Church of God News

Adly Monsour

COGwriter

Saudi Arabia and certain Arab Gulf nations have agreed to provide billions in aid, loans, and grants to the interim government in Egypt:

July 9, 2013

(Reuters) – Egypt named an interim prime minister on Tuesday and rich Gulf states poured in $8 billion in aid, as the biggest Arab nation sought ways out of a crisis a day after troops killed dozens of Islamists…
Former U.N. diplomat Mohamed ElBaradei, now a liberal party leader, was named deputy president for foreign affairs.

News quickly followed of $8 billion in grants, loans and fuel from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates…

The bloodshed has raised alarm among key donors such as the United States and the European Union, as well as in Israel, with which Egypt has had a U.S.-backed peace treaty since 1979.

Rich Gulf Arab states, long suspicious of the Muslim Brotherhood, have shown fewer reservations. The United Arab Emirates offered a grant of $1 billion and a loan of $2 billion. Saudi Arabia offered $3 billion in cash and loans, and an additional $2 billion worth of much-needed fuel.

In a further demonstration of its support, UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed visited Egypt on Tuesday, the most senior foreign official to arrive since Mursi’s removal…

“The only road map is the restoration of the president elected by the people,” said Hoda Ghaneya, 45, a Muslim Brotherhood women’s activist. “We will not accept less than that, even if they kill us all.”

The streets of Cairo were quieter on Tuesday but the Brotherhood called for more protests later in the day, raising the risk of further violence.  http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/09/us-egypt-protests-idUSBRE95Q0NO20130709

July 09, 2013

CAIRO — Egypt’s interim President Adly Mansour has selected veteran economist and former Finance Minister Hazem el-Beblawi to be the country’s interim prime minister.  Opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei was also chosen to be vice president for international affairs.

Hazem el-Beblawi was chosen to head the new interim government after hours of intense behind-the-scenes negotiations.  Vetoes by the Salafi Nour Party of several other candidates reportedly prolonged the selection process…

Veteran editor and publisher Hisham Kassem notes Egypt “needs a manager with a clear understanding of the economy in the coming months.” Egypt failed to secure a $4.8 billion International Monetary Fund loan in recent months and negotiations remain stalled.

Egypt’s foreign currency reserves have dwindled dramatically since long-time president Hosni Mubarak was toppled in February 2011.  The Egyptian currency has lost more than 10 percent of its value this year and the vital tourism sector is in the doldrums.

Interim President Adly Mansour also met Tuesday with a high-level delegation from the United Arab Emirates.  Journalist Kassem says he thinks several Gulf States, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, are ready to help Egypt.

“As far as the Gulf is concerned, they are happy to see the back of the [Muslim] Brotherhood.  It was a menace for them …  Already we see a delegation of six Cabinet ministers from the Emirates,” said Kassem.  “We see the Saudi monarch congratulating the Egyptian people. To me that’s an indicator that there will be support … and I anticipate more support coming from the rest of the Gulf.”

Meanwhile, thousands of supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi participated in what they were calling “a rally for martyrs” as victims of Monday shooting near a military complex were given a symbolic funeral.  http://www.voanews.com/content/Egypt-new-interim-pm/1698075.html

The states of the Arab peninsula have long been worried about agitation by the Muslim Brotherhood and similar groups.  And while they seem to think that their money will stop the goal of the Muslim Brotherhood to get a pan-Islamic state from the west coast of northern Africa to their peninsula, they are in error.  Biblically, such a confederation will happen (cf. Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:1-9).  Arab money might delay it for a little bit, but supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and similar groups will not stop–they have gone ‘underground’ before and can again.

And what is the position of the USA?

The USA itself still has not quite decided what to do and some are disturbed about this.  Notice the following:

July 9, 2013

There seems to be one thing that unites all the demonstrators in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, from the young secular liberals who are jubilant that Egypt’s military has deposed President Mohamed Morsi to the Islamic militants who demand that he be reinstated: they all are furious with President Barack Obama and the United States of America.

On the one hand, the anti-Morsi crowds think Obama gave too much support to Morsi. On the other, the pro-Morsi marchers are calling Obama a hypocrite for giving lip service to democracy while doing nothing in the face of the military coup that overthrew Morsi’s democratically elected government…

Meanwhile, it is worth asking if the Obama administration deserves some blame. Both Republican and Democratic critics in the U.S. are saying Obama was too timid, both in confronting Morsi as he edged toward autocratic rule and in calling out the Egyptian military for violations of human rights.  http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/topoftheticket/la-na-tt-obama-egypt-20130708,0,1935058.story

A military coup in Egypt is placing the United States in an uncomfortable position – how to be seen to be supporting democracy, and maintain its strategic interests in the region.

The White House endorsed the elections which brought a Muslim Brotherhood-led government to power in Egypt. But by failing to condemn the coup, critics say it’s condoning the military overthrow of a democratically elected government.

