more than knock-out electricity), and/or even disruptions of the internet (Iran Believed to be Behind Cyber-Attacks Against US Banks), Syria (along with its closest ally Iran, as well as allies such as Hezbollah) can inflict significant damage to their enemies.

Yet, the tiny of nation of Israel will not be eliminated by Syria or Iran–it will come later (by the King of the North of Daniel 11:39-40).

While Israel will end up with problems, it should be pointed out that both biblical and Islamic prophecy tell of the destruction of at least parts of Syria, such as its capital 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 or conflict with Israel. Is Syria hits hard at Israel (which could include, for example biological and/or chemical weapons), Israel could potentially destroy Damascus in a conventional and/or nuclear attack.  If Israel does fulfill the prophecy about destroying Damascus (Isaiah 17:1), this would outrage much of the world.  It also could trigger the “peace deal” of Daniel 9:27.

Now, 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 (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:1-8). The Muslim Brotherhood has long pushed for the type of confederation that the Bible warns will involve many Arabic nations (Ezekiel 30:1-8).

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.  There will be other troubles for Israel.

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

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
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.
The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy? There is actually a 17th century Shiite prophecy that some believe that Barack Obama will fulfill that will lead to a rising up of Islam.
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.

Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)

COGwriter

What is the final phase of the work?  How do biblical and non-biblical prophecies play a role?  How will faithful Philadelphians be affected? And what is expected to be the Continuing Church of God’s (CCOG’s) part in it?

CCOG’s latest sermon is titled The Final Phase of the Work and provides many details to help answer those questions.  This post has some of the points of that sermon.  Additionally, many details are in the new article also titled The Final Phase of the Work.

It is the highly dedicated in the real Church of God that will finish the human part of the final phase of the work before (Matthew 24:14-15) and during (Revelation 11:3-14) the Great Tribulation and Day of the Lord. Presuming no significant organizational changes, for many reasons, the final phase of the work will be led by the Continuing Church of God (throughout Church of God, COG, history there have been significant organizational changes, so one must be cautious as more can happen).

This final phase of the work seemingly will consist of identifying what is happening in the world (specifically also in Europe, the Middle East, and the Anglo-descended nations), finishing the proclamation of Christ’s gospel of the kingdom as a witness along with persecution (Matthew 24:9-14), the rise and work of the two witnesses (Revelation 11:2-12; which will likely overlap a few days with Matthew 24:14), the likely assistance to the two witnesses by the scattered flock (Revelation 20:4; cf. Luke 9:2-6), the three angel’s messages (Revelation 14:8-11; plus other angelic interventions), and the witness of those persecuted and martyred for Jesus (cf. Revelation 17:6). And then Jesus will return and establish the Kingdom of God.

It should be clear to those who truly understand the warnings in the Bible that the final phase of the work for God’s people will also specifically involve dealing with the ecumenical religion that will rise up (cf. Daniel 11:36-38; Revelation 13:4,8; 14:8-13; Matthew 24:14-15) with signs and lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12) fulfilling Satan’s plan, while enduring the Beast power who will take steps to eliminate the faithful (Revelation 13:7,13-17; 14:12-13; Daniel 7:21,25).

Being killed as the result of persecution is seemingly also part of the final phase of the work that some of God’s people will endure:

12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” (Revelation 14:12-13; cf. 6:11)

Even though other parts of the Book of Revelation show that persecution will come from a combination of church and state (i.e. 13:1-8), various verses (i.e. 12:13-17) show that it is truly Satan that is behind the persecutions. The old Radio Church of God taught this about Revelation 12:13:

Now turn to verse 13…this is the persecution that is yet in the future, a persecution that is being secretly planned…(Hoeh H. Are Christians Again to be Martyred?  Plain Truth.  November 1956, p. 21)

Having looked over a variety of Roman and Byzantine Catholic private prophecies, I would suggest that Satan’s planning has not always been completely in secret and that such private prophecies will be cited as “justification” for some of the coming persecutions (see also Persecutions by Church and State; there is also a YouTube video: The Coming Persecution of the Church).

About a decade ago, evangelist R.C. Meredith and I were talking and he agreed with various points I was raising about the end time work. And back then, I was able to help lead him to essentially state that in the end it would not mainly be the message of the COG vs. the Protestants, but it would be the COG basically vs. the ecumenical religion that will rise up in the end that will likely (for a while) refer to itself as “Catholic.”  In 2005, during the Feast of Tabernacles in Clearwater Beach, after a private lunch, we and our wives met at his hotel room and I also discussed various aspects of the final phase of the work with him–and I had other meetings, discussions, and emails related to that with the other Charlotte evangelists through December 14, 2012. Yet, even though he and others in his church agreed to take many steps related to the final phase of the work, few, if any, of the promised steps were taken by his group–this is a major part of why the Continuing Church of God needed to form.

During the final phase of the work, the faithful in God’s Church will take a stand against the views of those who will support the compromised persecuting religious power (cf. Revelation 17:1-6). And though aspects of this have occurred throughout history, in the end it will be a major testing of their patience (cf. Daniel 11:28-35; Revelation 14:8-12).

A bolder, yet truthful, willingness to “name names” and call out what is happening will need to happen than the official COG groups formed between 1986 and 2011 have done–and this would seem to have to be led by the Continuing Church of God. (I have emails from one or more LCG evangelists where they objected to doing parts of this themselves, as well as notes from a meeting where they told me, and one was Dr. Meredith, that they were afraid that I was could become too bold and that they did not want to take bold proclamation steps that could trigger the persecution that they teach is biblically prophesied.)

Faithful Christians need to be “ready to give an answer” (1 Peter 3:15, KJV), “ready to give a defense” (1 Peter 3:15, NKJV) to those that will tend to support the power that God opposes. And they are not to be “ignorant” of Satan’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11) nor be deceived by “doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). Part of the way that the more faithful will do this will be by better understanding the Bible, church history, prophecy, and Satan’s plans and tactics. Educating the membership about this is part of the final phase of the work.  This is something that the Continuing Church of God realizes and is working to accomplish.

Notice what the late evangelist C. Paul Meredith wrote about where have many Catholic (and Protestant) traditions, including certain prophetic understandings, come:

PROTESTANT REFORMERS found the people unwilling to change their doctrines. The reformers quickly took the popular road, rejected the faith once delivered for all time to the saints, and began to FOLLOW tradition-CATHOLIC TRADITION which has its roots in pagan philosophy and doctrines of demons! (Meredith C, Paul.  Lesson 14, What is Man?  Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course.  1958,.p. 3)

Part of the way that the more faithful will be able to resist these “traditions” will be by better understanding the Bible, church history, prophecy, and Satan’s plans and tactics. And it part of what we in the Continuing Church of God are working on educating people about.

The gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed more powerfully to the world as a witness and the end will come (Matthew 24:14).  We in the CCOG are reaching people in over 200 countries and territories and expect to lead the humanly-involved portion of that, and certain other aspects, of the final phase of the work.

It is possible that this short work will temporarily swell the ranks of the Church of God (including some Philadelphians, but perhaps with many Laodiceans and many others not truly faithful—many may well fall away—though some of the first will be last and the last first, cf. Mark 10:31). Some will be faithful and bear fruit, while many others may leave (cf. Matthew 13:18 -23; 2 Thessalonians 2:3) once the persecuting tribulation that seems prophesied to occur prior to the Great Tribulation hits (cf. Matthew 24:9-10;21). Then the end will come.

Partially because the message of the COG, the people of the holy covenant, will enrage the upcoming prince/king of the North (Daniel 11:28-30).  One or more associated with the Continuing Church of God will be identifying that the European “prince” (Daniel 9:26-27) who is rising up to become a king, will not be able to truly bring peace, but instead about bring war and will be in league with the final Antichrist.  This will likely trigger major media coverage.  Scrutiny of real, as well as claimed, COG literature will likely happen and various aspects of real and incorrect COG doctrines will likely be ridiculed.

Media coverage would then be expected to cover more the COG message and this may be associated with the “short work” of Romans 9:28.   Since the true COG is so small, it is highly likely that it getting significant media coverage will help fulfill Matthew 24:14.  Some of the Philadelphia remnant will be explaining that it is Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God and not the rise of a militaristic leader that the world needs.  According to Daniel 11:32 it is “the people who know their God [that] shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” Hundreds of millions, if not billions, will receive at least a partial witness.

All of that will likely trigger the King of the North to take actions that lead to the end–this includes the persecutions, pre- (Daniel 7:25a, 11:29-36) and post-tribulation (Daniel 7:25b).

Since “Catholic” leaders have renounced the millennial portion of the gospel message, some of them will not want it to be broadcast into all the world in the 21st century (for some details, please see Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism?). They will support the King of the North’s efforts to stifle the message, probably in the name of “tolerance” and/or calling parts of the message “hate speech.”  A famine of the word is coming (Amos 8:11-12; cf. Romans 10:14-15).   The Bible tells of a time, which to a degree we are now in, when a certain amount of self-censorship will be needed:

2 For I know your manifold transgressions
And your mighty sins:
Afflicting the just and taking bribes;
Diverting the poor from justice at the gate.
13 Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time,
For it is an evil time.  (Amos 5:12-13)

And while some COG groups overly “keep silent,” hence pull-punches in proclamation, the reality is that there is not truly full freedom of truthful speech in countries like the USA without consequences.

However, the work will be done and it will trigger persecution. Until the work is done the most faithful will:

1 Cry aloud, spare not;
Lift up your voice like a trumpet;
Tell My people their transgression,
And the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)

Of course, no matter what some Laodiceans insist upon, the end has not yet come–the final phase of the work is not over. Jesus also does not want us to give up early:

44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing (Matthew 24:44-46).

I should add that one person argued with me that since Jesus does not return until after the “place of safety,” that this verse does not mean we need to proclaim the Gospel now. Since it is likely that many of God’s people will die before then, for them, the Master could come anytime.

Remember that James wrote, “Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe–and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?,” James 2:18-20.

Thus it would seem more logical that the work should continue to be done now. Perhaps this would be a good time to mention that the Continuing Church of God has already reached millions of people in over 210 countries and territories in the past four months through the internet, radio, personal contact, and the written word.

Satan and the Laodiceans simply do not wish to properly support God’s work. Of course, many Laodiceans do not know that they are in that condition, and for many reasons will not understand the final phase of the work or who is leading it.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work.
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 can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
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?
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? A booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom.
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? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
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 basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like the beliefs held of the Continuing Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings Who is 2 Thessalonians 2:3 referring to? Are there multiple falling aways? Here is a related link in Spanish/español: La Apostasía: Enseñanzas de la Biblia y de la WCG. There are also two YouTube videos on the subject that you can watch The Falling Away Part 1: From the Bible and Church History and The Falling Away Part 2: Positions Presented by Others.
Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God Several have speculated reasons, but here is the truth. (En el idioma español: ¿Por qué Bob Thiel dejó la Iglesia del Dios Viviente?)
Journal Report on Continuing Church of God Leader Bob Thiel Bob Thiel was interviewed by The Journal News of the Churches of God related to him being a prophet, the proclamation goals of the Continuing Church of God, and why he left LCG.
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. (En el idioma español: ¿Qué hay acerca de la Iglesia de Dios Viviente? ¿Hay diferencias doctrinales con la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios?)
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad (Source: Agência Brasil, Wikipedia)

COGwriter

The Jerusalem Post reported the following:

May 03, 2013

Behind the Lines: Is Assad winning in Syria?

Backed by Iran and Hezbollah, the Syrian regime is clawing back areas lost to the rebels; it is thus likely that the Assad regime will be around for some time to come; US, West still prefer to stay directly out of conflict.

The imminent demise of the regime of Bashar Assad has been announced on numerous occasions over the last two years of civil war in Syria. But the regime has held on. Despite some advances by rebels in the south of the country in the early months of 2013, Assad shows no signs of cracking.

Indeed, in the last few weeks, the momentum of the fighting has shifted somewhat. Regime forces have clawed back areas of recent rebel advance. The government side, evidently under Iranian tutelage, has showed an impressive and unexpected ability to adapt itself to the changing demands of the war.  http://www.jpost.com/Features/Front-Lines/Behind-the-Lines-Is-Assad-winning-in-Syria-311917

Since the Bible suggests that Syria will support the coming final King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:1-8), a change in or from the Assad regime will be necessary for this to happen–and it will come to pass. Syria’s Assad will either change, break his prior public commitment to not step down or go into exile, or die.  He will not keep Syria as he has forever.

The primary opposition to the Shi’ite Muslim Assad is the Muslim Brotherhood.

The Muslim Brotherhood is mainly a Sunni Muslim group, and most in Turkey, Syria, and the Arab World are Sunni Muslims. Iran, President Assad’s closest ally, is mainly Shi’a Muslim.

