Church of God News

COGwriter

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

Syrian soldier wearing chemical weapon protection

COGwriter

Various ones are looking at what to do about the apparent use of deadly chemical weapons in Syria:

August 24, 2013

A growing Western consensus that Syria’s government used chemical weapons this week against its own people is based on information from networks of informants in rebel strongholds, who collect tissue samples and video evidence for Western and Middle Eastern spy agencies, according to U.S., European and Arab officials…

On Friday, the British government said that chemical weapons were the only plausible explanation for the intense casualties this week. The White House said there was evidence that such weapons were used. Officials said U.S. intelligence agencies could make a final determination within days…

Under the new arrangement for gathering evidence, spy agencies, including those from the U.S., U.K. and France, collect samples separately through their parallel networks and then compare results. The goal is to improve their ability to confirm what occurred by using disparate samples…

Because conventional weapons also were used, it could be difficult to sort out how many people were killed with the likely chemical weapons and how many died by other means, the official said…The Syrian government has denied using chemical weapons. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324165204579031203088114652.html

The U.S. defense secretary has strongly suggested that the U.S. is moving naval forces into place in anticipation of any decision by President Barack Obama to order military action on Syria after apparent chemical weapons use.

Chuck Hagel told reporters traveling to Malaysia with him Friday Obama has asked the Defense Department for a range of options if he chooses to launch an attack on the Damascus government…

Angela Kane, the U.N. High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, arrived in Damascus Saturday to push for access to the suspected chemical weapons attack site.

Russia and China are joining international calls for an investigation into an alleged poison gas attack in a suburb of Syria’s capital, as President Obama said the reported incident is of “grave concern.”

Russia’s Foreign Ministry Friday said claims by Syria’s opposition that hundreds died in a poisonous gas attack several days ago should undergo an objective investigation, and it called on Syria to cooperate…

The United States has been pushing for a U.N.-led investigation.  Obama told CNN that officials are still gathering information but called the reported attack a matter of “grave concern.”

“We’re still gathering information about this particular event, but it is very troublesome,” he said.

But Obama also told CNN the idea that the U.S. can just go in and solve the problems in Syria is “overstated.”

“We have to think through strategically what’s going to be in our long-term national interests,” he said.  http://www.voanews.com/content/hagel-us-weighs-military-options-for-syria/1736097.html

This week, Syrian opposition forces claimed that the government of Bashar Assad had used chemical weapons against its own people, killing scores — men, women and children — in a Damascus suburb.

If true, The Times’ editorial board argued Friday, the United States can no longer just stand by and watch:

But if chemical weapons are now being used on a major scale against civilians, the U.S. must act — ideally in concert with other nations. On Thursday, France’s foreign minister suggested that the international community should respond with “force” short of the deployment of troops if the allegations are confirmed. A no-fly zone coupled with airstrikes is an obvious option.

To which I say: Why?

Here’s what the editorial board argues:

For almost a century there has been an international consensus that chemical weapons are beyond the pale because of their cruelty and potential for widespread loss of life. That understanding was reflected in Obama‘s comments about a “red line.” The Syrian government must not be allowed to cross that line with impunity.

…President Obama drew that red line last August. No doubt he hoped it would deter Assad from using chemical weapons, while allowing us to stay out of the fight. Except now chemical weapons have been used…That red line was a dodge. A dodge that has now come back to bite us. http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-syria-chemical-weapons-the-phony-red-line-20130823,0,6066722.story

The USA and UK have indicated that they have been preparing for possible military action against Syria (see UK and USA reportedly considering invading Syria because of chemical weapons concerns).  It is possible that this may happen.  And Syria has its own view:

August 24, 2013

Syria’s Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi said at a TV interview that the American pressure will not help, and warned that attacking Syria will have dangerous consequences. “A mass of flames will ignite the Middle East,” said al-Zoubi, and added that attack on its country will not aid in any way. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4421631,00.html

Since the Bible is clear that Syria’s capital Damascus must be destroyed per Isaiah 17:1, it will be (for more details, you can also view the relatively short YouTube video Damascus and Syria in Prophecy). Whether this is done by the Syrian government, its opposition, or outside forces (which could include the USA, UK, Israel, and/or others), the Bible does not specify–but it will happen.