So, why would the US administration refrain from characterising this as a military coup? And can the US defend democracy in Egypt while continuing to walk a diplomatic tightrope?  http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2013/07/2013789273719832.html

July 9, 2013

Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and associates duly announced that they were merely carrying out the will of the people. They gave no timetable for restoration of civilian rule. They paraded a cast of characters, including a rented mullah, to bless the coup which was, of course, not a coup.

Their Orwellian formulation was repeated by American and European leaders, as well as the media that argued, seriously, that elections didn’t really mean much in a democracy.

Barack Obama avoided the C-word, so as not to run afoul of American law. The Foreign Assistance Act prohibits American aid to “any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup d’état,” or where “the military plays a decisive role” in a coup. Such aid must remain suspended until “a democratically elected government has taken office.”

He is continuing America’s $1.3-billion a year aid to the Egyptian military, given mainly to ensure Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel.

So, democracy is for one and all except the “Islamists.”

“The hypocrisy will not be lost on a large swath of Egyptians, Arabs and Muslims,” noted a Morsi aide, predicting that this latest proof of the futility of pursuing democracy might fuel more terrorism than the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2013/07/07/democracy_good_for_everyone_but_islamists.html

Make no doubt about it, the waffling on this by the Obama Administration is telling the Arab world that the USA really does not believe in democracy.

Period.

Yet, since the USA normally tells the world that democratically-elected governments are the legitimate ones, the hypocrisy of the USA is on display here.    Perhaps it should be mentioned that the Bible warns that a “hypocritical nation” will be destroyed in the end times (Isaiah 10:5-6, KJV).

As I mentioned in an earlier post, there is no doubt that what occurred in Egypt was a coup supported by the military.  Again, notice the definition of a coup d’état from Wikipedia:

A coup d’état (/ˌkuːdeɪˈtɑː/; plural: coups d’état), also known as a coup, a putsch, or an overthrow, is the sudden deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to depose the extant government and replace it with another body, civil or military. A coup d’état is considered successful when the usurpers establish their dominance. When the coup neither fails completely nor succeeds, a civil war is a likely consequence. (viewed 07/08/13)

What happened in Egypt was a military coup blamed on a certain amount of popular discontent.

Yet, those who thought that the mobocracy coup last week ended the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood or other Islamist parties in Egypt and elsewhere were in error.

Egyptian involvement with the final King of the South is specifically prophesied.  Despite whatever interim deals and/or leaders we see in Egypt, the situation there will change as the Bible teaches in Daniel 11:40-43 and Ezekiel 30:1-8.

But the situation will ultimately also change in the USA as its hypocrisy has gotten more publicity in the past few weeks.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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 sermon video answers those questions.
The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims?
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
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.
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
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.

Beijing After Rain Beijing on a Normal Sunny Day

COGwriter

A new report suggests that air pollution in China is significantly reducing lifespans there:

July 09, 2013

BEIJING — Researchers studying the health impact of China’s air pollution say that people in the south of the country are living on average 5.5 years longer than their counterparts in the north.

Using health and pollution data collected by official Chinese sources, scientists concluded that decades of burning coal have led to a rise in deaths from cardio-respiratory diseases for people living north of the Huai River – considered the dividing line between northern and southern China.

The academics from the United States, Israel and China concluded that government coal policies in force since China’s Mao era have resulted in higher levels of total suspended particulates north of the Huai River…

“The north of China relies on central heating based on burning coal that originates heavy air pollution. This is one the most important reasons why there’s such a big difference in pollution level between the north and the south” he says.

The study, published on the American journal The Proceeding of National Academy of Sciences, shows that excessive coal burning raises the level of soot, smoke and other airborne particles – the total suspended particulates – by 55 percent more in the northern bank of the Huai River.

Li Hongbin says that “basically, exposure to total suspended particulates level above 100 micrograms per cubic meter reduces life expectancy of about 3 years and increases mortality by 14 percent.”…

The Ministry of Environment said last month that only 27 out of 113 major cities met government air quality standards in 2012. And a World Bank report in 2007 assessed that between 350,000 and 400,000 people die prematurely in China each year because of air pollution.

Wang Xinchao, from Beijing-based Ngo Global Village, says that China’s urban residents are becoming increasingly concerned with air pollution and are ready to take action to protect their health.  http://www.voanews.com/content/air-pollution-in-northern-china-blamed-for-drop-in-life-span/1697885.html

In my view, the pollution situation is worse than the above suggests.

Why?

Because many in the southern part of China are also affected by water pollution and a certain amount of air pollution themselves.  The lifespans of all the Chinese would be better if pollution is reduced.

For those who think that Chinese pollution is a problem limited to China, that is not truly so.  Polluted Chinese rivers flow into the ocean.  Furthermore, polluted Chinese air directly affects neighboring countries such as Japan (see China’s smog choking Japan).  In addition, I recall seeing a report some time back that if Chinese air pollution continued growing at the rate it had been that the West Coast of the USA would have unhealthy particulate pollution levels just from what comes across the the ocean from China, even if there was no human caused pollution in California, for example.  The threat from Chinese air pollution is that serious.

