Church of God News

COGwriter

A US federal agency is claiming that the NSA is engaged in illegal activities:

January 23, 2014

WASHINGTON — The U.S. National Security Agency’s bulk collection of phone records provides only minimal benefits to countering terrorism, is illegal and should end, a federal privacy watchdog said in a report to be released on Thursday, according to media reports.

The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, an independent government agency, has shared its conclusions with President Barack Obama, according to reports in the New York Times and Washington Post. The board was not immediately available for comment.

Its conclusion goes further than Obama, who said in a speech on Friday that he thought the NSA’s database of records should be moved out of government hands but did not call for an outright halt to the program.

Members of Congress are divided about the value and legality of the program, which collects data on millions of phone calls made in the United States but not the content of the calls. The report could add ammunition to those lawmakers seeking an end to the program.

“We have not identified a single instance involving a threat to the United States in which the telephone records program made a concrete difference in the outcome of a counter terrorism investigation,” the board said, according to the newspapers.

The board concluded that the NSA collection raises constitutional concerns with regard to U.S. citizens’ rights of speech, association and privacy.  http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-report-us-privacy-board-says-nsa-phone-program-illegal-should-end/1835953.html

January 24, 2014

The U.S. National Security Agency is illegally collecting phone call records from millions of Americans and the program should be stopped, a federal privacy board recommends in a report issued today.

The five-member Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, created by Congress to protect privacy under post-Sept. 11 anti-terrorism laws, said in a 238-page report that the program has provided only “minimal” help to the U.S. in thwarting other terrorist attacks, according to the report.

This panel has no authority to change the programs and President Barack Obama last week went ahead, without waiting for today’s report, and presented his own plan that doesn’t end the use of bulk phone records. http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-01-23/nsa-phone-data-program-called-illegal-by-privacy-oversight-board

There is no doubt in my mind that the NSA has engaged in unconstitutional activities.  And now another governmental agency has concluded that some NSA activities are illegal.  The reality is that the USA’s National Security Agency has repeatedly violated rules and agreements with USA courts according to other documents (see NSA found repeatedly violating privacy rules, revealed documents black-out reason why all American telephone records were collected).

No leader in the NSA is being jailed for excessive privacy violations, but instead its top leader has defended its actions.

What the Obama Administration and some in Congress seem to want to do is to change some aspects of the law so that it will not be technically illegal and that courts will allow it to continue.  Many do not seem to care that the massive data collection would still violate the intent of the protections that were written into the US Constitution.

Yet, even if the NSA were to be 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. As well intentioned as that MIGHT be from the USA and Europe, the reality is that this will be a disaster for the world.

15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. (Revelation 13:15-18)

Because of what the USA and UK have done, and the fact that USA President Obama has declared that he would share espionage secrets, techniques, and findings with the Europeans in general and the Germans in particular, this is setting the stage for even greater surveillance which will come from the emerging Beast power in Europe (Revelation 13:16-18).  Edward Snowden’s disclosures have pointed out USA government hypocrisy and constitutional violations more than any one else in some time.

But, as I mentioned, I believe that the biggest impacts will be how the Europeans and others react to the USA, at least partially because of the disclosures.

Sculpture of Horse from Chinese zodiac (Jakub Hałun)

COGwriter

Various ones are preparing for the upcoming Chinese New Year. Here is a USA-related report:

Many Asians around the world are preparing to celebrate the Lunar New Year. This year, the year of the horse, begins on the last day of January. Many Asian Americans say celebrating the Lunar New Year in the United States is very different from what it’s like in Asia. One tradition in the Los Angeles, California area is going to the Asian American Expo.

From the music, to traditional foods from throughout Asia, to the sea of Asian faces, this event could be anywhere in Asia. But the Asian American Expo is fewer than 50 kilometers east of Los Angeles. It is a place where tens of thousands of people, mainly from the Chinese Diaspora, come as a part of their Lunar New Year Celebration.

