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COGwriter

The USA President spoke about some of his positive hopes for the USA in 2014:

December 20, 2013

Capping a year dominated by sagging approval ratings and criticism of his signature health care law and domestic surveillance programs, President Barack Obama said Friday that 2014 “can be a breakthrough year for America.”

Asked about his flagging poll numbers, Obama insisted that he is used to ups and downs but that he’s continuing to push forward with a forward-looking agenda despite being dogged by controversies throughout the first year of his second term. http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/12/20/21984195-obama-2014-can-be-a-breakthrough-year-for-america

December 20, 2013

U.S. President Barack Obama says that 2014 “needs to be a year of action,” with the country boosting its labor market and fixing its broken immigration system.

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At a year-end news conference Friday, Obama noted the recent advance in the U.S. economy, but said more needs to be done to cut the country’s jobless rate and renew jobless benefits for long-term unemployed workers.

He also said that the government’s balky enrollment system for people to buy health insurance is improving, and that a recent budget agreement with Congress on a budget proves Washington does not have to have “endless gridlock.”

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U.S. political analysts say that 2013 has been the worst of Obama’s five years in the White House. His approval ratings have fallen sharply, with a new CNN survey showing that Americans — by a 56-41-percent margin — disapprove of his handling of the presidency.

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President Obama has drawn particular criticism over the roll-out of his signature health care reforms, known popularly in the U.S. as Obamacare.

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The government web site created for people to buy health insurance sputtered for weeks before technology experts more recently boosted its performance. In addition, Obama reluctantly had to acknowledge that millions of people would not — as he had repeatedly promised — be able to keep their old insurance policies if they wanted to.

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Former security worker Edward Snowden’s massive disclosure of clandestine surveillance programs being conducted by the National Security Agency also diminished Obama’s standing. The revelations forced the president to confront concerns by many Americans that the government could be over-reaching with its spying as it seeks to thwart terrorist attacks against the U.S.

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A judge this week said the surveillance was likely unconstitutional, and a presidentially appointed review panel called for new limitations and recommendations he is now considering.

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The president spoke to reporters at the White House before heading to the island state of Hawaii to celebrate the Christmas holiday with first lady Michelle Obama and their two daughters. The first family is expected to stay in Hawaii until after New Year’s Day.  http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-to-hold-yearend-press-conference/1814501.html

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon 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 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?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
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? 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.
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? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
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.

The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

COGwriter

Bucking an international trend, the Senate of Uganda passes a measure against the homosexual agenda.  Meanwhile the State of New Mexico votes in favor of the homosexual agenda:

December 20, 2013

Uganda passes tough new bill against homosexuality

By Associated Press,

KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandan lawmakers on Friday passed an anti-gay bill that calls for life imprisonment for “aggravated homosexuality,”…

The bill must be signed by President Yoweri Museveni to become law.

Aggravated homosexuality is defined as a homosexual act where one of the partners is infected with HIV, sex with minors and the disabled, as well as repeated sexual offenses among consenting adults.

The bill also calls for a seven-year jail term for a person who “conducts a marriage ceremony” for same-sex couples…

Homosexuality was already illegal in Uganda under a colonial-era law that criminalized sexual acts “against the order of nature,” but the Ugandan lawmaker who wrote the new legislation argued that tougher legislation was needed because homosexuals from the West threatened to destroy Ugandan families and were allegedly “recruiting” Ugandan children into gay lifestyles…

When the bill was first proposed, United States President Barack Obama called it “odious.”  http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/uganda-passes-tough-new-law-against-homosexuality/2013/12/20/04cf3a28-6967-11e3-997b-9213b17dac97_story.html

New Mexico same-sex marriage ruling comes amid long wait, national trend

Published December 20, 2013

Associated Press…

“We hold that the State of New Mexico is constitutionally required to allow same-gender couples to marry and must extend to them the rights, protections and responsibilities that derive from civil marriage under New Mexico law,” Justice Edward L. Chavez wrote.

With that ruling, New Mexico joined 16 other states and the District of Columbia in allowing gay marriage either through legislation, court rulings or voter referendums in a trend that has dramatically shifted in just a few years nationally.  http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/12/20/new-mexico-same-sex-marriage-ruling-comes-amid-long-wait-national-trend/

On the world scene, both Russia and Uganda have tended to be among the most successful in fighting the homosexual agenda.

In the USA, the way the supporters of the homosexual agenda talk, it is all supposedly about fairness, love, and equality.  Notice the following related to the New Mexico decision:

Advocacy groups and supporters hailed the decision.

“I can’t get past happy, happy, happy at the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision that rules in favor of freedom and equality for everyone to marry the person they love,” Santa Fe Mayor David Coss said in a statement.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the National Center for Lesbian Rights represented same-sex couples in the Supreme Court case. They contended gay marriage must be allowed because of constitutional guarantees of equal protection under the law and a state constitutional prohibition against discrimination based on sexual orientation.  http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/12/20/new-mexico-same-sex-marriage-ruling-comes-amid-long-wait-national-trend/

The reality is that this is about morality, society, and protection of children.  Sexual immorality has been shown to be harmful, and according to the Bible it is sinful.

Biblically, a marriage exist as a relationship between a man and woman as God intended. But, many in the USA, including its President, do not really care what the Bible teaches. And this is dangerous and will lead to destruction (cf. Romans 1:18-32).

Last June Russia’s Pravda put out a paper that had some interesting comments about the USA:

Russian Paper Says “Weak Eyed Obama” Is Leader Of Sodom & Gomorrah…

“The US is broke and Russia is the world’s largest oil producer with a growing economy. Russia is not backing down and they have China to back them up. Who will back the US? Tiny Britain? Americans are turning gay and Russian men are looking more like the Klitschko brothers. The US is the modern day Sodom and Gomorrah while Christianity triumphs in Russia. No ACLU in Russia suing Christians to be sure. The largest country in the world shows only contempt at the US Bomb & Missile Diplomacy.” http://freedomoutpost.com/2013/06/russian-paper-says-weak-eyed-obama-is-leader-of-sodom-gomorrah-following-g8-summit/#ixzz2XKb3UkSu

In September 2013, Russia’s President Putin made some interesting observations:

A further challenge (=Danger) for the national Russian identity is connected to the processes we observe outside of Russia. They include foreign policy, moral and other aspects.

We see that many Euro-Atlantic (= the West) States have taken a course where they deny or reject their own roots, including their Christian roots which form the basis of Western civilisation.

In these countries, the moral basis and any traditional identity are being denied – national, religious, cultural and even gender identities are being denied or relativised.

There, politics treats a family with many children as equal to a homosexual partnership (juridically); faith in God is equal to faith in Satan.

The excesses and exaggerations of Political Correctness in these countries indeed leads to serious consideration for the legitimisation of parties that promote the propaganda of paedophilia.

VIDEO (3 min.): http://www.mrctv.org/videos/russian-president-putin-defends-christian-culture-western-values-condemns-political-correctness

SOURCE: http://gatesofvienna.net/2013/10/for-gods-sake-listen-to-him/

When I grew up, it was the USA that sometimes would stand for biblical morality and Russia distanced itself from the Bible. While Russia still has issues, it has changed in several ways for the better, while the USA has gone the opposite way.  Uganda, and some other nations, are trying to oppose this as well, yet the international pressure to support the homosexual agenda is strong.

Various ones can pretend that increasing “homosexual rights” is acceptable, but the Bible teaches otherwise.

Homosexual acts are clearly prohibited in the Bible:

22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. (Leviticus 18:22)

13 If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. (Leviticus 20:13)

Those who try to claim that the Bible does not clearly condemn homosexuality are intentionally misreading what it actually teaches. The Bible prohibits and condemns homosexual behavior–the Bible calls it an abomination!

