Church of God News

COGwriter

The US President Barack Obama (Democrat) and the US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican) made the news for statements that some believe are preludes to how both the Democrats and Republicans plan to handle the next scheduled budget crisis:

July 25, 2013

To the public, Mr. Obama relayed his long-term vision for economic growth. To Congress, he issued a challenge: “Stop taking meaningless repeal votes and share your ideas with the country,” he said. “Repealing Obamacare and cutting spending is not an economic plan.”

In fact, rolling back the president’s health care law and continuing to cut spending are two major elements of the Republican agenda, and they have shown no signs of backing down. The president’s economic speeches – which wrap up Thursday in Jacksonville, Fla. – do not appear to be changing that dynamic.

On the Senate floor…Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., slammed the president…”Give me a break. There is a real philosophical debate going on in our country, but it’s not anything like how he imagines it,” McConnell said. “I’d say it’s more of a debate between those who believe in a government that’s smarter and more efficient, and some who just seem to believe in government, against all the evidence, between those who draw the obvious lessons from human tragedies in places like Greece and Detroit, and some who just can’t face up to the logical endpoints of their own ideology – who can’t accept the terrible pain their own ideas inevitably inflict on the weakest in society.”

The opposing philosophies driving Democrats and Republicans will come crashing together this fall, when Congress is forced to extend funding for the federal government and increase the nation’s borrowing authority – two congressional obligations that in recent years have led to bitter political showdowns. The debate over government funding is exacerbated this fall by the fact that Washington has yet to find a way to “replace” the universally-despised sequestration budget cuts that are set to slash more than $1 trillion over a decade. On top of all that, open enrollment for the Obamacare health care exchanges is set to start this fall, and funding for the new law at this critical juncture gives the GOP one more point of leverage.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57595395/as-obama-talks-washington-barrels-toward-budget-showdown/

Obama accused opposition Republicans in Congress of blocking his economic plans for political reasons.

“But with this endless parade of distractions and political posturing and phony scandals, Washington has taken its eye off the ball.  And I am here to say this needs to stop. This needs to stop,” he said…

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Polls show Americans are worried about the sluggish economy.

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Steve Bell heads economic studies at Washington’s Bipartisan Policy Center. “By about a two-to-one margin, Americans think the country is going in the wrong direction, it has gotten off track.  It has been that way now for about six or seven years,” he said.

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Bell says Americans can see that the slow economic recovery is not reaching the working class. “Bit by bit, Americans feel in their, you know, feel in their bones when things in their community are not going right,” he said.  But, he says, the president’s economic proposals face as much Republican opposition as ever.

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Before Obama delivered his speech, the top Senate Republican, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, dismissed it. “It’s just such a colossal waste of time and energy – resources that would be better spent actually working with both parties in Congress to grow the economy and create jobs,” he said.

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Despite the opposition, the president hopes to increase public pressure on Congress to avoid showdowns over taxes and spending in the coming months.  http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-puts-economic-focus-on-middle-class/1709304.html

So, it seems that many in the country are concerned about the economy, and the political leaders in Washington are have what appears to be a scheduled ‘budget crisis’ coming up.  Technically, only a need for a budget is scheduled, but more of a crisis is expected.

Furthermore, to actually resolve the problems and actually have a real balanced budget (one where the revenues do not exceed the expected federal expenditures) is virtually impossible.

This will mean addition US debt.  Ultimately, this will cause a more severe crisis.

Notice that the Bible teaches the following about leaders, debt, and end time destruction:

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

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

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

The above prophecy will be fulfilled at the time of the end (cf. “The message was true, but the appointed time was long…in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come,” Daniel 10:1,14).  The nation with the greatest debt of all time is the United States of America, and on a per capita basis one of the top ones may be the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is the the United States and its Anglo-allies that have loaded pledges of debt in these end times that they really do not expect to pay back.

Now, the real cause of all of this overspending is sin. The USA has moved away from traditional marriage, expanded homosexual “rights,” increased its tolerance for pornography, exports entertainment with lower and lower standards, has violence in the land, encourages/engages in violence elsewhere, seeks to expand abortion, does not truly value truth, and basically is turning further and further away from biblical morality.

And while this is true for some other lands as well, the USA, with its earlier respect for certain Judeo-Christian values should know better. The New Testament clearly teaches:

48 For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required (Luke 12:48).

The U.S.A. and its Anglo-allies have been given much. The three “most sinful nations” according to a 2010 BBC report based on the classic ‘seven deadly sins’—lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride’— were Australia, the United States, and Canada (‘The Most Sinful Nation on Earth,’ February 2010, p. 30). The United Kingdom was 6th on that list. And while one can argue if other nations should be ahead of them on a sin-list, the reality is that the Anglo-nations promote a lot of sin. And they accept more and more sin.

