Church of God News

COGwriter

A reader sent me the following:

The large-scale military exercise — dubbed “Mission Action 2013” — involving 40,000 soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in October was personally approved by Chinese president Xi Jinping to prepare his troops in the event of war, according to a strongly-worded commentary published Saturday on the website of China’s official Xinhua news agency…..

During a visit to Guangzhou, the capital of southern Guangdong province, to witness a naval exercise last December, Xi told his troops of his dream of rejuvenating the “great Chinese nation,” which he said cannot be achieved without a powerful army with Chinese characteristics

The commentary said it was important to develop the country’s military through proper propaganda and education, the clarification of ideas and implementing strategies in every aspect of army building in a realistic and pragmatic manner. The PLA must persevere to modernize as well as expand and strengthen its military strategies to deepen preparations for potential conflict to ensure that the troops are ready if called upon not only to fight, but to win, the article added. http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20131229000100&cid=1101&MainCatID=0

There should be little doubt that China hopes to develop a powerful military and takeover whatever it can.  Those who believe otherwise do not understand the mindset of China’s current leaders.

However, just because they want to do this, does not mean that China will be successful, at least not yet.

The Bible tells of a time when armies from the East will gather (Revelation 16:12).

Although the Chinese flag itself is basically red and yellow, it perhaps should be mentioned that the colors of the Chinese flag for its navy and air force is military is red, blue, and yellow. Also, notice the colors of the insignia that many of its troops wear:

Why is that potentially important?

Because these are colors seem to be mentioned in the Bible. Notice some of what the Bible states about a 200 million man army: from the east:

13 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. 18 By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed–by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths (Revelation 9:13-18).

Hence, presuming that China is a major provider of military men in this 200 million man army, it would make sense that it, and perhaps others, might march under colors like some of its military does currently. I have long been warning readers of this page that although the Chinese will temporarily fall for the religion of the Beast and the final Antichrist, that they are a discerning people who will be among the first to realize that the religion of the Beast and the final Antichrist is NOT of God. That, though, will be part of why they are apparently going to support the prophesied army.

The current reality is that only China, and possibly India and others in Asia (which may align themselves Russia), are capable of fielding a two hundred million man army.

Additionally, notice that the sequence involving the 200 million many army has to do with something related to the river Euphrates, which the Bible indicates will be people who represent the “Kings of the East”:

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. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15 Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” 16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16).

While there are many peoples who live east of the river Euphrates, the Greek expression translated as “kings of the east,” literally means “kings of the sunrise.” This indicates that these are people in the far east, or at least relatively far east from the river Euphrates. China, India, and other lands are far east of that river. Thus, Revelation appears to be discussing an Asian role in the end-time prophecies. When the Book of Revelation was written there were not even 200 million men on the earth, hence the prophecy was intended for a later time (like the 21st century) when there would be enough willing males to support such an army.

China, while not likely to gain all the military conquests it currently has in mind, will apparently be involved in a major prophesied war.  The one commonly called the “battle of Armageddon.”

Yet, because the government of the USA has discounted biblical prophecy, it seems to think that China (along with Russia) is the biggest threat militarily and is taking steps towards China that will get it to not realize the real threat that it faces.

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?
Is China THE Threat to the United States of America? China is the world’s most populace nation. China has the world’s largest standing military. China is a major economic power and it holds a lot of U.S. debt. China also has problems with corruption, pollution, and its hukou registration system. Will China face civil unrest? Is China prophesied to be wealthy in the end times? Will China takeover the U.S.A. or will it be another power? What does Bible prophecy reveal?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2014, 2015, or 2016? 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.
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 thousands have been affected by volcanic eruptions in the past couple of days:

December 31, 2013  (USA) January 1, 2014 (Indonesia)

19,000 flee erupting Mount Sinabung volcano in Indonesia

More than 19,000 people have been displaced by a volcano in Indonesia that has been erupting for months and shot lava into the air nine times overnight.

Mount Sinabung on Sumatra sent hot rocks and ash 7,000 metres in the air last night and this morning, National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said.

“Mount Sinabung remains on the highest alert level and we have warned there should be no human activity within a five-kilometre radius of the crater,” Mr Nugroho said.

El Salvador Volcano Spews More Ash, Gasses

December 30, 2013 4:09 PM

Reuters A volcano in eastern El Salvador belched more ash and gasses on Monday after a big eruption on Sunday that drove more than 1,600 people into emergency shelters.

Although I have not been to Indonesia, I have been to El Salvador and the people there are already poor, and this is yet another trouble for them.

The affected areas are in my prayers.

Jesus warned that troubles would be part of the biblically prophesied time before the Great Tribulation (Mark 13:8).

Weather-related troubles with their related social and food issues, of course, have been biblically expected:

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

5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.” (Revelation 6:5-6)

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)

As the above shows, Jesus foretold on a time of natural disasters and “troubles” as “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:7-8)–and the sorrows seem to have begun. Yet the Book of Revelation (16:8-11) tells of a time of even greater disturbances during “the Day of the Lord.”

Now, ultimately of course, there is good news as ultimately, God’s kingdom will come and those issues will be gone (Revelation 7:16).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done? What does the Bible teach about weather? What about floods, droughts, heat, earthquakes, tornadoes, and solar storms? Here is a related YouTube video Does God Use Weather? A related item in the Spanish language would be Bendiciones y maldiciones del clima.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?
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, Japanese, and others of Asia? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
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?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2014, 2015, or 2016? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before in the “beginning of sorrows”? 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?

Ukrainian poster (Борис У.)

