Church of God News

Australia’s Kevin Rudd

COGwriter

For the second time, Kevin Rudd has become Prime Minister of Australia, replacing Julia Gillard:

June 27, 2013

Kevin Rudd has been sworn in as prime minister of Australia, a day after he ousted Julia Gillard as leader of the Labor Party.

Mr Rudd took the oath at Government House in front of Governor-General Quentin Bryce.

He then addressed parliament briefly, paying tribute to Ms Gillard, who is stepping down from politics…

Mr Rudd returned to lead Australia’s government three years and three days after he was toppled in a similar Labor leadership contest by Ms Gillard, then his deputy.

He secured 57 votes to Ms Gillard’s 45 in Wednesday’s vote, which followed months of speculation and bitter infighting over who should lead Labor into the forthcoming election.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23076517

June 27, 2013

LEIGH SALES, PRESENTER: It’s been the most tumultuous two days in federal politics since the day three years ago when Julia Gillard dethroned Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister.

After last night’s dramatic counter-coup, the drama continued today with another ministerial resignation and a rowdy debate in Parliament as the Coalition moved to capitalise on Labor’s turmoil.

Kevin Rudd’s resurrection has reinvigorated the political contest…

KEVIN RUDD, INCOMING PRIME MINISTER: In 2007 the Australian people elected me to be their Prime Minister. That is a task that I resume today with humility, with honour and with an important sense of energy and purpose…

CHRIS UHLMANN: And so ends the 43rd Parliament and with it the political career of Australia’s first female Prime Minister. She has much to be proud of and a lot to regret. Everyone will remember the hung parliament and few will mourn its passing.  http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-27/rudds-return-revitalises-political-contest-and/4786338?section=act

So, just like there were quick changes in Australian politics three years ago when Julia Gillard replaced Kevin Rudd, a similar situation has arose as Kevin Rudd has replaced her.

From a religious perspective, Kevin Rudd sometimes raises eyebrows.  He was raised Roman Catholic, but began to attend the Anglican Church in the 1980s with his wife.  Wikipedia reports that his religion is Anglicanism and also reported the following:

Rudd and his family attend the Anglican church of St John the Baptist in Bulimba…In December 2009, Rudd was spotted at a Catholic Mass to commemorate the canonisation of Mary MacKillop, in which he was administered with the Holy Communion. Rudd’s actions provoked criticism and debate among both among political and religious circles…A report by The Australian quoted that Rudd embraced Anglicanism but at the same time did not formally renounce his Catholic faith.

Rudd is the mainstay of the parliamentary prayer group in Parliament House, Canberra.   He is vocal about his Christianity and has given a number of prominent interviews to the Australian religious press on the topic.

In terms of end-time prophecy, by virtue of his timing, I believe that Kevin Rudd will take steps that will cause the Chinese to have even more interest in his country.

Regarding Australia’s previous Prime Minister Julia Gillard, I believe that she helped fulfill the following prophecy:

12 As for My people, children are their oppressors, And women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths. (Isaiah 3:12)

Prime Minister Gillard also fulfilled a prediction I made about her when she took office (Australia Now Has a Female Prime Minister: Prophetic Ramifications?) by taking to steps to get the Chinese interested in taking over Australia (Australia accepts US troops, China not pleased).

The Australians themselves generally hope that the USA will be able to protect them. Yet, since Bible prophecy shows that those in the end-time with the “strongest fortresses” (which currently would be the USA) will be taken over (Daniel 11:39), this does not bode well for any nation that truly needs protection from the USA.

Furthermore, the Bible shows that the land of the Anglo-descended peoples will be conquered and divided (Daniel 11:39; Lamentations 4:16; Joel 3:2-3; Amos 7:17; Ezekiel 5:1-2,12; 6:8; Ezekiel 22:13-15).

Because of his ties to Roman Catholicism, it is possible that once the USA is taken over, Kevin Rudd, like possibly someone like Britain’s Tony Blair, might partially fulfill the following verses in the Bible in trying to get help from the Assyrians (modern Germany with its allies) after they have destroyed the U.S.A. and its Anglo-Allies:

1 “Ephraim also is like a silly dove, without sense–They call to Egypt, They go to Assyria. 12 Wherever they go, I will spread My net on them; I will bring them down like birds of the air;  I will chastise them According to what their congregation has heard (Hosea 7:11-12).

8 Israel is swallowed up; Now they are among the Gentiles Like a vessel in which is no pleasure. 9 For they have gone up to Assyria, Like a wild donkey alone by itself; Ephraim has hired lovers (Hosea 8:8-9).

1 Ephraim feeds on the wind, And pursues the east wind; He daily increases lies and desolation. Also they make a covenant with the Assyrians, And oil is carried to Egypt (Hosea 12:1).

It would seem that perhaps Kevin Rudd could try to use his contacts within Catholicism to try to improve the lot of the Australians at that time.

Since I tend to believe that these verses in Hosea will be fulfilled after the start of the Great Tribulation and before the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God, if Kevin Rudd is involved in the above fulfillment, in that specific way he might personally also be Apocalyptic.  Time will tell.

Yet, without national repentance, the nation of Australia is doomed. Period.

And in his previous term as Prime Minister, I do not recall Kevin Rudd calling for the proper type of repentance needed then.  Nor now.