Perhaps it should be added that pollution seems to be a factor in causing autism (see Air Pollution More Than Doubles Autism Risk), and so the horrific levels of air pollution in Beijing may have a lot of other negative consequences that will show up later. As I mentioned, China also has massive problems with water and other forms of pollution (see Record air pollution in Beijing: Jesus ultimately will fix these types of problems).

Because of pollution, economic policies, other problems, its serious potential for significant social unrest, and how it is discussed in biblical prophecy, these factors demonstrate that despite its economic gains, the 21st century will not belong to China. China will not become number 1, but later in this century, neither will the USA.

The following passage which involves the second coming of Jesus, and comes from the book also known as the Apocalypse, ends with an interesting statement:

8 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)

Are not massive air, water, and other pollution problems part of how humankind is destroying the earth? In a sense, pollution will be a factor in the Apocalypse as the above passage shows.

Jesus will need to return to save humanity from destroying itself (Matthew 24:22).

But when?

We in the Continuing Church of God believe that God gave humans 6,000 years to live their own way (please see the article Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism and a 6000 Year Plan?). And that humans will mess things up so bad, “unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved” (Matthew 24:22). And that 6.000 years is close to being up–and probably will be in the next decade or so.

But because God has a plan for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 13:38) and a God of love (1 John 4:8,16; John 3:16), that He will intervene and send Jesus to establish a millennial kingdom on earth (Revelation 11:15; 20:4). During this 1000 year reign the world will become beautiful again (Isaiah 35:1-10; 58:12) (see also Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism?).

After this thousand year reign, all who ever lived will be resurrected (Revelation 20:5). The judgment will begin (Revelation 20:12) and God will plead His case (Isaiah 3:13; Jeremiah 25:31). When humans see how they started out with a very good and beautiful earth and messed up and nearly completely destroyed it in their 6,000 years, it appears that they will realize that humankind that distanced itself from the true God cannot properly govern itself. However, when they see how when starting with a messed up and nearly completely destroyed earth at the end of the 6,000 years (please see the article Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?), that it was restored to being very good again, like Eden (Isaiah 51:3), because people obeyed the King of Kings during the millennium (please see Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism?), then apparently nearly all who ever lived will repent of their ways, accept Jesus as the Christ, and will live God’s way of life.

Since God is love (1 John 4:16), we in the Continuing Church of God believe that He has a plan that takes into account how human beings would have rebelled against Him (cf. 1 Peter 1:20-21). We also believe that God is smart enough to have developed a plan that does not result in the vast majority of humanity having to suffer endless torment. Thus we believe it is logical that His plan will result in nearly everyone who ever lived, no matter what their religion or background was, to be saved. And that there are hundreds of verses in the Bible that show this—and this is God’s will (2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16-17). This plan is also consistent with writings about Christianity throughout history—though most in modern times seem to wish to overlook that fact. And a little known fact is that there are hundreds of verses in the Bible that show this (documentation is in the article Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis).

And this will be good news, not only for the Chinese, but for all of humanity.

Note: Those who read Mandarin Chinese may wish to check out the website www.ccog.asia

Some articles of interest may include the following:

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?  www.ccog.asia
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?
Korea in Prophecy, Any Witness? Where did the Korean people come from? Does God have a plan for the Koreans? Is Korea mentioned in any prophecies? Will Koreans be among the first in the Kingdom of God? 한국의 언어로 : 한국 예언, 모든 증인에?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? Where did the Japanese people come from? Have they had any witness?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan? Will God save the Japanese?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?
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? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2019 or 202x?
What is the Gospel? True religion should be based upon the true gospel. What are some of the different gospels and where did they come from? Do you believe the true or a false gospel?
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?
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? A booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom.
Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Will God call everyone? Will everyone have an opportunity for salvation? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.
CCOG.ASIA We in the Continuing Church of God also have the url www.ccog.asia which has a focus on Asia and has various articles in Mandarin Chinese as well as some in English, with some in items in the Tagalog language in progress that are intended to be added.

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

COGwriter

Abortionists like to refer to themselves as ‘pro-choice,’but  in many ways the so-called ‘pro-choice’ movement does not want people to even know the truth about abortion. Notice the following that was reported  several hours ago:

Three major U.S. newspapers are being criticized for rejecting a paid ad (shown at right) submitted by a national pro-life group. The Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, and USA Today all refused to run a sensitive and compelling ad, created by the national pro-life group Heroic Media, which shows a hand holding a tiny 24-week-old pre-born baby, and includes the tagline: “This child has no voice, which is why it depends on yours. Speak Up.” (Bohon D. Major Newspapers Reject Pro-Life Ad. 08 July 2013, http://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/15930-major-newspapers-reject-pro-life-ad)

If they ads ran, then some women may be able to make a more informed choice, such as realizing that it is a child they are about to kill.

The pro-abortionists do not want teenage girls to have to discuss taking abortion-inducing pills with their parents (FDA increases access to ‘morning after’ abortion pill; horrors of abortion).  The pro-abortionists do not want choice, they want more people to choose murder.

Notice also the following which also was reported several hours ago (bolding in source):

In the war between life and death, all eyes are on Texas, as the Lone Star State legislature is poised to pass a sweeping late-term abortion ban. Gov. Rick Perry has pledged to sign the bill into law. The lines have been clearly drawn surrounding this progress toward equality and civil rights for pre-born Americans.