This does not mean that the USA, UK, Israel, and/or others involved will get off unscathed. Syria (along with its close ally, Iran) can, and very well may, cause major damage to Israel and/or the USA, UK, etc. but as they are not prophesied to takeover the USA or Israel, they will not do so.  But Syria could cause terrors and other troubles to afflict the USA (cf. Mark 13:8).

The Bible itself strongly suggests that Syria will be involved in a confederation of North African and Middle Eastern nations (Ezekiel 30:1-8; Psalm 83:4-8) who will support a leader that the Bible refers to as the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43). Since the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood wants a similar confederation, I have long believed that Syria will align with it or a group like it–and since Syria’s Shi’ite President Assad is opposed to that, he will have to go or change his views.

Whether it will be from the Syrian opposition to the Assad regime, actions by the Assad regime itself, other conflicts, and/or intervention from Israel, Syria will change and its capital Damascus will be destroyed.

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

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
Is 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?
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”? Is there a needed peace deal first in the Middle East? 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?
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?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?  Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests?  Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.

COGwriter

Parts of California still are on fire and some believe that San Francisco’s electrical power may be impacted:

24 August 2013

FRESNO, Calif — A wildfire raging out of control has grown to nearly 200 square miles and spread into Yosemite National Park at the height of the summer season for one of California’s most popular tourist destinations…in an unusual move, Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for San Francisco 150 miles away because of the threat to the city’s utilities.

The wildfire had already done some damage and threatened more to the lines and stations that pipe power to San Francisco, so Mr. Brown, who had declared an emergency for the fire area earlier in the week, extended it to the city.

San Francisco also gets 85 percent of its water from the Yosemite-area Hetch Hetchy Reservoir that is about 4 miles from the fire, though that had yet to be affected. But it was forced to shut down two of its three hydroelectric power stations in the area.  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/25/us/wildfire-yosemite-san-francisco-california.html?_r=0

GROVELAND, Calif. — The billowing cloud rising behind this Gold Rush town of potted petunias and clapboard houses was three times higher than the highest peak at nearby Yosemite National Park.

Almost everyone in town could tell you it was formed by heat and if it imploded could create winds that could whip up the Rim fire — already covering more than 110,000 acres, and defying the efforts of water-dropping planes, helicopters and more than 2,000 firefighters. As of Friday night, the fire was 2% contained…

The fire is threatening more than 4,500 structures and several mountain communities are under mandatory evacuation. California 120, the western Yosemite entrance most used by travelers from the Bay Area, has been closed since Monday. The economy of mountain communities depending on summer tourists’ last hurrahs have been devastated.

On Thursday, Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency. Late Friday, Brown extended the state of emergency to include the city and county of San Francisco, saying the fire has caused damage to electrical infrastructure serving the area. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission has been forced to shut down transmission lines, and delivery of water and electricity could be interrupted.

And the fire still rages, sometimes doubling in size overnight. On Thursday, the fire grew from 63,000 to more than 105,000 acres…

Wildfires are part of the Sierra in the summer. But no one has seen a fire this out of control since 1987 when all of California seemed to be burning.  http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-yosemite-fire-20130824,0,1432454.story?page=1

The Bible shows that God uses weather to get people’s attention. Sometimes to punish, sometimes to lead to repentance, and other times to consider that God, not humankind, is in control.

Although California historically has wildfires, the Bible also mentions fire as a tool that God sometimes uses. Here are some examples:

11 The Lord said:

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

12 O house of David! Thus says the Lord:

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

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

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

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

My family used to live near the area of the current wildfire and I know of people who are being affected by it.

My prayers are with those affected by the fires.  I also pray that those in California will repent as worse problems are ahead if it continues to go in a moral direction away from the Bible.  California set a bad standard last Fall when it became the first USA state to outlaw attempts to convert homosexuals from that ‘lifestyle’ (see California’s Brown Signs Anti-Homosexual Conversion Bill)–the State of New Jersey recently followed California’s bad example (see Republican Christie to sign bill outlawing homosexual conversion therapy).  Additionally, the State of California has other issues where it is also setting very bad examples (such as the production of pornographic entertainment).

