Church of God News

Al-Shabaab Flag (also known as the Black Flag of Jihad)

COGwriter

The situation in Egypt remains volatile and it appears that at least some Al-Qaeda supporters are amongst the protesters:

August 18, 2013

CAIRO — Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and the Anti-Coup Alliance called for another day of protest Sunday, as authorities dismissed international criticism over their violent crackdown on opponents.

Interim foreign minister Nabil Fahmy said Sunday the international community has been silent about the “criminal acts” of the protesters.

Challenges to the Islamists and anti-government protesters continue to mount – with the interim government mulling a possible ban on the Muslim Brotherhood –  and other Islamists reportedly arrested and killed.

Still, supporters turned out overnight in rallies across the country, defying curfew in Alexandria, Minya and Helwan, just south of the capital.

The marches came after a day that saw the siege of a Cairo mosque by security forces and civilian supporters.  Protesters had sought refuge in the al-Fath mosque in Ramses Square, but the stand-off appeared to end without the devastating loss of life we’ve seen in other confrontations in recent days.

The government remained on the offensive, calling their operations a move against “terrorism.”  That seems to be piling on to the rhetoric of state media in the demonization of the largely Islamist anti-military forces.

And as apparent confirmation  – authorities said they had arrested Sinai-based jihadist Mohamed Zawahri —  brother of al-Qaida chief Ayman Zawahiri — at a checkpoint near Cairo.

A presidential advisor spoke of the “black flag” of al-Qaida being lifted in protests.  It’s also the  banner used by many different ultra-conservative Muslims.

But there are millions of Brotherhood followers who are ordinary citizens who remain defiant  because their freely elected leader, Mohamed Morsi, was ousted by the military.

And they are now facing another opponent – increasing numbers of pro-security vigilantes – armed with everything from sticks and machetes to hand and machine guns, adding another volatile element to the mix. http://www.voanews.com/content/egypt-protests-police/1731945.html

Forty churches were burned across Egypt Wednesday, according to local nongovernmental organizations and the Coptic Church’s youth group.  http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/08/egyptian-protesters-turn-fury-on-coptic-christians/

Egypt’s military-appointed leaders are not doing enough to protect Coptic Christian churches from a surge of attacks unleashed by Islamists since the government crackdown on protest camps set up by the Muslim Brotherhood, according to foreign politicians and analysts.

They warn that the anti-Christian violence is being encouraged by top Islamists preachers overseas, including Sheikh Yusif al-Qaradawi, considered the spiritual father of the Muslim Brotherhood. Qaradawi has urged retaliation against the Copts for their backing of the military’s ousting of president Mohamed Morsi.

Churches and Christian institutions as well as property owned by Copts have come under attack since the crackdown on supporters of Mohamed Morsi left hundreds dead, say Coptic leaders…

Hard-line Islamists blame Egypt’s Coptic Christian community for helping to oust Morsi, a prominent leader of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Coptic Orthodox Church is one of Christianity’s oldest, founded in Alexandria around 50 AD…

The Coptic pope, Tawadros II, has received death threats and several Christians have been killed.  http://www.voanews.com/content/coptic-christians-targeted-in-egypt-violence/1730705.html

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.

Gibraltar

COGwriter

Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Picardo says that Spain has basically created (‘manufactured’ is his tem) the crisis over there.  The UK’s Prime Minister David Cameron is so concerned about Gibraltar, he has asked for the European Union to immediately go there to monitor the situation:

August 17, 2013

Gibraltar’s Chief Minister has said the growing row between the UK and Spain is a “manufactured dispute”.

The row over extra border checks began after Gibraltar created an artificial reef, which Spain says will disrupt fishing.

But Fabio Picardo said it would never be removed.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23738583

Britain has asked the EU to “urgently” send a team to Gibraltar “to gather evidence” on extra border checks at the centre of a growing row with Spain.

PM David Cameron spoke to EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso to raise “serious concerns” that Spain’s actions are “politically motivated”.

Britain says the checks break EU free movement rules but Spain says Gibraltar has not controlled smuggling.

A team of EU monitors had been due to go to the Gibraltar border next month.

But Mr Cameron wants the monitors to be sent there immediately.

Spain claims sovereignty over Gibraltar, which is a British overseas territory. There have been lengthy traffic delays at its border with Spain since the extra checks began.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23724066

Gibraltar’s territory shares a 1.2-kilometer (0.75 mi) land border with Spain.