Not surprisingly, as the pro-abortion side loses legislative battle after legislative battle, its true colors are coming into focus. Those colors are darker than many might have imagined…

Although our pro-abortion media will not likely give it much coverage, a similar such flashpoint of clarity occurred this past Tuesday in the Texas State House as pro-abortion activists, throughout the day, shouted “Hail, Satan!” in an effort to drown out pro-life speeches and an impromptu rendering of “Amazing Grace.” CNN’s Josh Rubin confirmed this astonishing display by tweeting on site, “Crowd of anti-abortion activists giving speeches while a group of people chant hail Satan in the background.”

I would like to take a moment to pause and personally thank our Satan-hailing friends for their brutally wicked honesty…Understandably, many leftists now complain that this frank display of pro-choice allegiance to the prince of darkness has hurt the multibillion-dollar baby-killing biz. They’re right. It has. It’s blown away the smokescreen of euphemistic pro-choice rhetoric and propaganda to expose, naked beneath, that which lies at abortion’s inglorious core: death, death and more death. Indeed, the very Satan they hail was the first “pro-choicer.” While Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, Satan is the end, the lie and death itself. While Christ is the author of life, Satan is the author of abortion. Our pro-choice friends in Texas have now revealed that they at least intuitively recognize this reality…

Do you consider yourself pro-choice? Perhaps it’s time to reconsider. When “pro-choicers” find themselves shouting “Hail, Satan!” over a chorus of “Amazing Grace” at a gathering geared toward saving babies, maybe it’s time to dust off that ol’ worldview and give it a second look…

Pro-choice to do what? Pro-choice to dismember alive a baby girl in her mother’s womb? That’s wicked. That’s evil—objective, absolute evil—every time and without exception. That’s abortion.

Abortion is death. If you’re pro-choice, you’re pro-abortion and, consequently, pro-death. As the babies you should be protecting perish, so, too, do you perish. You are perishing in the spirit, which is a fate worse than physical death. (Barber ‘Hail, Satan!’: The New Pro-Choice Mantra? July 8, 2013 http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/clarion-call/40136-hail-satan-the-new-pro-choice-mantra)

The choice is to obey God or support killing babies. The choice should be easy for those not excessively influenced by Satan.

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.
Did God Create a Devil? If not, what happened? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet.
OMENS? DIVINATION? HOROSCOPES? THE ORIGIN OF ASTROLOGY Where did astrology come from? Should you read your horoscope?
Does Astrology Work? Many believe and follow astrology–but does it work?
Close Encounters of a ‘Spirit’ Kind discusses some experiences I believe were (demon) ‘spirit’ related.
Angels, Cherubim, and Seraphim This is information about various types of angelic beings.
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?
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

Yesterday, I reported about the ‘police state’ that has been developing in the USA (see ‘Police state’ rules and actions in place).  Today, a group has tried to file an emergency petition with the US Supreme Court to reduce some of the surveillance that the National Security Agency (NSA) is doing:

July 8, 2013

A privacy rights group intends to use an emergency petition Monday to ask the Supreme Court to put the brakes on the National Security Agency’s domestic surveillance program that collects the telephone records of millions of Americans, according to The New York Times.

The Electronic Privacy Information Center is taking what the newspaper calls “the extraordinary legal step of going directly to the Supreme Court” because, the EPIC will contend, the phone records program has made for “exceptional circumstances” that only the nation’s highest court can address.

According to the Times, the Washington-based EPIC “said it was taking its case to the Supreme Court because it could not challenge the legality of the N.S.A. program at the secret court that approved it, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, known as the FISA court, and because lower federal courts did not have the authority to review the secret court’s orders.”  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57592600/group-to-ask-high-court-to-stop-some-nsa-spying-now-nyt/

The Bible warns:

12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.  (Amos 8:12, KJV)

The above will apparently happen after Daniel 11:33 is fulfilled, but portions may begin as early as Daniel 11:28. With FCC “net neutrality” rules (they were approved to start to use in late 2010), we are getting close to that time when governments will be too offended by the truth and some will take steps to stop it from being proclaimed. Perhaps under the guise of “neutrality,” perhaps under the guise of “The Patriot Act,” perhaps under the guise of “public welfare” or national security, something will be done to stop perhaps all of the organized media efforts to proclaim biblical truths.

Furthermore, on August 11, 2011, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom stated that he wanted Scotland Yard to consider stopping suspected rioters from having the ability to utilize “social media” that involved the internet (see UK’s Cameron May Call Out the Troops and Restrict Social Media)–thus the idea of interference with the ability to proclaim the gospel that way may fulfill what the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong understood, just prior to the start of the Great Tribulation.

The work may be stopped by government officials (like on the internet, television, etc.) and persecutions began because people of the holy covenant are warning the world of the results of their sins (which they will not want pointed out) and teaching that the King of the North is fulfilling these prophecies in Daniel 11. The faithful may be saying things that are not “politically correct” to the point that one or more governments will take action (especially if we are saying, and I expect to help do this, that a certain individual is the King of the North and that he will invade and destroy the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, etc.).