Weather problems can be a warning to people that society is going in the wrong direction (Amos 4:7-12).  Notice also God’s use of fire between three thousand and four thousand years ago:

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

And why did it happen?

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

Why mention this in the 21st century? Because God turned:

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

Notice also the following:

11 “I overthrew some of you,
As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah,
And you were like a firebrand plucked from the burning;
Yet you have not returned to Me,”
Says the Lord.

12 “Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel;
Because I will do this to you,
Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”   (Amos 4:11-12)

Fires should get people to consider.  But will people in California, the USA, or the other Anglo-descended areas heed?

Jesus taught:

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

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

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

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done? Here is a related YouTube video Does God Use Weather?
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.
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? Here is a link to a YouTube video Pornography: Harmless Fun or a Scourge on Society?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2013, 2014, or 2015? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
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.
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?
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? For a more detailed discussion of the first four commandments, please see the video The Ten Commandments: Loving God
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.
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?

Artist’s interpretation of Mary Magdalene

COGwriter

The Continuing Church of God is pleased to announce its suggested sermon for today which is at its ContinuingCOG channel.

1:15:27

What roles did women play in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles? Did Jesus and the Apostle Paul violate Jewish traditions regarding their dealings with women? Do women have any biblical limitations on their role in the Church? Were there female prophets? Do women have any special responsibilities in terms of how they dress? What does the New Testament really teach about women?

Here is another link to the related sermon: New Testament Women.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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 What roles did women play in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles? Did Jesus and the Apostle Paul violate Jewish traditions regarding their dealings with women? Do women have any biblical limitations on their role in the Church? Were there female prophets? Do women have any special responsibilities in terms of how they dress? What does the New Testament really teach about women? Here is a related sermon titled: New Testament Women.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What happened at Fatima? What might they mean for the rise of the ecumenical religion of Antichrist? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How do the Eastern/Greek Orthodox view Mary? How might Mary view her adorers? Here is a link to a YouTube video Marian Apparitions May Fulfill Prophecy.

Depiction of Levites Carrying the Ark of the Covenant

COGwriter

A reader sent me a link to the following:

On the evening of Tuesday, August 20th, 2013, the 14th day of Elul, 5773, after a 2000 year ‘summer break,’ school reopened to teach kohanim (Jewish men of priestly descent) the ‘lost’ art of performing the daily Tamid service in the Holy Temple.

The detailed laws of the Divine service in the Holy Temple have always been accessible in the volumes of Jewish tradition. But now, for the first time in two millennia, an organized academy has been inaugurated to prepare for the renewal of Temple service. The grand opening of the academy began with a semi-dress rehearsal/dry run of the entire daily service from start to finish, reenacted step by step…

An atmosphere of great excitement prevailed throughout the entire evening and profoundly affected all those assembled – ‘players’ and audience alike. All were emotionally charged and visibly moved with the knowledge that here in Jerusalem, these sacred tasks are being reenacted, for the purpose of studious preparation, for the first time since the destruction of the Holy Temple.  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150354149409969.1073741845.22738684968&type=1

The Temple Institute wants to re-implement animal sacrifices as well as build another temple in Jerusalem.

Since having a trained priesthood is required for sacrifices, this academy could be an important prophetic step.  The Temple Institute is basically awaiting Israeli government permission to begin the sacrifices at any time–including without having a physical temple.

Until Solomon built the first temple (1 Kings 6:14), the Bible shows that the Jews sacrificed on altars. David, Solomon’s father, for example sacrificed on an altar (2 Samuel 24:25), as did Aaron and his descendants (Exodus 20:24; Leviticus 1:10-11). And prior to all of that, Abel (Genesis 4:4), Noah (Genesis 8:20), Abraham (Genesis 22:9-13), and others sacrificed animals to God.

Ezra 3:6 shows that animal sacrifices can take place WITHOUT having an actual temple, but simply an altar (and the Temple Institute already has one of those).