COGwriter

Is “Big Brother” watching you?  Well security expert Jacob Applebaum claims that the United States NSA is watching in at least 13 ways, including several that people would not normally think of as possible:

LONDON – A well-known privacy advocate has given the public an unusually explicit peek into the intelligence world’s tool box, pulling back the curtain on the National Security Agency‘s arsenal of high-tech spy gear.

Independent journalist and security expert Jacob Appelbaum on Monday told a hacker conference in Germany that the NSA could turn iPhones into eavesdropping tools and use radar wave devices to harvest electronic information from computer even if they weren’t online.

Appelbaum told hundreds of computer experts gathered at Hamburg’s Chaos Communications Conference that his revelations about the NSA’s capabilities “are even worse than your worst nightmares.”…Appelbaum’s claims – supported by what appeared to be internal NSA slideshows – still caused a stir.

One of the slides described how the NSA can plant malicious software onto Apple Inc.’s iPhone, giving American intelligence agents the ability to turn the popular smartphone into a pocket-sized spy.

Another slide showcased a futuristic-sounding device described as a “portable continuous wave generator,” a remote controlled device which – when paired with tiny electronic implants – can bounce invisible waves of energy off keyboards and monitors to see what is being typed even if the target device isn’t connected to the Internet.

A third slide showcased a piece of equipment called NIGHTSTAND, which can tamper with wireless Internet connections from up to 8 miles away. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/nsa-can-spy-on-offline-computers-wirelessly-expert-jacob-applebaum-says/

Security researcher Jacob Appelbaum revealed what he calls “wrist-slitting depressing” details about the National Security Agency’s spy programs at a computer conference in Germany on Monday where he presented previously unpublished NSA files.

Appelbaum is among the small group of experts, activists and journalists who have seen classified United States intelligence documents taken earlier this year by former contractor Edward Snowden…

“Basically the NSA, they want to be able to spy on you. And if they have ten different options for spying on you that you know about, they have 13 ways of doing it and they do all 13. So that’s a pretty scary thing,” he said…

“Basically their goal is to have total surveillance of everything that they are interested in,” he said. “There really is no boundary to what they want to do. There is only sometimes a boundary of what they are funded to be able to do, and the amount of things they are able to do at scale they seem to just do those things without thinking too much without it.”

“They would be able to break into this phone, almost certainly, and turn on the microphone,” Appelbaum said at one point as he re-inserted the battery into his mobile device. “All without a court, and that to me is really scary.” Indeed, classified files shown later during his presentation revealed a device that for $175,800 allows the NSA or another license client to construct a fake cell tower than can allow officials to eavesdrop on texts and talks alike.

“They replace the infrastructure they connect to. It’s like replacing the road that we would walk on and adding tons of spy gear,” he said. “And they do that too!”…

“If the Chinese, if the Russians if people here wish to build this system, there is nothing to stop them,” he said. “The NSA has in a literal sense retarded the process by which we would secure the internet because it establishes a hegemony of power — Their power in secret to do these things.”

“This strategy is undermining the internet in a direct attempt to keep it insecure,” one of Appelbaum’s slides read…

“You can’t hide from these things, and thinking that they won’t find you is a fallacy,” said Appelbaum…

According to Appelbaum, it’s likely that it’s not just a coincidence that the NSA can infiltrate iPhones with ease. In one document he saw, he said the NSA “literally claim that any time they target an iOS device, that it will succeed for implantation.”

“Either they have a huge collection of exploits that work against Apple products — meaning they are hoarding information about critical systems American companies product and sabotaging them — or Apple sabotages it themselves,” he said.

Other products made by the likes of Western Digital, Seagate, Maxtor and Samsung all contain vulnerabilities as well, according to those documents, and the secret software used by the NSA and others to exploit them are available for free to properly-credentialed agencies.

“Everything that the United States government accused the Chinese of doing — which they are also doing, I believe—we are learning that the US government has been doing to American companies,” Appelbaum said. “That to me is really concerning, and we’ve had no public debate about these issues. And in many cases, all the technical details are obfuscated away.”  http://rt.com/usa/appelbaum-30c3-nsa-snowden-986/

There are several points to make about the above:

• The USA government has multiple ways to spy
• Thje USA government is involved in a lot of secret plots
• The USA government is using multiple ways to spy
• The USA government is using technology and malicious software to spy
• The USA government can spy from great distances away
• “Big Brother” (a term from George Orwell’s novel titled Nineteen Eighty-Four) clearly does exist
• Other governments can follow the lead of the USA to spy
• This conference was in Germany, a nation upset with what the USA spying has been doing
• This conference was in Germany, a nation which is expected to be central to the final European Beast power

God’s people are to pray for protection from ‘secret plots’:

2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,
From the rebellion of the workers of iniquity,
3 Who sharpen their tongue like a sword,
And bend their bows to shoot their arrows — bitter words,
4 That they may shoot in secret at the blameless;
Suddenly they shoot at him and do not fear. (Psalms 64:2-4)

The USA and UK have been involved in secret plots, and more sadly are expected.  I believe that this will lead to them (and others) limiting the ability of the Continuing Church of God at some point in time in the future to get the gospel out as effectively over source like the internet–the coming famine of the word (Amos 8:11).

And there is more.

Because of the Snowden leaks, the USA has already agreed to share its intelligence gathering information with the Germans and other Europeans.  The upcoming Beast power will soon have what it needs to fulfill various prophecies such as the following:

15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. (Revelation 13:15-18, NKJV)

23 ‘And in the latter end of their kingdom, about the perfecting of the transgressors, stand up doth a king, fierce of face, and understanding hidden things; (Daniel 8:23, Young’s Literal Translation)

It would seem to take computers and other technology to aid in the fulfillment of the above scriptures, as well as various forms cyber-spying/monitoring.  And that is something that the USA has been engaged in and that technology is being shared now with the Europeans.

