Fearing terrorists, USA announces the closing of several embassies on Sunday. Plus a travel alert!
Friday, August 2nd, 2013
“I will break the pride of your power” (Leviticus 26:19)
Because of fears of terrorism from Al Qaeda and/or other terrorists, the USA announced that it will close various embassies in the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia on August 4, 2013.
U.S. To Close Embassies Sunday Over Security Fears
U.S. embassies that would normally be open this Sunday – including those in Abu Dhabi, Baghdad and Cairo – will be closed that day because of unspecified security concerns, the U.S. State Department said…
CBS News reported that the embassy closings were tied to U.S. intelligence about an al Qaeda plot against U.S. diplomatic posts in the Middle East and other Muslim countries. CBS said the intelligence did not mention a specific location.
“The Department of State has instructed certain U.S. embassies and consulates to remain closed or to suspend operations on Sunday, August 4th,” State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters at her daily briefing. “Security considerations have led us to take this precautionary step.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/01/us-to-close-embassies-sun_n_3690701.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D352800
Al Qaeda is linked to a terror threat that has prompted the State Department to direct its embassies in key Middle East nations, including Egypt and Israel, to close Sunday, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce, R-California, told CNN’s “New Day” Friday. “It’s my understanding that it is al Qaeda linked, alright, and the threat emanates in the Middle East and in Central Asia.” http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/01/politics/embassies-close/
U.S. embassies in a slew of Muslim countries will close on Sunday due to a credible and serious security threat.
The embassies will close in response to “a specific threat against a U.S. embassy or consulate,” according to a senior U.S. official, who called it a “concerted effort” to target an embassy or consulate in a Muslim country.
“We just don’t know which one,” the official told ABC News.
“There could be other targets, not just embassies,” another U.S. official said. The threat is considered to be throughout the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.
Some of the biggest U.S. embassies will close, including those in Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, where tens of thousands of U.S. troops are based. The U.S. embassy in Afghanistan will also close. So will embassies in Dhaka, Bangladesh; Amman, Jordan; Muscat, Oman; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Algiers, Algeria; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Sana’a, Yemen; and Tripoli, Libya, according to security warnings issued by those embassies. Two consulates in Saudi Arabia will also close, in Dharan and Jeddah, as will a consulate in Dubai, United Arab Emirates….
The embassies could remain closed past Sunday.
While next week will mark the Muslim holiday of Eid, and the end of Ramadan, a U.S. official declined to draw any connection between the security threat and the Muslim holy calendar.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-embassies-close-sunday-amid-terrorist-threat/storynew?id=19845743
UPDATE 12:00 pm PDT/3:00pm EDT (after I posted this article, the following came out that I added later):
August 02, 2013
STATE DEPARTMENT — The United States is warning its citizens traveling abroad to watch out for potential terror attacks, especially in North Africa and the Middle East.
The new travel alert from the U.S. State Department is based on intelligence suggesting al-Qaida or affiliated groups may be plotting attacks on official U.S. targets and American businesses, or any other places where Americans gather.
This alert is in effect for the entire month of August, and it follows the announcement that more than 20 U.S. embassies and consulates in the Middle East and Africa will close on Sunday. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-to-close-embassies-august-4/1722140.html
Notice something from a post on the COGwriter news page of May, 24, 2013 (Obama ending ‘war on terror’):
Obama thinks we won the War on Terror and it’s time to move on
President Obama delivered what was billed by the White House as a “major” speech on national security Thursday at the historic National Defense University. In short, Mr. Obama thinks the War on Terror is over, and he won it. There may be a few final details to mop about, but it’s time to move on to more important things…the president said drone strikes have killed “dozens of skilled Al Qaeda” fighters and taken them off the battlefield…If the drone strikes have been as effective as Mr. Obama claims, why are there more terrorists in more places than before as has Al Qaeda and its affiliates have set up shop in new countries? And if Al Qaeda has spread, why limit the drone strikes? http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/05/23/obama-thinks-won-war-on-terror-and-it-time-to-move-on/#ixzz2UDcjeOGw.The USA President is entitled to his opinion. But as the USA increasingly moves away from biblical standards of morality, I believe that terror will be used against it, used more, and ultimately be very effective…Terrorism is not over.
My predictive comments (which I italicized above) about this a couple of months ago were proven correct.
Why?
Because terrorism was prophesied long ago:
14 ‘But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments,
15 and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant,
16 I also will do this to you:
I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart.
And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.
17 I will set My face against you, and you shall be defeated by your enemies.
Those who hate you shall reign over you, and you shall flee when no one pursues you.18 ‘And after all this, if you do not obey Me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.
19 I will break the pride of your power; I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze.
20 And your strength shall be spent in vain; for your land shall not yield its produce, nor shall the trees of the land yield their fruit. (Leviticus 26:14-20)25 The sword shall destroy outside; There shall be terror within (Deuteronomy 32:25)
Jesus foretold troubles as part of the beginning of sorrows:
8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)
3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” 4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword. (Revelation 6:3-4)
Terrorism and attempts at it certainly qualify as troubles. Terrorism is not over.
The pride of the USA’s power is being broken. That pride has long been associated with its military and economic strength. Various sins and increasing debt is weakening the USA in many ways.
Without national repentance the USA is doomed. Since the USA seems to be going more into sin nationally, that type of national repentance seems unlikely. Yet, personal repentance is still possible. Do you see the winds of change in the USA and elsewhere?
If so, what do you plan to do about it?
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
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?
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?
Protestant and Church of God views of the United States in Bible Prophecy Is the USA mentioned in Bible prophecy? Some Protestants say yes, while others say no. What does the Bible really teach? Learn the truth about this. Is The United States Mentioned In Bible Prophecy?
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.
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.
Do Christians Sin? This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong.
Overcoming Sin What is sin? How are Christians suppose to overcome it? Here is also a link to a video titled How to Overcome Sin.
How to Prevent Sin This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong.
Just What Do You Mean Conversion? Many think that they are converted Christians. But are they? Would you like to know more about conversion. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
False Conversion Have you really been converted? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this article on this important subject.
All About Water Baptism What is baptism? Would you like to know more about it. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject. As far as early history, see also Baptism and the Early Church.
God’s Grace is For All Is being Jewish a hindrance to salvation? What about not being a descendant of Israel? What does the Bible really teach?