More trouble is coming to Syria. Damascus (Syria’s capital) will be destroyed:

1 The burden against Damascus.

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

Damascus will be destroyed and Syria will change.

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. Temporal victories from the Assad regime will not change 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?
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria.
The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.

COGwriter

Various parts of California are on fire:

May 3, 2013

LOS ANGELES — A fast-growing wildfire along the Pacific Coast highway northwest of Los Angeles that has already forced thousands of residents to flee the area jumped the roadway Friday morning, threatening a premier U.S. naval installation.

Firefighters on the scene radioed that Naval Base Ventura County, which is backed up to the Pacific Ocean, should be advised that flames had leapt the iconic coastal highway that was the only barrier beween the fire and the facility.  http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/03/california-wildfires/2131801/

May 3, 2013

BUTTE MEADOWS, Calif. (AP) — A Southern California wildfire carving a path to the sea grew to more than 15 square miles and crews prepared Friday for another bad day of gusting winds and searing weather.

“We’re going to be at Mother Nature’s mercy,” Ventura County fire spokesman Tom Kruschke said.

The smoke-choked campus of California State University, Channel Islands was evacuated, and classes were canceled through Friday. The school has about 5,000 students, though only a fraction live on campus.

About 100 miles to the east in Riverside County, two homes were destroyed, two more were damaged and 11 vehicles were destroyed in a 12-acre fire Thursday that fire officials suspect was started by a discarded cigarette.

Elsewhere in the county, a 4 1/2-square-mile blaze that destroyed a home burned for a third day in mountains north of Banning. It was 65 percent contained.

In Northern California’s Tehama County, a wildfire north of Butte Meadows grew overnight although an estimate of its size was revised down from more than 15 square miles to 10 square miles, state fire spokesman Daniel Berlant said.

The fire was 10 percent contained. It’s burning in a remote area and is not posing an imminent threat to any structures.

Elsewhere in the region, crews expected to fully contain a 125-acre blaze in Sonoma County and a 200-acre fire in Glenn County on Friday. http://www.sfgate.com/news/us/article/Calif-wildfire-burns-15-mile-path-to-Pacific-4485308.php#ixzz2SExOOH56

May 3, 2013The wind-whipped fire erupted Thursday in the Camarillo area, damaging 15 homes and a cluster of recreational vehicles in a parking lot. About 2,000 Ventura County homes remained threatened and evacuations remained in force although the fireline edged southwards toward Malibu. It was about 20 miles from the coastal enclave at daybreak.

The blaze was 10 percent contained but the work of more than 900 firefighters and deputies was just beginning, fire officials said.

The weather forecast called for parching single-digit humidity, highs in the 90s in some fire areas and morning winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph — slightly down from a day earlier.

There’s still a chance of “explosive fire spread” before winds begin tapering off in the afternoon and cooler weather begins to kick in, said Curt Kaplan, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Oxnard. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/05/03/tough-firefight-against-big-california-blaze-could-be-just-prelude-as-vicious/#ixzz2SExl0Lmp

Thankfully, as I write this, I have not seen reports of human deaths from these wildfires (though that could change as can the winds).

Although California historically has wildfires, the Bible mentions fire as something God sometimes uses to punish.  Here are some examples:

11 The Lord said:

“Surely it will be well with your remnant;
Surely I will cause the enemy to intercede with you
In the time of adversity and in the time of affliction.
12 Can anyone break iron,
The northern iron and the bronze?
13 Your wealth and your treasures
I will give as plunder without price,
Because of all your sins,
Throughout your territories.
14 And I will make you cross over with your enemies
Into a land which you do not know;
For a fire is kindled in My anger,
Which shall burn upon you.”   (Jeremiah 15:11-14)

12 O house of David! Thus says the Lord:

“Execute judgment in the morning;
And deliver him who is plundered
Out of the hand of the oppressor,
Lest My fury go forth like fire
And burn so that no one can quench it,
Because of the evil of your doings.

13 “Behold, I am against you, O inhabitant of the valley,
And rock of the plain,” says the Lord,
“Who say, ‘Who shall come down against us?
Or who shall enter our dwellings?’
14 But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings,” says the Lord;
“I will kindle a fire in its forest,
And it shall devour all things around it.”‘  (Jeremiah 21:12-14)

11 The Lord has fulfilled His fury,
He has poured out His fierce anger.
He kindled a fire in Zion,
And it has devoured its foundations.  (Lamentations 4:11)

15 There the fire will devour you,
The sword will cut you off;
It will eat you up like a locust.  (Nahum 3:15)

Although my prayers are with those affected by the fires, and where I live is also subject to wildfires, I also pray that those in California will repent as worse problems are ahead if the State continues to go in a moral direction away from the Bible.  Weather problems can be a warning.

Jesus taught:

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

8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)

The sorrows and troubles are just beginning and will get much worse.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done?
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? Could there be a connection between droughts and the growing societal acceptance of homosexuality?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2013, 2014, or 2015? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

Former Pope Benedict XVI

COGwriter

Several hours ago, the pontiff emeritus formerly known as Pope Benedict XVI moved back to Vatican City to live:

Return of the pontiff: two popes at the Vatican

May 3, 2013

VATICAN CITY: Two months after his historic resignation, Benedict XVI has returned to the Vatican, where he will live in a former monastery in an unprecedented arrangement that will see a pope and a former pope both housed in the tiny state.

It was a relatively low-key return for the 86-year-old pope emeritus, off-limits to all but the Vatican’s own media service. The service announced shortly after his arrival on Thursday that expected video coverage would not be provided, sparking doubts over the state of Benedict’s health.

He had looked extremely frail at his last public appearance in March, and has said that he will live “hidden from the world”.

The unique decision to accommodate both a pope and his predecessor within the tiny city state provoked surprise in some quarters, with critics worried that Benedict’s presence might make it more difficult for Francis to make St Peter’s chair his own. http://www.smh.com.au/world/return-of-the-pontiff-two-popes-at-the-vatican-20130503-2iwni.html#ixzz2SBAf28l9

Former Pope Benedict has moved back to the Vatican in an unprecedented arrangement that will see a ruling pontiff and his predecessor live side-by-side as neighbors in the tiny state.

Pope Francis welcomed Benedict Thursday outside his new retirement home, which is a converted monastery near St. Peter’s Basilica. The two then went inside to pray together.