As far as “big brother” existing, notice also something I posted on 12/29/12, well before the Edward Snowden leaks:

Americans are living in an Orwellian state argue Academy Award-winning director Oliver Stone and historian Peter Kuznick, as they sit down with RT to discuss US foreign policy and the Obama administration’s disregard for the rule of law.

­Both argue that Obama is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and that people have forgiven him a lot because of the “nightmare of the Bush presidency that preceded him.”

“He has taken all the Bush changes he basically put them into the establishment, he has codified them,” Stone told RT. “It is an Orwellian state. It might not be oppressive on the surface, but there is no place to hide. Some part of you is going to end up in the database somewhere.”

According to Kuznick, American citizens live in a fish tank where their government intercepts more than 1.7 billion messages a day. “That is email, telephone calls, other forms of communication.”  The complete interview of the above is at: http://rt.com/news/oliver-stone-us-orwellian-022/

It used to be that a difference between the Soviet Union and the USA was that citizens in the USA had more legal and privacy protections. But with the break-up of the old Soviet Union and the supposed “anti-terrorist” powers that the US government has adopted since 9/11/2001, there has been a shift in the USA.

This, combined with accelerating moral decline does not bode well for the USA, which badly needs national repentance.  It also does not bode well for the world as the USA is helping set the stage for the rise of the final European Beast power.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Beast Portrayal

COGwriter

Can the Great Tribulation begin in 2014?

Do any believe that it will or might? Some seem to think so.

Protestant John Hagee has indicated because of the presence of ‘blood moons’ in 2014 that it might (see Blood Moons and Prophecy).  Even at least one with COG ties, who has been wrong every year since 2008 about this, also believes it might.

There is no possibility that the Great Tribulation can happen in 2014 and those who rely on the Bible have realized this for at least the past three years. It is only those who overlook scripture and rely on their own views who make the mistake of thinking that the Great Tribulation can, or could, happen in 2014.

Why do I state this?

One reason that the Great Tribulation will not begin yet is that one known as the final King of the North needs to rise up.

The Bible shows that the coming “the King of the North” will make a deal of some sort with one called the King of the South just before the appointed time of the end:

27 Both these kings’ hearts shall be bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end will still be at the appointed time (Daniel 11:27).

Daniel chapter 11 tells much about the end times and it involves both a King of the South and a King of the North. And while there was a president of the South and a president of the North in the Union for the Mediterranean (see Deal Leading to Psalm 83?), these individuals have not held the type of power (nor prerogatives) of the prophesied King of the North and the King of the South. Nor will the current head of the post-Lisbon European Union, Herman Van Rompuy (who will be leaving), likely be the final King of the North as he does not seem to fit that description.

Since the Great Tribulation will not start before there is an actual King of the South and an actual final King of the North)–and while the “prince” will apparently confirm a peace deal with Israel (probably somewhat including the United States and some Arab lands as part of the “many” in Daniel 9:27), Daniel 11:27 requires two kings, which suggests that the future “prince” will gain more and more importance after the deal in Daniel 9:27 (for more information on the sequence of Daniel 11, please see the article the King of the North). It may take a regional or other war in the Middle East to trigger a peace deal. And if Isaiah 17:1 concerning the destruction of Damascus is to be fulfilled prior to the start of the Great Tribulation, the destruction of Damascus in Syria should be a clear sign to those who discount biblical prophecy that Bible prophecy will come to pass. Damascus has claimed to the longest continuously inhabited city on the earth and its destruction would be unprecedented.

As far as the King of the South goes, there simply is not a confederation of Islamic nations that work close enough together yet in order to be led by the King of the South. While it is true that there are two groups that ultimately may ultimately allow this (see Iraq & the King of the South and Mediterranean Union Makes Deal With Israel and Arab States), the Islamic Mahdi/Caliph has not yet been recognized. And while this is possible to occur in 2014, the King of the South also will not be ready militarily to fulfill prophecies such as those in Daniel 11:40.

As alluded to earlier, the Bible shows that prior to being referred to as “the King of the North”, there is an individual who initially appears to be referred to as a “prince” in Daniel 9:26-27 (one is normally a “prince”, or rising leader, before one becomes a “king”).

Since this deal has still not been made, there is NO possibility that the Great Tribulation start prior to 2017–and even that seems too early.

Notice that in the book of Daniel there is a prophecy related to the end times that states:

26 And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate (Daniel 9:26-27).

There are several reasons that this “prince” is referring to the leader of the developing European empire (see King of the North and Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation). One is that it was the people of the Roman Empire of the 1st century that fulfilled the portion of Daniel 9:26 as they destroyed the city (Jerusalem) in 70 A.D. The European Union includes much of the land and peoples that were part of the ancient Roman Empire. And it is the “prince” coming from that people that verse 27 is referring to. Thus, this prophecy tells us that a lower level European leader will officially start to rise up about 3 1/2 years before the great tribulation (and yes, according to Jesus, some “tribulation” does happen prior to the start of the Great Tribulation). Another is the fact that the “beast of the sea” (Revelation 13:1) fits with the beasts from the “great sea” (Daniel 7:2)–and that is the Mediterranean Sea according to the Old Testament–hence this is an empire like the old Roman one (for more details, please see Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation).

This portion of scripture in Daniel seems to be discussing some type of peace deal that the Europeans will either propose or at least one from Europe will endorse. Such a deal did not exist as of December 2012, or at least was not publicly confirmed by the “prince” then.

The Great Tribulation is coming, but it will not begin in 2014.

A reader sent me a link to the following:

(RNS) First, three U.S. regional groups of the Seventh-day Adventist Church voted in 2012 for women to be ordained.

Then, the church’s Southeastern California Conference elected its first female president, a historic move for the global church.