“It made our New Year feel so much better,” said Julien Tan who is from Malaysia.

Lily He feels the same way. She said attending the event feels more like a New Year celebration in China, although it is not as good as the celebrations back home.

He remembers Lunar New Year celebrations in China where everyone would be on vacation for weeks. But in the United States she has to work, so the most she can do is go to her mother’s home for a holiday meal…

The Asian American Expo is trying to change that by scheduling the annual event around the Lunar New Year and by bringing a more festive feel to the Chinese Diaspora, according to event Operations Director, Gorden Kao.

“Overseas, New Year is a really big event, they bring out the firecrackers – everything – family, food and everything. In the local market, even though there are lot of Chinese immigrants, they do not really do much to celebrate. That is why we are putting on an event where we pretty much bring everything together to get all this done,” Kao said.  http://www.voanews.com/content/california-event-brings-lunar-new-year-festivities-to-chinese-diaspora/1834446.html

The Chinese New Year is based upon a lunar-solar calendar cycle. Like the biblical one, it is supposed to be somewhat related to Spring, though the Chinese one tends to begin earlier.

The Chinese New Year is basically considered an observance originally established to worship pagan gods and also has astrological implications (it also involves ancestor observes). Unlike Western astrology which is supposedly based up the astrological sign in the sky when one is born (which varies about monthly), Chinese astrology is based on being born in a particular astrological year. The Chinese have 12 astrological signs that rotate in a cycle.

The current year is the year of the , and the next year, beginning January 31, 2014 and ending, is the year of the horse. Thus people born between January 31, 2014 and February 18, 2015 are considered to ‘astrologically’ have been born under the sign of the year of the horse.

Here are some comments from Wikipedia about the days that precede the Chinese New Year:

On the eighth day of the lunar month prior to Chinese New Year, a traditional porridge known as làbāzhōu (臘八粥) is served in remembrance “of an ancient festival, called Là, that occurred shortly after the winter solstice”…For those that believe in Buddhism, the La 8th (臘八) holiday is also considered Bodhi Day. Làyuè (臘月) is a term often associated with Chinese New Year as it refers to the sacrifices held in honor of the gods in the twelfth lunar month, hence the cured meats of Chinese New Year are known as làròu (臘肉)…

In many households where Buddhism or Taoism is prevalent, home altars and statues are cleaned thoroughly, and altars that were adorned with decorations from the previous year are taken down and burned a week before the new year starts, to be replaced with new decorations. Taoists (and Buddhists to a lesser extent) will also “send gods” (送神, sòngshén), an example would be burning a paper effigy of Zao Jun the Kitchen God, the recorder of family functions. This is done so that the Kitchen God can report to the Jade Emperor of the family household’s transgressions and good deeds. Families often offer sweet foods (such as candy) in order to “bribe” the deities into reporting good things about the family.

Prior to the Reunion Dinner, a thanksgiving prayer offering to mark the safe passage of the previous year is held. Confucianists take the opportunity to remember the ancestors, and those who had lived before them are revered.

The biggest event of any Chinese New Year’s Eve is the Reunion Dinner,named as “Nian Ye Fan”. A dish consisting of fish will appear on the tables of Chinese families. It is for display for the New Year’s Eve dinner. This meal is comparable to Christmas dinner in the West.

Since about a quarter to a fifth of humanity is Chinese, I thought it may be important to point out the pagan implications of this holiday as it is celebrated by scattered Chinese around the world.

The Bible itself has a different start of the New Year. When speaking of the Hebrew month of Abib, which occurs around late March/early April God declared:

“This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you” (Exodus 12:2).

And that was not January 1st nor will it be January 31st for 2014.

Also, the Bible is opposed to astrology (cf. Isaiah 47:13-15), and would not condone being part of astrological celebrations.