Some items of related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves?
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.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters Where did the Chinese people come from? This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon? A YouTube video of interest may be Is China THE Threat to the United States of America?
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people?
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?
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.

Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey

COGwriter

The Turkish government’s reaction to the protests in Turkey are being cited as a reason to delays Turkey’s plans to be part of the EU:

The EU has decided to postpone talks with Ankara aimed at moving forward on Turkey’s membership in the bloc until later this year. Germany had pushed for the delay, saying that a signal should be sent of the EU’s disapproval of the recent crackdown on anti-government protests.  http://www.voanews.com/media/video/1689319.html

The reality is that I do not believe that many in the EU want Turkey as an actual member.  Not, until at least, it becomes more Catholic.

Yet, biblical and Catholic prophecy do suggest that Turkey will actually do that.  Revelation 13:4,8 show that the whole world will worship the coming compromised Beast power which will original feign Catholicism.  The Bible also suggests that at least two deals will be made between the Turks and the Europeans (Psalm 83:3-8; Daniel 11:40-42), and religion may also play a role in that.

Notice the following which seems to imply that at first Turkey (Edom below) will support the coming Islamic power known as the King of the South):

40 “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon.   (Daniel 11:40-42)

It is important to realize that Edom/Turkey escapes what happens to the King of the South in Daniel 11:40-43.  Thus, despite an apparent deal with the Arabs, Turkey is apparently not a going to be a strong supporter of the final King of the South for very long.  But apparently it will be for a short while.

Notice also the following:

25…And the king of the South shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand, for they shall devise plans against him. 26 Yes, those who eat of the portion of his delicacies shall destroy him; his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain.  (Daniel 11:25-26)

In the above, we see that some allies of the King of the South betray him.  Since the King of the South will be over predominantly Islamic nations, Turkey is predominantly Islamic, and Edom/Turkey is mentioned in conjunction with the King of the South, yet escapes punishment (Daniel 11:40-42), it appears that Turkey will likely somewhat support the King of the South for a time, but will betray him.

Certain Catholic prophecies are explicit about the Turks supporting an end-time faith calling itself Catholic, as well as betraying “the Great Arab” (who sounds like the biblical King of the South):

Old Saxon Prophecy. “The seven-headed city, now more admirable than Jerusalem, shall be a place more desolate than Jerusalem. The Dog shall enter Germany but shall afterwards forsake his master and choose for himself a new man, whereby Scripture shall be fulfilled. This Dog shall signify the Turk which shall forsake his Mohammed and choose unto him the name Christian…But after all these things the end of the world shall approach, and there shall be heavey and pitiful days.”

Comment: The seven-headed city is probably Rome…(the comment is from Dupont personally, Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, pp.23-24)

Blessed Anna Maria Taigi (died 1837): “described to me the great ordeal ahead. Rome would be battered by revolutions…Millions of men would die by the sword in war and civil strife, other millions would perish in unforeseen death. Then entire nations would return to the unity of the Church, and many Turks, Pagans and Jews would be converted and their fervour cover with confusion the original Christians. In one word she told me that our Lord was intending to cleanse the world and His Church…” (Bessieres A. Wife, Mother and Mystic (Blessed Anna Maria Taigi). Nihil Obstat: Carlos Davis, S.T.L. Imprimatur: E Morrough Bernard, Westmonasteri, die Februari, 1952. Reprint TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1982, p. 166).

Nostradamus: The Great Arab shall progress well forward, But betrayed shall be by the Byzantines. (Turks).

Comment on above from Catholic writer Yves Dupont: Here, we are told that Turkey will break its faith with the rest of the Arab world. (Dupont, p. 107).

Venerable Bartholomew Holzhauser: All heresies shall be banished…the Turkish Empire shall be broken up, and all nations shall come to and worship their God in the true Catholic and Roman faith (Rossi, G. THE CHRISTIAN TRUMPET, OR, Previsions and Predictions about Impending General Calamities, The Universal Triumph of the Church, The Coming of Antichrist, The Last Judgment, and The End of the World. Compiled by PELLEGRINO [Gaudentius Rossi], A Missionary Priest with Superior’s permission. Boston, THOS. B. NOONAND & CO., 1873, p. 121)

Turkey apparently will also be, at least tangentially, involved in a coming deal, an apparent peace deal (cf. Daniel 9:27; 8:25)–and that deal will be broken (Daniel 9:27; 11:23-24).

Although I believe that Turkey will cooperate with the Europeans, prophecy suggests that they will for a while, more closely support an Islamic power, before betraying it to the Europeans.  Hence, it is not likely that Turkey will attain full EU membership in the near term.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

What Should You Know About Turkey in Prophecy Do you know the Turkish people descended from? Did the Ottoman Empire possibly fulfill a promise in Genesis? Will Turkey support the European King of the North or Arabic King of the South? Will it betray one of them? Will Turkey be involved in the encouraging the destruction of Israel? Is Turkey going to become Catholic? Is Turkey mentioned in Psalm 83, Daniel 11, and elsewhere in the Bible? This video provides answers.
The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi?
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say?
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.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? The Book of Revelation tells of a beast power that will rise up. Some think that this must be Russia or could be Islamic, while others say that this power is European. The Book of Daniel tells of the rise of an end time King of the North that some think must be referring to a Russian leader, while others say that this power is European. How can you be sure? This YouTube video has all the scriptural proofs that you should need to prove that this power must be a European one.