Back on April 1, 2009, I posted that Britain may lose control over the Falklands and Gibraltar. There is no doubt in my mind that ultimately the UK will lose control of Gibraltar and the Falkland islands.  The EU may temporarily reduce the tensions there, but ultimately, I believe that the UK has to lose Gibraltar along with the Falkland Islands (which are off the coast of Argentina).

Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands are a few of the old British empire’s remaining “sea gates.” Spain and Argentina have tried a variety of tactics to obtain them over the years. Also, both Argentina and Spain petitioned the UN against the UK keeping territorial sea gates in June of 2012 (see At UN: Argentina Pushes for Falkland Islands and Spain Pushes for Gilbraltar).

Most who live in Gibraltar and the Falklands want to remain under British rule. What might any of this have to do with the Bible.

Notice a prophecy about what was told to the wife of Isaac, plus another in the Book of Deuteronomy:

“Our sister, may you become The mother of thousands of ten thousands; And may your descendants possess The gates of those who hate them” (Genesis 24:60).

43 The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. 44 He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail. 45 Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed…47 “Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, 48 therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you. 49 The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies, a nation whose language you will not understand, 50 a nation of fierce countenance, which does not respect the elderly nor show favor to the young. 51 And they shall eat the increase of your livestock and the produce of your land, until you are destroyed; they shall not leave you grain or new wine or oil, or the increase of your cattle or the offspring of your flocks, until they have destroyed you. 52 They shall besiege you at all your gates until your high and fortified walls, in which you trust, come down throughout all your land; and they shall besiege you at all your gates throughout all your land which the LORD your God has given you (Deuteronomy 28:42-45,47-52).

We in the Church of God have been teaching for decades that the United Kingdom and USA would ultimately lose many of their sea gates–we believe they possessed them because of blessings from God and would lose them because of blatant disobedience.

For many years, the major sea gates of the world were possessed/controlled by the United States (Panama Canal and certain locations in the Pacific ocean) and the British Empire (Straits of Malacca, Singapore, Suez Canal, Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Simon’s Town/Cape of Good Hope, Malta, etc.). And while that is no longer the case for many of them, they seem to have been prophesied to be taken away for disobedience as well (c.f. Deuteronomy 28)—and certainly these nations have disobeyed the God of Abraham, as well as actually have lost many of those gates. Thus, it seems logical to conclude that the remaining “sea gates” that the UK has such as Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands will be separated from UK control. Spain directly, or perhaps, through the EU (or some other European confederation) indirectly, will eventually force out British control over Gibraltar.

Our recent YouTube video titled Will the UK Lose Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands? has been relatively popular and you may wish to view it.  Additional details are in the written article with the same title: Will the UK Lose Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands?

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Will the UK Lose Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands? Spain wants Gibraltar and Argentina wants the Falklands (also known as the Malvinas). Does the Bible give clues as how this will turn out? For many years, the major sea gates of the world were possessed/controlled by the United States (Panama Canal and certain locations in the Pacific ocean) and the British Empire (Straits of Malacca, Singapore, Suez Canal, Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Simon’s Town/Cape of Good Hope, Malta, etc.), and many are no longer under their control. Spain wants Gibraltar and Argentina wants the Falklands (also known as the Malvinas). UK Prime Minister David Cameron says the UK will defend the Falklands Gibraltar. Does the Bible give clues as to what will happen with those ‘sea gates’? Do promises made the Jacob’s mother Rebekah play a role? What about Deuteronomy 28? Here is a YouTube video: Will the UK Lose Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands?
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?
Is Tony Blair Apocalyptic? The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom converted to Catholicism shortly after leaving his office and has been active in European affairs. What role might he play?
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?
Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean in Prophecy [Español: México, América central, Suramérica, Brasil y el Caribe en la profecía] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What rule might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?
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?

Pope Francis (Source: presidencia.gov.ar)

COGwriter

Pope Francis continues to promote his version of ‘Mary’.  He is both praying to ‘Mary’ and telling others to do so.  Here is a link to a voice over translated text from a very short video titled The Pope prays to Mary, Queen of Peace:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O_d0kjQWNg&feature=youtu.be

Furthermore, this week he told people to pray to Mary:

…we turn to the Virgin Mary with the prayer of the Angelus…And now, all together, we pray to Our Lady:

http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/on-the-solemnity-of-the-assumption

The Bible teaches that we pray to God–that is what Jesus instructed His followers to do (Matthew 6).