Notice also the following:

9 The look on their countenance witnesses against them, And they declare their sin as Sodom; They do not hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have brought evil upon themselves. (Isaiah 3:9)

13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. (Proverbs 8:13)

18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)

49 Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. 50 And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit. (Ezekiel 16:49-50)

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

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

So the Bible shows that Sodom was destroyed for many things including its pride and the committing of abominations. Homosexuality is an abomination.

The Bible also warns against accepting and condoning practices such as homosexuality and lesbianism, which is something that the USA is doing:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness…

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:18,24-32)

The promotion of sexual immorality, including the ‘gay’ agenda, will end in destruction. Yet various leaders in the USA, including its President, are doing just it. They apparently do not take the warnings of the Bible seriously.

The Russians are right that the USA is in decline.  And those in Uganda are right to be concerned about the corrupting influence of the morals of many in the West.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality? Can homosexuals change?
Cross-dressing and other assaults against your children. What should you do? Is there an agenda to turn your children and/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on? There is also a YouTube video on this, titled Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children.
Love, Marriage, and Sex It is important to get them in the right order.
Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
Pornography: A scourge on society Is pornography harmless fun? Does the Bible teach anything about it? What are the views of some involved with it? Here is a link to a YouTube video Pornography: Harmless Fun or a Scourge on Society?
British and American Moral Decay Public nudity is becoming more prevalent in the Anglo-Saxon lands. What are some of the consequences?
Can those in the USA/UK see the Handwriting on the Wall? Is everything fine in the USA/UK or is it like the days of Noah? Can we learn from the handwriting that appeared on a wall thousands of years ago? Here is a link to a related YouTube video Can you see the ‘Handwriting on the Wall’?
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?
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.

Gaia Spacecraft

COGwriter

Various companies have been arriving in Berlin, Germany for the IFA show. Here is some information from IFA’s website:

December 20, 2013

BBC  PARIS -Europe has launched the Gaia satellite – one of the most ambitious space missions in history. The 740m-euro (£620m) observatory lifted off from the Sinnamary complex in French Guiana at 06:12 local time (09:12 GMT). Gaia is going to map the precise positions and distances to more than a billion stars.
This should give us the first realistic picture of how our Milky Way galaxy is constructed. Gaia’s remarkable sensitivity will lead also to the detection of many thousands of previously unseen objects, including new planets and asteroids. Separation from the Soyuz upper-stage was confirmed just before 10:00 GMT. The satellite is now travelling out to an observing station some 1.5 million km from the Earth on its nightside – a journey that will take about a month to complete. Gaia has been in development for more than 20 years.

http://www.nation.com.pk/snippets/20-Dec-2013/eu-launches-billion-dollar-milky-way-telescope

A billion dollars is a for a telescope. There is more going on with European technology. Before getting to that, notice what Gaia is named after:

Gaia was the great mother of all: the primal Greek Mother Goddess; creator and giver of birth to the Earth and all the Universe; the heavenly gods, the Titans and the Giants were born from her union with Uranus (the sky), while the sea-gods were born from her union with Pontus (the sea). (Gaia, Wikipedia)

The Europeans have a tendency to like to incorporate pagan names in various aspects of their culture.

But the point to emphasize here, as I have mentioned before, the Europeans have plans for technology. Here is some information on some of them, notice also Horizon 2020:

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.ESA is an international organisation with 20 Member States. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, it can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Welcome_to_ESA/What_is_ESA

Horizon 2020 is the financial instrument implementing the Innovation Union², a Europe 2020³ flagship initiative aimed at securing Europe’s global competitiveness. Running from 2014 to 2020 with an €80 billion budget, the EU’s new programme for research and innovation is part of the drive to create new growth and jobs in Europe.

Horizon 2020 provides major simplification through a single set of rules. It will combine all research and innovation funding currently provided through the Framework Programmes for Research and Technical Development⁴, the innovation related activities of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP⁵) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT⁶)…

Horizon 2020 will tackle societal challenges by helping to bridge the gap between research and the market by, for example, helping innovative enterprise to develop their technological breakthroughs into viable products with real commercial potential. http://ec.europa.eu/research/horizon2020/index_en.cfm?pg=h2020

Europe is planning on improving its economy and position in the world via technology and research. It is hoping to have all the pieces together by 2020. And despite its flaws, for a short time, the European power will dominate the world per Revelation 13, 17, and 18. Its intention with its technology and procedures (.http://www.ft.com/cms/s/af609b2c-bf72-11db-9ac2-000b5df10621.html) IS to lead the world.

As I have reported in the past, the Europeans have been working on a ‘GPS’ competitor called Galileo (Europe’s Galileo ‘GPS’ Hits Another Milestone) that was funded for military purposes (see EU Approves Galileo For Military Use). The USA itself plans to link part of its military surveillance to it (as I warned; see USA GPS and EU Galileo linking was expected) and this will put the USA at unique risk for attack. The Europeans have also made progress with antimatter with its Large Hadron Collier (LHC) ran by CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research). The related research may have some military implications (see LHC has another discovery related to understanding antimatter). This is all going on as the USA makes cuts to its military (e.g. US Army announces cuts and There are no longer USA tanks in Germany: Do Americans understand this is a serious risk?).  It now apparently will have a highly advanced telescope which could possibly have military applications, especially if it can help pinpoint locations better (which is what it is supposed to do), and even more if it can be oriented towards the earth (which I do not know if it can do, or if it would work well that way).

Since the Beast of Revelation 13 will be European (Europa, the Beast, and Revelation and the YouTube video Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?), I have long felt that the Europeans would be able to fulfill their prophesied role via technology.

Notice something that the Bible says about this:

3…And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:3-4, NKJV)

Notice that the military power of the Beast was something that the world will marvel, be astonished about. Why? Because no one really thought that the European Beast power had the military ability to defeat the U.S.A. with its Anglo-allies (Daniel 11:39), and then the Islamic King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43).

Technology would seem to be the key to a powerful European military. While the U.S.A., Australia, and others are currently worried mostly about China, the European developments will not be good for the Anglo-Saxon descended lands, including England.

Europe is moving forward with its research, space, and military plans and few in the USA seem to realize that when it gets enough power, the USA will lose all of its.

The understanding of the Continuing Church of God that the Europeans will be able to attack and takeover the United States and its Anglo-descended allies (cf. Isaiah 10:5-11; Daniel 11:39) is correct and will come to pass. And as I have speculated for years, the Large Hadron Collider and other research projects may be a factor in making that happen.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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”? What is ahead for Europe?
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse What do each of the four horseman of the Apocalypse represent? Have they began their ride? Did Jesus discuss the any of this? Might their rides coincide with the “beginning of sorrows? Do they start their ride prior to the Great Tribulation? Did Nostradamus or any other ‘private prophets’ write predictions that may mislead people so that they may not understand the truth of one or more of the four horseman which has ties to Europe? There is also a related YouTube video titled The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? The Book of Revelation tells of a beast power that will rise up. Some think that this must be Russia or could be Islamic, while others say that this power is European. The Book of Daniel tells of the rise of an end time King of the North that some think must be referring to a Russian leader, while others say that this power is European. How can you be sure? This YouTube video has all the scriptural proofs that you should need to prove that this power must be a European one.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon 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?
Large Hadron Collider may result in military applications The Europeans have the largest physics project on the planet. Some scoff, but might it result in military applications? May the Large Hadron Collider help fulfill Revelation 13:4?
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?
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 to what will happen with these ‘sea gates’? A related video would be Will the UK Lose Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands? A ver¿Perderá el Reino Unido a Gibraltar y las Islas Falkland (Malvinas)?
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.
Protestant and Church of God views of the United States in Bible Prophecy Is the USA mentioned in Bible prophecy? Some Protestants say yes, while others say no. What does the Bible really teach? Learn the truth about this. There is also a video available: Is The United States Mentioned In Bible Prophecy?
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?