The low-key return for the 86-year-old pope emeritus was off-limits to all media except the Vatican’s own media service, which announced that it would not provide expected video coverage of the event.

The former pontiff had looked extremely frail at his last public appearance in March when Francis visited him at the papal retreat south of Rome. Benedict had been living there since he stepped down February 28 and became the first pontiff to do so in hundreds of years.

Vatican officials say Benedict is only suffering from the normal ailments of old age.

Despite having two men clothed in white now living at the Vatican, the papal apartments remain empty. Pope Francis has chosen to remain in the more modest accommodation of the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta hotel, which hosted the cardinals during the papal conclave that elected him. http://www.voanews.com/content/pope-emeritus-benedict-returns-to-vatican-for-retirement/1653427.html

After announcing his resignation on Feb. 11, Benedict said he would live his life out in the monastery, a recluse, yet unrestricted in his movements. Shielded by an evergreen hedge, the cloistered areas of the convent cannot be seen from those strolling along the avenues of the Vatican gardens.

Vatican officials have repeatedly tried to assuage concerns that Benedict could influence the new pope by his proximity. And they have dismissed the objections of those who have remarked on the dual role of Archbishop Gänswein, who lives with the pope emeritus as his secretary even as he juggles his day job as the prefect of the pontifical household, attending public outings with Francis.

Vatican journalists have reported that Francis will probably complete an encyclical that Benedict was working on when he retired, much like Benedict’s first encyclical was based on the writings of John Paul II.

But the rest is uncharted waters.

The retired pontiff and the reigning pope “have a relationship of friendship and respect,” said Father Benedettini.  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/03/world/europe/pope-emeritus-benedict-to-take-up-residence-at-vatican.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0

So there are now two “popes” living in Vatican City.

If former Pope Benedict lives long enough and Pope Francis is the last pope of Catholic and biblical prophecy, it is possible that Benedict could possibly (and this is not highly likely) could fulfill certain Catholic prophecies.

Here is some of what I wrote about some of this in my book The Last Pope:

Pope Benedict XVI resigned his pontificate effective February 28, 2013.  If certain private prophecies prove to be somewhat accurate, his resignation could possibly lead to the fulfillment of them.

Certain Catholic prophecies state that prior to the end of the reign of a pope, another pope will flee and ultimately die.  Whether or not due to a resignation, proper or improper pontifical election, and/or some other factors, this suggests that two pontiffs would exist at the end (especially if the Malachy list is complete).

If these prophecies are accurate, this may indicate that this could happen with the Pope Emeritus, who is elderly and German. Therefore, the following are Catholic prophecies that might somewhat apply to the one who was Pope Benedict XVI (whose name was Joseph Ratzinger prior to becoming pope):

Nun Emmerich (19^th 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.

Abbot “Merlin” Joachim (died 1202): …the glorious Pontiff, whose name will begin with R…

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

Nostradamus (16^th century): The great star will burn for seven days. The clouds will cause two suns to appear: The big mastiff will howl all night When the great Pontiff shall change his country.

The Prophecy of Premol (5^th 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.{Note the comment is from the Catholic writer Dupont personally}.

Of course, the name Ratzinger began with an “R.”  Being called the “glorious Pontiff” could possibly tied with the Malachy prophecy since the 111^th pontiff on the list was somehow glorious (“the glory of the olive”).

The Prophecy of Premol claims it is related to the end of time, therefore, if accurate, it would be consistent with the end of the Malachy list.  Now, if Pope Benedict lives long enough and later flees and goes to Cologne (Germany), he might fulfill those prophecies.  The fact that he intends to keep the name Benedict XVI and also be referred to as pope or pontiff emeritus is consistent with the view that, despite his resignation he, in at least one sense, will be one of two popes.  And this idea of two popes has caused unease among some as the following suggests:

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

Traditionally in Catholicism, the wearing of the white cassock has been reserved for the pope.  So, this seems consistent with the view that there could be two “popes,” with one perhaps being an antipope.  (Thiel B.  The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Amazon Book.   Nazarene Books, 2013, pp. 53-55).

COGwriter

Today is World Press Freedom Day and the United Nations made a statement related to it:

2 May 2013 – United Nations officials today issued a call to action to ensure the safety of journalists in every country, echoing Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who declared; “When it is safe to speak, the whole world benefits”.

“Every day, freedom of expression faces new threats. Because they help ensure transparency and accountability in public affairs, journalists are frequent targets of violence,” said Secretary-General Ban and Irina Bokova, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in a joint message for World Press Freedom Day…

Mr. Ban and Ms. Bokova emphasized that press freedom “does not happen automatically,” but requires the creation of a safe environment for dialogue, where they can execute their jobs without fear of reprisal.

They also noted that action must encompass both traditional media as well as digital mediums, where news is increasingly produced and consumed.

“Bloggers, citizen reporters and social media producers, as well as their sources, face increasing threats to their safety,” they said. “In addition to physical dangers, they are being targeted with psychological and emotional violence through cyber-attacks, data breaches, intimidation, undue surveillance and invasions of privacy.

“Such assaults not only limit the right to freedom of expression and threaten the safety of online journalists and their sources – they undermine the ability of all people to benefit from a free and open Internet.”

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Afghanistan is one of the top ten countries where crimes against journalists go unpunished. Iraq, Somalia and the Philippines top the list.

The United Nations notes that in Somalia, journalists risk not just death on a daily basis but also arbitrary arrests, as happened earlier this year when a reporter was accused of fabricating a rape story based on an interview which was never published.

In related activities, UNESCO is organizing a series of events in San José, Costa Rica, over three days, focusing on securing freedom of expression in all media.  http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=44809&Cr=&Cr1=#.UYLE7UpJRrQ

Here are a list of countries that certain journalists believe have the least press freedom:

May 2, 2013

Only two countries ranked worse than the Philippines on the CPJ’s impunity index: Iraq, and Somalia.

Other countries in the list include:

4. Sri Lanka (ranked fourth in 2012)
5. Colombia (ranked fifth in 2012)
6. Afghanistan (ranked seventh in 2012)
7. Mexico (ranked eighth in 2012)
8. Pakistan (ranked 10th in 2012)
9. Russia (ranked ninth in 2012)
10. Brazil (ranked 11th in 2012)
11. Nigeria (not in 2012 index)
12. India (ranked 12th in 2012)

CPJ said its 2013 index “examines journalist murders that occurred from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2012, and remain unsolved.”  http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/306573/news/nation/phl-still-3rd-on-global-media-impunity-list-falls-in-press-freedom-index

But it not only those countries that have issues.  Actually, because of a phenomena called “political correctness” many journalists in Western societies either self-censor or do not pursue reporting about subjects that could upset their peers, governments, or certain others.