The Bible teaches that the time is coming when those sacrifices in the Temple Mount area will once again be started as they will be stopped by a prince (Daniel 9:26-27) who will become the end time King of the North (Daniel 11:31-40).

The steps that the Temple Institute has been taking seem to be preludes to the fulfillment of certain biblical prophecies.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required? Although people like Timothy LaHaye teach a third Jewish temple is required, who is ‘the temple of God” in the New Testament? Does the Bible require a rebuilt Jewish Temple? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Por qué no se requiere un templo judío en Jerusalén?
Solomon’s TempleThis is a a 5 minute animated film that shows one artist’s understanding of the details about Solomon’s temple.
Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill Could this building, often referred to as the Cenacle, possibly have been the oldest actual Christian church building?  If there is a physical temple of God at the time of the end, could this building area be it?  There is also a video titled Does the ‘Cenacle’ deal have prophetic ramifications?
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? Why might Daniel 9:27 be referring to a peace deal? 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?

Pro-Morsi Demonstrators (Photo by Mohamed Elsayed)

COGwriter

The Muslim Brotherhood called for a “Martyr’s Friday” protest today:

August 23, 2013

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood is calling for mass rallies Friday…

The Brotherhood and the so-called “Anti-Coup Alliance” have called for a “Martyr’s Friday” of mass demonstrations against the military, raising fears of fresh violence.

The government says over 1,000 people have been killed in political violence since Morsi’s ouster. Although the large majority of the victims have been Islamist protesters, dozens of security forces have also been killed.

The army-backed interim government, meanwhile, has arrested dozens of Brotherhood officials and supporters, including its spiritual leader, Mohamed Badie.

The military has denied carrying out a coup in ousting Morsi, saying it had the support of millions of protesters who called for his removal in June.  http://www.voanews.com/content/muslim-brotherhood-calls-for-martyrs-friday-in-egypt/1735343.html

August 23, 2103

Egypt braces for more mass protests; Obama voices concern…

The Brotherhood and its allies announced marches from 28 mosques in Cairo after midday prayers in what they called a “Friday of Martyrs.” Additional protests were expected in other parts of the country.

The situation in Egypt has triggered considerable concern in the United States, with President Obama on Friday condemning the military crackdown and saying that he is evaluating whether to cut off more than $1.2 billion in aid to the Egyptian government.

“There’s no doubt that we can’t return to business as usual, given what’s happened,” Obama said in an interview with CNN’s Chris Cuomo that aired Friday morning.

“My sense with Egypt is that the aid itself may not reverse what the interim government does,” Obama said. “But I think what most Americans would say is that we have to be very careful about being seen as aiding and abetting actions that we think run contrary to our values and our ideals.”  http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/egypt-braces-for-more-mass-protests-obama-voices-concern/2013/08/23/92b04766-0be7-11e3-8974-f97ab3b3c677_story.html

When the military-backed government arrested the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood earlier this week, he was immediately replaced by a leader in the Muslim Brotherhood called Mohamed Ezzat (see Muslim Brotherhood says it will continue protests; Obama Administration denies cutting funding to military government in Egypt).  NBC reported that various ones call Mohamed Ezzat the “iron man” (‘Iron man’ takes helm at Muslim Brotherhood after Egypt arrests leader).

Many in the West seemed to overlook what the goals of the Muslim Brotherhood really are.  That group wants an Islamic Empire which include Western Africa and running as East as Indonesia.  They also want Spain as it once was dominated by Muslims.  The Bible itself teaches that a confederation of nations from North Africa to the Middle East will form and have a leader called the King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43).  The Muslim Brotherhood’s credo was and is, “Allah is our objective; the Quran is our law, the Prophet is our leader; Jihad is our way; and death for the sake of Allah is the highest of our aspirations.”  So, calling for a “Martyr’s Friday” seems consistent with that.

The whole region of North Africa and the Middle East (including the Arab peninsula) will change. A dictatorial leader will ultimately emerge and turn the region of North Africa and the Middle East into a massive state that will profess loyalty to Islam while also making deceptive deals with the Europeans (cf. Daniel 11:27; 9:27).  Someone such as Mohamed Ezzat could be that leader.