And while other pontiffs have prayed to ‘Mary,’ Pope Francis simply seems to have more Marian focus than other pontiffs in recent history.

Obese Male

COGwriter

Taking responsibility for what one consumes is being overlooked by the American Medical Association:

Obesity appears to be deadlier than experts thought, according to a new study in the American Journal of Public Health. While previous estimates put the mortality rate of obesity at around 5 percent, researchers from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City found that the death rate is actually closer to 18 percent – meaning that nearly 1 in 5 obese people will die of obesity and associated conditions such as heart disease and diabetes…

{There are} nearly 78 million obese adults in the United States — and this study shows that the problem is worse than experts thought.”Obesity has dramatically worse health consequences than some recent reports have led us to believe,” study author Ryan Masters, PhD, a research at the Mailman, said in a statement. “We expect that obesity will be responsible for an increasing share of deaths in the United States and perhaps even lead to declines in U.S. life expectancy.”

The obesity rate in the United States has been steadily rising since 1990, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 1990, no state had an obesity rate over 19 percent, but by 2010, no state had an obesity rate below 20 percent. It’s a worrying trend, said Stacy Brethauer, MD, a specialist at the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute for the Cleveland Clinic.  http://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/obesity-kills-1-in-5-four-times-what-experts-thought-4555.aspx?xid=aol_eh-news_18_20130812_&aolcat=HLT&icid=maing-grid7%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl3%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D359301

A third of Americans (36%) are obese, which is roughly 35 pounds over a healthy weight. Obesity puts people at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Pinpointing obesity-related deaths is an evolving science as researchers use different statistical models to come up with estimates…Roland Sturm, a senior economist with the RAND Corp., a non-profit research group, says that although obesity has an impact on mortality, he doesn’t believe it’s three times previous government estimates. He says that obesity’s biggest toll may be on long-term health and raising health care costs.  http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/08/15/extra-pounds-obesity-death/2660165/

Obesity is a multi-factorial problem.

The Bible warns about overeating:

18 “If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and who, when they have chastened him, will not heed them, 19 then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city, to the gate of his city. 20 And they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’ 21 Then all the men of his city shall stone him to death with stones; so you shall put away the evil from among you, and all Israel shall hear and fear. (Deuteronomy 21:18-21)

20 Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; 21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty (Proverbs 23:20-21)

Yet most Americans, including many of those I speak with, simply do not believe they eat too much. And this includes many overweight ones.

Furthermore, God inspired the prophet Isaiah to write:

2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good (Isaiah 55:2).

But Americans (and others) do not often eat what is good. And they eat a lot of white bread, which is really not real bread as it has had the wheat germ and other natural components removed. This makes an inferior product which then is sprayed with synthetic B vitamins and other “nutrients” to “fortify” it. If you notice “B vitamins” added to “fortify” refined grain products or in so-called “natural” vitamin supplements (like thiamin mononitrate, thiamin HCL, folic acid, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, cyanocobalamin), realize that these are basically petroleum derivatives and are not the same form of vitamins that are actually found in real, natural, food.

But most Americans consume the synthetics and refined grains. They also consume a bunch of non-foods genetically-modified organisms. These are not really foods and may contribute to a variety of health concerns.

Costs associated with obesity will be one more factor leading to serious problems in the USA and some other lands.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Obesity and Prophecy Does the Bible warn about the consequences of being obese? Is overeating dangerous? Is gluttony condemned?
GMOs and Bible Prophecy What are GMOs? Since they were not in the food supply until 1994, how could they possibly relate to Bible prophecy? Do GMOs put the USA and others at risk? Here is a related YouTube video GMO Risks and the Bible.
Does God Heal Today? What does the Bible teach? Herbert Armstrong tries to explain this.
Ten Simple Rules that Lead to Health Herbert Armstrong gives his opinions on this.
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 a link to a version in Mandarin Chinese: 克服是重要的. Here is also a link to a video in English titled How to Overcome Sin.
How to Prevent Sin This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong. Here is a version in Mandarin: 如何不犯罪
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? A video of possible interest may be Will Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power?
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? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?