It is not just the bloggers and the press that face problems.

Even those who speak out on certain are subject to ridicule.  Just this past week, someone was chastised who publicly stated that as a Christian he could not support the homosexuality of a US basketball star.  He was essentially told that those type of comments are not acceptable in the “tolerant” society of the USA.

Oddly, today, I also noticed the following about the nation of New Zealand:

Even if your child is a devil, you can’t name him “Lucifer” in New Zealand. (Getty)

So you really want to name your baby Anal. Sorry, you can’t do it in New Zealand.

Or maybe you have high hopes for you child and want to name her President? Again, that name’s not allowed in the Kiwi Country country. Nor is 2nd or Majesty or Judge or III (yes, as in the Roman numeral III).

These might all seem far-fetched but they’re all names that parents tried to give their babies before getting nixed by the country’s Registrar of Names.

In New Zealand, new parents have to get approval before naming a baby and not every moniker passes the test.  http://blog.sfgate.com/sfmoms/2013/05/02/new-zealands-list-of-banned-baby-names-lucifer-anal-and-more/#11887-1

And while certain names that are restricted seem to have a logic behind the restriction, should the government be in the business of interfering with what parents name their own children?

Liberal Western societies are not as open as many seem to pretend.

The Bible tells of a time, which to a degree we are now in, when a certain amount of self-censorship will be needed:

2 For I know your manifold transgressions
And your mighty sins:
Afflicting the just and taking bribes;
Diverting the poor from justice at the gate.
13 Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time,
For it is an evil time.  (Amos 5:12-13)

And while some COG groups overly “keep silent,” hence pull-punches in proclamation, the reality is that there is not truly full freedom of truthful speech in countries like the USA without consequences.

However, the work will be done and it will trigger persecution.

Yet, other restrictions are coming.

The Bible talks about the fact that God will finish the work and cut it short (Roman 9:28). Notice also the following which could be related to that:

11 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God,
“That I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine of bread,
Nor a thirst for water,
But of hearing the words of the Lord.
12 They shall wander from sea to sea,
And from north to east;
They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord,
But shall not find it. (Amos 8:11-12)

The above could only happen in the 21st century if the internet was down and/or internet content related to the truth of God was no longer permitted. Governments are taking steps, including cyber warfare research, which could bring that about.

In my article on the King of the North, I have the following quote from the late Herbert W. Armstrong:

And the abomination that maketh desolate set up.” What is this abomination? This refers to Daniel 11:31 and Matthew 24:15…From this time (Daniel 12:11) to Christ’s coming will be 1290 days. Now, verse 12, “Blessed is he that waiteth, and comes to the 1335 days.” Never before have we understood these periods of 1260, 1290. and 1335 days. But it seems evident, now, a blessing is pronounced on us–GOD”S CHURCH–who wait and endure until the 1335 days–approximately 1335 days prior to Christ’s coming. But since no one can know the day or hour of His coming, we probably shall not be able to know the exact day this 1335 days begins. But apparently that is the time when OUR WORK SHALL END. That will be a time when the UNITED Europe shall appear–the revival of the medieval “Holy Roman Empire.” (Armstrong HW. Personal. Good News magazine January 1980).

As the above shows, Herbert W. Armstrong clearly wrote that there would be a future fulfillment of Daniel 11:31 and other verses in Daniel. And as the above shows, he taught that something would stop the work forty-five days prior to Daniel 11:31.  A portion of the final phase of the work will be finished (Matthew 24:14) by Daniel 11:31.  And there will be persecution (Revelation 12:13-17).

Even the Catholic Jerome indirectly understood some of this concerning these passages in Daniel 11 as he wrote:

Verses 27—-30…”And his heart shall be against the holy covenant, and he shall succeed and return into his own land. At the time appointed he shall return and shall come to the South; but the latter time shall not be like the former. And the galleys shall come upon him…But these events were typically prefigured under Antiochus Epiphanes, so that this abominable king who persecuted God’s people foreshadows the Antichrist, who is to persecute the people of Christ (Jerome. Commentary on Daniel, Chapter 11. Translated by Gleason L. Archer. (1958). http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/jerome_daniel_02_text.htm viewed 12/20/08).

The work may be stopped by government officials (like on the internet, radio, etc.) and persecutions began because people of the holy covenant are warning the world of the results of their sins (which they will not want pointed out) and teaching that the King of the North is fulfilling these prophecies in Daniel 11. The faithful may be saying things that are not “politically correct” to the point that one or more governments will take action.

Jesus clearly taught that persecution would affect His people just prior to the Great Tribulation beginning:

7 And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another (Matthew 24:7-10).

21 For then there will be great tribulation (Matthew 24:21).

So notice that after “the beginning of sorrows,” the true Christians will be delivered up and many killed and many will be betrayed by those pretending to be Christians. And then the Great Tribulation will come shortly thereafter. This clearly ties in with the events of Daniel 11.

Despite it being World Press Freedom Day, the US government and others are now taking steps that are helping to set the stage for this.

Some articles with more related details include the following:

The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work.
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 Who is 666? This article explains how the COG views this, and compares this to Ellen White.
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the German Defense Minister one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”. Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy.
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer.

Official Photograph

COGwriter

US President Barack Obama is traveling to Mexico and Costa Rica:

May 2, 2013

Five months after Enrique Pena Nieto took office as Mexico’s new president, President Obama on Thursday embarks on a three-day trip to Mexico and Costa Rica with the intent of strengthening and expanding the United States’ critical relationship with Latin America.

A number of issues will be on the table, including security and immigration — as the U.S. hashes out immigration legislation that’s sure to include an expansion of border security, cooperation from Latin America will be critical…

When Mr. Obama speaks to Pena Nieto in Mexico City — in their first extensive meeting since Pena Nieto took office — the new Mexican administration could entreat the U.S. to support its bid to get involved in the United States’ free trade negotiations with Europe. The U.S. is also working with Mexico and Canada on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam…in San Jose, Costa Rica. Mr. Obama will be there to participate in the SICA Summit, a meeting of the Central American Integration System. The economic and political organization includes Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras and Belize. The Dominican Republic is not a SICA member country but is expected to participate. This will be the first meeting of SICA leaders since the United States gained observer status in the group. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57582461/economy-to-take-center-stage-for-obamas-mexico-visit/

Since taking office in December, Pena Nieto has moved to end the widespread access it gave U.S. security agencies helping fight drug trafficking and organized crime. The changes mark a dramatic shift from the policies of Pena Nieto’s predecessor, Felipe Calderon, who was lauded by the U.S. for boosting cooperation between the two countries as he led an aggressive attack on Mexico’s drug cartels.