Solis Invicti coin (Jastrow)

COGwriter

While I have tended to have articles about how the Roman and Eastern Orthodox Catholics have viewed Christmas, a reader sent me something recently that was ran long ago in the misnamed publication Christianity Today.  Here are some excerpts:

Why December 25?

The month and day of Christ’s birth have been hotly disputed for centuries. For the church’s first three centuries, Christmas wasn’t in December—or on the calendar at all.

By Elesha Coffman

It’s very tough for us North Americans to imagine Mary and Joseph trudging to Bethlehem in anything but, as Christina Rosetti memorably described it, “the bleak mid-winter,” surrounded by “snow on snow on snow.” To us, Christmas and December are inseparable. But for the first three centuries of Christianity, Christmas wasn’t in December—or on the calendar anywhere.

If observed at all, the celebration of Christ’s birth was usually lumped in with Epiphany (January 6)…Some church leaders even opposed the idea of a birth celebration. Origen (c.185-c.254) preached that it would be wrong to honor Christ in the same way Pharaoh and Herod were honored. Birthdays were for pagan gods…

Clement of Alexandria (c.150-c.215) favored May 20 but noted that others had argued for April 18, April 19, and May 28. Hippolytus (c.170-c.236) championed January 2. November 17, November 20, and March 25 all had backers as well. A Latin treatise written around 243 pegged March 21, because that was believed to be the date on which God created the sun…The eventual choice of December 25, made perhaps as early as 273…December 25 already hosted two other related festivals: natalis solis invicti (the Roman “birth of the unconquered sun”), and the birthday of Mithras, the Iranian “Sun of Righteousness” whose worship was popular with Roman soldiers. The winter solstice, another celebration of the sun, fell just a few days earlier. Seeing that pagans were already exalting deities with some parallels to the true deity, church leaders decided to commandeer the date and introduce a new festival.

Western Christians first celebrated Christmas on December 25 in 336, after Emperor Constantine had declared Christianity the empire’s favored religion. Eastern churches, however, held on to January 6 as the date for Christ’s birth and his baptism. Most easterners eventually adopted December 25, celebrating Christ’s birth on the earlier date and his baptism on the latter, but the Armenian church celebrates his birth on January 6…

The pagan origins of the Christmas date, as well as pagan origins for many Christmas customs (gift-giving and merrymaking from Roman Saturnalia; greenery, lights, and charity from the Roman New Year; Yule logs and various foods from Teutonic feasts), have always fueled arguments against the holiday. “It’s just paganism wrapped with a Christian bow,” naysayers argue.

Truly, real Christians did not celebrate Christmas.  It was added as a compromise with those that worshiped the sun god.  Its symbols are not Christian, they are pagan.  Despite the fact that church leaders knew this, many of the compromised church adopted it.  It has long been a difference between those in the true Church of God and those in the world’s churches.

The true Church of God never celebrated Christmas.  Those of the Greco-Roman-Protestant faiths, eventually did, and still do.  There are, of course, others (like the Jehovah’s Witnesses) that do not celebrate it.

But it truly is such a popular holiday that it is easy to show that most people really do not care about its pagan origins and observe it anyway.

However, since Protestants (officially at least) have claimed ‘sola scriptura‘ (the idea that doctrine is supposed to only come from the Bible), the hypocrisy of Protestants keeping Christmas should be obvious.

Actually, this is one of the Roman Catholic criticisms of Protestantism–that while Protestants claim sola scriptura, they in reality rely on many of the same non-biblical/pagan traditions that the Church of Rome does as well.

So, if you are Protestant, claim to believe in sola scriptura, and keep Christmas, you should ask yourself how you can justify the contradiction.  Of course, most will ignore the obvious.  But you do not have to.

For those of us in the Continuing Church of God, the decision to not observe Christmas is simply and obvious.  We do not wish to learn the way of the heathen nor adopt truly heathen practices.  The Bible teaches:

2″Do not learn the ways of the nations
or be terrified by signs in the sky,
though the nations are terrified by them.
3 For the customs of the peoples are worthless;
they cut a tree out of the forest,
and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.
4 They adorn it with silver and gold;
they fasten it with hammer and nails
so it will not totter.
5 Like a scarecrow in a melon patch,
their idols cannot speak;
they must be carried
because they cannot walk.
Do not fear them;
they can do no harm
nor can they do any good.” (Jeremiah 10:2-5, NIV).

29 When the Lord thy God shall have destroyed before thy face the nations, that thou enterest in to possess, and thou shalt possess them, and dwell in their land:  30 beware left thou imitate them, after they be subverted at thy entering in, and thou require their ceremonies, saying: As these nations have worshipped their Gods, so will I also worship.  31 Thou shalt not do in like manner to the Lord thy God. For all the abominations, that our Lord doeth abhor, have they done to their Gods, offering their sons and daughters, and burning them with fire (Deuteronomy 12:29-31, DOT).

Notice what the NKJV version of the New Testament (a Protestant-made translation) states the following about going along with pagan practices:

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”

17 Therefore

“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 ‘I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.  (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

So unclean practices associated with idols are prohibited by God. Does not that include celebrating as the idolaters celebrate?

Real Christians are to be separate from those who compromise and church history shows that historically there were always two groups–the faithful and the compromisers (see also Who Were the Two Major Groups Professed Christ in the Second and Third Centuries?).

Christmas on December 25th, at best, is a compromise.  But it also takes people away from God as it distorts God’s plan of salvation and does not truly honor Jesus Christ.

Protestants may disagree, but their disagreements tend to be based upon emotion and tradition, not the actual word of God.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, did Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority? Statements from him changing and/or discounting 18 books of the Bible are included. Do you really want to know the truth?
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differ from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the genuine Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example?
Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they?
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?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. December 25th was celebrated as his birthday. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity?
Was Jesus Born in the Grotto of the Nativity? Was Jesus born in a below ground cave? Was Jesus born below the “Church of the Nativity”? Were the wise men there?
How did December 25th become Christmas? Was Jesus born then? If not, why December 25? Here is the article translated into Mandarin Chinese 12月25日最后是怎么被许多基督的信仰者采纳的.
Is Keeping Christmas a Sin? Is keeping Christmas acceptable for true Christians? What are some scriptures to consider?
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 sermon titled What do Catholic and other scholars teach about Christmas?
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?
Early Church History: Who Were the Two Major Groups Professed Christ in the Second and Third Centuries? Did you know that many in the second and third centuries felt that there were two major, and separate, professing Christian groups in the second century, but that those in the majority churches tend to now blend the groups together and claim “saints” from both? “Saints” that condemn some of their current beliefs. Who are the two groups?

COGwriter

There is a popular television program that I have never watched titled Duck Dynasty.  And while this post is NOT intended to be any type of endorsement of that program, it does have to do with one of its main characters, Phil Robertson.  Phil Robertson (shown third from the right in the poster above) was suspended yesterday by the A&E Network for statements that he made.  Sarah Palin has came to his defense:

December 19, 2013

Sarah Palin says the suspension of one of the stars of the show “Duck Dynasty” over recent anti-gay comments he made is an attack on free speech.

Palin re-posted a picture of her meeting with the stars of the A&E show on her Facebook page Wednesday night, writing that “intolerants” were behind the suspension of the show’s patriarch, Phil Robertson.

“Free speech is an endangered species. Those ‘intolerants’ hatin’ and taking on the Duck Dynasty patriarch for voicing his personal opinion are taking on all of us,” Palin wrote.

.

Robertson was suspended on Wednesday by A&E after comments he made in an interview with GQ.

.

We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson’s comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty,” A&E said in a statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “His personal views in no way reflect those of A+E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely.”