The first day of the next biblical new year is April 1 for 2014, which technically begins after sunset on March 31st.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Origins and Practices of Chinese New Year When is the Chinese New Year? What are its origins? Should Christians observe it?
The Bible and Astrology Should Christians avoid participating in astrology or did God inspire it? Does the Bible encourage astrology? What does the Bible actually teach? What is astrology? How does astrology differ from astronomy? Should Christians Be Involved In Astrology?
OMENS? DIVINATION? HOROSCOPES? THE ORIGIN OF ASTROLOGY Where did astrology come from? Should you read your horoscope?
Does Astrology Work? Many believe and follow astrology–but does it work?
Close Encounters of a ‘Spirit’ Kind discusses some experiences I believe were (demon) ‘spirit’ related.
Angels, Cherubim, and Seraphim This is information about various types of angelic beings.
Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations?
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?
Living as a Christian: How and Why? In what ways do Christians live differently than others. What about praying, fasting, tithing, holy days, and the world? There is also a YouTube video related to that also called: Living as a Christian: How and Why?
Is January 1st a Date for Christians Celebrate? Historical and biblical answers to this question about the world’s New Year’s day.
The Dramatic Story of Chinese Sabbathkeepers This reformatted Good News article from 1955 discusses Sabbath-keeping in China in the 1800s.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters Where did the Chinese people come from? This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel. Here is a link to a version of this article in Spanish: ¿Prueban los caracteres chinos la exactitud de la Biblia?
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon? A YouTube video of interest may be Is China THE Threat to the United States of America?
Is God Unreasonable? Some have suggested that if God requires Sabbath-keeping He is unreasonable. Is that true? Here is a link to a related article in Mandarin Chinese 一个不合理的神？
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by the Tkach WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days. (Here is a related link in Spanish/español: Calendario Anual de Adoración –Una crítica basada en la Biblia y en la Historia: ¿Hay un Calendario Anual de Adoración en la Biblia?
Holy Day Calendar This is a listing of the biblical holy days through 2024, with their Roman calendar dates. They are really hard to observe if you do not know when they occur 🙂 In the Spanish/Español/Castellano language: Calendario de los Días Santos. In Mandarin Chinese: 何日是神的圣日？ 这里是一份神的圣日日历从2013年至2024年。.

WWII Holocaust Survivors

COGwriter

Talks about how to deal with Syria have been going on and new ones begin soon:

January 22, 2104

U.N. mediator Lakhdar Brahimi said he will meet Syrian opposition and government delegations separately Thursday, a day ahead of their first negotiations when he will try to bring them together to discuss ending that country’s bloody civil war.

Brahimi, speaking to a news conference Wednesday after all-day ministerial talks in the Swiss city of Montreux, said he has “fairly clear indications” that the parties are ready to discuss prisoner swaps, humanitarian access and local cease-fires.

“We will try to see if we meet Friday morning separately and hopefully by Friday afternoon both sides will sit in one room,” he said later.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the two sides that “enough is enough,” imploring them to end a conflict he said had made Syria “a breeding ground for foreign extremists and terrorists.”

Ban was blunt, saying he did not expect any instant breakthroughs and the talks will be difficult. But he said the Syrian people are “desperately looking for relief from the nightmare in which they are trapped.”  http://www.voanews.com/content/un-envoy-to-meet-two-syrian-sides-thursday/1835466.html

As far as the nightmare in Syria, in addition to 100,000 presumably killed during the conflict there in the past three years or so, on the news I saw recent images allegedly from Syria that reminded of the brutality by the Germans of the Jewish imprisonments, mistreatments, murders, and tortures known as the Holocaust (non-Jews were also affected).

Here is a report about what some associated with the Assad Regime have been involved in over the past couple of years:

January 22, 2014

Professor Sue Black from the University of Dundee studied thousands of pictures of bodies of young men who are believed to have been tortured by the Syrian regime.

She says the photographs released in the last few days were the most “distressing” she had ever seen.