Despite its military strength (which is getting affected by the debt situation as well as homosexuality, etc.), destruction is coming to the USA (Daniel 11:39).  While the return of Jesus and the establishment of His Kingdom will reverse these and other problems, it is fairly clear that USA politicians will not.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The Debt Crisis Will Be Worse Than Most Imagine What are the ramifications of the various debt crisis issues facing the United States of America. What does the Bible warn about related to an end-time power that is greatly in debt? What does the Bible reveal that most news commentators do not? How will the debt crisis really end?  This is a video.
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?
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?
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.
The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality? There is also a YouTube video of related interest titled Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children.
Pornography: A scourge on society Is pornography harmless fun? Does the Bible teach anything about it? What are the views of some involved with it?
British and American Moral Decay Public nudity is becoming more prevalent in the Anglo-lands. What are some of the consequences?
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.
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? A booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom.
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

A report related to the release of trapped methane gas in the Arctic may raise temperatures and sea levels:

LONDON — A release of methane in the Arctic could speed the melting of sea ice and climate change with a cost to the global economy of up to $60 trillion over coming decades, according to a paper published in the journal Nature.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge and Erasmus University in the Netherlands used economic modeling to calculate the consequences of a release of a 50-gigatonne reservoir of methane from thawing permafrost under the East Siberian Sea…

That approaches the value of the global economy, which was around $70 trillion last year.

The costs could be even greater if other factors such as ocean acidification were included, the study said, or reduced to some $37 trillion if action is taken to lower emissions.

As much as 80 percent of the costs would likely be borne by developing countries experiencing more extreme weather, flooding, droughts and poorer health as the Arctic melt affects the global climate, the paper said.

Methane is a greenhouse gas usually trapped as methane hydrate in sediment beneath the seabed. As temperatures rise, the hydrate breaks down and methane is released from the seabed, mostly dissolving into the seawater.

But if trapped methane were to break the sea surface and escape into the atmosphere, it could “speed up sea-ice retreat, reduce the reflection of solar energy and accelerate the melting of the Greenland ice sheet,” the study said.

It said that could bring forward the date at which the global mean temperature rise exceeds 2 degrees Celsius by between 15 and 35 years — to 2035 if no action is taken to curb emissions and to 2040 if enough action is taken to have a 50 percent chance of keeping the rise below 2 degrees.

Scientists have said the rise in global average temperatures this century needs to stay below 2 degrees Celsius to prevent devastating climate effects such as crop failure and melting glaciers.

However, the International Energy Agency warned last month that the world is on course for a rise of 3.6 to 5.3 degrees Celsius citing record high global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions last year. http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-study-indicates-methane-gas-release-could-cost-economy-up-to-60-trillion/1709431.html

Presuming that the above is accurate (and yes, there have been a lot of manipulated climate-related reports, and some have disputed this methane matter), it is of some possible prophetic concern.

The Bible itself tells of a time of disturbances including rising sea levels before Jesus returns:

25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21:25-27)

41 Oh, how the praise of the whole earth is seized! How Babylon has become desolate among the nations! 42 The sea has come up over Babylon; She is covered with the multitude of its waves. 43 Her cities are a desolation, A dry land and a wilderness, A land where no one dwells, Through which no son of man passes. 44 I will punish Bel in Babylon, And I will bring out of his mouth what he has swallowed; And the nations shall not stream to him anymore. Yes, the wall of Babylon shall fall. 45 “My people, go out of the midst of her! And let everyone deliver himself from the fierce anger of the LORD (Jeremiah 51:41-45).

17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. (Revelation 16:17-20)

The Bible teaches that a time of high heat is coming (and that is higher heat than the amount that methane now seems to be indicated as possibly being involved in):

8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory. (Revelation 16:8-9)

And although the above heat is being released by an angelic being, it may very well be that Arctic methane release will be one factor to predispose the planet for that heat, as well as possibly the rising sea levels.

Notice also the following which suggests that humans severely damaged the environment:

18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth (Revelation 11:18).

As far as humankind’s intended role with the environment, notice the following:

15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it (Genesis 2:15).

The concept of tending and keeping a garden suggests proper environmental stewardship. While I do not wish to get into the global warming debate (and “destroying the earth” is likely to include moral issues and war and not just pollution), I will state that the Bible shows that God is not pleased when humans abuse the environment.

And the time for God’s judgment is coming. It is even possible that the “beginning of sorrows” which includes “troubles” has began. The time to turn to God is now, for whosoever will respond to God’s calling.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done? What does the Bible teach about weather? Here is a related YouTube video Does God Use Weather?
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally? There is also a video titled What is the meaning of your life?
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.
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.
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2014, 2015, or 2016? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before in the “beginning of sorrows”? 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?

COGwriter

The latest issue (#153, print date July 22, 2013) of The Journal was sent out electronically today.

It has a listing of a variety of Feast of Tabernacles’ sites, including three for the Continuing Church of God (which can, with additional details, be found in the article Feast of Tabernacles’ Sites for 2013).

The front cover had an article about a joint COG. Big Sandy and CGI Pentecost service:

BIG SANDY, Texas—The head- quarters congregation of the Church of God International (CGI), which meets in nearby Tyler, met with the Church of God Big Sandy for the Day of Pentecost on Sunday, May 19. “It was espe- cially meaningful to be in fellow- ship with brethren of several different organizations on Pentecost,” said Charles Groce, chief ex- ecutive officer of the CGI. “Mr. Havir’s invitation for collective worship was well received and continued the Church of God Big Sandy’s outreach to brethren of like mind.”