Vatican City (photo by Joyce Thiel)

COGwriter

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

1:09:10

The Vatican, Peter, and ‘Satan’s Throne’

This is an on-location video from Vatican City and Rome, Italy. Topics covered include St. Peter’s basilica, head coverings, the ‘keys of the kingdom,’ where the Apostle Peter was buried, claims about the Apostle Paul, and why the Cathedra Petri may be a representation of ‘Satan’s throne.’

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The Vatican, Peter, and ‘Satan’s Throne’  This is an on-location video sermon from Vatican City and Rome, Italy. Topics covered include St. Peter’s basilica, head coverings, the ‘keys of the kingdom,’ where the Apostle Peter was buried, claims about the Apostle Paul, and why the Cathedra Petri may be a representation of ‘Satan’s throne.’
Is this Satan’s Throne? Is the Cathedra Petri really Peter’s seat or might it be something else? There is also a YouTube sermon about Vatican City, Peter, and this same throne shot in Rome and Vatican City: The Vatican, Peter, and ‘Satan’s Throne’.
Was Peter the Rock Who Alone Received the Keys of the Kingdom? How should Matthew 16:18-19 be understood?
The Apostle Peter He was an original apostle and early Christian leader. Where was Peter buried? Where did Peter die?
The Apostle Paul He was a later apostle, but also an early Christian leader.
Joyce’s Photos of Rome, St. John’s Basilica, and the Vatican Rome has been a major world city for centuries. Since the late second century, it has made claims of prominence over Christianity. There is even a photo of what has been described as “Satan’s Throne” () plus the Cathedra Romana.
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.
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?

Area 51

COGwriter

The USA government has admitted to lying about ‘Area 51’ and surveillance of USA citizens:

August 16, 2013

After years of government denials, the CIA is officially acknowledging in newly declassified documents the existence of Area 51, the mysterious site in central Nevada that has spawned top-secret tools, weapons and not a few UFO conspiracies.

George Washington University’s National Security Archive obtained a CIA history of the U-2 spy plane program through a public records request and released it…http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/08/16/area-51-cia/2663829/

Remember when Obama said the NSA wasn’t “actually abusing” its powers? He was wrong.

At a news conference…, President Obama insisted that the threat of NSA abuses was mostly theoretical:

If you look at the reports, even the disclosures that Mr. Snowden’s put forward, all the stories that have been written, what you’re not reading about is the government actually abusing these programs and, you know, listening in on people’s phone calls or inappropriately reading people’s e-mails.

What you’re hearing about is the prospect that these could be abused. Now part of the reason they’re not abused is because they’re — these checks are in place, and those abuses would be against the law and would be against the orders of the FISC [Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court].

Today our colleague Barton Gellman released new documents that contradicted Obama’s claims.

Gellman obtained an audit of the NSA’s compliance record from NSA leaker Snowden earlier this summer. The audit, dated May 2012, counted 2,776 incidents in the preceding 12 months where the agency engaged in “unauthorized collection, storage, access to or distribution of legally protected communications.” The audit only covered issues at NSA facilities in the D.C. and Fort Meade areas.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2013/08/15/remember-when-obama-said-the-nsa-wasnt-actually-abusing-its-powers-he-was-wrong/

Let’s tease our way through the path to today. The story broke that the NSA collected metadata on phone records of Americans. This proved James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, a liar to more than the American people, but also to its Congress.

Leaker Edward Snowden then said that, with a mere email address, he could access the content of that account. He was mocked by Rep. Mike Rogers, who said that Snowden “was lying. […] It’s impossible for him to do what he was saying he could do.”

But then news of the XKeyscore program came out. And former NSA Director General Hayden confirmed its existence. Oops.

The President said that no abuse was ongoing:

What you’re hearing about is the prospect that these could be abused. Now part of the reason they’re not abused is because they’re — these checks are in place, and those abuses would be against the law and would be against the orders of the FISC.

Well, that’s not true either.  http://techcrunch.com/2013/08/15/lies-damned-lies-and-the-nsa/

August 16, 2013

A National Security Agency internal audit and other top secret documents disclosed by U.S. news media show the agency “has broken privacy rules or overstepped its legal authority thousands of times” each year since Congress granted NSA broad new powers in 2008.