The White House has tried to downplay a potential rift.. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/05/01/security-casts-shadow-over-obama-mexico-trip/#ixzz2S8mzDAUu

The USA often makes overtures to Latin America.

However, my read of Bible prophecy suggests that Latin America will end up aligning with Europe.  Most of the peoples in Latin America are Roman Catholic. And this is true of nearly every nation there. Religion, thus, is a major cultural tie to Europe. Having a pope from Argentina who now live in Rome is also be a factor in connecting Latin America to Europe.

Certain parts of Latin America are also politically quite connected to Europe. French Guiana is actually part of France and uses the Euro as its currency. Suriname still maintains close ties to the Netherlands. There exists certain legal connections between those of Portugal and Brazil which ties those nations relatively closely. Guyana used to be part of the British Commonwealth (however, because of ethnic reasons, I suspect that in the end it may decide to be more closely aligned with the rest of Latin America and continental Europe than with the UK). Most of the Spanish-speaking nations have ties to each other as well as Spain.  In the future, all will apparently have ties to Europe (cf. Revelation 13:1-9).

Speaking of Latin America and its future, the article in English Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean in Prophecy, was just translated into the Spanish language as México, América central, Suramérica, Brasil y el Caribe en la profecía.  So those in Latin America, who outside of Brazil mainly speak Spanish, can also see what we in the Continuing Church of God have put together about their prophetic future.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean in Prophecy [Español: México, América central, Suramérica, Brasil y el Caribe en la profecía] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What role might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
The Last Pope Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Why might Pope Francis be the last pope? What happens if he is? Biblical and other prophecies help explain what to expect.
The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Amazon link What does the Bible say about a pope near this time? Is the final pope to be an antipope and antichrist? Does Catholic prophecy point to Pope Francis as being the dreaded “Peter the Roman”? This 186 page book provides information and answers.
The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle This electronic version of the printed book which 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 The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle.
Could Pope Francis be the Last Pope and Antichrist? Former Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is now Pope Francis. According to some interpretations of the prophecies of the popes by the Catholic saint and Bishop Malachy, Pope Francis is in the position of “Peter the Roman,” the pontiff who reigns during tribulations until around the time of the destruction of Rome. Do biblical prophecies warn of someone that sounds like Peter the Roman? Could Francis be the heretical antipope of Catholic private prophecies and the final Antichrist of Bible prophecy? Could a Jesuit be “the black pope”?
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.

Gold “Dust”

COGwriter

The Senate of Arizona is sending a message that it wants to trust gold and silver, not the US dollar:

The Arizona state Senate on Tuesday approved a bill that would make gold and silver legal currency in the state. The bill, previously approved by the Arizona state House of Representatives, is headed to Gov. Jan Brewer’s desk, and if she signs it, the measure would take effect in 2014, making Arizona the second state in the country to recognize precious metals as legal tender. Brewer, a Republican, has yet to weigh in on whether she supports the proposal.

Proponents have hawked the measure as a hedge against inflation, arguing that the declining value of the dollar could make gold and silver a more stable form of capital. Loren Gatch, a professor at the University of Central Oklahoma, told Bloomberg News that the legislation is a mark of protest against the easy money policies being pursued by the U.S. Federal Reserve under Chairman Ben Bernanke.

“This legislation is about signaling discontent with monetary policy and about what Ben Bernanke is doing,” Gatch said. “There is a fear that the government, or Bernanke in particular, and the Federal Reserve, is pursuing a policy that will lead to the collapse of the dollar. That’s what is behind it.”

Due to persistently high unemployment (and the inability of gridlocked Washington to agree on robust fiscal policy measures to address it), Bernanke has adopted a policy called “quantitative easing,” now in its third iteration, that injects capital into the U.S. economy by essentially printing money.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57582317/arizona-bill-recognizes-gold-silver-as-legal-currency/

While the Federal Reserve, as my last post shows (see Federal Reserve considering increasing improper money creation) is pursuing policies that will help lead to the destruction of the US dollar, I do not believe that Arizona will be able to stop that.  Nor do I believe that if the dollar collapses that Arizona will not be hurt.

The USA is increasing its debt and ultimately foreigners, including creditors, will rise up against the USA.

That being said, both biblical (Daniel 11:40-44) and non-biblical prophecies point out that the final leader that the Bible calls the King of the North will value gold (for details, please see the article The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold?).

The fact that some in the USA are realizing that the Federal Reserve and others are contributing to the destruction of the US dollar will not be enough to stop its destruction.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
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.

Ben Bernanke

COGwriter

The U.S. Federal Reserve said it plans to continue, and may actually increase, its current $85 billion dollar per month dollar creation “stimulus”:

May 1, 2013

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday broached the possibility of increasing its massive stimulus program if the economy weakens, suggesting it remains worried that the recovery could stall. The Fed has been purchasing $85 billion in bonds a month in an effort to keep long-term interest rates low and stoke demand…

But after its two-day policy-setting meeting wrapped up Wednesday, the central bank explicitly stated for the first time that it could increase, as well as reduce, bond purchases “as the outlook for the labor market or inflation changes.”  http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/federal-reserve-ponders-possibility-of-increasing-stimulus/2013/05/01/1ff60e64-b286-11e2-bbf2-a6f9e9d79e19_story.html

What the US Federal Reserve has been doing is known as “quantitative easing.”  It is form of ‘money creation’ and is sometimes called an “asset repurchasing” program. Yet, this is mainly a sham operation that debases the value of the U.S. dollar (mainly the government prints up money electronically and the “asset” purchased is a U.S. treasury note, not a real asset like, let’s say, an oil well; yes there are also some mortgages purchased which have ties to real assets, but there are problems there as well). Calling if counterfeiting is not too far off of a description of it.

A few days ago, a CBC writer published the following:

Quietly, without much public fuss or discussion, a new ruling class has risen in the richer nations.

These men and women are unelected and tend to shun the publicity hogged by the politicians with whom they co-exist.

They are the world’s central bankers…

The tool they have used to change the world so profoundly is one they alone possess: creating money out of thin air.