One of the lead articles by Dixon Cartwright has the following about UCG:

Victor Kubik, until recently a member of the United Church of God’s council of elders, is its new president. The news of Mr. Kubik’s new post came May 8, 2013, in an announce- ment from Robin Webber, council chairman. Mr. Webber served recently as acting president after 76-year-old Dennis Luker’s death on March 14 in the Seattle, Wash., area.

I reported about some of this last May (see Victor Kubik is UCG’s new president).  Speaking of UCG, a UCG member named Tina Engelbert had an article in The Journal about her views on women political leaders.  For a biblical view on the role of women in the New Testament, please check out the article: Women and the New Testament Church.

The back cover of The Journal had the following from Leon Sexton of Legacy Institute:

I am astonished at the development taking place in the country now called Myanmar. (“Myanmar” is a closer pronunciation of the old name for the country than the British in- vention of “Burma.”) We also came for Passover in 2012. Myanmar is changing dramatically since then. New cars pack the streets in Rangoon…

In Kachinland, Northern Myanmar, there is continuous fighting between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Burma Army. Most of the fighting is taking place along the border with China in the east…

China has been investing in Myanmar heavily for at least a decade, and now, with the visit of former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama, the United States will invest in Myanmar to counter the Chinese. Also, it is a little known fact that Myanmar is rich in rare-earth minerals (REMs), including gold and uranium. Myanmar also has reserves of oil and gas. It is a wealthy country in terms of natural resources…What that will mean is uncertain, but what is sure is that opportunities for preaching the gospel will be increased manifold. Please pray for God’s work in Myanmar and the rest of Southeast Asia.

Myanmar/Burma and the border regions there have long been in my prayers.  We actually sent three different issues of CCOG’s Bible News Prophecy magazine to to Kachinland two days ago.  It is an area that is poor, but long has had COG interest.  It is an area that I not only pray about, but with our new websites for the region (www.ccog.asia and www.ccog.in), as well as literature, an area we are actively trying to reach.

The Journal itself is available by paid subscription (though Dixon Cartwright says some subscriptions are free to those who cannot afford it) and often tends to take a non-Philadelphian era view of certain church matters.  But I will add that agree that areas such as Myanmar and Kachinland need to be better reached per Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19-20, and we in CCOG are trying to do so.

Pope Francis (Source: presidencia.gov.ar)

COGwriter

Pope Francis went to a Marion shrine in Brazil today:

Massive Crowds Greet Pope at Brazil Shrine

July 24, 2013

Pope Francis has arrived in the southeastern Brazilian city of Aparecida, where he is celebrating Mass with tens of thousands of Roman Catholics.

About 2,000 police are on hand to provide security at the shrine of the Virgin of Aparecida, the country’s symbol of the Virgin Mary. Officials expect nearly 200,000 people to gather outside the shrine during Francis’ visit…

The visit to Brazil, and his return to his home continent of South America, is the former Argentine-born Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio’s first foreign trip since he was elected pope in March.  http://www.voanews.com/content/massive-crowds-greet-pope-francis-at-southeastern-brazil-shrine/1708778.html

The Lady of Kingdoms

The Bible warns of a “virgin” that uses enchantments who is also called the Lady of Kingdoms:

1 Come down, sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne for the daughter of the Chaldeans, for thou shalt no more be called delicate and tender…4 Our redeemer, the Lord of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel. 5 Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called the lady of kingdoms. 6 I was angry with my people, I have polluted my inheritance, and have given them into thy bend: thou hast shown no mercy to them: upon the ancient thou hast laid thy yoke exceeding heavy.

7 And thou hast said: I shall be a lady forever: thou hast not laid these things to thy heart, neither hast thou remembered thy latter end.

8 And now hear these things, thou that art delicate, and dwellest confidently, that sayest in thy heart: I am, and there is none else besides me: I shall not sit as a widow, and I shall not know barrenness.

9 These two things shall come upon thee suddenly in one day, barrenness and widowhood. All things are come upon thee, because of the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great hardness of thy enchanters. 10 And thou best trusted in thy wickedness, and hast said: There is none that seeth me. Thy wisdom, and thy knowledge, this hath deceived thee. And thou best said in thy heart: I am, and besides me there is no other. 11 Evil shall come upon thee, and then shalt not know the rising thereof: and calamity shall fall violently upon thee, which thou canst not keep off: misery shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know. 12 Stand now with thy enchanters, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, in which thou hast laboured from thy youth, if so be it may profit thee any thing, or if thou mayst become stronger. 13 Thou hast failed in the multitude or thy counsels: let now the astrologers stand and save thee, they that gazed at the stars, and counted the months, that from them they might tell the things that shall come to thee. (Isaiah 47:1, 4-7, 11-13, DRB)…

The Bible also seems to connect the Lady’s haughty comments in verses 7 & 8 with those of the harlot of Revelation 17:1, 18; 18:7-8, 11 and the city in Zephaniah 2:15.