The Bible is clear that a King of the South will rise up in the areas of North Africa and the Middle East (Daniel 11:40-43). Egypt will lead or at least support this King, and Egypt will not fare well (Daniel 11:42).

An Egyptian-related confederation is also discussed in Ezekiel:

4 The sword shall come upon Egypt,And great anguish shall be in Ethiopia, When the slain fall in Egypt, And they take away her wealth, And her foundations are broken down.

5 “Ethiopia, Libya, Lydia, all the mingled people, Chub, and the men of the lands who are allied, shall fall with them by the sword.”

6 ‘Thus says the Lord:

“Those who uphold Egypt shall fall,And the pride of her power shall come down.From Migdol to Syene Those within her shall fall by the sword,” Says the Lord God. 7 “They shall be desolate in the midst of the desolate countries, And her cities shall be in the midst of the cities that are laid waste. 8 Then they will know that I am the Lord, When I have set a fire in Egypt And all her helpers are destroyed. 9 On that day messengers shall go forth from Me in ships To make the careless Ethiopians afraid, And great anguish shall come upon them, As on the day of Egypt; For indeed it is coming!” (Ezekiel 30:4-9)

It will likely be a religious, Islamic-oriented, government that will help create the coming confederation. And the Bible shows that Egypt will not fare well in the future. Events in Egypt are setting the stage for these and other prophecies to be fulfilled.

As far as Barack Obama goes, he is correct to be concerned about the situation in Europe.  FWIW, I saw some news reports this week that claim that a half-brother of Barack Obama, called Malik Obama (he is also known as Abongo or Roy), has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood (e.g. Obama’s brother linked to Muslim Brotherhood) and Joe Miller Links To Story Pushing Obama-Muslim Brotherhood Conspiracy Theory).  Whether that is completely true or not, Barack Obama has taken steps that the Muslim Brotherhood would like at times and other steps that it would not like at times.

As far as Egypt itself goes, Bible prophecy shows that it will ultimately be a major part of an empire that will be defeated.  We have a new article about that (Egypt in Prophecy) as well as a new video (Egypt and End Time Prophecy).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Egypt in Prophecy Does Egypt have a special role in end time prophecy? Will Egypt rise up and then be defeated. What does God teach will happen to those in Egypt?
Egypt and End Time Prophecy What will happen in Egypt? Might the Muslim Brotherhood have some type of role? Could the final ‘King of the South’ on Daniel 11 come from Egypt? What does the Bible teach? Will the Islamists get the type of caliphate confederation that they have longed for? Will there be a confederation of North African and Middle Eastern nations? If so, how will this end up? What does the Bible specifically teach about what will happen to Egypt and the Egyptians? Might the Nubians also be affected? What about others?  This is a YouTube video.
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.

COGwriter

Many of the nations of Southeast Asia are meeting:

PHNOM PENH — Cambodia’s foreign minister says a special meeting between ASEAN ministers and China is “crucial,” following meetings with his Chinese counterpart this week.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong met Thursday with Wang Yi, who was on a two-day visit for bilateral talks on security, economics and trade. Wang told reporters China is interested in protecting Cambodia from “outside” interests.

Hor Namhong says ASEAN ministers should consider a closer relationship with China as they head into talks aimed at easing tensions over the South China Sea next week in Beijing.

“The special meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers with China is crucial to consolidate friendship and strategic cooperation between ASEAN and China,” he said.

The meeting in Beijing follows a recent ASEAN foreign affairs ministers meeting during which they said they would speak with “one voice” with China. The Cambodian foreign minister did not attend that meeting…

Cambodia’s close relationship with China came under scrutiny last year, during a major ASEAN summit in Phnom Penh.

Cambodia appeared to be working in China’s interests over the South China Sea issue, where several ASEAN nations have disputed claims with their larger neighbor.

At the end of that meeting, ASEAN ministers were, for the first time in history, unable to agree on the language of a joint declaration, a signal of ongoing controversy among ministers.  http://www.voanews.com/content/cambodia-urges-closer-asean-ties-with-china/1734944.html 

Cooperation with China would have certain economic benefits as well as various risks.