In the article, Robertson was asked what is sinful.

“Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men,” he told GQ, before paraphrasing the Bible in Corinthians. “Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers — they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”

Robertson also made controversial comments about race relations in the Deep South when he was growing up.   http://www.politico.com/story/2013/12/sarah-palin-duck-dynasty-defense-101319.html#ixzz2nwqOuq5W

While I did not see the article in GQ, nor will I make any attempt to defend possible racist comments that Phil Robertson have made (cf. God’s Grace is For All), I will say that I did see this suspension discussed on the news last night.

One commentator, who described himself as a ‘gay Jew,’ continually supported the suspension and indicated that he was opposed to this expression of free speech.  Basically, he said that speaking against homosexuality is hate speech and that people ‘hide behind religion’ to put forward their hate of homosexuals.

This homosexual man also stated that having the views that Phil Robertson indicated he held were not Christian as Christians are to love another as they wish to be loved, etc.

Those of us who believe the Bible believe otherwise.

Of course, it is true that Christians are to love.

But it is NOT love to condone homosexuality or other biblical sins.  Those who participate in them cause harm to themselves and others.  So, it is not HATE speech to properly teach the truth.

Here are a couple of passages in the Bible that deal with homosexuality, starting with the one that Phil Robertson seemed to refer to in the portion of the interview shown earlier:

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:18-32)

Notice that Romans 1:32 even says that those who approve sins such as homosexuality deserve punishment.

The Bible clearly also teaches:

1 Cry aloud, spare not;
Lift up your voice like a trumpet;
Tell My people their transgression,
And the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)

The time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7) is coming and the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies will be affected.

Before getting back to the USA, it should be understood that early Christian leaders, after the New Testament was written, including the second century Polycarp of Smyrna, also condemned illicit sexual behaviors including homosexuality:

Knowing, then, that “God is not mocked,” we ought to walk worthy of His commandment and glory …For it is well that they should be cut off from the lusts that are in the world, since “every lust warreth against the spirit; ” and “neither fornicators, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, shall inherit the kingdom of God,” nor those who do things inconsistent and unbecoming (Polycarp. Letter to the Philippians, Chapter V. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1as edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885).

Being opposed to the practices of homosexuality is not a new idea.  It is not hate speech hidden behind religion to speak out against homosexuality.

Homosexuality is not God’s way.

Yet, many do not wish to hear that nor believe that approving sins such as homosexuality will help lead to the destruction of the USA.

More and more, in the USA at least, there are limits on free speech.  Canada has its own problems as it allowed someone to be fined for publishing an advertisement that quoted scriptures against homosexuality.

Being opposed to homosexuality and ‘same-sex marriage’ is something that many want suppressed–and various governmental regulations as well as ‘interpretations’ of those regulation are intended to intimidate those who will speak out against it.

The ‘founding fathers’ of the USA were concerned about governmental restrictions on speech, and hence introduced and approved a set of amendments called the ‘Bill of Rights.’  Here is what the first amendment to the Constitution of the USA states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Notice that because it also discusses religion in the same amendment that obviously speech that involves religious beliefs is supposed to be a basic right.  Yet many in the government and media do not want true freedom of speech or religion.

That being said, private companies such as A&E can suspend whoever they want for almost any reason that they want.  But since it does not look like Phil Robertson was suspended for the racial comments or poor job performance, but instead because he stated religious beliefs that seem consistent with the Bible, the suspension is of course morally wrong and in basic violation of Romans 1:18-32.

My concern is that other ‘celebrities’ will decide that they too have to keep quiet in what is becoming an evil time (cf.Amos 5:13) .

The Bible warns of time that standing for moral principles will be difficult.  Notice:

20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!  (Isaiah 5:20-21)

The time is sadly here now when many call good evil and evil good.

Notice also the following:

13 Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house.  (Proverbs 17:13)

Those associate with A&E and/or who agree that one who calls homosexual behavior a sin, need to think about the above scripture.  And while I did not see most of the comments that Phil Robertson made, he should not have been suspended for being opposed to homosexual behavior.

The Bible teaches that a famine of the word is coming (Amos 8:11-12; cf. Romans 10:14-15).  The time will come when the government will stifle the message of the Continuing Church of God, probably in the name of “tolerance” and/or calling parts of the message “hate speech” (they may also cite national security and other such concerns).  What happened to Phil Robertson is not even really a foretaste about how bad it will get.  But it does show how bad things are heading in the USA.

The overall direction of the USA is not good, and without national repentance (which is unlikely), it is doomed.

All of that being said, it is possible that this suspension by A&E will make Phil Robertson more popular than he was.  But the implications for many others in the limelight will be to refrain from taking positions that the homosexual lobby and its supporters disapprove of.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality? Can homosexuals change?
God Created Marriage Some falsely claim that God did not create marriage and that fornication is fine. What does the Bible really teach?
Cross-dressing and other assaults against your children. What should you do? Is there an agenda to turn your children and/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on? There is also a YouTube video on this, titled Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children.
Why Marriage? Soon Obsolete? This is a booklet from Herbert Armstrong on this important topic.
Here’s the Plain Truth About OLD TESTAMENT POLYGAMY by Herbert Armstrong. He explains various passages in the Old Testament and New about why polygamy is not God’s way.
Love, Marriage, and Sex It is important to get them in the right order.
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?
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-Saxon 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?
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?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?

Viktor Yanukovich

COGwriter

There have been protests going on in Ukraine:

December 19, 2013

Ukraine’s Russian-backed President, Viktor Yanukovych, has said he strongly opposes Western politicians intervening in the crisis in Ukraine.

He also suggested that Ukraine could adopt parts of Russia’s recently founded Customs Union with other former Soviet republics.

The opposition is furious after he accepted a Russian bailout, seen as a reward for rejecting EU integration.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was defending the Russian economy.

“We just want to defend our gates,” he told journalists in Moscow, days after Russia gave Ukraine a $15bn (£9.2bn; 10.9bn euros) bailout and gas discount.

Ukraine, he said, was a fraternal state with close industrial ties to Russia.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-25423808

December 19, 2013

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia’s providing of a financial bailout for Ukraine was done out of “brotherly love,” not for any political gain or to tear Ukraine away from a proposed trade deal with the European Union.

Putin made the comment during an annual news conference after weeks of political turmoil in Ukraine sparked by President Viktor Yanukovych’s refusal to sign a trade pact with the EU.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said his country’s new bailout deal will allow Ukraine to revitalize its economy and avoid collapse. Meanwhile, pro-European Union demonstrations continued in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

According to the terms of the bailout, Putin has promised to reduce the price of natural gas exports to Ukraine by a third and lend the nation $15 billion.  http://www.voanews.com/content/russia-ukraine-aid-brotherly-love/1813471.html

While I believe that politics. more than ‘brotherly love’ was more of a motivation for Russia’s President Putin, I do believe that Ukraine’s President believes that the deal with Russia will not prevent Ukraine from having a possible future deal with the European Union.  The EU has stated that despite what has happened recently in Ukraine, that Ukraine is still welcome to be considered for possible EU membership.

The Customs Union that was mentioned in the news article is supposed to turn into the Eurasian Union (see The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy)–and at some point in time Ukraine will need to more fully decide between the European Union and the Eurasian Union as currently one could not be a member state in both.  The current Ukrainian leadership seems to want to have parts of the benefits of the Customs Union while also getting benefits from the European Union.  This could be trickier than many realize.

Biblically (because of prophecies involving the Medes, some of which are in Ukraine, and some in the “north and east” in Daniel 11:44), it would seem that Russia would be close to Ukraine in the end. Yet it should also be mentioned that Bible prophecy indicates that there will be some type of cooperation between Russia and its allies and Europe for a while after the European Beast power has risen up (Revelation 13:3-4).