Some may be surprised to see this, but this immoral “Lady” also seems to have the title of “queen” and “harlot”:

7 You thought, ‘I shall be a queen forever.’ 8…’I am the only one who matters. I shall never be widowed, never know bereavement.’ 9 Yet both these things will befall you, suddenly, in one day. Bereavement and widowhood will suddenly befall you… (Isaiah 47:7, 8b, 9 NJB)

4 Because of the multitude of harlotries of the seductive harlot, The mistress of sorceries, Who sells nations through her harlotries, And families through her sorceries. (Nahum 3:4, NKJV)

5 Look, I am against you!- declares Yahweh Sabaoth- I shall lift your skirts as high as your face and show your nakedness to the nations, your shame to the kingdoms. (Nahum 3:5, NJB)

3 All the nations have drunk deep of the wine of her prostitution; every king on the earth has prostituted himself with her, and every merchant grown rich through her debauchery. (Revelation 18:3, NJB)

17:1…Come, I will shew thee the condemnation of the great harlot, who sitteth upon many waters…18:7 As much as she hath glorified herself, and lived in delicacies, so much torment and sorrow give ye to her; because she saith in her heart: I sit a queen, and am no widow; and sorrow I shall not see. 8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine,and she shall be burnt with the fire; because God is strong, who shall judge her. (Revelation 17:1b,18:7-8, DRB)

So, what will happen to the queen/Lady of the Kingdoms as well as to Babylon is warned against in Revelation. (Thiel B. Fatima Shock! Nazarene Books. 2012, pp. 152-155)

Laodicea has many ineffective structures

COGwriter

A reader sent me an email to inform me the following:

Dr. Thiel if you’ve listened to some of the 14 sermons since last December by Mr. Pack this reunification of sorts hinges on the deaths of three leading shepherd’s (who are misleading their flocks) according to Mr. Pack’s interpretation of the Haggai prophesy.

He has not specifically named the three to the brethren but has said he’s floated the names among his ministers and they agree.

Three…leading shepherds are to die by Fire on August 30, 2013- six weeks from now.  He walks this out, then walks this back seemingly every sermon. He is not surmising, musing, he clearly has prophesied this and so I an many others await Aug 31. He listed 20 of 40 of so reasons why it has to be this year in Part 14 two weeks ago.

He also muses that he doesn’t care if they die by fire, it can be anything- accident, cancer, etc. But he has made much of the death by Fire that he can’t walk that back either, at least not to congregants with an IQ above room temperature.

My response to him included the following:

If you can give me a couple of verbatim quotes, as well as which sermon they were in, this is something I would be interested in quoting.

He responded with:

will do – the intimation is you are one of the three- but since Mr.Pack has not announced I can’t be sure

Let me state for the record that I will not die on August 30, 2013.  If David Pack was including me, he is very wrong about that.

The reader who sent me those emails later said he would send me more detailed notes about David Pack’s sermons by late last night, which he did.

And this morning, I read what he sent.  Note: This reader has been reliable in the past, and he gives details for those who want to listen to this personally.  Anyway, here are his excerpts from one of David Pack’s sermons:

All Brethren United Soon Part 12

How could so many things happen in 24 hours?

Minute 26. Three men die- Elul 24, then everyone makes a decision that day.

Minute 29. Certain things about this prophesy is very complex, others are very simple.

Minute 30. No way everything could happen in one day.

Minute 32. Do you care most how the 3 Shephard’s die?  In their sleep, by fire?

Do you care who they are?

If God tells us then I want to know otherwise it doesn’t matter.

You are going to find out how they die and who they are.

Minute 33. I know their names 100% sure. Don’t want the names out yet. Now I’m certain I know.

Do you care where it happens? I don’t know where it will happen.

I know how they die and who they are. I’m certain.

Minute 34. How about when they die?  They die sooner then we thought.

Do they die together or separately. I know they die together.

Two culminating events. The death of these men is the first. The central point is God is going to bring his people back together/unify his people.

Although I have not listened to David Pack’s recent sermons, the above seems consistent with certain statements that he has posted.

The 24th of Elul is August 30, 2013.  If I, Bob Thiel, am actually one of the three that are supposed to die, and I am supposed to die with the other two, this is even more extreme delusion on the part of David Pack.  While I suspect that I may know who two ‘shepherds’ that are allegedly going to die then according to David Pack, I feel it is better not to mention those two at COGwriter lest some RCG supporters go over the edge and attempt to make David Pack’s false prophecy somewhat true.

Similarities to Ronald Weinland?

One point about his Part 12 sermon that is interesting is that David Pack’s statement indicating that the death of the three shepherds comes first really reminds me of something that the false prophet Ron Weinland wrote in his book 2008: God’s Final Witness:

The most notable deaths early on, which are yet to come to pass, will be the two remaining television presenters in the Living Church of God.

The sound of this thunder will be intensified by the early deaths of the leaders of the Philadelphia Church of God, the Restored Church of God and the Church of the Great God. Then, those in the largest scattered group, who think they have escaped, will be lifted up to believe that God is with them because they are so filled with pride. But, when that happens, the deaths of many in the United Church of God will begin (2008 – God’s Final Witness, Copyright © 2006 by the-end.com, inc., Cincinnati. Published October, 2006, p. 107-108).