Bible prophecy indicate that in the future a major Asian confederation will form as a warring force:

12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared…to gather them to the battle (Revelation 16:12,14).

See also Daniel 11:44:

44 But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many.  (Daniel 11:44)

Notice this is a power that the “he” is concerned about is north and east of Europe (the “he/him” here is European).  Russia is the main power north of Europe and it extends apparently the farthest east as well.  Asian nations are in the east.

The European leader is also called the King of Babylon below:

50:41 “Behold, a people shall come from the north,
And a great nation and many kings
Shall be raised up from the ends of the earth.
42 They shall hold the bow and the lance;
They are cruel and shall not show mercy.
Their voice shall roar like the sea;
They shall ride on horses,
Set in array, like a man for the battle,
Against you, O daughter of Babylon.

43 “The king of Babylon has heard the report about them,
And his hands grow feeble;
Anguish has taken hold of him,
Pangs as of a woman in childbirth…”(Jeremiah 50:41-43).

The end-time European Beast power will be disturbed by what will be happening in places like Asia, including Russia.

Because of biblical prophecy, it looks like those nations of Southeast Asia will likely form some type of military confederation with Russia, China, Japan, Korea, and/or probably India and others.  And some of that cooperation is starting to form already.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters Where did the Chinese people come from? This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon? A YouTube video of interest may be Is China THE Threat to the United States of America?
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?
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? Here is a machine-translated link to that article in Korean: 한국의 언어로 : 한국 예언, 모든 증인에?; here is a link to that article in Mandarin Chinese: 在预言中的韩国：有任何证人吗？
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?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
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?
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?

COGwriter

Circumcision made the news today:

THURSDAY, Aug. 22 (HealthDay News) — Male circumcision rates in the United States declined 10 percent between 1979 and 2010, federal health officials reported Thursday.

Over 32 years, the rate of newborn circumcision — the surgical removal of foreskin from a penis — performed in hospitals dropped from 64.5 percent to slightly more than 58 percent, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…

In the 1970s the AAP said routine circumcision had no medical benefit. However, in 1989 the academy revised its position and said there were potential benefits to the procedure after all. But in 1999 the academy said that despite these benefits there was not enough evidence to recommend routine circumcision.

Current AAP guidelines offer evidence of the benefits of circumcision, especially in terms of preventing the transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

The guidelines also say that circumcision lowers the risk of urinary tract infections in infants, genital herpes, human papillomavirus, cervical cancer in women and penile cancer…

AAP President Dr. Thomas McInerny said he thinks the change in circumcision rates is due to changes in the way doctors and families interact when deciding on the procedure…”The benefit of circumcision outweighs the very small risk, and therefore it is recommended, but it is not strongly recommended,” McInerny explained.  http://consumer.healthday.com/men-s-health-information-24/circumcision-news-131/u-s-circumcision-rates-drop-10-percent-in-3-decades-cdc-679470.html

Health professionals realize that there are real health benefits to male circumcision, but it seems “politically incorrect” for them to take a stronger stand in favor of it.

Thousands of years ago, God told Abraham to implement circumcision:

9 And God said to Abraham: “As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. 10 This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; 11 and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. 13 He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.” (Genesis 17:9-14)

Now, although the New Testament teaches that Gentile adult males do not have to be circumcised in order to be Christians (Acts 15:24-29), the Apostle Paul had Timothy circumcised anyway (Acts 16:3).

Even though the apostles ruled that adult Gentiles did not have to be circumcised in Acts 15, my own reading into early church history suggests that many Christians continued to circumcise their male babies after this declaration (though not necessarily in all Sabbath-keeping groups).