Political leaders, including foreign secretary William Hague and US secretary of state John Kerry, have gathered in Switzerland for peace talks aimed at ending the three-year conflict…Damascus has denied allegations of abuses after the emergence of the gruesome images, apparently smuggled out by a defector from the regime and published in a report commissioned by Qatar, which supports Syrian rebel and opposition groups…

But former war crimes prosecutors who examined more than 55,000 photographs said to show the emaciated corpses of victims say they implicate the “agents” of the Assad regime, while Mr Hague said there was “compelling and horrific” evidence of abuses and those responsible should be held to account.  http://news.stv.tv/scotland/261332-sue-black-from-dundee-university-studied-syrian-war-torture-victims/

Assad’s mass killings are Syria’s ‘holocaust’

THE systematic torture and killing of 11,000 detainees in Syria has been compared to the holocaust by a Scottish scientist who co-authored a report claiming the Assad regime is guilty of war crimes…

The atrocities, reported on by Prof Black and five other experts in their fields, came to light as the result of the defection of a former Syrian military policeman, whose job had been to take photographs of the corpses of the torture victims.

The former military policeman – codenamed Caesar to protect his true identity – managed to smuggle out 55,000 pictures that he and others had taken of around 11,000 corpses.

Speaking to The Scotsman after returning from her trip to the Middle East where she spent two days examining the images, Prof Black described the pictures as “absolutely horrendous”, and likened the imagery of the starved remains with “going back in time and looking at concentration camps”.

She said: “It was most distressing. In this day and age, you really don’t expect to be able to witness these sort of things on this sort of scale. It is very sobering.”

While many claimed ‘never again’ would the world put up with the type of atrocities associated with the Holocaust and WWII, the reality is that something similar has happened in Syria this century and something worse will also be coming (cf. Matthew 24:21-22).

I have been praying for the victims of Syria’s civil war for some time, and what has happened makes me wish to pray more fervently for God’s Kingdom to come (cf. Matthew 6:10)–quickly (cf. Revelation 22:20).

While hopefully, some of the torture and killings will stop, even if that occurs, Syria will not end up well

More trouble is coming to Syria, and the Bible teaches that its capital Damascus will be destroyed (Isaiah 17:1). An Islamic confederation that will include the land of Syria is coming (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:1-8; Psalm 83:4-8) is coming.

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

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
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.
Blood Moons and Prophecy There are four ‘blood moons’ expected in 2014 and 2015. Do they signal the Day of the Lord or the return of Jesus Christ? A related YouTube video is also available: Blood Moons, Prophecy, 2014, and 2015.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? A booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom.

COGwriter

Millions have been affected by extreme winter weather in the USA and Canada:

January 22, 2014

Much of the Northeast awoke Wednesday to single-digit temperatures, below-zero wind chills and a deep blanket of snow a day after a blizzard dumped more than a foot in some areas along the I-95 corridor.

For the second day in a row traffic was squeezed, airlines were challenged and government offices, schools and businesses were struggling to function. And although the snow was over the near-record low temperatures promised to plague 50 million people from North Carolina to New England.

Nearly a foot and half of snow fell in parts of New Jersey, and Philadelphia saw a little over a foot of snow, the National Weather Service said. New York City had 10 inches, while parts of Maryland had 9. Manalapan, N.J., had 16 inches of snow.

Airlines had canceled more than 1,600 flights Wednesday morning, with more than 500 more delayed, flightstats.com reported. Nearly 3,500 flights Tuesday with thousands more delayed.  http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2014/01/22/storm-northeast-snow-weather/4767567/

January 22, 2014

(CNN) — New Yorkers awoke Wednesday morning to the sound of plows clearing the streets. In Washington, federal workers got in a few extra zzz’s. And in Boston, parents scrambled to make other arrangements as kids enjoyed a snow day.

The heaviest snowfall of the season has blanketed the Northeast, with more than a foot falling in some places.

Schools and offices are closed, roads shut down and thousands of flights grounded.  http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/22/us/winter-weather/

WASHINGTON — A fast-moving Arctic cold front forecast to dump up to a foot (30 cm) of snow on the East Coast of the United States on Tuesday shut down state and federal governments, closed schools and snarled air travel in its path.