Gaylyn and Leona Bonjour

COGwriter

Shortly before 8:00 p.m. EDT on 6/26/2013, Mrs. Leona Bonjour died.

She had cancer for some time, and recently entered hospice. She worked for the Living Church of God in its mailing and shipping department for around 14 years.

I was present when she was ordained a deaconess in Fresno back in the late 1980s or early 1990s.  I believe that the most of the congregation clapped when they heard she was going to be ordained. She was the wife of Gaylyn Bonjour, who is currently a minister in the Living Church of God.  My wife and I have known the Bonjours for over 26 years.

There is a lot I feel that I should say about Leona, but at this time, I’m just not up to writing much about this.

But I will say that she was a very nice lady and will be missed.

(Perhaps I should also mention here that a week ago, Mrs. Nancy Hall, wife of LCG minister Daniel Hall of Texas, died.  I did not know her, however, so will simply leave this as an announcement.)

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

What Did Early Christians Understand About the Resurrection? Is there more than one future resurrection? Did early Christians teach a physical resurrection? Did early Christians teach three resurrections?
Did Early Christians Believe that Humans Possessed Immortality? What does John 3:16, and other writings, tell us? Did a doctrine kept adopted from paganism? Here is a YouTube video titled Are humans immortal?

Iran’s President-Elect Hassan Rouhani (Photo by Mojtaba Salimi )

COGwriter

Iran’s new president-elect is in the news:

June 26, 2013

Rohani said one-on-one talks with Washington are the only way for breakthroughs in the nuclear standoff, given that the United States – as he put it – is the world’s “sheriff.”….

“We have disagreements with the U.S. on regional and international matters, but obviously friendship or hostility with the world is not permanent,” Rohani told an audience at Tehran’s Sharif University in his May address. “Every country can improve its relations with others.”…

Iranian officials, including Rohani, say that Iran will not give up control over the entire nuclear cycle, which turns uranium ore into reactor-ready fuel, but that it only seeks the technology for energy production and medical uses.

“The bottom line is that Rohani’s views are not a wholesale change from the ruling system’s. They are pretty much the same on all the central points on what Iran wants,” said Mohammad Ali Shabani, a British-based Middle East expert concentrating on Iranian affairs. “The issue is over tactics and how to get there.”  http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/iran-s-president-eyes-direct-nuclear-talks-with-world-sheriff-u-s-1.532093

So believe that Iran’s President-Elect Hassan Rouhani (spelled Rohani in the above article) is basically doing this to give Iran more time to pursue its nuclear goals, which many believe includes producing nuclear weapons.

Iran’s President-Elect Hassan Rouhani made some interesting comments last week as he credited the mystical ‘Imam Mahdi’ for his recent election (I call him ‘mystical’ because the Iranian Shi-ite view is that he has essentially been in a type of suspended animation for over 1,000 years, but then he will return and rule Jerusalem):

Iran’s newly elected president, Hassan Rohani, attributed his victory in the June 15 voting to the 12th Imam, Mahdi, a statement with ominous overtones in the Islamic regime’s quest for nuclear weapons.

The Shiites believe that at the end of times, the 12th Imam, a 9th-century prophet, will reappear with Jesus Christ at his side, kill all the infidels and raise the flag of Islam in all four corners of the world. Many analysts believe Iran is seeking nuclear capability to bring on that Armageddon.

“This political [election] was due to the kindness of the last Islamic messiah [Mahdi],” Rohani said Friday.

Kayhan newspaper, the main media outlet of the regime and the mouthpiece of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ran a centerpiece headline Saturday reporting Rohani’s statement .  http://www.wnd.com/2013/06/new-iran-president-thanks-messiah-for-victory/#D4fjkLl73TALVLs6.99

Iran’s current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had stated that the Imam Mahdi, someone similar to the biblical King of the South of Daniel 11:40-43) would arise before he (President Ahmadinejad) left office. Well, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad leaves office August 2/3 2013, and so either he will be wrong (which he will be) and/or he will take steps to try to make this happen and/or he may claim that the Imam Mahdi has arisen, but more privately than publicly.

Iran put out a video a few years ago, basically telling the Arab world that it intends to takeover Jerusalem and give it to this Imam Mahdi.  The video indicates that this will be by military conquest by the Iranians against the Israelis and that it wants the Arab nations to back it (see Iran’s Ahmadinejad to Conquer Jerusalem?).  By crediting his election to the Imam Mahdi, Iran’s President-Elect Hassan Rouhani seems to be signaling that he wants that war, while at the same time trying to tell the USA that he wants peaceful talks, etc.  The Shi’ite view of the Imam Mahdi suggests that Iran will rule the Islamic world in the end times.

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

I have long felt that “neutralizing” Iran would allow most of the other Islamic states (like Saudi Arabia and Egypt) to continue to exist (Damascus the capital of Syria, is prophesied to be destroyed according to Isaiah 17:1) and allow for the rising of the prophesied King of the South of Daniel 11 to rise up (revolution in Iran, is also another possibility, for its “neutralization”).