Now, four of the church’s 13 worldwide divisions have approved theological reviews suggesting that women’s ordination should be widely accepted; one has said it should not.

As one of the fastest-growing religious groups in the U.S. and across the world, Seventh-day Adventists could potentially influence other denominations — particularly conservative Christians — on the issue of women in leadership…

In the U.S., 19 female pastors have been ordained or had their credentials updated in the SDA’s mid-Atlantic Columbia Union Conference since that regional group approved women’s ordination in July 2012. The Pacific Union Conference estimates it has 25 to 30 ordained women…

Garrett Caldwell, spokesman for the world church, said the deliberative process will come down to a single question: “Does the Bible have a theology of ordination that says yes or no about this issue?” http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2013-12/some-seventh-day-adventists-forge-ahead-women-clergy

While the SDAs can do what they want, the real issue, as Garrett Caldwell indicated, is what does the Bible teach?

Well, we in the Continuing Church of God realize that the Bible is opposed to ordaining women as ministers, though women can be ordained as deaconesses (Romans 16:1-2) and can also have a prophetic role (Acts 2:17-18).

The Apostle Paul wrote:

34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. (1 Corinthians 14:34-35).

11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:11-12).

The New Testament also shows:

3:1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach (1 Timothy 3:1-2).

5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you– 6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination (Titus 1:5-6).

Thus, the New Testament does not support the concept of women being elders/bishops over a church as only males are shown to be in those specific roles.

Presuming the SDAs continue on this path (allowing the current ordinations is a signal), the role of women in the church seems to be another difference between the biblically-based Continuing Church of God and the more Ellen White-based Seventh-day Adventist church.

Some items of possibly related interest may include the following:

SDA/CCOG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 The genuine Church of God is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White. Did Ellen White make prophetic errors? Did Ellen White make false prophecies? Here is a version in the Spanish language: SDA/COG Diferencias: La bestia de dos cuernos de Apocalipsis y 666.  Here is a link to the sermon: CCOG and SDA differences and similarities.
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.
The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Was it hierarchical? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had? What are some of the scriptural limits on ecclesiastical authority? Do some commit organizational idolatry? Here is a Spanish language version La Biblia, Policarpo, Herbert W. Armstrong, y Roderick C. Meredith sobre el gobierno de la Iglesia. Here is a link to a sermon titled Church Governance.
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.
La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios This is the Spanish site for the Continuing Church of God. URL is http://www.cdlidd.es

Saudi Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon (Gordon Zammit)

COGwriter

Saudi Arabia is concerned about Iran and Shi’ite influence.  Enough so, that it keeps taking military steps and precautions:

December 30, 2013…

.

Saudi Arabia feels encircled by the Iranian supported Houthi rebellion in Yemen, a Shiite insurrection in Bahrain, the Shiite-led Iraqi regime of Nouri al-Maliki, and in Syria, by the direct intervention of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah.  In Lebanon, a proxy conflict is taking place between the Iran supported Shiite Hezbollah and the Sunni-Lebanese supported by the Saudis. Riyadh is particularly disturbed by Iran’s incitement of the Shiite minority in Saudi Arabia…

Saudi Arabia is considered the leading Sunni-Muslim state. The Saudi royal family serves as the guardian of Islam’s holiest sites – the cities of Mecca and Medina. Along with being the “guardians,” the Saudi royal family has supported Sunni Muslim mosques and imams worldwide, and funds the spread of Islam in Europe and the US. The Saud family, which created the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has tied its fortunes with Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1703-1792), and Wahhabism. (http://www.frontpagemag.com/2013/joseph-puder/israel-and-saudi-arabia-unlikely-allies/)

December 30, 2013

Saudi Arabia is to give Lebanon’s army a grant of $3bn (£1.8bn, 2.8bn euros).

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman made the announcement in a televised address after the funeral of a senior Lebanese politician killed in a car bomb attack. He said it would help fight terrorism.

Mohamad Chatah, a Sunni Muslim, was a staunch critic of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Lebanon’s Shia Hezbollah movement that backs him.

Saudi Arabia and Hezbollah have taken opposite sides in the Syrian conflict.  (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25544352)

December 30, 2013

BEIRUT – Saudi Arabia is giving the Lebanese army $3 billion in aid…

The Sunni Muslim kingdom of Saudi Arabia may be seeking to bolster the army as a counterbalance to Hezbollah, seen as the most effective and powerful armed group in Lebanon and funded by the regional Shi’ite power Iran.

“The king of the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is offering this generous and appreciated aid of $3 billion to the Lebanese army to strengthen its capabilities,” Suleiman said.

“His Highness suggested that weapons would be purchased from France, and quickly.”  http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/12/29/22097967-as-tension-rise-saudi-arabia-to-give-lebanese-army-3-billion

By spreading military money, Saudi Arabia is also getting more to ally with it.

But that is not all that Saudi Arabia is doing.

Saudi Arabia also has additional fighter jets on order from the USA and EU/UK to give it some credible deterrence against its Shi-ite and other perceived enemies.

The Saudis have been a bit displeased with the USA and its handling of Iran and Syria in 2013.  The Saudis also seem to want leverage in dealing with the USA–telling the Lebanese to buy weapons from France could be a subtle hint from the Saudis that it is not completely dependent on the USA or it may be that the Saudis believe that the French will be easier for Lebanon to deal with, etc.

Something else to add to is the fact that the Saudis have apparently made some arrangements for acquiring nuclear weapons from Pakistan–the Middle East is becoming more dangerous.

The Hebrew scriptures, commonly referred to as the Old Testament, tell of a coming confederation that will be hostile to Israel as well as in brackets [ ] how the nations were identified in a 1979 Plain Truth article:

4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation,
That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.”