Winter storm warnings and advisories are in place from the central Appalachian Mountains north to southern New England, the National Weather Service said, including all of the Middle Atlantic states and the busy I-95 highway corridor that connects cities like Washington, Philadelphia, New York and Boston.

Temperatures in the eastern half of the United States are expected to be from 10 to 25 degrees below average. Gusty winds will accompany up to a foot of snow in southern New England as the cold front picks up moisture from the Atlantic Ocean, it said.  http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-winter-storm-grips-eastern-us/1834824.html

Many parts of North America have been hit by extreme weather.

Over here in California, the temperatures have been unseasonably warm–record highs and/or near record highs were reported in parts of the State this week.  Snowfall and rainfall have been less in California, Nevada, and parts of the West  (see also Drought disaster declared in 11 Western states; any relationship to homosexual agenda?).

Because Jesus warned that troubles and sorrows would be part of the biblically prophesied time before the Great Tribulation, back in 2009, in my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, I wrote that the following was about to happen:

Odd weather patterns result in food shortages and natural disasters.

Matthew 24:7

The world is actually in a berserk transition, as the real age of peace is not yet here. It may be a period of chaos. It is the beginning of sorrows.

Matthew 24:8

Weather extremes should serve as a wake-up call.

Weather-related troubles and sorrows are consistent with the following:

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

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

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

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

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

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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

Medieval Abortion Drug Being Given

COGwriter

On January 22, 1973 the United States Supreme Court decided to overturn state laws prohibiting abortion in a case known as Roe vs. Wade. The decision was wrong and there are still some who argue against it.  Today marks the 41st anniversary of it.

The woman that the pro-abortion forces used to get the decision (Norma L. McCorvey, whose court case was filed under the alias of Jane Roe) that they wanted 41 years ago later regretted her decision. So much so that in August 1995, she (Norma L. McCorvey) announced that she had become an advocate of Operation Rescue’s campaign to make abortion illegal.

The Bible condemns those that shed innocent blood, as that is something that God hates:

So you shall put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you when you do what is right in the sight of the LORD (Deuteronomy 21:9).

These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:16-19).

Their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; Wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace (Isaiah 59:7-8).

Thus says the LORD: “Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place (Jeremiah 22:3).

“Yet your eyes and your heart are for nothing but your covetousness, For shedding innocent blood, And practicing oppression and violence” (Jeremiah 22:17).

Babies are innocent. Killing them is the shedding of innocent blood.

Notice the following:

My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness (Psalm 119:172).

Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34).

Killing babies through abortion is not righteous. It is a reproach to nations that allow and encourage it.

Those that consent to abortions are often proud, are normally lying to themselves that they are not doing violence to a human being, and often have abortions because of their own lusts and covetousness. Adding the sin of abortion to their other sins is simply not the answer.

They also place themselves in the same category as Judas Iscariot, for he admitted that when he betrayed Jesus Christ, he (Judas) betrayed “innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4). Jesus was betrayed by someone He considered to be a friend–no baby should be betrayed by the mother that is supposed to love them.

Women are struck emotionally for the rest of their lives when they consent to an abortion (the Bible even warns of curses for killing the innocent, Deuteronomy 27:25). That is not a choice they ever should make.

Since States began to “liberalize” or repeal anti-abortion laws, the economic situation in the USA began to change (bolding and italics in source):

Until 1970, the United States had a trade surplus and an inflow of money sometimes called a favorable balance of trade. After 1970, for the first time in a century, the United States was buying more goods abroad than it sold. It moved from a trade surplus to a trade deficit, when imports exceed exports, and money was flowing out of the United States in payments to foreign countries for imports. Since 1970, the unfavorable trade balance and trade deficit has grown…

After World War II until 1970, the United States was a creditor nation lending money to other countries. As a creditor nation, other countries owed more money to the United States than the United States owed to foreign countries.