This neutralization may well happen under the administration of Hassan Rowhani, especially if Israel learns that Iran is saying one thing while doing another on its nuclear program.  Of course, Iran’s current administration could also possibly trigger it. But either way, Iran is going to end up with LESS influence in the Islamic world in the future according to my reading on Bible prophecy.  And it may take a regional war and/or civil war to accomplish that.

It is certainly possible that Hassan Rowhani will have a part in contributing to this happening.  That is how I view his words about nuclear negotiations and his crediting of the Imam Mahdi for his election.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What prophecies involve Iran? What does Islam teach about the Imam Mahdi?

Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say?

Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.

The Future King of the South is Rising Does the Bible teach that there will be a future King of the South in Daniel 11? Is this kingdom rising up now? Did the old Worldwide Church of God (WCG) teach that there would be another one? And who is the King of the South? How will this involve Egypt? Is the final King of the South some type of Arab-Muslim confederation? Can Iran be involved? Is there a group that seems to be supporting the goals of the King of the South? Has the Obama Administration supported the rise of this power? This is a YouTube video.

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.

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.

Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future What does the Bible say about Jerusalem and its future? Is Jerusalem going to be divided and eliminated? Is Jesus returning to the area of Jerusalem? There is also a related YouTube video you can watch titled Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated.

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 Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

COGwriter

Today, the US Supreme Court released its immoral decision about homosexual marriage:

WASHINGTON — The Defense of Marriage Act, the law barring the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages legalized by the states, is unconstitutional, the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday by a 5-4 vote.

“The federal statute is invalid, for no legitimate purpose overcomes the purpose and effect to disparage and to injure those whom the State, by its marriage laws, sought to protect in personhood and dignity,” Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion. “By seeking to displace this protection and treating those persons as living in marriages less respected than others, the federal statute is in violation of the Fifth Amendment.”  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/26/supreme-court-doma-decision_n_3454811.html

As far as legitimate purposes of having marriage exist as a relationship between a man and woman as God intended, apparently the majority of the US Supreme Court do not care what the Bible teaches.  They also do not seem to realize that what they are condoning will lead to destruction per Romans 1:18-32.

Last week Russia’s Pravda put out a paper that had some interesting comments about the USA:

Russian Paper Says “Weak Eyed Obama” Is Leader Of Sodom & Gomorrah…

“The US is broke and Russia is the world’s largest oil producer with a growing economy. Russia is not backing down and they have China to back them up. Who will back the US? Tiny Britain? Americans are turning gay and Russian men are looking more like the Klitschko brothers. The US is the modern day Sodom and Gomorrah while Christianity triumphs in Russia. No ACLU in Russia suing Christians to be sure. The largest country in the world shows only contempt at the US Bomb & Missile Diplomacy.”
http://freedomoutpost.com/2013/06/russian-paper-says-weak-eyed-obama-is-leader-of-sodom-gomorrah-following-g8-summit/#ixzz2XKb3UkSu

In case there was any doubt, the ruling released by the US Supreme Court today confirms that the USA even more officially wishes to be a modern Sodom and Gomorrah as the Russians previously have claimed.

Russia is also correct that the UK will not be able to save the USA.  It is also correct that the USA is distancing itself from biblical morality and that in a real sense, US President Obama is the president of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Sodom and Gomorrah Were Sexually Immoral

The Bible tells of an early event that occurred in the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah between three thousand and four thousand years ago:

24 Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens. 25 So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. (Genesis 19:24-25)

And why did it happen?

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

Homosexuality is a form of sexual immorality that involves going after “strange flesh.”

Why mention this in the 21st century?

Because God turned:

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

Thus, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah were to serve as an example to those who would live as they did. Yet despite biblical warnings, many modern leaders are endorsing so-called homosexual “rights” and “same-sex marriage.” The Bible, however, warns about such leaders:

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

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

So, leaders that ignore what the Bible teaches are leading others toward destruction.  The Russians seem to understand enough of the Bible to realize that what the USA is turning into is a modern Sodom and Gomorrah.

Yet, not everyone in Sodom and Gomorrah were homosexuals as those that strictly practice that could not reproduce. Yet, notice that the destruction that hit their cities destroyed all that were there and notice that something like this is to happen again according to Jesus:

26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. (Luke 17:26-29)

Various ones can pretend that increasing “homosexual rights” is acceptable, but the Bible suggests otherwise. A marriage as the above indicates, as do other scriptures (e.g. Matthew 19:4-5), is between a man and woman (for more details see God Created Marriage). Not two of the same sex.

Homosexual acts are clearly prohibited in the Bible:

22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.  (Leviticus 18:22)

13 If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. (Leviticus 20:13)

Those who try to claim that the Bible does not clearly condemn homosexuality are intentionally misreading what it actually teaches. The Bible prohibits and condemns homosexual behavior–the Bible calls it an abomination!

Notice also the following:

9 The look on their countenance witnesses against them, And they declare their sin as Sodom; They do not hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have brought evil upon themselves. (Isaiah 3:9)

13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.  (Proverbs 8:13)

18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.  (Proverbs 16:18)

49 Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. 50 And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit. (Ezekiel 16:49-50)

So the Bible shows that Sodom was destroyed for many things including its pride and the committing of abominations. Homosexuality is an abomination.