The Washington Post, which first reported the story, said most of the infractions involve unauthorized surveillance of Americans or foreign intelligence targets in the U.S. – activities restricted by law and presidential orders. The newspaper said the infractions range from “significant violations of law” to typographical errors resulting in the “unintended interception” of U.S. e-mails and telephone calls.

The New York Times quotes the deputy legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, Jameel Jaffer, as saying some of the actions by NSA are more troubling than others, but that the sheer number of them is “jaw-dropping.”

The Post reported it acquired the secret documents from NSA leaker Edward Snowden weeks ago, and said they include a level of detail and analysis that is “not routinely shared with Congress or the special [U.S.] court that oversees surveillance.”…

One of the documents made public instructs NSA personnel to remove details and substitute more generic language in reports to the Justice Department and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

In a statement sent later to The Associated Press, John DeLong, NSA’s director of compliance, said: “We want people to report if they have made a mistake or even if they believe that an NSA activity is not consistent with the rules. … We take each report seriously, investigate the matter, address the issue, constantly look for trends and address them as well – all as a part of NSA’s internal oversight and compliance efforts. What’s more, we keep our overseers informed through both immediate reporting and periodic reporting.”

NSA apparently decided it did not need to report the unintended surveillance of Americans. The newspaper said a “notable example” in 2008 was the interception of a large number of calls placed from Washington.  The Post said a programming error confused Washington’s telephone area code 202 for 20, the international dialing code for Egypt.  The newspaper said that, according to a “quality assurance” review, the NSA’s oversight staff was not made aware of the interceptions.

The Post cited another case in which the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, which has authority over some NSA operations, did not learn about a new collection method until it had been in operation for “many months.” The report says the court ruled the method unconstitutional.

The NSA audit, dated May 2012, said there were 2,776 “incidents” in the preceding 12 months of “unauthorized collection, storage, access to or distribution of legally protected communications.”  The newspaper said most of the incidents were “unintended,” involving “failures of due diligence or violations of standard operating procedure.”  The newspaper said the “most serious” incidents involved a violation of a court order and unauthorized use of data about more than 3,000 Americans and green-card holders (foreign nationals working in the U.S.).

From the number of recorded compliance issues, The Washington Post said there is no reliable way to calculate how many American’s have had their communications “improperly collected, stored or distributed by the NSA.”   http://www.voanews.com/content/us-surveillance/1730826.html

Many government leaders lie.

Lying is wrong.  That does not mean that I believe that physical alien beings from other planets went to or had their alleged bodies stored in Area 51.  It simply means that the government should not bear false witness.

Governmental and other leaders send out the wrong message, and set the wrong example, when they lie.  The Bible warns:

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

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

I expect more governmental lying.   Whether or not they realize it, many government officials are lying ultimate impact about USA debt, the impact of abortion, the impact of the homosexual agenda, the impact of pornography, the impact of violent sports, etc.  But they are also often lying about matters that they should clearly know the facts.

As far as the NSA and similar agencies go, 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 also believe that the US President Barack Obama will likely put some highly limited restrictions on some of what NSA does, but as he either lied or was ignorant of a major NSA report showing its problems, his Administration lacks credibility on this matter (and yes, so do others).  The overall trend in the USA is that the government will end up with more data on its citizens, continue to lie, and probably will decide to increase those lies.

As I mentioned before, I also believe that once there is some certain 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, lying, and espionage. Various government officials in the past have said that they should not ‘waste’ a ‘good crisis.’

While government leaders do not have to publicly state everything that they know, it is wrong to lie and the Bible teaches that “all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).

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 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. Here is a link to a related article in Mandarin Chinese 十条诫命显示爱，违反诫命的就是邪恶的
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?
Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? Has the Roman Catholic Church allowed abortions? What about the real Church of God? Some may also, or instead, wish to view the YouTube video Abortion, the Bible, and US Debt.
The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality? There is also a YouTube video of related interest titled Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children.
Pornography: A scourge on society Is pornography harmless fun? Does the Bible teach anything about it? What are the views of some involved with it?
Is American Football Evil? Is the most popular spectator sport in the USA something that Christians should watch? What do the Bible and early writings show? There is also a YouTube video available titled Should Christians watch American football?
British and American Moral Decay Public nudity is becoming more prevalent in the Anglo-lands. What are some of the consequences?
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.