None of the people that CGPFKG’s Ronald Weinland declared would die first have died and they were supposed to be some of the first proof that he was right (they were supposed to originally die in 2008 according to Weinland).  Furthermore, Ron Weinland claimed to have been granted special powers in a post dated 4/18/2008:

The Seventh Seal has been opened and now the First Trumpet has been blown…

Having said that, more will be said in the months to come, but now is the time to publicly reveal the name of the second end-time witness. It is my wife Laura. We are a family through whom God will be working to bring an end to this age and setting the stage (and much more) for the age to follow. Many will mock and ridicule, but as we go forward, this time God will place fear in those who mock Him and His servants. Power has been given to make this so.

A month or so after that threat came out, a follower of CGPFKG’s Ronald Weinland  emailed me and basically told me that he thought that I was not reporting as much about Ronald Weinland because supposedly I was dying as the result of Ron Weinland’s curse.  I informed him that I had not been reporting as much about Weinland then as there was less to report and been in Turkey for 10 days that month.  I also informed him that I was not dying.

But while Ron Weinland was wrong about my death and the deaths of certain others, I posted this about him (as well as David Pack):

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. (2 Peter 2:1-3).

And this, in Ron Weinland’s case has basically come to pass as he is currently in federal prison.  David Pack will also have issues (though not necessarily anything like Weinland’s tax evasion conviction.

Will RCG supporters stay with David Pack once he is proven wrong on this?  If the track record with CGPFKG’s Ronald Weinland  is any indication, sadly some will.  But others will also likely leave (which happened to Ron Weinland).

More David Pack Sermon Information

Getting back to David Pack’s sermons, the reader who listened to them also sent me the following related to another sermon:

All Brethren United Soon Part 13

Min 8. Regarding this prophecy- we are done, we don’t care it out. Step back and watch Christ save this flock.

Min 11.33 – What happens on Elo 1?

Min 14. LCG- couple thousand people in 15 years.

Min 15. PCOG losing by the thousands

Min 16. Starts to catalog all the splinters evangelists, ministers and elders who’ve died – a widow’s convention (LCG). Listing UCG, PCOG- just one after another men who are dead, have cancer, etc.

Min 22. Only two evangelists by Mr. Armstrong still alive today…

Min 42. Elo 24.

Min 43. Who are the three men/shepherds?  God is essentially saying “Isn’t it pretty obvious who they are?” God getting rid of the obstructionists

Min 45. How do they die? They are particularly evil. Fire is God’s pattern when dealing with the wicked- Sodom, Aaron’s sons, three men slandered Mr. Armstrong, Koran, numerous Psalms of wicked die by fire, the Beast and False prophet. Those who go up against the 2 witnesses- die by fire.

Min 50. Conclusion- I don’t care how they die, but God’s clues can only be taken one way. God will cut off the three Shepherds. Not saying absolutely fire, but can’t imagine any other way. Always deals with the wicked in one day- Sodom, Aaron’s son, Elijah and the 50, Korah and the princes.

Beast and False prophet will not die on separate days- always one day. Tribulation the starts on a specific day, etc.

Min. 53. All his clues point to one day, though he says he doesn’t care how or when.

Where will they die? I don’t know-

Time of the month? Only 29 days in Elo.

Weinland and Flurrey- complete false prophets…

Min 75. Elo 24 will happen.

Min 80. Absolutely believe it will be this summer. Not exactly the day they die—but awful lot of certainties.

Min 81. God doesn’t scare people into his church. Not can come unless they are drawn. Not scaring them into obedience. Not scared into fear. Fascinating August.

Apparently, those of us who disagree with David Pack and his of the improperly named Restored Church of God (RCG) are considered obstructionists, and at least three of us he believes are “evil.”  Perhaps I should mention that in April of 2012, David Pack called me and various other COG leaders part of the ‘synagogue of Satan’ (What is the Synagogue of Satan?).

Another Sermon

The reader who listened to Pack’s sermons also sent me the following related to another sermon:

“All Brethren Reunited SOON—More Detail, and Immanency of Connected Events (Part 15)” given by Mr. David Pack  …

Min 59-61. Have our financial strategy changed? Are we going to build more buildings- probably not but not counting it out. Working along with a revitalized Church of Rome. The man of sin has been revealed- but doesn’t say who it is. How long are we going to have an open door? Eight weeks from today God’s church will be united.

Min 62-70. The desolation of more men in the splinters, slivers. Not one reason the prophecy is off for 2013- found many reasons it points to this year. The three (shepherds) are ripe for removal. Every COG seem to be the same. Calls everyone outside of RCG as blind. They can’t see- haven’t proved everything. If the Splinters can’t tell where the truth is how can the world who knows nothing see it?

Min 71-80. Egypt is the King of the South. It’s not Morocco, Tunisia, etc. The scepter is in Egypt. Not relevant to me if the prophecy is another year. This is the True Church of God no one else has the truth. Will you leave if the prophecy doesn’t happen? Where would you go? We are the only true church.