After 1970, the United States became a net debtor nation. As a debtor nation, the United States owes more money to foreign countiress than the foreign countries owe the United States. The United States is now the largest debtor among all nations. (Howard J. Sherman, E. K. Hunt, Reynold F. Nesiba, Phillip Anthony O’Hara. Economics: An Introduction to Traditional and Progressive Views, 7th edition. M.E. Sharpe, 2008, p. 175)

The European Union is now the world’s biggest exporter and China is second largest.  There was no European Union 41 years ago (the alliances that preceded it had a mere fraction of its current output) and China had little impact on international trade then.  The situation has changed and a new world order is developing.

Furthermore, it may be of interest to note that since movement in the USA towards the Roe vs. Wade decision in 1973, not only have 56,000,000 or so babies been aborted/murdered, the USA has basically gone from being the world’s largest creditor nation to the world’s largest debtor nation–without national repentance the USA will be destroyed.

In a recent budget deal, proposed abortion restrictions were cast aside, and a deal to increase debt further was made (see New budget deal increases debt–What did Ezekiel write?).  This is not good.

According to the Bible, debt is a curse of disobeying God:

43 “The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. 44 He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail. 45 “Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. (Deuteronomy 28:43-46)

The destruction of the USA is coming and abortion in one of the many reasons (see also Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel).  A new world order has began to develop, and once it fully does, the USA will no longer be on top.

Notice what has happened to the economy of the United States in the last 40 or so years:

In real terms, as mentioned above, US growth in the 21st century seems to have fallen back to medieval levels. Why?…Because the economy failed to produce real growth. After 1973, wages, for example, adjusted for inflation, went nowhere. (Bonner B. Economic Growth in the Internet Age. Daily Reckoning, June 23, 2011)

The typical working stiff earns less real money today than he did 40 years ago. (Bonner B. Economic Long Live the 1%. Daily Reckoning, November 25, 2011)

Coincidence or curse? Since the USA is also the most indebted nation in the history of humankind that does not bode well for the USA (Habakkuk 2).  And that debt continues to increase.

Notice some statements from my book Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term:

the Bible itself warns…:

⁴³ The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower (Deuteronomy 28:43).

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

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

One of the first acts of the Barack Obama Presidency was to change an executive order to support increased abortion funding…the fact is that Barack Obama has clearly supported increased abortion access…

One of his first acts after taking office was to increase international funding for abortions. He has made numerous public statements supporting abortion…

His U.S. Supreme Court appointees are believed to be supporters of on-demand abortion…

By encouraging and not discouraging aspects of immorality (such as abortion and homosexual unions), Barack Obama is setting the U.S.A. up for punishment (Isaiah 30:12-13; Romans 1:18-32)…

Notice two public statements from Barack Obama:

Beyoncé could not be a better role model for my girls.

{Abortion} I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose and this fundamental constitutional right.

Beyoncé is a female American singer who often seems to violate standards of modesty (cf. 1 Timothy 2:9). Abortion is murder, and abortion is wrong. Promoting and/or approving biblically-condemned actions is dangerous and puts the U.S.A. at increasing risk God’s judgment (Romans 1:32).

Abortion is wrong. And promoting or simply approving sexual immorality is wrong (cf. Romans 1:18-32).

There are terrible consequences for sin, and instead of properly discouraging sexual immorality, abortion increases the tendency towards sin. This does not bode well for the United States.

While Europe, China, and certain other areas also have abortion and other issues, the reality is that the Bible shows that, for a time, they will do much better than the USA.  So much so, because the time is coming when the USA will be no more.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? Has the Roman Catholic Church allowed abortions? What about the real Church of God? Some may also, or instead, wish to view the YouTube video Abortion, the Bible, and US Debt.
The 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?
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
When You Sin: Do You Really Repent? This is an article by Charles F. Hunting.
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?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon? A YouTube video of interest may be Is China THE Threat to the United States of America?
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.