The Bible also warns against accepting and condoning practices such as homosexuality and lesbianism, which is something that the USA is doing:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness…

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

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

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:18,24-32)

The ‘gay’ agenda will end in destruction. Yet various leaders in the USA, including its President, are promoting it. They apparently do not take the warnings of the Bible seriously.  And the Russians are right that the USA is in decline.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality? Can homosexuals change?
Cross-dressing and other assaults against your children. What should you do? Is there an agenda to turn your children and/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on? There is also a YouTube video on this, titled Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children.
Love, Marriage, and Sex It is important to get them in the right order.
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
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

Though various leaders tried, Texas politicians failed to pass a bi:

June 26, 2013

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Hundreds of jeering protesters helped stop Texas lawmakers from passing one of the toughest abortion measures in the country, shouting down Senate Republicans and forcing them to miss a midnight deadline to pass the bill…

If signed into law, the measures would close almost every abortion clinic in Texas, a state 773 miles wide and 790 miles long with 26 million people. A woman living along the Mexico border or in West Texas would have to drive hundreds of miles to obtain an abortion if the law passes. The law’s provision that abortions be performed at surgical centers means only five of Texas’ 42 abortion clinics are currently designated to remain in operation.  http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/2013/06/25/texas-abortion-bill-falls-after-challenge/GZK8e9NBkpOaBdPdjGAd8I/story.html

Abortion is premeditated murder and no woman has to have an abortion. Abortion kills a human baby.  It is unfortunate that leaders in Texas failed in their efforts to greatly reduce this crime against the unborn.

The Bible makes it clear that David and Jeremiah were human and known before to God while they were in the womb prior to being born:

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me,When as yet there were none of them (Psalm 139:13-16, NKJV throughout except when otherwise noted).

Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:4-5).

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, directly or at least indirectly the USA funds killing babies.

This does not bode well for the USA. The Bible is against murder and those who approve of it and other sins:

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

Directly, or indirectly, sin should not have governmental approval.

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.

COGwriter

The ecumenical Pope Francis made some statements that pleased some of the Jews:

In his first official meeting with a Jewish delegation, Pope Francis on Monday reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s condemnation of anti-Semitism and vowed to further deepen Catholic-Jewish relations.

“Due to our common roots, a Christian cannot be anti-Semitic!” he told a delegation of the International Jewish Committee for Interreligious Consultations, the Vatican’s official partner for interfaith dialogue with the world’s Jews.

In his speech, Francis stated that the church condemns “hate, persecution and all manifestations of antisemitism.”

He also reiterated that the Second Vatican Council’s 1965 declaration “Nostra Aetate” remains the key point of reference for Catholic-Jewish relations.

READ MORE: http://www.charismanews.com/world/40015-pope-francis-vows-to-deepen-catholic-jewish-relations

Perhaps I should mention that numerous Catholic prophecies tell of a time when the Jews will convert to the faith of the Church of Rome.  Presumable, Pope Francis is aware of them.  Here are two:

Blessed Anna Maria Taigi (died 1837): “described to me the great ordeal ahead. Rome would be battered by revolutions…Millions of men would die by the sword in war and civil strife, other millions would perish in unforeseen death. Then entire nations would return to the unity of the Church, and many Turks, Pagans and Jews would be converted and their fervour cover with confusion the original Christians. In one word she told me that our Lord was intending to cleanse the world and His Church…” (Bessieres A. Wife, Mother and Mystic (Blessed Anna Maria Taigi). Nihil Obstat: Carlos Davis, S.T.L. Imprimatur: E Morrough Bernard, Westmonasteri, die Februari, 1952. Reprint TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1982, p. 166).

Magdalene Porsat (19th century): A grand event shall have to take place in order to terrify the wicked to their advantage. After this, Mary, all-powerful, shall change all men into good wheat. All shall be good. The Pharisees (the hypocrites) will be the last (to be converted); the great brigands (great sinners) will arrive beforehand. The Jews who have refused to receive Jesus Christ in his humiliation will acknowledge him at the glorious arrival of Mary…The hour is not far distant. It is Mary in person! (Rossi,  G. THE CHRISTIAN TRUMPET, OR, Previsions and Predictions about Impending General Calamities, The Universal Triumph of the Church, The Coming of Antichrist, The Last Judgment, and The End of the World. Compiled by PELLEGRINO [Gaudentius Rossi], A Missionary Priest with Superior’s permission. Boston, THOS. B. NOONAND & CO., 1873, p. 135)

Some believe that Pope Francis has an ecumenical agenda:

Is Pope Francis Laying The Groundwork For A One World Religion?

April 14, 2013

Does Pope Francis intend to help the global elite achieve their goal of uniting all of the religions of the world under a single banner? Will he be instrumental in establishing a single global religion for the glorious “new age” that the global elite believe is coming? After he was elected, the cover of Time Magazine declared Pope Francis to be the “New World Pope“, and since his election Pope Francis has made it abundantly clear that he is going to make ecumenical outreach a top priority. He has spoken of his “determination to continue on the path of ecumenical dialogue“, and he has already held a number of very high profile ecumenical meetings. Not only has he worked hard to reach out to leaders from various Christian traditions, he has also made it a point to try to acknowledge the mutual bonds that he feels with all other religions. For example, in one recent address he made it a point to say that he believes that Muslims worship and pray to the “one God” that he also worships…

If there is going to be a one world religion, there will have to be a bond formed between Roman Catholicism and Islam…That is one reason why what Pope Francis has already had to say about Islam is so noteworthy. The following comes from remarks that he made during his very first ecumenical meeting…

I then greet and cordially thank you all, dear friends belonging to other religious traditions; first of all the Muslims, who worship the one God, living and merciful, and call upon Him in prayer, and all of you. I really appreciate your presence: in it I see a tangible sign of the will to grow in mutual esteem and cooperation for the common good of humanity…

But of course Pope Francis is not just reaching out to the Islamic world.