There is an economic term for this: quantitative easing. More colloquially, it’s called printing money.

Since the great economic meltdown in 2008, these central bankers have probably saved the world’s economy from collapse, and dragged it into the unknown at the same time.

The amounts they have created are so vast as to be almost incomprehensible — trillions of dollars in pounds and euros, among other currencies.

At the end of 2012, the balance sheets of the world’s largest central banks, those of the G20 nations and the eurozone, including Sweden and Switzerland, totalled $17.4 trillion US, according to Bank of Canada calculations from publicly available data…

One is that no one really understands the consequences of pumping such vast amounts of money into the world economy. It’s already distorted the prices of certain assets, and some fear hyperinflation or market crashes are inevitable (the subject of tomorrow’s column).

The other is that it’s caused a massive shift in wealth, from savers to borrowers, and is taking money out of the pockets of almost everyone approaching or at retirement age.

A war on savings

Probably the most painful of the consequences of quantitative easing has been borne by the elderly…Asked whether central bankers are not in fact enabling irresponsible behaviour by speculators enamoured of cheap money, not to mention politicians who can’t curb their borrowing and spending, Carney merely remarks that voters in a democracy get the governments they choose.  http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/04/26/f-rfa-macdonald-power-shift-savers.html

Those that control and inflate the money supply are affecting the world.  Hyperinflation will ultimately hit the US dollar.  Even though the Euro and other currencies have been involved, the one that has been the most affected is the US dollar.

Inflating the money supply through currency debasing (QE1, QE2, and QE3) and debt is not something advocated in the Bible. Notice:

4 Take away the dross from silver (Proverbs 25:4a).

25 I will turn My hand against you, And thoroughly purge away your dross, And take away all your alloy. (Isaiah 1:25)

22 Your silver has become dross, Your wine mixed with water. (Isaiah 1:22)

Dross is a cheaper metal that is normally placed inside a covering of a precious metal like silver. Governments began to do this thousands of years ago when they had financial problems. Putting dross into silver cheapens currency, just like putting water into wine dilutes the wine’s value. In modern times, government spending in excess of revenues and quantitative easing programs (QE1, QE2, and QE3, from the Fed Chairman) are a way to dilute the value of currencies. This is not the biblical solution to US economic problems.

Quantitative easing programs are a form of “dishonest profits” that the U.S.A. is improperly reaping because of its position in the world, but that is not good:

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

The latest announcement by the Federal Reserve is sending a strong signal to the world that the USA does not know how to truly fix its economy, but that it hopes because its dollar is the primary world’s reserve currency that it can get away with currency debasement and the rest of the world will put up with it–and while that may be true in the short run, it is sending a signal to the rest of the world that the US dollar needs to be replaced as the world’s primary reserve currency. Now, the real cause of why all of this is happening to the USA is sin. Because of it’s increasing secularism, greed, and tolerance for sexual, abortive, and other sins, the USA is getting closer to reaping more what it has sown:

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (Galatians 6:7-8)

One of the many cursings that were prophesied in the Bible to be reaped for disobedience was that of accumulation of debt:

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).

As the Anglo-American nations have not kept God’s commandments, they have become the greatest debtor nations of all time. And while some do not count quantitative easing as “debt,” it is an improper “solution” to the USA’s economic woes. But since Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will not advocate that the USA turn to God, he seems to think that diluting the currency is the best choice. Interestingly, last year, replying to Ben Bernanke’s comments back then (and how the USA has handled itself), Russia’s Prime Minister Putin actually said:

They are behaving like hooligans, switching on the printing press and tossing them around the whole world, forgetting their main obligations.

So, the Russian leader does not agree that “quantitative easing/asset repurchases” by the US Federal Reserve should continue. The Russian Prime Minister is correct that what the USA is doing is wrong. And he is not the only one. QE3 is a way to inflate the currency while trying to accumulate debt in a more indirect way. Between more quantitative easing and the US expected federal government deficit, the USA is getting itself in over 2 trillion dollars per year in additional debt. This is already causing foreigners and others to have concerns about the value and safety of the USA dollar. If the USA continues this way and/or is hit by crop failures, emp weapons, terrorists, weather crises, civil unrest, etc., this will seriously get the concern of at least foreign creditors. But notice what the Bible warns about those who increase debt in the end times:

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. Because of men’s blood And the violence of the land and the city, And of all who dwell in it. (Habakkuk 2:3,5,6-8).

At some point in time, the USA will likely start to experience massive inflation (which is something that the Fed Chairman should realize). And afterwards, its creditors will rise up (Habakkuk 2:7). The policies of the Federal Reserve, unless dramatically altered in a different direction relatively soon, are setting the stage for hyperinflation in the U.S.A.–have no doubt about it. Electronically “creating” more U.S. dollars may stimulate parts of the U.S. economy, but the more dollars that are produced and backed by nothing, the sooner the world will realize that the U.S. dollar cannot remains its primary reserve currency. When this happens, the U.S.A.’s economy will be massively hurt. And much more than people like the Fed Chairman seem to want to admit.

The world is changing and the USA and its Anglo-descended allies are losing their financial dominance in the world. And while there will be some temporary rises in the value of the US dollar for a while (and likely when there is more civil unrest in Europe), the trend for the U.S. dollar and economy is clearly down. Without massive national repentance, the Bible is clear that complete destruction of the economy, and even government, of the USA is certain. This is something that leaders, such as the Fed Chairman, need to know.

The signal that continuing, and possibly increasing, quantitative easing is sending is that the USA does not intend to truly fix it problems, but is a sign of major underlying weakness.

The Federal Reserve officials and others may wish to consider studying the following prophetically-oriented writings:

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?
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?
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?
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.

Bas-relief at Angkor Wat depicting a demon performing an ancient abortion.

COGwriter

The USFDA has decided to greatly increase access to the ‘Plan B’ pill, including dropping the age requirement to 15:

May 1, 2013

The “morning after” pill, designed to induce abortion immediately after sex, will now be available without a prescription to any female 15 and over.  This, my friends, is bigger than Roe v. Wade…

Obamacare will also make the pill free.  I suppose that will be the only over-the-counter drug that health insurance will cover.

But do you see what this means?  Forget “contraception” (efforts to prevent conception).  Who will even bother with that anymore?  This moves us into a new phase of birth control that is post-conception, targeting the developing child after he or she is conceived.  What shall we call this approach? Don’t let anyone get away with calling it “contraception.”  It is “contrafetus,” or “contrachild.”