Some items of possibly related interest include the following:

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.
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
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 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.

Adly Monsour

COGwriter

Egypt is still experiencing unrest as its military and others attempts to cope with various Islamist factions there since its coup last week (bolding below mine):

July 8, 2013

Egypt’s interim leader has expressed sorrow over the deaths of at least 42 people near a barracks in Cairo, urging restraint amid ongoing unrest.

Adly Mansour also said he had ordered an investigation into the deaths.

The Muslim Brotherhood says its members were fired on as they staged a sit-in for ousted President Mohammad Morsi, while the army said “terrorists” tried to storm the barracks.

The Brotherhood’s political wing meanwhile called for an “uprising”.

The Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) – which took nearly half the seats in historic parliamentary elections held in late 2011 and early 2012 – urged Egyptians to revolt against “those trying to steal their revolution with tanks”.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23230221

July 8, 2013

CAIRO — Egypt State TV footage showed clashes between protesters and Republican guards and soldiers at Araba Adawiyah Square in Cairo on Monday morning.

At least 42 people were killed, medical sources said, when Islamist protesters angered by the military overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi were fired on at the Cairo military barracks where he is being held.

More than 200 were wounded in a sharp escalation of Egypt’s political crisis, and Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood urged Egyptians to rise up against the army, which they accuse of a military coup to remove the elected leader.

But the military said “a terrorist group” tried to storm the Republican Guard compound and one army officer had been killed and 40 wounded. Soldiers returned fire when they were attacked by armed assailants, a military source said.

At a hospital near the Rabaa Adawia mosque where Islamists have camped out since Morsi was toppled on Wednesday, rooms were crammed with people wounded in the violence, sheets were stained with blood and medics rushed to attend to the wounded.

As an immediate consequence, the ultra-conservative Islamist Nour party, which initially backed the military intervention, said it was withdrawing from stalled negotiations to form an interim government for the transition to fresh elections.

The military has said that the overthrow was not a coup, and it was enforcing the will of the people after millions took to the streets on June 30 to call for his resignation.

But pro- and anti-Morsi protests took place in Cairo, Alexandria and other cities, and resulted in clashes on Friday and Saturday that left 35 dead.

It leaves the Arab world’s largest nation of 84 million people in a perilous state, with the risk of further enmity between people on either side of the political divide while an economic crisis deepens.  http://www.voanews.com/content/at-least-42-killed-in-egypt/1697063.html

July 8, 2013

CAIRO — A party of ultraconservative Islamists that emerged as an unexpected political kingmaker in Egypt after the military’s ouster of President Mohamed Morsi said on Monday that it was suspending its participation in efforts to form an interim government.

A spokesman for the Al Nour party said its decision was a reaction to a “massacre” hours earlier at an officers’ club here in which security officials said more than 30 people had been killed. The decision brought new complexities and unanswered questions to the effort to create a transitional political order.

The Al Nour party was the only Islamist party to support removing Mr. Morsi, despite his ties to the more moderate Islamists of the Muslim Brotherhood…

But while Al Nour’s leaders say they intend to build bridges, some liberals say the party is pushing potentially divisive demands, from picking a new prime minister to keeping Islam prominent in any new constitution.   http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/09/world/middleeast/al-nour-party-egypt.html?_r=0

The military of Egypt and some of its installed leaders may not wish to publicly consider what happened a coup, but notice the definition of a coup d’état from Wikipedia:

A coup d’état (/ˌkuːdeɪˈtɑː/; plural: coups d’état), also known as a coup, a putsch, or an overthrow, is the sudden deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to depose the extant government and replace it with another body, civil or military. A coup d’état is considered successful when the usurpers establish their dominance. When the coup neither fails completely nor succeeds, a civil war is a likely consequence. (viewed 07/08/13)

What happened in Egypt was a military coup blamed on a certain amount of popular discontent.

Yet, those who thought that the mobocracy coup last week ended the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood or other Islamist parties in Egypt and elsewhere were in error.  Despite whatever interim deals and/or leaders we see in Egypt, the situation there will change.

Why?

Because the Bible is clear that some type of confederation involving Egypt will form and will include at least most of North Africa and the Middle East:

40 At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. (Daniel 11:40-42).

1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says:

“‘Wail and say, “Alas for that day!” 3 For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near- a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. 4 A sword will come against Egypt, and anguish will come upon Cush. When the slain fall in Egypt, her wealth will be carried away and her foundations torn down.

5 Cush and Put, Lydia and all Arabia, Libya and the people of the covenant land will fall by the sword along with Egypt.

6 “‘This is what the LORD says:

“‘The allies of Egypt will fall and her proud strength will fail. From Migdol to Aswan they will fall by the sword within her, declares the Sovereign LORD. 7 “‘They will be desolate among desolate lands, and their cities will lie among ruined cities. 8 Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I set fire to Egypt and all her helpers are crushed.

9 “‘On that day messengers will go out from me in ships to frighten Cush out of her complacency. Anguish will take hold of them on the day of Egypt’s doom, for it is sure to come (Ezekiel 30:1-9, NIV).