However, Bible prophecy shows that ultimately Russia and its allies (likely to include Ukraine at some point) will turn against the European Beast power–for biblical details, see Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future. Until then, we will see if Ukraine moves away from Russia and towards the EU which is what many protesters apparently want or if it will decide that it needs to move closer to Russia.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
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? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.

Sinter Klaas “Saint Nicholas”

COGwriter

The BBC had an interesting article on the Roman origins of Christmas:

Did the Romans invent Christmas?…

“Io Saturnalia!” Two thousand years ago this was the seasonal greeting which would have chimed out across most of Europe, not “Merry Christmas”. The Roman mid-winter festival of misrule has heavily influenced many Christmas traditions – including the time of year we celebrate.

At no point is a date for Jesus’s birth given in the Bible…

“Christmas in December is a Western, Roman idea whereas in the Eastern Church it falls later, around the feast of the Epiphany in early January,” explains Dr Matthew Nicholls, senior lecturer in Classics at the University of Reading.

For seven days from the 17 December it was party season in Roman times. Homes were decorated, parties held and slaves became masters – at least for one banquet. It was the start of a lengthy mid-winter period of merry-making and the season of goodwill – Saturnalia…many of our Christian traditions can be traced to Roman mid-winter festivals…

Cancelling Saturnalia was unthinkable, so Christian Rome converted it to a Christian holy day instead.

“If Christianity moves Christmas into December, at the Saturnalia and the birthday of Sol, you can then fade out these other festivals and incorporate elements into the Christian festival. You can attempt to move on as if nothing has happened.” explains Mr Moorhead.

To ban or not to ban?

Pagan ritual and Christianity coexisted for many decades after the conversion of Constantine the Great. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/0/20617780

Early Christians did not celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Even professors of Christ who originally supported the Church of Rome, like Tertullian in the late second century, warned against observing Saturnalia:

The Minervalia are as much Minerva’s, as the Saturnalia Saturn’s; Saturn’s, which must necessarily be celebrated even by little slaves at the time of the Saturnalia. New-year’s gifts likewise must be caught at, and the Septimontium kept; and all the presents of Midwinter and the feast of Dear Kinsmanship must be exacted; the schools must be wreathed with flowers; the flamens’ wives and the aediles sacrifice; the school is honoured on the appointed holy-days. The same thing takes place on an idol’s birthday; every pomp of the devil is frequented. Who will think that these things are befitting to a Christian master, unless it be he who shall think them suitable likewise to one who is not a master? (Tertullian. On Idolatry, Chapter X. Translated by S. Thelwall. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

But, however, the majority (of Christians) have by this time induced the belief in their mind that it is pardonable if at any time they do what the heathen do, for fear “the Name be blasphemed”…To live with heathens is lawful, to die with them is not. Let us live with all; let us be glad with them, out of community of nature, not of superstition. We are peers in soul, not in discipline; fellow-possessors of the world, not of error. But if we have no right of communion in matters of this kind with strangers, how far more wicked to celebrate them among brethren! Who can maintain or defend this?…By us,…the Saturnalia and New-year’s and Midwinter’s festivals and Matronalia are frequented–presents come and go–New-year’s gifts–games join their noise–banquets join their din! Oh better fidelity of the nations to their own sect, which claims no solemnity of the Christians for itself!…Not the Lord’s day, not Pentecost, even it they had known them, would they have shared with us; for they would fear lest they should seem to be Christians. We are not apprehensive lest we seem to be heathens! (Tertullian. On Idolatry, Chapter XIV. Translated by S. Thelwall. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

But “let your works shine,” saith He; but now all our shops and gates shine! You will now-a-days find more doors of heathens without lamps and laurel-wreaths than of Christians. What does the case seem to be with regard to that species (of ceremony) also? If it is an idol’s honour, without doubt an idol’s honour is idolatry. If it is for a man’s sake, let us again consider that all idolatry is for man’s sake; let us again consider that all idolatry is a worship done to men, since it is generally agreed even among their worshippers that aforetime the gods themselves of the nations were men; and so it makes no difference whether that superstitious homage be rendered to men of a former age or of this. Idolatry is condemned, not on account of the persons which are set up for worship, but on account of those its observances, which pertain to demons (Tertullian. On Idolatry, Chapter XV. Translated by S. Thelwall. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

What Tertullian seems to be saying is that observing mid-winter celebrations make Christians appear to be followers of pagan gods, and since the pagans would not intentionally celebrate days considered by many to be Christian, Christians should not celebrate days that are honored by the heathen. Specifically, he felt that those who profess Christ should not celebrate Saturnalia, New Year’s, or other pagan days, as even the observance is a form of idolatry (click here for an article titled Is January 1st a Date for Christians Celebrate?).

Since the modern Christmas celebration is at the same time as the old Gentile Saturnalia holiday (and with many of the same elements, like wreaths and gift-giving), it is clear that Tertullian is condemning these practices by stating that those that keep it are of the pagan god Saturn. He also wrote against winter giving:

…gifts like those you have in the Saturnalia! (Tertullian. De Fuga in Persecutione, Chapter 13. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 4. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

So basically, those who teach “Jesus is the reason for the season” are in error. The reason for the season appears to be that those who professed wanted to have a party. And did not care if the party was related to pagan gods.

The Catholic Encyclopedia teaches that:

Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church (Martindale C. Transcribed by Susanti A. Suastika. Christmas. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume III. Copyright © 1908 by Robert Appleton Company. Online Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. Knight. Nihil Obstat, November 1, 1908. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York).

Christmas…Irenaeus and Tertullian omit it from their lists of feasts; Origen, glancing perhaps at the discreditable imperial Natalitia, asserts (in Lev. Hom. viii in Migne, P.G., XII, 495) that in the Scriptures sinners alone, not saints, celebrate their birthday; Arnobius (VII, 32 in P.L., V, 1264) can still ridicule the “birthdays” of the gods. (Ibid)

Furthermore, scholars of the Catholics of Rome know that Rome did not observe December 25th until after the time of Constantine, and that the birthday of the sun god, called Sol or Mithras, was December 25th.

Notice the following, also from The Catholic Encyclopedia:

Mithraism A pagan religion consisting mainly of the cult of the ancient Indo-Iranian Sun-god Mithra. It entered Europe from Asia Minor after Alexander’s conquest, spread rapidly over the whole Roman Empire at the beginning of our era, reached its zenith during the third century, and vanished under the repressive regulations of Theodosius at the end of the fourth century…Helios Mithras is one god…Sunday was kept holy in honour of Mithra, and the sixteenth of each month was sacred to him as mediator. The 25 December was observed as his birthday, the natalis invicti, the rebirth of the winter-sun, unconquered by the rigours of the season (Arendzen. J.P. Transcribed by John Looby. Mithraism. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume X. Published 1911. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Nihil Obstat, October 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York).

The World Book Encyclopedia notes,

In 354 A.D., Bishop Liberius of Rome ordered the people to celebrate on December 25. He probably chose this date because the people of Rome already observed it as the Feast of Saturn, celebrating the birthday of the sun (Sechrist E.H. Christmas. World Book Encyclopedia, Volume 3. Field Enterprises Educational Corporation, Chicago, 1966, pp. 408-417).

It needs to be understood that some scholarly sources believe that the celebration in Rome of Christmas may have began 2-3 decades earlier (by Constantine), but none I am aware of suggest it was prior Constantine in the fourth century.

Even the hat that is shown on “Sinter Klass” at the beginning of this article appears to have come from those associated with the the Emperor Constantine. Emperor Constantine worshiped Mithras, and after he affected the Church of Rome and the Eastern Orthodox, their leaders began to dress in a manner similar to him and some other followers of the sun god Mithras.

So, yes, a lot associated with Christmas came from pagan Rome and Constantinople.