Kiev, Capital of Ukraine

COGwriter

Many in the Ukraine want to be part of the European Union, others are opposed, and Russia seems to wish to consider this to be mainly an issue for it:

January 21, 2014

Russia is urging European governments to stay out of the Ukrainian political crisis.

Anti-government demonstrators battled police overnight. Government calls for compromise are going unanswered.

The political street violence in Kiev has been going on for a couple of months. And while the crowd sizes haven’t reached the critical mass that can lead to upheaval, the levels of violence in the last few days may be pushing Ukraine’s standoff toward some sort of tipping point…

Demonstrators have used whatever weaponry they can get their hands on…It wasn’t a mass protest involving tens of thousands. It’s down to a hard core of several hundred protestors. Very determined protestors. And they’ve been carrying the battle.  Police have been firing back with rubber bullets…The European Union has called on Ukraine to rescind its anti-protest legislation. Russia has told the Europeans to mind their own business, and everyone is worried this could spin even further out of control.  http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukrainian-protests-anti-government-demonstrators-battle-police-for-2nd-night-in-a-row/

January 21, 2014

Clashes between anti-government protesters and police continued for a third day on Tuesday in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv.

Protesters hurled projectiles at police officers, who retaliated with rubber bullets. Video footage shows the two sides facing off on either side of the burned-out shell of a vehicle…

Ukrainian officials said Monday that more than 200 people, about half of them protesters, had been injured in the clashes, which began Sunday after more than 100,000 anti-government demonstrators rallied in Kyiv against new laws restricting protests. There are no estimates yet on Tuesday’s injuries.

Opposition leader Vitaly Klitschko pleaded with the crowd Sunday to avoid violence, but was sprayed in the face with a fire extinguisher and shouted down.  http://www.voanews.com/content/clashes-continue-for-a-third-day-in-kyiv/1834273.html

There are two regions and two clashing attitudes in Ukraine.  Perhaps there could be a split there.

Both Russia and the European Union are truly interested in Ukraine, so there is interest from the East and West.  Ukrainians, like many others, are impressed with economic interests. The EU is more economically impressive than Russia or Russia’s agreed to Eurasian Union is.

As I have mentioned before, in the Book of Daniel, it is prophesied that a little horn would develop and would mainly expand South and East into what apparently is becoming a European entity (Daniel 8:9-12). Ukraine is south and mainly east of the nations that once were part of Benelux–the ‘entity’ that eventually grew into the European Union. So Ukraine, for a while at least, may end up supporting Europe–though that is not certain.

Yet ultimately, at least part of the destruction of the Babylonian European power will come from forces associated with Russia (Jeremiah 50:41-43) and will likely involve Ukraine. Most of the Ukrainians are Eastern or Russian Orthodox, which makes them closer (in professed religion at least) to the Russians that the Western Europeans–though many of the Eastern Europeans have some version of the Eastern Orthodox faith.

There still is a divide in Ukraine.  Overall, unless it actually splits, I believe that ultimately Ukraine will side with Russia (see Russia and Ukraine: Origins and Prophesied Future), even though it may support the EU in the future for a time.

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? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
WTO/TTIP and the Babylonian Beast Will international trade agreements like WTO/TTIP/CETA lead to the fulfillment of end time prophecies concerning the Babylonian Beast power that the Book of Revelation warns against? What does the Bible teach? A related video would be WTO Trade Deal and the Rise of the European Beast Power.
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?
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?
Russia and Ukraine: 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?
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?

COGwriter

The White House announced today that US President Obama would meet Pope Francis on March 27, 2014:

January 21, 2014

President Barack Obama will meet with Pope Francis for the first time on March 27 at the Vatican, the White House announced Tuesday.Obama’s visit with the leader of the Roman Catholic Church will be part of a larger European trip that the President will take that month.

“The President looks forward to discussing with Pope Francis their shared commitment to fighting poverty and growing inequality,” a White House news release said.