Handwriting on the Wall (Rembrandt)

COGwriter

A reader sent me a link to the following about a report released by the US Treasury yesterday:

Did you hear the news out of the Treasury Department…? It was an absolute disaster for the bond market — and for good reason:

Foreign holders dumped a whopping $40.8 billion in long-term Treasuries, the biggest exodus from bonds in the history of the U.S. Worse, June was actually the third month of mass dumping in the past four, for a total of $79 billion. China, the biggest holder of our bonds, unloaded $21.5 billion, while Japan, the second-largest holder, dumped $20.3 billion.

It wasn’t just government bonds, either. Foreigners dumped $116 million of bonds made up of packaged U.S. mortgages. They sold $5.2 billion of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae bonds, and $5 billion in corporate bonds. And they unloaded $26.8 billion of U.S. stocks.  http://www.moneyandmarkets.com/international-investors-dump-40-8-billion-in-treasuries-the-most-ever-53693

The time will come when foreigners will flee the US dollar by attempting to get rid of much, much, greater amounts.  To use the vernacular, “you ain’t seen nothing yet!”  I will get much worse and the Bible shows that this will essentially be a sign that the time of the USA is over and that it (and its Anglo-allies) will be taken over (Habakkuk 2:6-8).

In the mail a while back, I recently received an unsolicited infomercial booklet written by Dr. Martin Weiss titled American Apocalypse. Here is some of what it said (bolding mine):

What is the the historic, life-changing, world-changing event that is also about to vaporize massive amounts of wealth and potentially threaten our liberties right here in the United States of America?

It’s the singular moment in time when the last investor willing to loan money to the government calls it quits.

It’s when the government can no longer borrow and simply runs out of money…I’m talking about a sudden, rejection of U.S. debt by the world’s investors…

Hunger and homelessness explode…riots…crime skyrockets…cities burn…

Still find this hard to believe? Then consider these ten former heads of the Council of Economic Advisors…these ten former White House advisors are warning that this next debt crisis could dwarf the last one.  Why? What could cause that?…:The fact that one day foreigners may simply stop lending money to the United States…

I’m under no delusion here. I know that the vast majority of Americans will fail to heed this warning and fail to get ready for this crisis. (Weiss MD. American Apocalypse. Weiss Research, April 2012, pp. 30, 36, 37, 38, 42)

In the mail, I also recently received an unsolicited infomercial booklet written by Michael Lombardi titled Critical Warning Number Six. Here is some of what it said:

Today, 70% of world central banks have adopted the U.S. dollar as their official reserve currency. As the value of the greenback erodes under a mountain of debt and coming rapid inflation, courtesy of too many dollars in the financial system (thank you, Federal Reserve), foreigners will be dumping dollars and moving away from a system where the greenback is the official reserve currency. (Lombardi M. Critical Warning Number Six. Lombardi’s Crisis Profit Alert, 2012, p. 11)

While neither Dr. Weiss nor Michael Lombardi referred to the biblical Book of Habakkuk in their booklets, notice what some scriptures in it state (bolding mine):

6 “Will not all these take up a proverb against him, And a taunting riddle against him, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases What is not his — how long? And to him who loads himself with many pledges’? 7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. 8 Because you have plundered many nations, All the remnant of the people shall plunder you, Because of men’s blood And the violence of the land and the city, And of all who dwell in it. (Habakkuk 2:6-8)

While I do not know when Dr. Weiss or Michael Lombardi originally wrote what is quoted here (their booklets have 2011 and/or 2012 dates), respectively), I remember when the applicability of Habakkuk 2 to the USA occurred to me. It was in Guatemala in August of 2006. And since that time I started writing about it at COGwriter: originally in my article Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel , then with numerous posts in 2007 (such as Ron Weinland’s 2008 Predictions Are Wrong, China Has Major US Dollar Reserves That It Can Cash In, USA: Weather and Financial Problems, and IMF Warns of Possible Dollar Collapse) and later, and of course, this was covered extensively in my 2009 book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect.

In my view, we are seeing preludes to the proverbial “Handwriting on the Wall” of Daniel Chapter 5.

Thousands of years ago, the Prophet Daniel was asked to interpret some handwriting that was written on a wall by only a hand that the king of the area personally witnessed (which is why he ultimately called Daniel to see it). The moral trend in that kingdom was not good according to Daniel (Daniel 5:22-23). After stating that, here is the interpretation that the prophet Daniel gave of that handwriting on the wall:

24 Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written.