He has also been working hard to “intensify dialogue” with other Christian traditions.

In particular, he seems quite interested in improving relations with the Orthodox churches of the east…

For now, Pope Francis just seems to be laying the groundwork for the one world religion that is coming. There is a 900-year-old prophecy that indicates that Pope Francis could be the last Pope. If that prophecy is true, then it will be very important to watch the actions of this Pope very carefully. http://marketdailynews.com/2013/04/14/is-pope-francis-laying-the-groundwork-for-a-one-world-religion/

If Pope Francis is truly the last pope, and that is not clear yet, he will ultimately allow the Church of Rome to be betrayed and will work to bring in the Muslims and Jews. Notice some statements from my book The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis?:

Although the Bible predicts that an age of peace will come, it (along with certain non-biblical sources) actually predicts that a horrible militaristic dictator will first come upon the scene and implement a false ecumenical religion with the assistance of a “miracle-performing” religious leader while enforcing a militaristic “peace” upon the world…

The Bible suggests, that for a time (cf. Revelation 13:4), that Islam may temporarily accept some ecumenical Catholicism, before engaging in a battle with the nominally Catholic King of the North (Daniel 11:40).

The Bible (Daniel 11:40-43), Catholic prophecy (Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p. 36), and certain Islamic prophecy all suggest that the forces of Islam will lose (Glasse C. New Encyclopedia of Islam: A Revised Edition of the Concise Encyclopedia of Islam, 3rd edition, 2008, pp. 143, 316; Ibn Zubair Ali, Mohammed Ali. The minor signs of Last Days from: The Signs of Qiyamah. http://www.islamawareness.net/Prophecies/minor.html viewed 06/21/09). Biblical (Daniel 9:27; 11:27) and Islamic prophecy (Ibid) indicates this happens after some type of “peace deal“ and during the time of the final Antichrist…

As far as ecumenical tendencies, the Bible shows that the False Prophet, who supports the Beast of the Sea (Revelation 13:1-10) and final King of the North (Daniel 11:28-45), will be successful in getting people in the world to worship (Revelation 13:4,8) in a different way (cf. Daniel 11:36-38). Certain Catholic prophecies suggest that this leader will try to suggest that this way is the original catholic faith, which it will not be. It will likely call itself Catholic. Yet, according to biblical and Catholic prophecies, he will betray the city of seven hills (Rome).

Since Pope Francis I has not performed the types of signs and wonders that Revelation 13:13-16 requires (to cite one example) it is not clear that he is the last pope. But, because of the timing of his election and other factors, if he lives long enough, he could be…

The Bible specifies that the someone/something is a city that rules over the world. Since the time of Jesus, what are the only organizations that ruled over much of the old Roman Empire from a seven-hilled city?

They would include the old Roman Empire, the Church of Rome, and to a lessor degree, the Eastern Orthodox Church (Constantinople/ Istanbul is on seven-hills, similar to Rome and had a certain prominence for about 1,000 years). They have had relations with world rulers that have not always lived up to New Testament ideals and actually are the only ones that could possibly fit the historical record…

This destruction of Rome is consistent with various Catholic private prophecies that suggest that a top Roman clergy member (like a pope) would betray their church and oversee the destruction of Rome…

For years I have believed that the last pope would not truly be Catholic. He would be a different type of “antipope” (most antipopes occurred because of disputed elections, but I have suggested that a pontiff who does not hold too many of the core beliefs of the Church of Rome would also seem to fit the definition of an antipope).

Will Pope Francis I end up being that pontiff?

(Thiel B. The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Nazarene Books, 2013, pp. 9-10, 19-20, 21,86-89)

COGwriter

The USA is cutting the size of its army:

June 25, 2013

WASHINGTON In a massive restructuring, the U.S. Army is slashing the number of active duty combat brigades from 45 to 33, and shifting thousands of soldiers out of bases around the country as it moves forward with a longtime plan to cut the size of the service by 80,000.

Officials say the sweeping changes would eliminate brigades at 10 Army bases in the U.S. by 2017, including in Texas, Kentucky, Georgia, Colorado, North Carolina, New York, Kansas and Washington. The Army will also cut thousands of other jobs across the service, including soldiers in units that support the brigades, and two brigades in Germany have already been scheduled for elimination.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57590979/army-to-cut-brigades-at-10-u.s-bases/

Many think that the military of the USA is too strong to ever be beat militarily. The Europeans are not comfortable standing by as the USA slowly diverts military protection away from them. Although they have started to respond, they will respond more and the USA will not like what will happen.

The US Air Force announced major cuts this year (Budget cuts to ground 1/3 of US Air Force); as has the US Navy (Pentagon concerned about additional looming defense cuts–prophetic ramifications?).