David Pack is delusional.  RCG is not the true church.  I have had doubts for a long time whether or not David Pack a is converted Christian, and he keeps making statements and taking actions suggesting to me that he is not.

For months, David Pack has been writing weekly letters to those he tends to call “the splinters.” He basically is teaching that he is the prophesied Joshua from the Book of Haggai and that all those in the Church of God will reunify with his group on August 30, 2013. I have been covering this at the News of Those Once Affiliated with GCG page.

When he is proven wrong and I right, what will those he has misled in his Restored Church do?

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Why Not the Restored Church of God? This group, led by David Pack, claims to be the most faithful. The information in this article suggests otherwise. Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Por qué no la Iglesia de Dios Restaurada?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.
Who Are The Two Witnesses? What is their job? What does the Bible reveal? What has the Church of God taught on this subject? Might even Roman Catholic prophecies give some clues here? Here is a related link in Spanish/español:¿Quiénes son los dos testigos?
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?
The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Was it hierarchical? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had? What are some of the scriptural limits on ecclesiastical authority? Do some commit organizational idolatry? Here is a Spanish language version La Biblia, Policarpo, Herbert W. Armstrong, y Roderick C. Meredith sobre el gobierno de la Iglesia.
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it?
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claimed to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up, that the Great Tribulation began on December 14, 2008, Jesus would return late September 2011, that Jesus would return on May 27, 2012, then that Jesus will return on May 19, 2013, and now some future Day of Pentecost. Why else does the Bible show that Ron Weinland is a false prophet? He has other views which show he is not part of the Church of God?
Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees? Discusses similarities of the Sadducees and Pharisees to various COGs in this end-time.

“Elijah in the wilderness“

COGwriter

There is a report that a dwelling of the biblical Elisha, who asked to be granted a double-portion of God’s Spirit from Elijah (2 Kings 2:9-13), has possibly been found:

July 23, 2013

TEL REHOV, Israel — During 16 years of excavating Tel Rehov in the Jordan Valley, archaeologists uncovered a 3,000-year-old, well-planned city.

They also found a unique building that might have been the house of Elisha the prophet…

During the excavations, archaeologists discovered a special room inside the house with a table and a bench. They also discovered a pottery shard with the name Elisha on it, dated to the 9th century.

The discovery has led some to believe this was the room of the prophet Elisha.

“We found an ink inscription written in red ink on pottery, but it is broken unfortunately,” Mazar said. “But we reconstructed the name as Elisha.”

The prophet Elisha was born about seven miles from Tel Rehov in Avel Mehola and went throughout the kingdom of Israel, from Jericho to Samaria to Shunam.

“You know I cannot say for sure this particular Elisha that we found is the biblical Elisha,” Mazar said. “You know it’s very difficult to say, but it is very tempting because it is exactly the period when Elisha acted — the second half of the 9th century BC.”…

Another discovery pointing to the prophet Elisha are two different inscriptions mentioning the family of Nimshi.

“We remember that it was Elijah who was told to anoint Jehu, the son of Nimshi, to be the king,” Pfann explained. “And he passed that on to Elisha who sent out one of his disciples to finally do the anointing.”

Another inscription with the same name Nimshi was found about five miles away.  http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2013/July/Have-Archaeologists-Found-Prophet-Elishas-House/

While the identification of the specific Elisha is still being determined, that name was not very common and the location and time period seem to coincide of the time of the biblical Elisha.

Elisha was made a prophet of God to lead after Elijah no longer was fit to be the leader (see also Elijah: Past and Prophesied).

As we get closer to the end, it is interesting that archeologists continue to find more evidence of biblical peoples, places, figures, and events.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? This article contains a scripture-based checklist to assist with this determination.
How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God This is a sermon on YouTube addressing a subject that most in the Church of God do not seem to have looked into very much. It discusses scriptures and dispels some improper assertions that some associated with the COG have made about prophets in this time.
Elijah: Past and Prophesied Information about the original Elijah and some information about the Elijah-related prophecies.
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.

Edward Snowden (Laura Poitras /Praxis Films)

COGwriter

Edward Snowden is to be granted an award:

July 23, 2013

Russian media outlets were reporting very little about Snowden Tuesday, aside from the fact that he has been awarded the 2013 Whistleblower Award by the German branch of Transparency International — a global human rights and openness advocacy group.