5 For they have consulted together with one consent;
They form a confederacy against You:
6 The tents of Edom [Esau or modern-day Turkey, a non-Arab but Islamic nation] and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia];
Moab [part of Jordan] and the Hagrites [anciently these peoples dwelt in the area known as Syria today];
7 Gebal [Lebanon], Ammon [modern Jordan], and Amalek [part of the Turks];
Philistia [the modern Palestinians] with the inhabitants of Tyre [Lebanon];
8 Assyria [whose descendants, the Assyrians, migrated to Germany] also has joined with them;
They have helped the children of Lot [Jordan and Western Iraq]. (Psalms 83:4-8, NKJV)

These passages show that an Arabic- Turkish confederation will form, and for a time have European support. The Bible also shows that Israel will be attacked, and that the European power will turn against the Arab-Turkish power, known as the King of the South (Daniel 11:31-43), but that the Turks and some of the Arabs will escape the European leaders’ punishment (Daniel 11:41). Israel, however, is not listed as escaping. (The identities of the various ones involved as discussed in articles such as Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel, Is the Future King of the South Rising Up?, and Who is the King of the North?)

Saudi Arabia has been arming up for years, but has been taking more steps because of actual and perceived threats from Iran.  Notice also the following scriptures:

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

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

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

6 “‘This is what the LORD says:

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

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

The above scriptures seem to mainly be referring to lands that are currently dominated by those who are Sunni, not Shi-ite, Muslim.  As the currently perceived head of the Sunni Muslims, Saudi Arabia will have a role to play in the rise of the King of the South.  Its military plans will eventually lead it to be at least temporarily part of that coming confederation.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future What does the Bible say about Jerusalem and its future? Is Jerusalem going to be divided and eliminated? Is Jesus returning to the area of Jerusalem? There is also a related YouTube video you can watch titled Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (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? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. A video of possible interest may be Will Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power?
Will the Anglo-Saxon 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?
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? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
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?

COGwriterhave

Over the past couple of weeks, I received some questions and emails about shake-ups happening at the group called Church of God, an International Community (COGaIC).  For those unfamiliar with it, COGaIC was founded in 1998 by one-time WCG evangelist David Hulme once he failed to be re-elected as president of the United Church of God (UCG).

It has been reported that Steven Andrews, Peter Nathan, and other leaders in COGaIC left because they tend to feel that David Hulme misunderstands governance and apparently is too autocratic for them.  Some have also apparently raised concerns about lack of effective gospel proclamation efforts there.

What I would state here is that my original concern about COGaIC, which I told one of its supporters in 1998, was that I felt that David Hulme misunderstood proper church governance and did not seem to have the right priorities when it came to gospel proclamation (Matthew 24:14; 28:19-20).  I did not consider that it had the right vision, in terms of being Philadelphian, that the most faithful in the Church of God should have.  Sadly, events since its formation have tended to confirm this.

Someone I knew who went with in 1998 COGaIC told me that he felt that COGaIC would do better than other groups with public proclamation over the internet.  But that simply has not been the case.  According to the independent international internet popularity ranker Alexa, this morning COGaIC’s main website (vision.org) has an Alexa ranking of 846,369.  The Continuing Church of God (CCOG) has two websites that are more popular than any that COGaIC has.  And since this morning’s Alexa ranking of COGwriter.com is 102,938, this suggests that CCOG-related websites are approximately 15-30 times more effective than COGaIC in internet reach.

COGaIC also has a magazine actually called Vision as apparently its main printed public proclamation tool.  While apparently intended to be targeted towards a more ‘intellectual audience,’ I have found that it seems very, very light when it comes to biblical doctrine and prophecy.  It has tended to lack prophetic and other biblical vision in my view–plus it has seemed to ignore Isaiah 58:1 about crying out against sin. etc.

David Hulme, himself, has an internet blog called Causes of Conflict: Thoughts on Religion, Identity and the Middle East. There was a one-line sentence posted on November 13, 2010 and then nothing until December 18, 2012.  Apparently the “Arab Spring,” Middle East protests, Iran, Israel, Syria, and the governmental changes during that time were not to the level for him to provide his thoughts and comments (I should perhaps add that David Hulme sometimes will tweet via Twitter an article on the Middle East from secular sources, and has made 4 posts in his blog during 2013). This lack of detailed coverage, however, is all the more puzzling as David Hulme is still referred to at the Vision website as “Middle East scholar David Hulme.”  At the Church of God News page which is what I write, I average 3 news posts per day–so his lack of attention to what is supposed to be his specialty has been a concern I have had about him.

All should be “zealous” as Jesus said in Revelation 3:19 and not be satisfied with something less than a Philadelphia type of work and Philadelphia form of church governance (see also Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel?).  Although COGaIC has a magazine called ‘Vision,’ when it comes to gospel proclamation, its vision has not been particularly effective.

It is my hope and prayer that any that are or were in COGaIC will carefully and prayerfully consider what has been happening.  It is my prayer that any who may be Philadelphian will decide to uphold Philadelphia-era standards on doctrine, prophecy, governance, love, and public proclamation.  Do you have the bigger vision?

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Church of God, an International Community (COG aic) This is the group led by David Hulme. It seems to minimize parts of biblical prophecy and be restrictive on doctrinal statements.
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?
The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Was it hierarchical? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had? What are some of the scriptural limits on ecclesiastical authority? Do some commit organizational idolatry? Here is a Spanish language version La Biblia, Policarpo, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, y Bob Thiel sobre el gobierno de la Iglesia. Here is a link to a sermon titled Church Governance.
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it?
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
There are Many COGs: What about the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
What is a True Philadelphian? Many claim to be part of the Philadelphia era of the Church, but is claiming enough? This article has biblical and historical evidence about who really are the Philadelphians.
The 18 Restored Truths: Do You Know What the First Changes the Tkach Administration Made? Some have said healing, others other subjects, but probably the first change had to do with eliminating being part of the Philadelphia era. This article documents what those changes were and compares the Tkach list of restored truths to Herbert W. Armstrong’s list of restored truths. It contains many quotes from Herbert W. Armstrong.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.