25 “And this is the inscription that was written:

MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

26 This is the interpretation of each word. Mene: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; 27 Tekel: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; 28 Peres: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” (Daniel 5:24-28)

That kingdom was taken over that very night (Daniel 5:30-31).  But the USA is not quite there yet (it still has years, though not as many as some hope).

Now, let us look at the words from the wall and apply them to the United States.

1. Mene: Your days as being on the top of the world order are numbered.
2. Mene: Despite signs of your decline, instead of repenting, you seem to be taking steps to speed it up–you are soon to be finished.
3. Tekel: Your morality and “conscience” have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting.
4. Peres/Upharsin: Your nation will be divided by the final Beast, the King of the North (Daniel 11:39), and he will make your people slaves as your nation will be finished.

As I have written many times, I doubt that the USA will have national repentance, so it is on the way to destruction. A lot of what has come out of the White House, Congress, and pundits have not been real solutions to the problems that the USA is facing. But that does not preclude individual repentance.

Turning to God is the only answer. And this is something you can do –whether you are American or not. Even a report from the Congressional Budget Office warned that the USA is risking a “sudden fiscal crisis” that could have devastating consequences (see CBO Warns of ‘Sudden’ Debt Crisis), and according to the Bible, the consequences will be even worse than the CBO imagined.

Nations rise and fall.

Secular sources are more and more starting to realize that the end of USA dollar domination is going to occur and foreigners are getting concerned. This will have major ramifications for the USA, as well as its Anglo-allies.

Can you see the handwriting on the wall?

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
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 Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin?
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?
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?
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.
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? 2021 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up?
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? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2013 o 2014? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language video The Great Tribulation Will Not Begin Before 2017.
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?

COGwriter

The Continuing Church of God continues to get additional materials translated into the Spanish language.

In addition to getting every edition of its Bible News Prophecy magazine translated into Spanish, more and more articles have been as well. Here are links to some of them:

• ¿Perderá el Reino Unido a Gibraltar y las Islas Falkland (Malvinas)?
• ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2013 o 2014? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles?
• Noticias de la Profecía de la Biblia: Julio – Septiembre 2013
• El cuarto jinete de Apocalipsis, el caballo pálido de muerte y pestilencia
• La Fase Final de la Obra
• La Biblia, Policarpo, Herbert W. Armstrong, y Roderick C. Meredith sobre el gobierno de la Iglesia
• La sucesión apostólica. ¿Ocurrió en Roma, Alejandría, Constantinopla, Antioquía, Jerusalén o Asia Menor?
• ¿Debemos tratar de convertir a otros?
• ¿Cuándo debemos tomar LA COMUNIÓN?

The Continuing Church of God has a separate Spanish language website http://www.cdlidd.es.  I also spent a lot of time several hours ago adding many Spanish language articles (many more than shown above) to the www.cogwriter.com website to make them easier for many to find.

Spanish has the second highest number of native speakers of any other language (Mandarin Chinese is number one, and the Continuing Church of God has a website primarily focused on those speakers at www.ccog.asia; English is number 3).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean in Prophecy [Español: México, América central, Suramérica, Brasil y el Caribe en la profecía] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What role might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God. And the one that is leading the final phase of the work. That written article has also been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios This is the Spanish site for the Continuing Church 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.
CCOG.IN This is a website targeted towards those of Indian heritage. It is expected to have some non-English language materials in the future, and currently has one item in Hindi.
CCOG.EU This is a website targeted toward Europe. It has materials in more than one language (currently it has English, Dutch, and Serbian, with links also to Spanish) and it is intended to have additional language materials added.

 The Bible Hymnal of the Continuing Church of God Consists Mainly of Psalms and Biblical Passages Set to Music

COGwriter

Have you seen the 2013 edition of The Bible Hymnal?

On June 26, 2006, Grace Communion International (the group that ended up with legal title to a variety of Worldwide Church of God literature) announced that it was releasing the hymns composed by Dwight Armstrong into the public domain (see Dwight Armstrong hymns in public domain).  This meant that any one could use them without a fee or royalty arrangement with GCI.