But, not necessarily everything. So other items were even older. And in modern times, there is a growing trend to an interesting twist on the “gift giving” associated with the holiday:

The holidays are a time for gratitude and selfless giving, right?

Not exactly, according to the National Retail Federation. Their recent survey finds that self-gifting will reach an all-time high during the holidays this year. Nearly 60 percent of holiday shoppers are expected to spend an average of $139.92 on themselves — up from $130.43 last year…http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2012/11/20/The-Hot-Holiday-Shopping-Trend-Selfishness.aspx#page1

Of course, Jesus exchanged presents with no one, nor did He buy Himself any. The fact that some who visited gave Him gifts was not a “Christmas” practice per se, it was simply the cultural practice of giving gifts to kings and royalty.

Christmas, however, is certainly more of a Roman holiday than a biblical one. As are birthdays.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations?
Were the Early Duties of Elders/Pastors Mainly Sacramental? What was there Dress? Were the duties of the clergy primarily pastoral or sacramental? Did the clergy dress with special liturgical vestments? Can “bishops” be disqualified as ministers of Christ based on their head coverings?
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. December 25th was celebrated as his birthday. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity?
Was Jesus Born in the Grotto of the Nativity? Was Jesus born in a below ground cave? Was Jesus born below the “Church of the Nativity”? Were the wise men there?
Is Keeping Christmas a Sin? Is keeping Christmas acceptable for true Christians? What are some scriptures to consider?
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?

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano

COGwriter

The President of Italy has issued warnings for 2014:

The president of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, has warned that the country could be dragged into a violent social upheaval unless the government quickly introduce measures to alleviate the situation of the population, after a week of protests in the Alpine country.

In a speech from the presidential palace in Rome, has indicated that citizens “could be involved in accidental or even violent protest in response to his opposition to the institutions and their policies.”

“The recession is hitting (…) and we need strong beyond those approved by the government and parliament for action this year,” he added, without giving further details or develop what measures would be necessary.

“The crisis in the Eurozone has damaged social cohesion More detailed forecasts for 2014 indicate that there is a risk of widespread social unrest. Risk we have to take into account and that has to cope,” he argued Napolitano. (This article was machine translated from the following URL http://www.teinteresa.es/mundo/Napolitano-posibles-protestas-violentas-Italia_0_1049295249.html)

Italy’s president fears violent insurrection in 2014 but offers no remedy

So, violent protests and civil unrest are something that the Italian President worries about for 2014.

It is not just Italy that is facing issues.  Across the Eurozone, many are concerned:

It is important to distinguish between what ordinary European voters want and what their governing classes intend to do. The former, for all their anger, have continued to keep the latter in power. Thus the European project not only remains on track, but is set to accelerate in order to save the single currency.

That, at least, is the official line. However, behind the calm assurances, Euro-politicians are losing faith in the European project – and a few are even willing to say so:

“Events are moving very fast in Europe, overtaking the debate in Britain. Advocates of the historic nation states – L’Europe des Patries – are gaining ground across the Continent. Superstate romantics are on the back foot almost everywhere. The Hegelians are hated.

“Prof Heisbourg, a pro-European, has since published La Fin du Rêve Européen (End of the European Dream) calling for the euro to be broken up to save the European Project. ‘The dream has become a nightmare. We must face the reality that the EU itself is now threatened by the euro,’ he said.

“He proposes an orderly return to national currencies – ‘putting the euro to sleep’…”  http://www.conservativehome.com/the-deep-end/2013/12/the-european-project-is-finally-facing-its-waterloo.html

So, there are divisions in Europe.  Yet, that is consistent with biblical prophecy (Daniel 2:41-43).  There are also concerns about France:

François Hollande‘s beleaguered socialist government was under increased pressure to boost the eurozone’s second largest economy after a collapse in manufacturing orders tonight left it on the cusp of another recession…

The government is under fire for presiding over a moribund economy that has kept unemployment at a record high. Only 26% of French people have a positive opinion of Hollande, according to the latest BVA poll, the worst score for a French leader since it began polling 32 years ago.

A series of climbdowns on tax reforms following violent street protests and intense lobbying by business groups have further undermined his authority…

The dismal situation contrasted with Germany, which has enjoyed a prolonged recovery based on growing orders from new markets.  http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/16/france-recession-manufacturing-jobs-decline-germany-growth

When he was elected, I wrote:

By virtue of his timing, and not that everything he does will be negative, Francois Hollande is entering office at a time that will lead to many changes within Europe–yet many changes are warned against in the Bible (cf. Revelation 17:12-14; Revelation 13)…

Certain Roman Catholics teach something called “the minor chastisement” is coming. It is supposed to essentially be major civil unrest/civil wars in Europe because of Europe’s laxness in following Catholicism according to some sources. And while the extreme unrest has not clearly happened yet, Francois Hollande has the potential to be a catalyst for this if he does not satisfy many of the French and/or the followers of Islam in his country.

I would also add that for years, I have warned that Europe should expect civil unrest and rioting.  The President of Italy now publicly worries about it, others in Europe have concerns (see Nigel Farage expecting violent revolution in Europe), and France is also at risk.

Interestingly, Catholic prophecy indicates that there will be civil strife across Europe:

Desmond Birch (20th century): Civil war breaks out in France and Italy at almost the same time. This is the sign given by many prophets that the Chastisement has begun..(DA. Trial, Tribulation & Triumph: Before During and After Antichrist…The Great King will establish Peace and justice in civil matters on a worldwide basis, and protect the primacy of the Church in spiritual matters. Queenship Publishing Company, Goleta (CA), 1996, p. 554)

The Ecstatic of Tours…The revolution will spread to every French town. Wholesale slaughter will take place. This revolution will last only a few months but it will be frightful; blood will flow everywhere because the malice of the wicked will reach its highest pitch. Victims will be innumerable. Paris will look like a slaughter-house. Persecutions against the Church will be even greater, but it will not last long…Many bishops and priest will be put to death. The archbishop of Paris will be murdered…At this juncture, the French people will turn back to God and implore the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary Immaculate…The French people will ask for the good King, he who was chosen by God. He will come, this saviour whom God has spared for France, this King who is not wanted now because he is dear to God’s Heart. He will ascend to the throne; he will free the church and reassert the Pope’s rights… (Dupont Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p.37)

Jeanne le Royer (Sister of the Nativity). The storm began in France, and France shall be the first theatre of its ravages after having been its cradle. (Dupont, p.59)

Prophecy of Mayence Woe to thee, great city (Paris); woe to thee, city of vice! Fire and sword shall succeed fire and famine. Courage faithful souls! The reign of the dark shadow shall not have time to execute all its schemes. But the time of mercy approaches. A prince of the nation is in your midst. He is the man of salvation, the wise, the invincible, he shall count his enterprises by his victories. He shall drive the enemy out of France, he shall march from victory to victory, until the day of divine justice. (Tzima Otto, H. The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Scriptural Prophecies. Verenika Press, Rock City (SC), 2000, pp. 156-147)

Foretelling the fall of France and England, the famous Jesuit Father Necton, said in 1772, “When England shall wane in power, the destruction of Paris will be near at hand” (Culligan E. The Last World War and the End of Time. The book was blessed by Pope Paul VI, 1966. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 84).

Pseudo-Methodius (7th century): In France, people of Christians will fight and kill…At that same time the Muslims will be killed and they will know the tribulation…The Lord will give them to the powers of the Christians whose empire will be elevated above all empires…The Roman King (Great Monarch) will show a great indignation against those who will have denied Christ in Egypt or in Arabia (Araujo, Fabio R. Selected Prophecies and Prophets. BookSurge LLC, Charlestown (SC), 2007, pp. 101,103).