COGwriter

Some have been promoting the idea that the occurrence of ‘blood moons’ in 2014 and 2015 could be a sign that Jesus will return one of those two years.

I actually reported about this a number of years ago.

In October of 2013, evangelical Protestant John Hagee further promoted the idea that blood moons in 2014 and 2015 had major prophetic significance in a book he wrote about blood moons.  He indicated that they could be a sign that Jesus would return them.

Yet. blood moons are not a sign that Jesus will be returning in 2014 or 2015. There are simply too many additional biblically-required signs that Jesus listed in Matthew 24 that cannot occur between now and then. Also, the fact that the “seven-year covenant” of Daniel 9:27 does not seem to have been confirmed, also suggests that it is impossible for Jesus to return prior to 2019, and, even that is too early.

As far as blood red moons go, the Book of Revelation teaches the following:

12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:12-17).

So while Jesus would not return with a red moon, notice that the red moon appears just before the Day of the Lord begins–possibly as soon as the evening before (and perhaps up to a month or so before, cf. Revelation 8:1). Notice that a blood moon is also tied into the Day of the Lord in the Old Testament as well:

31 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. (Joel 2:31)

So if God is intending to use natural phenomena (as opposed to performing a specific and separate miracle, which He certainly could do), then since it is most likely that the Day of the Lord begins on the Feast of Trumpets (as the seven trumpets begin the Day of the Lord, per Revelation 8:2), then the Great Tribulation would begin about 2 1/2 years prior to that.

Notice what NASA has shown:

When four consecutive lunar eclipses are all total eclipses, the group is known as a tetrad. The following tetrads occur during this century:

Tetrad (Four Consecutive Total Eclipses): 2003 – 2004
Tetrad (Four Consecutive Total Eclipses): 2014 – 2015
Tetrad (Four Consecutive Total Eclipses): 2032 – 2033
Tetrad (Four Consecutive Total Eclipses): 2043 – 2044
Tetrad (Four Consecutive Total Eclipses): 2050 – 2051
Tetrad (Four Consecutive Total Eclipses): 2061 – 2062
Tetrad (Four Consecutive Total Eclipses): 2072 – 2073
Tetrad (Four Consecutive Total Eclipses): 2090 – 2091 (http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEcat/LE2001-2100.html viewed 5/01/08)

At this moment, it would appear that the prophecy in Revelation and Joel about the blood moon will NOT be related to any NASA blood moon prediction (unless NASA comes up with a different table or something else) or if Jesus’ return is not until after 2032. The blood moon of biblical prophecy could be related to some natural phenomena that is unclear at this time or it could be a miracle from God–or it could be that God will affect some natural phenomena to make it happen.

But either way, while Jesus will return, it will not be in 2015. Jesus will not return prior to 2019, and even that is too early

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Blood Moons and Prophecy There are four ‘blood moons’ expected in 2014 and 2015. Do they signal the Day of the Lord or the return of Jesus Christ? A related YouTube video is also available: Blood Moons, Prophecy, 2014, and 2015.
Wormwood and Planet Nibiru Is Comet ISON really Planet X? Will the Earth be devastated by this in 2014? Here is a related YouTube video Could Comet ISON be Wormwood of Bible Prophecy?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2014, 2015, 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?

COGwriter

Today is observed by the Church of Rome as the “Feast of the Holy Family.” Pope Francis spoke about it today, as did a reporter named Tom Perna:

December 29, 2013

In his Angelus address given on the feast of the Holy Family, Pope Francis prayed especially for the approaching Synod of Bishops which will discuss pastoral challenges to the family.

“The next Synod of Bishops will address the theme of the family, and the preparatory phase has already begun some time ago. For this reason, today, (on) the feast of the Holy Family, I wish to entrust this synodal work to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, praying for families around the world,” he said on Dec. 29 in St. Peter’s Square.

Asking the crowds that packed St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding streets to join with him spiritually, Pope Francis prayed, “Holy Family of Nazareth, may the approaching Synod of Bishops make us once more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family, and its beauty in God’s plan.”  http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-prays-for-upcoming-synod-of-bishops/
December 29, 2013

By Tom Perna

Today in the western lung of the Catholic Church, we celebrate the great feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. On this day, we seek to understand the unconditional love and sacrifice that existed between Jesus Christ, his mother, Mary and his earthly father, Joseph. The Holy Family is the perfect prototype for every Christian family.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph 533 states,

“The hidden life at Nazareth allows everyone to enter into fellowship with Jesus by the most ordinary events of daily life: The home of Nazareth is the school where we begin to understand the life of Jesus – the school of the Gospel. First, then, a lesson of silence. May esteem for silence, that admirable and indispensable condition of mind, revive in us. . . A lesson on family life. May Nazareth teach us what family life is, its communion of love, its austere and simple beauty, and its sacred and inviolable character… A lesson of work. Nazareth, home of the “Carpenter’s Son”, in you I would choose to understand and proclaim the severe and redeeming law of human work…” (Pope Paul VI, Feast of the Holy Family 1964).  http://tomperna.org/2013/12/29/the-20th-anniversary-of-the-year-of-the-family/

Today is not a biblical holiday.