This routinizes abortion, making it happen so early that it won’t seem so horrible.   http://www.patheos.com/blogs/geneveith/2013/05/the-morning-after-abortion-pill-over-the-counter/

(CNN) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday that it approved the availability of the Plan B One-Step emergency contraception pill without a prescription for women 15 and older…

According to the new FDA decision, Plan B One-Step will now be labeled to reflect that proof of age is required to purchase it, and it cannot be sold where age cannot be verified…

If there has been fertilization, Plan B may prevent a fertilized egg from embedding in the uterus. But if the egg has already been implanted in the uterus, the morning-after pill will not work.

Emergency contraceptives are intended for use within 72 hours after sex but are most effective if taken within 24 hours.  http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/30/health/morning-after-pill/

The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Plan B One-Step for women aged 15 and older without a prescription…Plan B One-Step, also known as the “morning after pill,”  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57582218/plan-b-one-step-approved-for-use-without-a-prescription-for-women-15-and-older/

Last September, the New York City’s Department of Education has began offering “morning after” contraceptive pills to students in a pilot program at 13 of the city’s high schools who were as young as 14 (NYC’s New Abortion Program for 14 Year-Olds).  Instead of advocating biblical standards of morality, many government leaders continue to look for ways that encourage even more immorality.

And while the ‘morning after’ pill is now going to be more available and pushed on women, it still is a type of abortificant.

As far as the horrors of abortion, notice the following related to the practices of an abortion clinic in Philadelphia:

Philadelphia (CNN) — Jurors in the murder trial of Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell ended their first day of deliberations, Tuesday without a verdict.

Deliberations will resume Wednesday morning.

Gosnell, 72, is accused of killing babies by using scissors to cut their spinal cords. Authorities allege that some of the infants were born alive and viable during the sixth, seventh and eighth months of pregnancy.

Gosnell originally faced first-degree murder charges in the deaths of seven babies and a count of third-degree murder in the death of Karnamaya Mongar, 41. Mongar died of an anesthetic overdose during a second-trimester abortion…Gosnell also is accused of reusing unsanitary instruments; performing procedures in filthy rooms, including some in which litter boxes and animals allegedly were present at the time; and allowing unlicensed employees — including a teenage high school student — to perform operations and administer anesthesia.  http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/30/justice/pennsylvania-abortion-doctor-trial/index.html

Dr. Gosnell, who is now 72, “never turned away a desperate troubled young lady,” said McMahon.

“Abortion…isn’t pretty,” he told the jury.

However, in his closing argument, prosecutor Ed Cameron said that Dr. Gosnell provided “back-alley abortions” that took place at a gruesome version of a “Henry Ford model of business — an assembly line” at the clinic.

Cameron said that Dr. Gosnell murdered infants who showed signs of life despite being aborted by cutting their spines with scissors and causing subsequent suffocation. And Dr. Gosnell lacked the “basic humanity” to handle aborted fetuses “properly,” the prosecutor said, referring to fetuses found at the site in soft drink coolers and to witnesses’ accounts of their being put into the garbage disposal and clogging a facility toilet.  http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/803391

The case, which has reignited passions over the thorny issues surrounding abortion rights, went to the jury of seven women and five men on Tuesday. Dr. Kermit Gosnell, 72, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of four babies that the prosecution contends were delivered alive during late-term abortions, then killed when their spines were cut with surgical scissors. The defense argues that Gosnell was aborting fetuses…

Gosnell performed thousands of abortions in his Women’s Medical Society Clinic, in a career that spanned three decades…prosecutor Cameron said. “Are you human?” Cameron asked Gosnell during the closing phase, “to med these women up and stick knives in the backs of babies?” According to the defense, Gosnell injected every patient with Digoxin, which is used to abort the fetus. The paperwork and testimony shows that Gosnell used the drug on each patient so that the fetuses must have been dead when removed from the womb. The testimony from the former employees, who said the fetuses were alive…http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-abortion-doctors-murder-case-goes-to-jury-in-philadelphia-20130430,0,4879969.story

Abortion is more than not pretty, it is horrible.  Partially because the public is somewhat outraged about this Philadelphia case and other aspects of ‘partial-birth’ abortions, US President Obama went out promoting abortion in the last week (see Obama pushing abortion access, but what is the truth about late term abortions?)–this seems to be a priority for him.

.
Last night, I read a version of the following in our local paper, but was originally published in the New York Times:

PHILADELPHIA — They are known as Baby Boy A, Baby C, Baby D and Baby E, all of whom prosecutors call murdered children and the defense calls aborted fetuses — the very difference in language encapsulating why anti-abortion advocates are so passionate about drawing attention to the trial of Dr. Kermit Gosnell…

To anti-abortion leaders, the accounts have the power to break through decades of hardened positions in the abortion wars, not just because of the graphic details but because they raise the philosophical issue of why an abortion procedure performed in utero is legal, but a similar act a few minutes later, outside the womb, is considered homicide.

The distinction “is maybe a 15-minute or half-hour time frame and 10 inches of physical space,” said Michael Geer, the president of the Pennsylvania Family Institute, an anti-abortion group. “I think it’s going to resurrect a debate about the humanity of the unborn child.”…

Baby D, a clinic worker testified, was delivered into a toilet by a woman waiting for Dr. Gosnell and it appeared to make swimming motions before one of the doctor’s assistants pulled it out and cut its neck.

Two workers said they heard Baby E crying before Dr. Gosnell cut its spine with scissors. The prosecutor quoted a worker: “It made noises, a whine like my baby.” http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/30/us/trial-abortion-doctor-kermit-gosnell.html?_r=0

The reality is that abortion is horrible. Abortion kills a human baby. And yes, while the ‘morning after pill’ is intended to make it appear less horrible, murdering babies is still murdering babies.

Do not Americans realize that since the 1973 Roe vs. Wade pro-abortion ruling by the US Supreme Court that the USA has gone from being a creditor nation to the the most indebted nation that the world has ever seen?

There are terrible consequences for sin, and instead of properly discouraging sexual immorality, compounding it with chemical abortion increases the tendency towards sin. Two wrongs do not make a right. This does not bode well for the USA.

The great tribulation is coming and biblically is expected to hit the USA and its Anglo-related allies first (cf. Daniel 11:39).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? Has the Roman Catholic Church allowed abortions? What about the real Church of God? Some may also, or instead, wish to view the YouTube video Abortion, the Bible, and US Debt.
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.
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?
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? See also the video Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2013?
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.