Rodolphus Gekner: Before the middle of the nineteenth century seditions shall arise in Europe, especially in France, Switzerland, and Italy. (Rossi G. THE CHRISTIAN TRUMPET, OR, Previsions and Predictions about Impending General Calamities, The Universal Triumph of the Church, The Coming of Antichrist, The Last Judgment, and The End of the World. Compiled by PELLEGRINO [Gaudentius Rossi], A Missionary Priest with Superior’s permission. Boston, THOS. B. NOONAND & CO., 1873,, p. 132)

Blessed Anna Maria Taigi (died 1837): “described to me the great ordeal ahead. Rome would be battered by revolutions…Millions of men would die by the sword in war and civil strife, other millions would perish in unforeseen death. (Bessieres A. Wife, Mother and Mystic (Blessed Anna Maria Taigi). Nihil Obstat: Carlos Davis, S.T.L. Imprimatur: E Morrough Bernard, Westmonasteri, die Februari, 1952. Reprint TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1982, p. 166)

Birch Tree Prophecy (Old German) “When the world becomes Godless: revolutions will break out against kings; fathers will be against sons and sons against fathers; dogma will be perverted; men will try to overthrow the Catholic Church…A terrible war will find the north fighting against the south. The south will be led by a Prince wearing a white coat with a cross on the front…” (Culleton, R. Gerald. The Prophets and Our Times. Nihil Obstat: L. Arvin. Imprimatur: Philip G. Scher, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno, November 15, 1941. Reprint 1974, TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 143).

Jean Paul Richter (d. 1809): Through a terrible purgatory Europe will return to the faith (Culleton, p. 182).

Old English Prophecy (On a tombstone at the Kirby cemetery, Essex). When pictures look alive, with movements free, (T.V. and movies) When ships like fish swim beneath the sea, (Submarines) When outstripping birds can soar in the sky (Jets and rockets) The half the world drenched in blood shall die…In Germany begins a dance, Which passes through Italy, Spain, and France, But England shall pay the piper. (Dupont, pp. 21-22)

Monk Hilarion (d. 1476): The people of the Peninsula of Europe will suffer by unnecessary wars until the Holy Man comes (Culleton, p. 137).

Brother Louis Rocco (19th century): Terrible wars will rage all over Europe…Russia will witness many outrages. Great cities and small towns alike will be destroyed in a bloody revolution… (Dupont, p.76)

Brother Louis Rocco (19th century): All over Europe there will rage terrible civil wars…The German sections of Austria will join Germany, so will also the commercial cities of Belgium and Switzerland. A Catholic descendant of a German imperial house will rule a united Germany with peace, prosperity and great power, for God will be with this sovereign (the Great Monarch?)…A Great Monarch will arise after a period of terrible wars and persecutions in Europe. He will be a Catholic; he will not be a German (Culleton, p. 195).

Priest Lavinsky (died 1708): The world will be harassed by civil wars…the Cross, to the astonishment of all, will shine in double splendor through many lands because of the great ruler (Connor Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, pp.36-37).

John of the Cleft Rock (1340): The White Eagle (Great Monarch), by order of the Archangel Michael, will drive crescent from Europe where none but Christians will remain–he himself will rule from Constantinople. An era of peace and prosperity will begin for the world. There will no longer be Protestants {there were no “Protestants” then and author Connor of that book suggests that perhaps this word should have been translated as heretics} or schismatics…God will raise up a holy Pope (Connor, pp. 33-34)

Venerable Bartholomew Holzhauser (died 1658):…”When everything has been ruined by war; when Catholics are hard pressed by traitorous co-religionists and heretics; when the Church and her servants are denied their rights, the monarchies have been abolished and their rulers murdered…then the hand of Almighty God will work a marvelous change, something apparently impossible according to human understanding. There will rise a valiant monarch anointed by God. He will be a Catholic, a descendant of Louis IX, (yet) a descendant of an ancient imperial German family, born in exile. He will rule supreme in temporal matters. (Connor, pp.35-36)

Priest Nectou S.J. (d. 1772): They indeed shall conspire for the destruction of the Church; but the time shall not be allowed them, because this frightful crisis shall be for a short duration. When all will be considered lost, all shall be found safe…The triumph of the Church will then be so complete that nothing like it shall ever be seen…A man disliked by France will be placed on the throne…(Culleton, p. 176; cf. Dupont, p. 48).

If civil war/riots/civil unrest do occur in Europe on a larger scale, this likely will set the stage for the rising up of a military leader to resolve this. Catholic prophecies specifically suggest that this will happen and they tend to refer to this leader as the “Great Monarch” (or the “Great King”)–of course, Catholic prophecies also have certain contradictions–but many are consistent with biblical prophecy.I believe that people will point to the fulfillment of various Catholic prophecies in an effort to try to state that this was God’s will and to have a “Great Monarch” is a good thing, while we in the Continuing Church of God will claim that he is warned against in biblical prophecies.  I believe that the Catholic prophecies are part of Satan’s Plan to deceive and most will be deceived (Matthew 24:24), as they will be “giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1).

The belief that those in France (as shown in certain Catholic prophecies above) will turn to “Mary” is consistent with certain biblical (Isaiah 47; Revelation 17; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12) and other Catholic prophecies as detailed in my book Fatima Shock! Additionally, the current Pope Francis has also been taking steps to try to turn people to “Mary” which is consistent with various prophecies (Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?).

The“Great Monarch” of Catholic prophecy seems to have a lot in common with the prophesied final King of the North and Beast from the Bible. So, if there is major civil unrest across Europe, and likely including France, this would seem to indicate that this leader could rise up fairly soon.

The Bible tells of a basically European kingdom that will be partially strong, partially weak, and with a fragile unity (Daniel 2:41-43), but that will have a frightening type of economic dominance (see Revelation chapters 13,17,18). This kingdom will have a religion and it will not be Islam. Europe is prophesied to make a deceitful deal with an Islamic power (Daniel 11:27) and this deal might partially happen because of immigration policies and civil unrest.

The Bible also tells of a time when a European power will reorganize (Revelation 17:12-13). While I do not believe that we are to the point of fulfilling the reorganization required by Revelation 17:12-13, it seems that a variety of steps will be necessary for the final reorganization to occur. Some of those steps, especially if they involve austerity/budget cuts and immigration policies, may stir more violent protests in the future. Violent protests can lead to militaristic leaders rising up, and a major militaristic leader rising up is consistent with biblical prophecy (cf. Daniel 11:39-44; Revelation 13:3-4).

Those in the USA should also understand that violent protests in other lands, like Europe, may increase the risk for such protests in the USA as well.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
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.
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the German Defense Minister one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
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”? Does the Bible teach that a European leader will be part of a peace deal? 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?
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?
Satan’s Plan Does Satan have a plan? What is it? Has it already been successful? Will it be successful in the future? Here is a link to a related video: Satan’s Plan A Brief Introduction.
Fatima Shock! What the Vatican Does Not Want You to Know About Fatima, Dogmas of Mary, and Future Apparitions. Whether or not you believe anything happened at Fatima, if you live long enough, you will be affected by its ramifications (cf. Isaiah 47; Revelation 17). Fatima Shock! is a highly documented book by Bob Thiel for those interested in the real truth about Fatima, Marian doctrines, and how apparitions may affect the future.

COGwriter

Intrusive USA government actions have again made the news.  USA high-tech internet-related businesses are complaining that the truth about NSA’s surveillance actions are hurting their businesses:

December 18, 2013

​Executives of major technology companies pressed Tuesday for reform of the NSA’s surveillance operations during a meeting with President Barack Obama that was initially to focus on the government’s maligned health care website.

Senior executives from Apple, Google, Yahoo, Netflix, Comcast, AT&T, Microsoft, Twitter, Facebook and others met privately Tuesday with Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and members of the White House’s national security team. The meeting, which lasted over two hours, came one day after a federal judge ruled the National Security Agency’s bulk collection of Americans’ telephone metadata is likely unconstitutional.