Since its formation on December 28, 2012, the Continuing Church of God has used the 1974 edition of The Bible Hymnal of the old Worldwide Church of God (WCG) for its song book and made it available online.  But it was always our goal to produce additional song books by the Feast of Tabernacles for 2013.

Several have asked if other hymns, such as those composed by Dr. Ross Jutsum, could go into the new hymnal.  So, after a series of attempted, and finally successful, contacts, an arrangement between the the Continuing Church of God and Nazarene Books with Dr. Jutsum was agreed to and finalized last week.  So certain additional hymns from Dr. Justum were added to the song book.   The late Herbert W. Armstrong had long ago approved the hymns by Dr. Jutsum for use in WCG church services.  Many will recall such titles by Dr. Jutsum as By This Shall All Men Know, How Good and How Pleasant, and It Won’t Be Long Now.

So, the new 2013 hymnal of the Continuing Church of God consists of all the hymns, etc. that were in the 1974 edition of The Bible Hymnal of the old Worldwide Church of God, plus 17 additional pages added after them for the additional ten hymns that were composed by Dr. Jutsum.  The front and back covers were changed (the front cover shows the remains of what could be the oldest Christian worship building; see also Church of God on Jerusalem’s Western Hill).

Now, I, through Nazarene Book, have arranged to make the paperback edition of The Bible Hymnal via Amazon.   The Continuing Church of God is not selling the book, but Nazarene Books via Amazon is.  The list price for The Bible Hymnal is $8.99, but Amazon is temporarily selling it for $8.54.  Since Amazon has recently been selling used 1974 editions of The Bible Hymnal of the old Worldwide Church of God (WCG) for USD$22.73, and since the new version of The Bible Hymnal contains all the same unedited hymns, etc. that the 1974 edition contains (plus more), some looking for a COG hymnal may find it a bargain.

Mainly since Dr. Jutsum’s hymns have not been released into the public domain, Amazon has a copyright notice on the book The Bible Hymnal.  If you go to Amazon, it has a ‘Look Inside’ feature that allows you to see that this truly is the slightly expanded 1974 WCG hymnal with the added hymns.

We had Amazon send 100 of the new hymnals to East Africa this week and so that they can be used by people from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and perhaps elsewhere in Africa during the upcoming ‘Fall’ Holy Days.  We in the Continuing Church of God expect to get additional copies for use at our Feast of Tabernacles’ Sites for 2013.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Praises to Jesus Christ or Biblical Hymns: Which Should Christians Primarily Sing? This biblical article on music is in response to an advertisement critical of WCG’s 1974 The Bible Hymnal. It also address early church practices here.
The Bible Hymnal via Amazon.   This is the paperback edition of the hymnal used by the Continuing Church of God. It consists of all the songs that were part of the 1974 edition of ‘The Bible Hymnal’ used by the old Worldwide Church of God, plus ten other hymns that Herbert Armstrong approved that were written by Ross Jutsum. The songs in this book are essentially the Psalms and other passages in the Bible set to music.
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? There is also a video titled Does the ‘Cenacle’ deal have prophetic ramifications?
Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? The ‘Fall’ Holy Days come every year in September and/or October on the Roman calendar. Some call them Jewish holidays, but they were kept by Jesus, the apostles, and their early faithful followers. Should you keep them? What does the Bible teach? What do records of church history teach? What does the Bible teach about the Feasts of Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day? Here is a link to a related sermon: Should you keep the Fall Holy Days?
The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets? Are they related? Is so how? If not, where not?
The Day of Atonement–Its Christian Significance The Jews call it Yom Kippur, Christians “The Day of Atonement”. Does it have any relevance for Christians today?
The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today’s Christians? What is the Last Great Day? What do these days teach?
The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time to Learn the Law The Bible teaches that every seven years that the law should be read at the Feast of Tabernacles. This is what I did at the first Feast site were I gave an actual sermon (as opposed to a sermonette) in 2006.
Feast of Tabernacles’ Sites for 2013 This is information on the expected Feast of Tabernacles’ sites for the Continuing Church of God for 2013. The Feast in 2013 begins the evening of September 18.
Holy Day Calendar This is a listing of the biblical holy days through 2024, with their Roman calendar dates. They are really hard to observe if you do not know when they occur 🙂 In the Spanish/Español/Castellano language: Calendario de los Días Santos.