Transparency Germany confirmed to CBS News on Tuesday that Snowden would be announced officially as the award recipient on Wednesday. The award, offered in conjunction with two other German non-profit groups, is presented expressly by the German chapter of Transparency International and is not connected to the umbrella organization, which is also based in Germany.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57595016/edward-snowden-marks-month-stuck-in-russia-airport-and-a-week-since-he-applied-for-asylum/

15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. (Revelation 13:15-18)

Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power? Various allegations have surfaced about the United States government spying on its own citizens as well as its supposed allies in the European Union. Whether or not all the espionage allegations are true, and the main ones have not been publicly denied by the government of the USA, the reality is that this does have prophetic ramifications and will help the Beast of Revelation. This video provides quotes from the Bible showing how this is so. The USA is placing itself in a position to be taken over and its response to the allegations will make it easier for the Europeans to do so.
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”? 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?
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. There is also a YouTube video sermon you can watch: The Coming Persecution of the Church.
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory. There is also a video on the subject: Might Petra be the Place of Safety?
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?
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 Who is 666? This article explains how the COG views this, and compares this to Ellen White.
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?
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 Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2? Is this the King of the North, the ten-horned beast of Revelation 13:1-11, or the two-horned Beast of Revelation 13:12-16? Some rely on traditions, but what does the Bible teach? Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Quién es el Hombre de Pecado de 2 Tesalonicenses 2? Here is a version in Mandarin: 主编： 谁是’大罪人’？Here is a link to a related YouTube video, in English, titled Who is the Man of Sin?
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. You can also watch a video titled What Does the Bible teach about the Antichrist?
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.

Damascus, Capital of Syria

COGwriter

A USA General has laid out various options related to Syria, including the use of USA group troops:

July 23, 2013

The nation’s top military officer has laid out five options the Obama administration is considering on Syria, including “limited” strikes against the Assad regime and an all-out campaign to secure chemical weapons that includes “thousands” of U.S. forces.

Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, revealed the options in a letter to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich…Dempsey’s letter went far beyond arming the opposition in outlining potential options…

Fox also confirmed that a majority — but not all — of the Committee members signed off on moving forward with the plan. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/07/22/house-intelligence-committee-signs-off-with-reservations-on-administration-call/#ixzz2ZsJVSaUz

Notice some of what the Bible teaches:

8 For the head of Syria is Damascus (Isaiah 7:8).

17 The burden against Damascus.

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

Damascus has been claimed to be the “oldest continuously inhabited city” in the world. And while some have questioned that, the reality is that Damascus has not been destroyed to the point of becoming the “ruinous heap” since God inspired Isaiah to record that.

I have long been expecting more conflict involving Syria and a few months ago, I put together a video for the BibleNewsProphecy channel titled Damascus and Syria in Prophecy .  While the USA itself may not destroy Damascus, it apparently may be involved as it has a lot of plans related to military actions in Syria.

Meanwhile, despite various ones in the USA suggesting that Al Qaida has essentially been defeated, it has claimed responsibility for a major prison break:

July 23, 2013

Al-Qaida has claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks in Iraq this week that freed hundreds of prisoners from two sites on the outskirts of Baghdad.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant said in a statement on jihadist forums Tuesday it carried out the attacks on the high-security prisons of Abu Ghraib and Taji, freeing more than 500 militants.

Iraqi officials said at least 25 guards were killed during the attacks late Sunday into Monday.

Iraq has seen a surge in sectarian violence across the country, with an estimated 600 people killed since the start of July.  http://www.voanews.com/content/alqaida-claims-iraq-prison-attacks/1707318.html

‘500 militants’ were freed.  500 people who have been committed to overthrowing what the USA has helped put in place in Iraq.

There will be other troubles in the Middle East and the USA will not end up unscathed (cf. Leviticus 26:14-16′ Psalm 83:4-8).

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 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? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
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.
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.

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill

COGwriter

The Italian reported the following related to the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church (the following was machine translated into English:

The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Cyril sees the acceptance of homosexual marriages, on the part of Western states, as a harbinger of the apocalypse.

Addressing the faithful Patriarch said: “In recent times we face strong temptations, in several states the law confirms and justifies the choice of sin and those acting on conscience fight against rules imposed by the minorities are repressed. It ‘a dangerous symptom of the apocalypse. ”  http://italian.ruvr.ru/2013_07_22/Il-patriarca-di-Mosca-Cirillo-i-matrimoni-omosessuali-preannunciano-lapocalisse/

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is perhaps the most powerful secular nation leader to have spoken out against the rise of homosexual ‘marriage’ and similar abominations (see Russia’s Putin blasts West on Syria and Western media disapproves of his position on homosexuality).

The Bible clearly warns of destruction that will come from the accepting of sins such as homosexuality, including lesbianism:

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

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

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

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

While Patriarch Kirill is right to speak out against the rising acceptance of homosexual marriage, Catholics and others need to be warned that both biblical and Catholic prophecies warn of the dangers that will ensue when an ecumenical unity will be adopted by many around the world.

As far as the “Apocalypse’ itself, by which it appears that Patriarch Kirill meant the ‘great tribulation’ (Matthew 24:21), while it will not start before 2017, it may not be too many years away.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality? Can homosexuals change?
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.
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future 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?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics There are many problems that will happen if they unify, including make them part of end time Babylon.
Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
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 The Great Tribulation Will Not Begin Before 2017.

Bernadette Soubirous (Rabanus Flavus)

COGwriter

In Lourdes, France another ‘miracle’ was ascribed to the waters there:

Lourdes, France, Jul 22, 2013 / 10:20 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The famous Marian shrine in Lourdes, France has received an official declaration from the Bishop of Pavia, Italy stating that the 69th miracle has taken place there.