The Bible never refers to the family of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus as the “Holy Family.”  And while Mary and Joseph had a role in God’s plan, and like all others an opportunity for salvation, this Roman emphasis on them is excessive.  The Bible never hints that there should be a festival dedicated to them.

Furthermore, it may be of interest to note that many consider this Jesus, Mary, and Joseph group so important that it can affect the state of the dead. Notice:

In a Card, or Fly-leaf, issued by the Popish priests of Sunderland, now lying before me, with the heading “Paschal Duty, St. Mary’s Church, Bishopwearmouth, 1859,” the following is the 4th admonition given to the “Dear Christians” to whom it is addressed:

“4. And never forget the acts of a good Christian, recommended to you so often during the renewal of the Mission.

Blessed be Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart, my life, and my soul.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me always; and in my last agony,
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, receive my last breath. Amen.”

To induce the adherents of Rome to perform this “act of a good Christian,” a considerable bribe is held out. In p. 30 of Furniss’ Manual above referred to, under the head “Rule of Life,” the following passage occurs: “In the morning, before you get up, make the sign of the cross, and say, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul. (Each time you say this prayer, you get an indulgence of 100 days, which you can give to the souls in Purgatory)!” I must add that the title of Furniss’ book, as given above, is the title of Mr. Smyth’s copy. The title of the copy in my possession is “What every Christian must Know.” London: Richardson & Son, 147 Strand. Both copies alike have the blasphemous words given in the text, and both have the “Imprimatur” of “Paulus Cullen.” (Hislop A. Two Babylons. 1858. Loizeaux Brothers, 2nd American edition 1959, p. 89)

(More on purgatory, can be found in the article Did the Early Church Teach Purgatory?)

Christians are not to consider that Joseph or Mary are any type of mediator. The Bible is clear that there is just one Mediator–and that is Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).

Furthermore, the letter from Lucia of Fatima fame, when she wrote down some of the ‘third secret,’ she began her letter with the initials J.M.J., meaning Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.  And she was the main one who falsely indicated that Jesus’ mother Mary appeared in Fatima, despite the fact that she knew what appeared in Fatima in 1917 did not look as Mary of the Bible would have looked. This was another deceipt she has fostered, yet her apparition reports have affected multiple millions.  (Here is a link to a YouTube video Marian Apparitions May Fulfill Prophecy.)

But let’s go even further back in history.

In 325 A.D., at the Council of Nicea, among the small minority who believed in the trinity there, was allegedly a group that defined it as consisting of the Father, Son, and Mary:

Consequently, we find the Melchite at the Council of Nice holding that there were three Persons in the Trinity — the Father, the Virgin Mary, and the Messiah their Son! (Brock M. Rome: Pagan and Papal. Hodder and Stoughton, 1883 Original from Oxford University, Digitized Apr 18, 2007, p. 134)

Is there one, who fears God, and who reads these lines, who would not admit that Paganism alone could ever have inspired such a doctrine as that avowed by the Melchites at the Nicene Council, that the Holy Trinity consisted of “the Father, the Virgin Mary, and the Messiah their Son”? * Is there one who would not shrink with horror from such a thought? What, then, would the reader say of a Church that teaches its children to adore such a Trinity as that contained in the following lines?–

"Heart of Jesus I adore thee; Heart of Mary, I implore thee; Heart of Joseph, pure and just; IN THESE THREE HEARTS I PUT MY TRUST." * 

If this is not Paganism, what is there that can be called by such a name? Yet this is the Trinity which now the Roman Catholics of Ireland from tender infancy are taught to adore. (Hislop A. Two Babylons. 1858. Loizeaux Brothers, 2nd American edition 1959, p. 89)

* (Quarterly Journal of Prophecy, July, 1852).

Notice also some the Protestant historian P. Schaff:

There was in Arabia in the fourth century a sect of fanatical women called Collyridians (Kollurivde”), who rendered divine worship to Mary. Epiphanius, Haer. 79. (Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Volume IV, Chapter III, “Mohammedanism in its Relation to Christianity”, fn. 188; source)

Idolatrous worship is what many give to Joseph today, and even more give it to their version of ‘Mary” throughout the year.

Church of Rome is ‘Western Lung’?

Another point to bring out is the report about the Church of Rome being the “western lung” as Tom Perna brought out in his article.

Pope John Paul II (the pontiff prior to former Pope Benedict XVI) stated:

By rediscovering the great cultural treasures of the Christian East, in a new dialogue of communion, we will also allow Christian witness to breathe at this level, with two “lungs“, making our rightful contribution to humanity’s future (Pope John Paul II. CHRISTIANITY HAS DEEPLY MARKED CULTURE OF PEOPLES. Angelus, 1 September 1996. Taken from: L’Osservatore Romano, Weekly Edition in English, 4 September 1996, “L’Osservatore Romano is the newspaper of the Holy See”. http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP960901.HTM viewed 11/16/07).

The Orthodox apparently agreed that they were and are one of the lungs as the Orthodox Metropolitan John of Pergamon stated to John Paul II:

As Your Holiness has aptly put it some years ago, East and West are the two lungs by which the Church breaths; their unity is essential to the healthy life of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church (Speeches of Pope John Paul II and Metropolitan John of Pergamon. Made in private audience following a Mass to celebrate the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. Rome, 28 June 1998. http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/ecumenical/john_pergamon_john_paul2.htm viewed 11/16/07).

It should also be noted that the Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I (whose “official title” is His All Holiness, Bartholomew I, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch) wrote:

Today, then, it is our obligation more than ever to reclaim the Christian roots of Europe and the spiritual, sacramental and doctrinal unity that it enjoyed prior to the schism of our two Churches. The re-evangelization of our peoples is “today, more so than ever before, timely and necessary, even within traditional Christian lands,” as we admitted and confessed in common here exactly one year ago.