The early 20^th century theologian J.J.L. Ratton reported:

The early Church at Jerusalem, retained most of the distinctive customs of the Jews, such as circumcision, kosher meats, the Jewish Sabbath, the Jewish rites, and worship of the Temple. Our Lord, Himself, lived the exterior life of a Jew, even so far as the observance of Jewish religious customs was concerned. The early Church of Jerusalem followed His example. The Jews looked upon the Hebrew Christians in Jerusalem simply as a Jewish sect, which they called the sect of the Nazarenes. (Ratton JJL The Apocalypse of St. John: a commentary on the Greek text, 2^nd edition. R. & T. Washbourne, ltd., 1915. Original fromt he University of Michigan. Digitized Jun 12, 2007, p. 4)

Now, it should be mentioned that in the second century, non-Nazarene professors of Christ, like the heretic Justin, did not practice circumcision.

While the Bible does not list health benefits that come from circumcision, it would make sense that the Creator of the universe would only recommend physical practices that were beneficial for His human creation.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Health Benefits for Circumcision Various studies show health benefits for male circumcision. Have Christians observed circumcision throughout history?
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 doctrines the early Christians actually had? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
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?
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?

COGwriter

In an announcement that to me does not contain surprising information, it was revealed that the US National Security Agency (NSA) illegally collected data on US residents:

22 August 2013

The U.S. National Security Agency has released a 2011 court opinion that ruled it unlawfully gathered as many 56,000 emails and other electronic communications of Americans each year between 2008 and 2011…

U.S. intelligence officials told reporters the NSA discovered in 2011 that it had inadvertently collected communications between U.S. citizens under a program aimed at monitoring foreign communications. The agency revealed its discovery to a secret court that oversees the NSA’s activities, which ordered the agency to revise the program to keep domestic communications from being mixed in with overseas communications.

But in an 85-page ruling issued in October 2011, Judge James Bates concluded that the government had engaged in a pattern of misleading statements when it sought authorization to conduct the program. Judge Bates also suggested the NSA may have violated the U.S. constitution’s prohibition against against “unreasonable searches and seizures”  http://www.voanews.com/content/documents-reveal-nsa-collected-thousands-of-americanbased-emails/1734565.html

22 August 2013

“Contrary to the government’s repeated assurances, N.S.A. had been routinely running queries of the metadata using querying terms that did not meet the standard for querying,” Judge Bates recounted. He cited a 2009 ruling that concluded that the requirement had been “so frequently and systematically violated that it can fairly be said that this critical element of the overall … regime has never functioned effectively.”

The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a free speech and privacy rights group, sued to obtain the ruling after Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat who sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee, fought last summer to declassify the basic fact that the surveillance court had ruled that the N.S.A. had violated the Fourth Amendment.

In a statement, Mr. Wyden — an outspoken critic of N.S.A. surveillance — said declassification of the ruling was “long overdue.” He argued that while the N.S.A. had increased privacy protections for purely domestic and unrelated communications that were swept up in the surveillance, the collection itself “was a serious violation of the Fourth Amendment.”  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/22/us/2011-ruling-found-an-nsa-program-unconstitutional.html

22 August 2013

The foreign intelligence surveillance (Fisa) court ruling stemmed from what intelligence officials told reporters on Wednesday was a complex technical problem, not an intentional violation of American civil liberties.

In his 86-page opinion, declassified on Wednesday, Judge John Bates wrote that the government informed the court that the “volume and nature of the information it has been collecting is fundamentally different from what the court had been led to believe”.  http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/21/nsa-illegally-collected-thousands-emails-court

21 August 2013

A secret federal court found that the National Security Agency violated the civil rights of Americans when it collected thousands of emails and other digital messages between Americans, according to a 2011 opinion released Wednesday.

The FISA court ruled parts of the program to be unconstitutional and ordered them to be revised. http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/08/21/214212847/nsa-culled-tens-of-thousands-of-u-s-emails-yearly-fisa-opinion-says

Despite being deemed unconstitutional, the espionage program was simply ordered to be revised to be in less technical violation of a judge’s opinion of the US Constitution.  And more espionage has occurred since.

Oddly, only 11 days ago, the head of the NSA said that it was not violating the privacy of US residents (see What will likely come from the NSA debate?).

I disagreed then, and I disagree now.