Egyptian involvement with the final King of the South is specifically prophesied. The Muslim Brotherhood (and certain other Islamists) want the type of confederation that the Bible warns will form involving the Arabic and certain other Islamic peoples.

We are likely to see more change, unrest, and protests before the final King of the South rises up. But, according to biblical prophecy, that power will rise up and Egypt will be part of it.  The current situation is consistent with that.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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 sermon video answers those questions.
The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims?
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
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.
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy? There is actually a 17th century Shiite prophecy that some believe that Barack Obama will fulfill that will lead to a rising up of Islam.
Arabic Nazarenes May Have Kept Original Christian Practices Were their faithful Arabs who held to original Christianity?
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Should Christians be Nazarenes today? What were the practices of the Nazarenes.

COGwriter

July 8th is observed in honor of Priscilla and Aquila by some associated with the Greco-Roman churches.

Priscilla and Aquila  were apparently early converts to Christianity, and must have worked together. I have listed Priscilla (also called Prisca) first, as the Bible twice lists her first. This is not to say that she was necessarily superior to her husband Aquila, but since the Bible gives her that honor as often as it gives it to her husband, I thought I would also list her first.

Luke records that Priscilla and her husband Aquila were from Rome and shared the same occupation as the Apostle Paul:

After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers (Acts 18:1-3, NKJV throughout).

So when Paul met Priscilla and Aquila, they were living in Corinth as it was unsafe for them to have stayed in Rome at that time.

Priscilla and Aquila were quite well versed in early Christian doctrine as God used them to help Apollo:

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately (Acts 18:24-26).

Apparently, after being with Paul for a while, they returned to Rome. They were also apparently quite brave and also had church services in their home in Rome:

Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house (Romans 16:3-5).

When Paul was imprisoned in Rome, they still had church services in their home, and they apparently continued to support Paul, as he wrote:

The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house (1 Corinthians 16:19).

Later, they apparently moved again. In his letter to Timothy, who was then in Ephesus, Paul wrote:

Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 4:19).

So, near the end of Paul’s life, they became part of the true church in Ephesus.

Priscilla and Aquila were a married couple who were also tentmakers. They knew and supported Paul, knew and taught Apollo, and also knew Timothy.

Although originally from Rome, they traveled extensively. The fact that they had church services in their house in Rome when Paul wrote two of his letters seems to suggest that the early church in Rome was not particularly large.

Some items of possibly-related interest may include:

Priscilla and Aquila An early Christian married couple from Rome who moved to Asia Minor.
True Womanhood: A Lost Cause? Is there still a place for being feminine? Here is an article from Herbert Armstrong about his thoughts relating to women and womanhood.
Women and the New Testament Church Were women important in the New Testament Church? Which women and how were they involved?
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. Is telling the truth about the early church citing Catholic accepted sources anti-Catholic? This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church. There is also a YouTube sermon on the subject titled Church of God or Church of Rome: What Do Catholic Scholars Admit About Early Church History?
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Should Christians be Nazarenes today? What were the practices of the Nazarenes.
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
Early Church History: Who Were the Two Major Groups Professed Christ in the Second and Third Centuries? Did you know that many in the second and third centuries felt that there were two major, and separate, professing Christian groups in the second century, but that those in the majority churches tend to now blend the groups together and claim “saints” from both? “Saints” that condemn some of their current beliefs. Who are the two groups?

COGwriter

A few days ago, I went over parts of the USA’s Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence and explained a little bit of how the USA in the 21st century is worse than the British government that it revolted against in the 18th century (see The Bill of Rights and Declaration on the 4th of July 2013).

But has the USA and some of its Anglo-allies taken steps to implement and/or support a ‘police state’?  Many seem to think so and have various facts to demonstrate that.  Here are several news posts from various sources:

(NaturalNews) America is rapidly devolving into the oppressive police state we’ve been warning readers about. Right now, cops are exhibiting thuggish, out-of-control “mafia” behavior as they run loose across America, terrorizing innocent citizens, shooting up the vehicles of people who are merely driving cars on public roadways, taking warrantless blood draws from drivers, shooting pet dogs of people who are merely filming police, raiding farmers at gunpoint over raw milk and terrorizing young women for buying bottled water and cookie dough.

All of these are real and happening right now in America…We are living under a nightmare Big Brother police state right now, and it’s not an accident.   http://www.naturalnews.com/041072_militarized_police_law_enforcement_paramilitary_training.html#ixzz2YN2N5SzJ

Edward Snowden’s documentary exposure of secret NSA surveillance activities has brought to light details of the mass illegal collection of phone metadata and online transaction activity of both US citizens and individuals, organizations and governments around the world.