Thus, we believe that Western and Eastern Europe must cease regarding themselves as foreign to one another…

Elder Rome has the foremost St. Peter as its apostle and patron. New Rome, Constantinople, has the brother of St. Peter, the first-called of the apostles, Andrew. Both invite us to the fraternal unity that they shared with each other and that can only be acquired when the cross becomes our point of reference and experience of approach.

Let us, therefore, beseech these two brothers and greatest of apostles that they may grant peace to the world and lead everyone to unity. (Bartholomew I’s Letter to Vatican Delegation. Zenit. December 5, 2007 http://www.zenit.org/article-21198?l=english).

The Patriarch of Constantinople is generally considered the first among equals within the Eastern Orthodox “sees.” Even if this unity with the Romans occur, individually the Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics as unifying will make them part of Babylon (according to both biblical and Roman Catholic prophecy).

I strongly believe the Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics and have had this published in 2007 on the internet and in The Journal: News of the Churches of God. Futhermore, many ecumenical meetings and pronouncements have been coming from those groups.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now former Pope Benedict XVI, interestingly wrote of Europe (the Mediterranean continent) and its two wings, Greek and Latin:

In the process of replacing boundaries, the conceptual continuity with the preceding Mediterranean continent…was assured by a theological interpretation of history: in connection with the Book of Daniel, the Roman Empire—renewed and transformed by the Christian faith—was considered to be the final and permanent kingdom in the history of the world in general, and therefore the association of peoples and states that was taking shape was defined as the permanent Sacrum Imperium Romanum [Holy Roman Empire]. (Raztinger J. Europe today and tomorrow: addressing the fundamental issues. Translated by Michael Miller. Ignatius Press, 2007, p. 13)

We can consider the rise of the Carolingian Empire, on the one hand, and the continuation of the Roman empire in Byzantium and its mission to the Slavic people, on the other, as the true and proper birth of the continent of Europe…(ibid, p. 17)

Greco-Christian, European culture of Byzantium…one of the two wings of Europe (ibid, p. 18).

Latin [that is, Western] Europe…(ibid, p. 19)

…the Christian idea of empire…the sacred foundation for history…(ibid, p. 20)

The two halves of the old Europe, before the modern era, had known essentially only one opponent that it had to confront in a life-or-death battle, namely, the Islamic world. (ibid, p. 22)

Believing Christians should…contribute to Europe’s recovery of the best of its heritiage and thus to the service of all mankind. (ibid, p. 34)

The successor to the Roman empire was the so-called “Holy Roman Empire.”  Thus, even the former Pope Benedict XVI realizes that the “Holy Roman Empire” is part of the image in Daniel 2 and that one leg/wing represents the Roman/Latin Catholic west with the other the Eastern/Greco/Byzantine east. Cardinal Ratzinger also seems to be teaching that the “Holy Roman Empire” is the last part of the image of Daniel 2 and he is suggesting that it is a good thing.

Yet, he seems not to realize that in the end, God intentionally destroys the image, by attacking the last part (striking the feet it stands upon in Daniel 2:34) which implies that God was not pleased with this image or its “sacred foundation.” That empire will be destroyed:

41 Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. 43 As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. 44 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. (Daniel 2:41-44)

Since the Bible is clear that God will destroy the final formation of that empire (Daniel 2:34,40-44), the development of a unified Europe to fulfill this is not something that should be encouraged. (It is also of interest that Cardinal Ratzinger pointed out Europe’s historic opponent Islam, as both biblical prophecy–like Daniel 11:40-43–and Catholic private prophecy seem to tell of a time that the Europeans will defeat the forces of Islam once again.)

There is no biblical festival for the “Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,” but the “Western lung” is observing it anyway.  More troubles will hit the world after the Western and Eastern lungs/feet come together in support of the final ecumenical European Beast power.  And it will likely involve even more idolatry that is involved in today’s Roman Catholic festival (cf. Revelation 13:).

Some items of related interest may include:

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.
What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? Did Catholic and Orthodox “saints” endorse or condemn idols and icons for Christians?
Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy? Pope Francis has taken many steps to turn people more towards his version of ‘Mary.’ Could this be consistent with biblical and Catholic prophecies? This article documents what has been happening. There is also a video version titled Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Could Pope Francis be the Last Pope and Antichrist? According to some interpretations of the prophecies of the popes by the Catholic saint and Bishop Malachy, Pope Francis I is in the position of “Peter the Roman,” the pontiff who reigns during tribulations until around the time of the destruction of Rome. Do biblical prophecies warn of someone that sounds like Peter the Roman? Could Francis I be the heretical antipope of Catholic private prophecies and the final Antichrist of Bible prophecy? This is a YouTube video.
The Malachy Prophecies and “Peter the Roman” An Irish bishop allegedly predicted something about 112 popes in the 12th century. Pope Benedict XVI was number 111. Francis would seem to be number 112–if he is that one–and if so, he is to reign until Rome is destroyed. May he be an antipope/final Antichrist?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.
Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation discusses the largest church since the second/third century, which in a real sense is the eighth church mentioned in the Book of Revelation (it also endorses “eighth day” worship). What church would support the Beast? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
Did the True Church Ever Teach a Trinity? Most act like this is so, but is it? Here is an old, by somewhat related, article in the Spanish language LA DOCTRINA DE LA TRINIDAD.
Jesus: The Son of God and Saviour Who was Jesus? Why did He come to earth? What message did He bring? Is there evidence outside the Bible that He existed? Here is a YouTube sermon titled Jesus: Son of God and Saviour.
What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them? Is December 25th Jesus’ birthday or that of the sun god? Here is a link to a related sermon: What do Catholic and other scholars teach about Christmas?