“I have the joy of reporting to everyone my healing, which just a few days ago was approved as a miracle by my bishop, which is a beautiful thing,” said Mrs. Danila Castelli, who experienced the miracle on May 4, 1989 after visiting the baths in Lourdes. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/lourdes-officially-records-69th-miracle

In the 19th century, a nun named Bernadette Soubirous (who is also famous for her what some refer to as “incorruptibility” which is a limited decay of the flesh after death) had visions of a “Lady” that many falsely believe was Jesus’ mother Mary, in Lourdes, France. On 18 February of 1858, she claimed that “vision” asked her to return to a particular grotto every day for a two weeks and Bernadette passed on various messages that she claimed to have received.  Her shrine is a popular destination for certain Catholics.

My experience with talking to some suggests that one of the reasons that some affiliated with Rome will not see the truth about certain matters is because they rely on physical signs and wonders as proof that their church has God’s favor, hence they often believe that this validates their church’s positions overall.

While the Bible does teach about healing, and there are spontaneous ‘healings’ as the body can heal itself  of many things (including many of those that the medical profession does not believe possible), there is no way that Mary, the mother of Jesus, directly healed this woman.  What appeared in Lourdes was not Mary.

Here is some of what my book Fatima Shock! said about the Lourdes apparition:

In the 19th century, there was a female apparition in France, known as the Lady of Lourdes. One of the statements she reportedly stated in 1858 was, “I am the Immaculate Conception!”

Now this is an unusual and biblically contradictory idea as the Bible teaches that all have sinned (Roman 3:23) except Jesus (Hebrews 4:15), as He is the only one who had a biblically immaculate conception, but not the Marian kind.

For non-Catholics, let me explain that what became an extra-biblical Catholic doctrine was that Mary was conceived unlike all other humans and free of what many refer to as “original sin.” Specifically this “dogma” has been explained in Dr. Ludwig Ott’s 20th century book Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma as:

“Mary’s freedom of original sin was an unmerited gift of God, and an exception from the law that was vouchsafed to her only.”

His book also teaches:

The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary is not explicitly revealed in scripture… Neither the Greek nor the Latin Fathers explicitly (explicite) teach the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

So where did it come from?…Jumping forward to the 12th century, a British monk Eadmer began to promote the idea of an Immaculate Conception of Mary. When he did so, “St. Bernard of Clairvaux… (about 1140), warned the faithful that this was an unfounded innovation…”

So was the Catholic saint Bernard wrong in condemning Monk Eadmer’s heresy here? Of course not! Others, at least as late as the 17th century supported Bernard’s position on this. (Fatima Shock! pp. 85-86)

Eastern Signs and Faiths

While “Mary” is known throughout the Middle East and West, she is less known, though revered by some like a goddess, in Eastern religions:

Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and other pilgrims regularly worship at famous Roman Catholic shrines to the Virgin Mary such as Lourdes in France and Fatima in Portugal…Many venerate her like one of their own goddesses…(Fatima Shock! p. 188)

There is a prophecy that indicates that certain end-time Marian supporters will eliminate Protestantism:

Saint Louis de Montfort (18th century): These great souls…singularly devouted to our Blessed Lady… shall fight, overthrow and crush the heretics with their heresies, the schismatics with their schisms…

Yet, some Protestant leaders have gotten more accepting of Marian aspects of faith:

Archbishop Williams…said…at Lourdes that when Mary appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 “she came at first as an anonymous figure, a beautiful lady, a mysterious thing, not yet identified as the Lord’s spotless mother…” he said. The Archbishop later was criticized by the England-based Protestant Truth Society, a group of Anglicans and non-conformists committed to upholding the ideals of the Protestant Reformation…Jeremy Brooks, the group’s director of ministry, said: “All true Protestants will be appalled that the Archbishop of Canterbury has visited Lourdes and preached there. “Lourdes represents everything about Roman Catholicism that the Protestant Reformation rejected, including apparitions, Mariolatry and the veneration of saints…The archbishop’s…sermon — which included a reference to Mary as ‘the mother of God’ — is a complete denial of Protestant orthodoxy.”

Protestants need to understand that by eliminating heresies, Catholic prophecies sometimes specifically mean the elimination of Protestantism. Mary was not called the “Mother of God” by early faithful Christians or those who kept their practices. (Fatima Shock! pp. 219-220)

Mary is not one to pray to or to entrust oneself to–including Catholics, Hindus, etc.

Jesus is (see also Jesus: The Son of God and Saviour or Jesus: Son of God and Saviour watch ).

The Bible warns of signs and lying wonders and that many will be deceived by them:

8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.   (2 Thessalonians 2:8-12)

24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.  (Matthew 24:24)

Yet, there is a great tendency within the Church of Rome to rely on signs, apparitions, and wonders to support teachings that do not square with the Bible. All who profess Christ, including those who are COG, Catholic, Protestant, or anything else, should understand that Jesus is the center of the plan of salvation and that the Church of Rome intends to promote a further Marian reverence that will likely deceive nearly all (cf. Isaiah 47; Revelation 17-18–and this includes nearly all who profess Christ (cf. Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). And those who honor people such as Bernadette of Lourdes are unknowingly helping set this up.