Following a classified Congressional intelligence briefing on June 11, US Representative Loretta Sanchez stated in a C-Span interview that Snowden’s disclosures were “the tip of the iceberg.” Indeed, with more revelations to come, Edward Snowden has courageously helped make the public aware of a vast spying conspiracy by the corporate-military-intelligence apparatus within the US…

Centered at its city-sized headquarters in Fort Meade, Maryland, the NSA is engaged in communications monitoring program that includes many billions of exchanges per day. Tapping into the entirety of global Internet and phone call data that passes through nodal points in the US and around the world, the NSA processes enormous volumes of information in real time…The NSA has 40,000 employees, made up of administrators, code-breakers, intercept operators, crypto-linguists and area specialists…

Presently, the NSA is building a facility called the Utah Data Center that is scheduled to open in September of this year. The $2 billion construction project in Bluffdale, 20 miles south of Salt Lake City, will be the largest cloud-based data storage facility in the world and the hub of the NSA’s cyber-espionage operations. At more than 1 million square feet, the top-secret and self-sustaining complex will host servers capable of storing yottabytes of data. A yottabyte (1024 bytes) is 1 trillion terabytes…

Threat of a police state

When considered within the context of the economic, social and political crisis of American capitalism, the unprecedented scale and scope of the NSA electronic eavesdropping on US citizens and others around the world has an ominous character to it. It is clear that such measures are being prepared for reasons other than those officially provided.  http://www.globalresearch.ca/infrastructure-of-a-police-state-the-nsas-cyber-surveillance-technology/5340941

A US Army manual dated February 12, 2010 has recently been leaked and has been uploaded…here is just one point: H-43: “During a nonlethal engagement, the use of designated marksmen provides confidence and safety to those facing a riot. If a lethal threat is presented, the designated marksmen in overwatch positions (armed with appropriate sniper weapons mounted with high-powered scopes) can scan a crowd and identify agitators and riot leaders for apprehension and fire lethal rounds if warranted”. In other words, snipers are to scan a crowd and using their discretion can shoot and kill people. A bit like the execution in London eight years ago of Azelle Rodney. http://digitaljournal.com/article/353821#ixzz2YMxmdbm9

Why We Get the Police State We Deserve…

Just look at the polls: everyone loves Big Brother when he’s got the right party affiliation…

In the first flush of stories about how the National Security Agency is surveilling American citizens, one stomach-turning revelation hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves: we get the surveillance state we deserve because rank political partisanship trumps bedrock principle…More to the point, though, the virtually unyielding preference for partisanship over principle explains why regardless of which party controls the government, the surveillance state continues to grow. It’s totally different, don’t you see, when my guy is running the show!  http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/06/11/why-we-get-the-police-state-we-deserve-and-what-we-can-do-to-fix-that.html

37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! (Mark 13:36-37)

Some items of possibly related interest include the following:

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.
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 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.

Damage from Syrian Conflict

COGwriter

The abandonment of the democratically elected President Morsi of Egypt is starting to have repercussions amongst various Islamists, including those in Syria:

7 July 2013

Syria’s Islamists Disenchanted with Democracy After Morsi’s Fall

BEIRUT, LEBANON — Syria’s Islamist rebels say the downfall of Egypt’s popularly elected Muslim Brotherhood president has proven that Western nations pushing for democracy will never accept them, and reinforced the view of radicals that a violent power grab is their only resort.

Radical Islamist groups, some of them linked to al-Qaida, have lately been in the ascendancy in Syria’s two-year conflict as the death toll rises above 100,000….

Hardliners in the rebel ranks have long overshadowed the Muslim Brotherhood, a regional movement with a more moderate Islamist brand, and often criticized it for working within the framework of democracy instead of demanding an Islamic state.

“[We] always knew that our rights can only be regained by force and that is why we have chosen the ammunition box instead of the ballot box,” said a statement by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the local franchise of al-qaida’s international network, published on the day Morsi fell.

“If you want to shake off injustice and create change it can only be done by the sword. We choose to negotiate in the trenches, not in hotels. The conference lights should be turned off,” it said, in an apparent reference to the Western and Gulf Arab-backed meetings for the Syrian opposition’s National Coalition meetings in Istanbul this week.

There, Syria’s own Muslim Brotherhood movement, which has dominated the political representation for the opposition abroad since its inception, also took a hit. For the first time, a non-Brotherhood president was elected, though that was expected even before the collapse of Morsi’s government in Cairo.

Psychological blow

Pro-Assad groups were buoyed by the Egyptian army’s removal of Morsi after millions protested against him. Assad, whose family has ruled Syria for more than four decades, called it “the fall of so-called political Islam”…

But even pro-democracy Syrian activists say Morsi’s fall has undermined their faith in Western and Gulf-Arab backed movements against autocratic leaders such as Assad and Morsi’s predecessor Hosni Mubarak, who ruled Egypt for 30 years.

“Apparently armies in ‘democracies’ can topple presidents elected by the majority? This is a bad sign for revolutions,” said Tareq, an Aleppo-based activist, speaking by Skype.

The Brotherhood’s fall in Egypt will be felt by Syrian activists as more of a psychological blow than a strategic one…

“Whether we supported Syria’s Muslim Brotherhood or not, many Islamist rebels accepted that we might have to work within a civil state. Now, it is clear that world powers and their allies in the region are targeting Islam, first and foremost,” said a rebel called Abu Nidal, from the Mustafa Brigades in Damascus.