Obama is due next month to provide recommendations from an outside panel’s review of the NSA’s vast global spying programs revealed to the public by leaks from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden…

A US District Court judge found Monday that the NSA’s metadata collection of phone records may violate unreasonable searches and seizures protections vested in the Fourth Amendment. Judge Richard Leon also said the US Department of Justice has failed to show how the bulk sweep of metadata has helped interrupt any terror attacks.   http://rt.com/usa/nsa-obama-executives-meeting-404/

Leaders of the nation’s biggest technology firms warned President Obama during a lengthy meeting at the White House on Tuesday that National Security Agency spying programsare damaging their reputations and could harm the broader economy.

Cisco Systems has said it is seeing customers, especially overseas, back away from American-branded technology after documents revealed that the NSA enlisted tech firms and secretly tapped into their data hubs around the world as the agency pursued terrorism suspects. Companies such as IBM, AT&T and Verizon Communications are facing angry shareholders, some of whom have filed lawsuits demanding that the companies disclose their participation in NSA intelligence programs.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/tech-executives-to-obama-nsa-spying-revelations-are-threatening-business/2013/12/17/6569b226-6734-11e3-a0b9-249bbb34602c_story.html

The reality is that the USA’s National Security Agency has repeatedly violated own rules, the intent of the Constitution of the USA, and various foreign laws. It has been able to force companies to collect and transmit data that they have not wanted to do.  By doing this, the NSA is, according to American-companies, apparently strengthening non-USA tech companies, which in turn, will make it harder for NSA to spy as much as it wants.  Ultimately, this will help the Europeans and result in disaster for the USA.  It is also not helpful for the economy of the USA.

As I have mentioned before, even if the NSA is ordered to stop all of it, it will be too little too late. The reality is that because of the Snowden disclosures, the USA has agreed to share intelligence, espionage, and data collection techniques with the Europeans and foreign companies are benefiting from the fear of many being involved with American software/etc.

Of course, it is not just the NSA that is too intrusive.  USA agencies such as the IRS also are allowed to use techniques and request certain data which I believe is unconstitutional.  Various financial institutions will no longer deal with USA citizens or USA residents because of these tactics.  Bringing this up does not mean that I am any type of a tax protestor (see the article Taxes and/or watch the video Should Christians Pay Taxes?).  But, basically my point is that the USA government thinks it can require people to collect data and/or show the government anything it wants–and this is hurting the USA internationally, as well as its own citizens.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is another case in point. I heard the then head of it a while back basically state that the TSA is not just for airport screening and can screen people for buses, trains, and even driving their own cars.  That official basically stated that the word “Transportation” in its title gave it broader latitude in surveillance, screening, and basically policing powers than the public tended to realize.  The fact that TSA has mainly focused on airport screening does not mean that someday it will not decide to have greater impact on other forms of travel.

The USA’s airport screening, which can include more than TSA, has just made the news for an international incident:

December 18, 2013

NEW YORK (Reuters) – An Indian diplomat arrested last week for allegedly committing visa fraud and underpaying her nanny was strip-searched, the U.S. the U.S. Marshals Service Office of Public Affairs confirmed on Tuesday.  http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/12/17/usa-india-diplomat-devyani-khobragade-idINDEE9BG0F820131217

December 18, 2013

An Indian diplomat arrested in the United States last week said she faced repeated handcuffing and cavity searches while being held on visa fraud charges in New York City, fueling a diplomatic dispute between the U.S. and India.

In an email published in Indian media Wednesday, Deputy Consul General Devyani Khobragade, said she broke down in tears multiple times while undergoing cavity searches and other indignities. She said she was also held in a space with common criminals and drug addicts despite her repeated assertions that she had diplomatic immunity.

India has reacted with outrage to Khobragade’s arrest. Supporters of a small opposition party staged an anti-U.S. protest in New Delhi on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Indian authorities asked U.S. consular officers to return their identity cards, rescinded airport passes and removed concrete security barriers from in front of the U.S. embassy in New Delhi.

The U.S. State Department has told India it does not want the incident to affect diplomatic ties between the two nations.  http://www.voanews.com/content/detained-diplomat-complains-about-treatment-in-us-custody/1812647.html

The fact that it was an adult woman possibly could have been a factor in the USA’s excessive tactics–hence this is not always about safety.  In addition to various forms of voyeurism that some officials may be involved in, I believe that certain TSA, NSA, IRS, and other government officials simply enjoy power and make people do things because they feel that they ‘legally’ can, despite the protections that were written into the Constitution of the USA, such as the Bill of Rights.

Yet, there are consequences for this abuse.  The consequences are starting to hurt the USA, its reputation, its economy, and its companies.  Ultimately, it will be even much worse.  It is not likely that USA government agencies want to give up power, and will likely attempt to make the most minor of adjustments to pretend that they are not as intrusive as they are or can be.

The USA will pay for its hypocrisy according to biblical prophecies (cf. Isaiah 10:6, KJV).  President Obama could try to truly reverse this, but I am not expecting much more than statements and limited changes, despite whatever rhetoric he or his administration will state.  Nor do I believe that a Republican administration will do that either.

COGwriter

Danish physicists believe that the universe could collapse at any time now:

Data Shows Universe Could Collapse Any Minute

Our universe is at even greater risk of collapse than has been previously thought, according physicists in Denmark.

Not only are the scientists predicting the end of the world… but the end of the universe!

The prediction that the universe will collapse and compress into a small hard ball isn’t something new. Physicists have been predicting a calamity for a long time.

Does this mean we should immediately cancel any long-term plans? The Danish scientists really don’t know when the universe will collapse. They say it could happen tomorrow–or  a billion years from now.

Writing in the Journal of High Energy Physics, the University of Southern Denmark physicists said new calculations led them to speculate  there will be a sudden and drastic change within the forces of the universe one day  that will make every atom in the universe become enormously heavy.

Everything, from the tiniest grain of soil to all of the planets within our solar system to every galaxy contained within the universe, will suddenly become billions and billions of times heavier than they are now.

The theory holds that the sudden increase in weight will force all of the material within the universe to compress into a “small, super-hot heavy ball” which will cause the end of the universe as we know it.  http://blogs.voanews.com/science-world/2013/12/16/data-shows-universe-could-collapse-any-minute/

Is that possible?

According to the Bible the universe cannot collapse now.  Notice the following:

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.  (Romans 8:18-23)

The universe (the “creation” above) is not going away now despite some signs of stresses.  Scientists who ignore such scriptures have come to a wrong conclusion.

Notice the following about Jesus:

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.  (Colossians 1:15-18)

Jesus has control, random events are not about to destroy the universe.

Notice also the following passage from the Book of Hebrews:

6 But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? 7 You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”

For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. (Hebrews 2:6-10)

So, the entire universe was made for humankind, but is not yet under human subjection, but will be first under Jesus. And then, later under humankind.

So, resurrected humans will at some time rule all the planets of the universe.  It will not collapse.

But there is more. Notice something else that the Bible teaches:

33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end. (Luke 1:33)

6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end…(Isaiah 9:6-7)

This seems to mean that either the physical dimensions of Christ’s kingdom will always be increasing (hence perhaps more and more planets, stars, and galaxies) and/or their will a continual increase in the number of beings in Christ’s kingdom.

While humans now are fairly insignificant in certain physical ways, God has a plan to involve humanity in ruling the universe.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Where Did God Come From? Any ideas? And how has God been able to exist? Who is God?
Why Were You Born? Why did God make you? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject. You may also wish to read the article What is Your Destiny? or watch the video, also titled What is Your Destiny?
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?
Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge.
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? 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.