Recently, the US Army removed all of it tanks from Germany (There are no longer USA tanks in Germany: Do Americans understand this is a serious risk?).  This helps put the USA in a situation that it simply will not be able to effectively react if European forces attack

I have taught for years that the USA would switch priorities away from military spending, and this reduction of army troops, as well as presence in Germany, is another confirmation.

The power in Europe is starting to rise up. And yes, ultimately, I believe that Europe’s Galileo ‘GPS’ or similar technology, as well as what is likely to come from Europe’s Large Hadron Collider and/or Germany’s FAIR collider, will be used to as part of an attack on American (USA and possibly Canadian) forces, as well as to help prevent high-tech counter-strikes from the USA.  With the loss of tanks and more ground troops in Europe, the USA will also not be able to effectively respond in a more conventional manner as well.

Europe will further develop military technology to fill in the gap.  And the USA will one day regret it according to Bible prophecy (e.g. Daniel 11:39).

As, Jesus said,  “Watch” (Mark 13:37).

Some items of related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
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.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the former German Defense Minister (who is also the former German Minister for Economics and Technology) one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”?
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people?
Large Hadron Collider may result in military applications The Europeans have the largest physics project on the planet. Some scoff, but might it result in military applications? May the Large Hadron Collider help fulfill Revelation 13:4?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?

Symbol of the Bundeswehr

COGwriter

PCG reported the following:

25 June 2013

In moves akin to the old adage, “softly, softly, catchee monkey,” Germany has gradually emerged from its postwar cocoon as a “peaceful democracy” and, since reunification, has steadily begun demonstrating its old character traits.

But the pace is quickening in one crucial area—the influencing of German public opinion regarding its armed forces.

With the World War ii generation now rapidly dying out, Germany’s elites are currently stepping up their efforts to encourage the nation’s postwar offspring to show pride in not only Germany’s historical imperial past, but also the present and increasing role its military forces are playing in deployment around the world…

During his tenure in the German Defense Ministry, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg was very conscious of the need to change public opinion to being more supportive of the German military forces, most particularly in the light of their increasing involvement in overseas peace monitoring missions. He oversaw the opening up of the Bundeswehr online television channel to public access in 2010. Bundeswehr tv gives regular updates on the German military forces in an upbeat format designed to capture both the attention and the sympathy of the German public as well as enhance the morale of the troops. http://www.thetrumpet.com/article/10745.18.0.0/world/military/germany-return-of-national-pride

Of course, pretty much all nations want their citizens to support their own military.

The issue with Germany is a little different, however, as since WWII it has tried to downplay its militaristic role in history as well as to try to deflect criticism that it still has militaristic ambitions for Europe.

Now the agency officially responsible for the military in Germany is called the Bundeswehr.  Here is some of what its official website says about itself and its mission (note this was machine-translated into English as the original is in the German language and multiple pages were accessed from www.bundeswehr.de/):

Mission of the Bundeswehr

The Bundeswehr

• Germany and protects its citizens,
• secures the action in foreign policy of Germany,
• contributes to the defense of allies,
• contributes to stability and partnership in the international context
  and promotes multinational cooperation and European integration.

Basics – Why Armed Forces?

According to Article 87a of the Basic Law, the Federation forces for the defense. Defense, however, now includes more than the conventional defense at the borders against a conventional attack. It includes the prevention of conflicts and crises that joint crisis management and post-crisis.

Accordingly, defense geographically not possible to narrow down, but contributes to safeguarding our security wherever it is threatened. The compatibility of international missions of the Bundeswehr, which are carried out in the context of systems of collective security, the constitution was certified by the Constitutional Court and the German Bundestag.

Notice that the defense of Germany anywhere and supporting European integration are essentially the stated goals of the Bundeswehr.  European integration will lead to the rise of the end-time Beast power of biblical prophecy!

Wikipedia (viewed today) has the following comment about the Bundeswehr:

The Bundeswehr in general is among the world’s most technologically advanced and best-supplied militaries, as befits Germany’s overall economic prosperity and significant military industry.

For many years (see my 2009 book, 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, for one example), I have warned that the USA will likely be overwhelmed by a European power which has certain technological advantages.  I also included the following in my book Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term:

Destruction is Coming

Yet, instead of being worried about this coming Beast power,  the United States and some of the other Anglo-powers, seem to be encouraging the development of a major power in Europe…

The Bible shows that the Beast will have special help from “unclean spirits” (Revelation 16:13) and will be considered to be unconquerable (Revelation 13:4).

Notice what the Bible says about this:

3…And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:3-4, NKJV)

Notice that the military power of the Beast was something that the world will marvel, be astonished about.  Why?  Because no one really thought that the European Beast power had the military ability to defeat the U.S.A. with its Anglo-allies (Daniel 11:39), and then the Islamic King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43).  Revelation 13:3-4 also supports the idea that the Beast may rise up because of violent civil unrest in Europe.

Technology may be key to a powerful European military.  One aspect could include particle collider research.  The number of colliders in the U.S.A. has dwindled down to one under the Obama and Bush Administrations, and the remaining one is facing budget cuts and possible closure.  Yet, in Europe, it now has the leading one in the world, CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and in 2012, Germany announced that it is planning a possibly even more advanced one called FAIR (FAIR stands for the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research).