“Now the Islamists reject any more of the international community’s political games.”  http://www.voanews.com/content/syriaislamists-disenchanted-with-democracy-after-morsi-fall/1696652.html

I have long written that the Muslims want a type of strongman to rise up and lead them.  Many of the Islamists do not have any interest in democracy and what has just happened in Egypt will reinforce their view that Islam and democracy do not mix.  And they will choose Islam.

The Bible tells of a time when a confederation of territory, currently dominated by Islamic nations, will get together. And that type of confederation is what a major Sunni group called the Muslim Brotherhood is working towards developing. Because the Bible predicts this type of confederation in the end times (see Ezekiel 30:1-8; Daniel 11:40-43), it will come to pass.

Jesus told of a time of sorrows and troubles that precede the Great Tribulation:

7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.  8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.  (Mark 13:7-8)

Notice also that there are troubles and the situation in Egypt is still not settled:

July 7, 2013

An explosion has hit an Egyptian gas pipeline in the lawless Sinai peninsula following a spate of attacks on security checkpoints in recent days, state television and witnesses said.

It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the pipeline blast on Saturday or if the recent attacks were in reaction to the Egyptian army’s overthrow of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi on Wednesday.

The fire caused by the explosion was under control by early Sunday morning, state media reported.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/egyptian-gas-pipeline-to-jordan-blown-up-1.534269

July 7, 2013

CAIRO — Egypt’s new military-led interim government struggled Sunday to settle a dispute within its fragile coalition over who should lead the next cabinet.

But as Cairo braced for what are expected to be the largest demonstrations in days, no progress was apparent in resolving the political standoff…

The Muslim Brotherhood issued calls from the mosques around Cairo for members to take to the streets and bring the capital to a standstill.

Anti-Morsi groups, based in Tahrir Square, issued pleas on social media urging supporters to turn out in large numbers as they did last week.

The military is expected to create a buffer zone between the two camps to avoid a repeat of the clashes that killed three dozen people on Friday.  http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-cairo-braces-for-protests-20130707,0,925534.story

Since Syria is one of the countries that will support the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40), and its President Assad is basically on the outs with other Arabic nations, something (like him and his government) will have to change there.  Despite occasional governmental military victories, the situation in Syria AND Egypt will change.

Items of possibly related interest may include:

Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims?
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
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?

Medieval Abortion Drug Being Given

COGwriter

Wisconsin has a new law that goes into effect tomorrow that many hope will reduce the amount of abortions there:

Gov. Scott Walker, R-Wis., took a deep dive into the divisive politics of abortion on Friday, signing a bill that would require women seeking an abortion to undergo an ultrasound and barring doctors without admitting privileges at local hospitals from performing abortions.

The bill, which takes effect Monday, will make Wisconsin the ninth state in the country to require women to receive an ultrasound procedure before an abortion.

Walker did not sign the bill in public. In a statement released Friday, according to The Associated Press, he said the measure “improves a woman’s ability to make an informed choice that will protect her physical and mental health now and in the future.”

Supporters of the bill have argued that more women would decide to carry a fetus to term if an ultrasound allowed them to see the unborn child. The law would force the technician administering the ultrasound to point out the fetus’ visible organs and features.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57592519/wisconsin-gov-scott-walker-signs-bill-requiring-ultrasounds-for-women-seeking-abortions/

Opponents claim that this is an unnecessary test.  But the reality is that abortionists fear that if women understood more of the truth about abortions that they would be less likely to have one.

The abortionists do not seem to care that the Bible condemns those that shed innocent blood:

So you shall put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you when you do what is right in the sight of the LORD (Deuteronomy 21:9).

These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:16-19).

Their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; Wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace (Isaiah 59:7-8).

Thus says the LORD: “Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place (Jeremiah 22:3).

“Yet your eyes and your heart are for nothing but your covetousness, For shedding innocent blood, And practicing oppression and violence” (Jeremiah 22:17).

Babies are innocent. Killing them is the shedding of innocent blood.  This Wisconsin law attempts to let women realize just what they are killing.

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.
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?
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

At least one in Russia today has endorsed Venezuela’s offer of asylum to Edward Snowden:

July 6, 2013

MOSCOW — Venezuela’s offer of asylum for NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden got a thumbs up from key members of the Russian parliament Saturday, even as the Kremlin and Foreign Ministry kept a studious silence.

“Sanctuary for Snowden in Venezuela would be the best decision,” Alexei Pushkov, head of the foreign affairs committee of Russia’s lower house of parliament, wrote in a tweet Saturday.    http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/venezuela-says-it-will-shelter-snowden/2013/07/06/58ef6b44-e62e-11e2-80eb-3145e2994a55_story.html

Edward Snowden wants asylum as he does not wish to face the legal system of the USA for what he allegedly did.

The fallout of the Snowden affair will have prophetic ramifications.  Information he allegedly provided to Der Spiegel of Germany about US espionage made some of the Europeans. and especially Germans, furious.

The Continuing Church of God is pleased to announce a new video about the fallout on our YouTube channel called Bible New Prophecy.