There have been a lot of government lies (see Area 51, surveillance denials, and other government lies), and lying is wrong (cf. Revelation 21:8).  The USA is most definitely NOT “the land of the free.”  It is the land of the regulated and spied upon. It is more and more becoming NOT “the home of the brave,” but the home of the “politically correct.”

One day, those associated with the US government will very likely get various Church of God-related websites, such as this one in particular, shut down (cf. Amos 8:11-12).  Reasons such as opposing homosexuality will likely be considered “hate speech” and/or telling what the rising King of the North is up to will likely be considered to treasonous and/or violate some aspect of the improperly named “Patriot Act.”  Certain COG groups have already gone into massive self-censorship mode to avoid making certain statements on media such as television (for one example, see also the article on The Final Phase of the Work).

Until we are kicked-off, or suspended, from the internet, I expect that the government will take steps to make its data collection and espionage more ‘legal’ in the views of the constitutionally-devoid. I still also believe that the US President Barack Obama will likely put some highly limited restrictions on some of what NSA does. But overall, the US government will end up with more data, at least in total.  This is consistent with a lot of other “privacy rights” that the US government has had involvement with in the past decade or so.

I also believe that once there is some type of terrorist attack in the USA that it will be used as an excuse to change the rules again and allow more data collection and espionage. Various government officials in the past have said that they should not ‘waste’ a ‘good crisis.’

Because of what the USA has done, and the fact that its President Obama has declared that he would share espionage secrets, techniques, and findings with the Europeans in general and the Germans in particular, this is setting the stage for even greater surveillance which will come from the emerging Beast power in Europe (cf. Revelation 13:16-18).

Watch.

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?
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?
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?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no final 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.

Former Pope Benedict XVI

COGwriter

A couple of readers have sent me emails about the following announcement related to former Pope Benedict XVI:

21 August 2013

The former pope Benedict has claimed that his resignation in February was prompted by God, who told him to do it during a “mystical experience”.

Breaking his silence for the first time since he became the first pope to step down in 600 years, the 86-year-old reportedly said: “God told me to” when asked what had pushed him to retire to a secluded residence in the Vatican gardens.

Benedict denied he had been visited by an apparition or had heard God’s voice, but said he had undergone a “mystical experience” during which God had inspired in him an “absolute desire” to dedicate his life to prayer rather than push on as pope…Benedict said his mystical experience had lasted months…Benedict’s reported remarks contrast with the explanation he gave to cardinals when he announced his resignation on 11 February. “My strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry,” he said then.  http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/21/pope-benedict-god-resign-mystical-experience

In the past several years, I have noticed that a lot of the reason why people somewhat follow the Church of Rome is because of ‘mystical experiences,’ apparitions, eucharistic ‘miracles,’ and other signs and wonders.  This differs from what he originally said about why he resigned and suggests that it was the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4) and not the God of the Bible who gave him the message.  Could this be because Satan wanted Pope Francis in office?

Some have even claimed that the current Pope Francis may have performed miraculous exorcism a few months ago (see Pope Francis calls for new economic order and is alleged to have performed a public exorcism: Could these be signs of the final Antichrist?).

The Bible warns that the false prophet, who is also called the beast of the earth and THE Antichrist (although there have been antichrists since the time of the Apostle John), will perform signs and wonders:

11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 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.   (Revelation 13:11-17)

He and his then claimed religion will also be involved with the following:

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 2:9-12)

And while the mystery of iniquity/lawlessness has been present since the time of the Apostle Paul (2 Thessalonians 2:7), as he and Jesus taught, it will get worse at the end:

13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:13)

24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.  25 See, I have told you beforehand.   (Matthew 24:24-25)

Pontiffs consider themselves ‘the vicar of Christ,’ amongst other titles, yet they are imposters.

Consider that the news reported that the former Pope Benedict XVI is claiming a ‘mystical experience’ and Francis may have been involved in an exorcism.  The news also has reported that Pope Francis has also promoted the apparition of Fatima by dedicating his pontificate to the ‘Lady of Fatima’ (Pope Francis’ pontificate consecrated to ‘Lady of Fatima’) amongst other things.

More signs and lying wonders are expected to occur and be promoted.  We are simply seeing a very small foretaste of that now.