I believe that Germany’s FAIR, along with the LHC and other technology, will help the Europeans produce military weaponry to fulfill certain end time prophecies. Since Revelation 13:4 is discussing what seems to be a unique type of warfare, this warfare likely includes certain high-tech weapons (electromagnetic pulse, neutron, unique delivery systems, etc.) that will be effective for a while (ultimately the Europeans will be overcome by what appears to be a Russian-led, mainly Asian, confederation, cf. Jeremiah 50:41-43 & Daniel 11:44, possibly by exploiting some technological flaw, like creating a software virus, etc., while also amassing troops, etc.). The FAIR and the LHC projects are also likely to spin-off economic benefits that may help propel Europe to be (for a short while) the economic leader of the world (cf. Revelation 18).

While the U.S.A., Australia, and others are currently worried mostly about China, the European developments will not be good for the Anglo-descended lands, including England. (Thiel B. Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term. Nazarene Books, 2012/2013, pp. 120-122)

While many believe that Germany’s intentions are peaceful (and the Bible teaches that many in Germany truly think they are per Isaiah 10:7), they will not remain that way.  Preparing their people to better respect and support their military, while increasing its technical abilities will lead to war–and several of them (cf. Daniel 11:39, 40-43) will be so successful that the world will marvel (cf. Revelation 13:4).

Here is something else from my book Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term:

Instead of completely strengthening the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS), Barack Obama’s Administration instead decided to rely on Europe’s upcoming Galileo “GPS” for part of the U.S.A.’s military defense (U.S. and the EU to collaborate on the usage of Global Navigation Satellite Systems. Wire Update, BNO News, July 31, 2010). This would appear to give the rising European power a unique offensive and defensive capability against the U.S.A. (cf. Daniel 11:39; Revelation 13:3-4). It is dangerous to have a potential enemy control portions of one’s military communications systems.   (Thiel B. Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term. Nazarene Books, 2012/2013, p. 47)

Additionally, I should add that Germany has control of a fair amount of USA military technology and I believe it will use that against the USA and its allies as well. In addition to nuclear weapons of the USA, Europe’s upcoming Galileo satellite system will give Germany and the Europeans the ability to interfere with the USA’s ability to respond to an attack.

How can the German-dominated European-power beat the USA?

Essentially, the Europeans will position their economy in such a way that it will not be perceived to be as risky as that of the USA, while they also increase their military technology.  And eventually, perhaps under the guise of a NATO exercise, launch a surprise attack once the USA has been weakened by by weather problems, terrorist acts, war, riots, solar flares, severe earthquakes, civil unrest, devastation of their genetically-modified food supplies, food shortages, and/or various pestilences–an intensity of “sorrows” such as Jesus discussed in Matthew 24:4-8 leading up to the time of the Great Tribulation.   Disasters, especially if there is an ElectroMagnetic Pulse (emp) attack or a severe solar flare storm, could be part of a so-called “perfect storm” of events that could set the USA for destruction.

The end-time European power will take advantage of circumstances, trust, and timing (cf. Daniel 8:23-25).

The Bible shows that a coming European power will beat the nation with the “strongest fortresses” (Daniel 11:39).  Is it not the USA and its Anglo-allies that possess the strongest military in the world today?  Well, the Bible shows that at near the appointed time of the end, that strongest military power will be taken over.

Steps are being taken right now for that to happen.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? The Book of Revelation tells of a beast power that will rise up. Some think that this must be Russia or could be Islamic, while others say that this power is European. The Book of Daniel tells of the rise of an end time King of the North that some think must be referring to a Russian leader, while others say that this power is European. How can you be sure? This YouTube video has all the scriptural proofs that you should need to prove that this power must be a European one.
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the former German Defense Minister (who is also the former German Minister for Economics and Technology) one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? What MUST happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves?
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.

Bethlehem (Painting, 1882)

COGwriter

There seems to be more evidence of the biblical David and/or his son Solomon, but it seems to be related to a political cover-up:

A carved pillar discovered near Bethlehem may be linked to the Biblical King of Kings, David himself, or perhaps validate the scope of wise Solomon’s majestic kingdom.

If they ever get around to digging it up, that is.

Israeli tour guide Binyamin Tropper, who thought he was the first to discover the major historical artifact, was astonished to find out that authorities had known about the pillar for decades — and had been keeping it a secret all that time.

“When I realized the significance of the pillar, I told my boss who spoke with the Israeli Antiquities Authority (IAA),” Tropper, who works at the educational field school at Kibbutz Kfar Etzion, told FoxNews.com. “The IAA then told him, ‘that’s great, now shut up.'” http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/06/20/find-from-era-king-david-confirm-old-testament/

As we get closer to the end, it is interesting that archeologists continue to find more evidence of biblical peoples, places, figures, and events.  But it is interesting how politics even affects matters such as archaeology.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Read the Bible Christians should read and study the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading. Here is a link in Mandarin Chinese: 读圣经

Bible: Superstition or Authority? Should you rely on the Bible? Is it reliable? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
What is the Appropriate Form of Biblical Interpretation? Should the Bible be literally understood? What do the writings of the Bible, Origen, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Augustine show?
Bible and Historical Resources on the Internet Electronic bibles, Two Babylons, early Christian literature, photos, and even links to old Herbert W. Armstrong materials.

Biblical Archaeology This is a website that has more information on biblical archeological as is sometimes known as the Bib Arch site.