Obama raised the Pope’s stance on inequality in an economic address in December.

“Across the developed world, inequality has increased,” Obama said. “Some of you may have seen just last week, the Pope himself spoke about this at eloquent length. ‘How can it be,’ he wrote, ‘that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points?’ ”  http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/21/politics/obama-pope/

The two leaders, while different, have some things in common, which presumably President Obama will attempt to suggest at their planned meeting.

Both President Obama and Pope Francis have made a variety of public statements decrying the disparity between those that have wealth and those that have not.  A gap, that according to various sources, appears to be growing in the 21st century.

Both President Obama and Pope Francis have suggested that various systems be changed in order to reduce the wealth gap.  And the Bible does have provisions for some of that (like the Jubilee of Leviticus 25:9-54; see also Year of Jubilee), those leaders have tended to suggest ways that are not specified in the Bible.  However, the Bible does teach that God’s ways will be implemented in His kingdom (see also The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church).

Both President Obama and Pope Francis have suggested some type of wealth redistribution to take from those who have to give to those that have not–though both claim to be Christian, neither seems to publicly act (based upon the statements I have seen/heard from them) like the following parable is applicable:

14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.  15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.  16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.  17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.  18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.  19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’  21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’  22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’  23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.  25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.  27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.  28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.  30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’  (Matthew 25:14-30)

Jesus taught that those who produce are entitled to keep what they earn, after appropriate taxes (Matthew 22:17-21; see also Taxes), tithes (Matthew 23:23; see also Tithing Questions and Some Answers), and provisions for the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29; see also Is Second Tithe and Third Tithe Still Valid Today?). (Here is also a link to the YouTube video Parable of the Talents: Are there Prophetic Ramifications?)

As far as Pope Francis and wealth distribution goes, the news post Pope Francis speaks against current economic order and proposes changes has some possible insights as to where that may be heading.

On other matters, both leaders have been considered to be more open to aspects of the homosexual agenda than their predecessors (though Pope Francis has not been nearly as bold about it as President Obama).

Something else the two leaders may have in common is their ecumenical bent.  Pope Francis has an ecumenical agenda that includes atheists and non-Catholics (see Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox?), whereas Barack Obama claims Christianity, calls the Koran holy, and carries a Hindu monkey god (for details and links see the article Prophecies of Barack Obama?).

Since the two seemingly have a worldly agenda, perhaps they will agree at their planned meeting to work toward steps to make that agenda take place.  As far as Barack Obama himself goes, I warned back in 2009 (in my book 2012 And the Rise of the Secret Sect) that he would take steps to support the objectives of the final Antichrist.  And while he has done that already done that, it would seem that he may take further steps after he meets with Pope Francis.

Some items of related interest may include:

Parable of the Talents: Are there Prophetic Ramifications? In Matthew 25 Jesus tells the parable of the servants given talents. What are/were talents? How valuable were they? What do Christians have that are of great value? Do many who are Christian that hide their talents? Was the one who buried his talent cowardly? Does any of this have to do with the Kingdom of God? Is the Parable of the Minas in Luke 19 related? Do Jesus give more to the one who was productive or the one who had the least?
Taxes What caused the descendants of Israel to pay taxes? Should Christians pay taxes? If you prefer, or additionally, you could watch the video Should Christians Pay Taxes?
Tithing Questions and Some Answers Addresses some non-biblical arguments against tithing. Should people tithe?
Ending Your FINANCIAL WORRIES How can people help themselves and others financially? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject. A video of related interest would be: Dealing With Financial Worries.
Is Second Tithe and Third Tithe Still Valid Today? Should you save and use second tithe? Some in the COGs no longer teach payment of third tithe, is this biblically correct?
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.
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?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.
What is the Gospel? True religion should be based upon the true gospel. What are some of the different gospels and where did they come from? Do you believe the true or a false gospel? Who is preaching the gospel? Here is a version in Korean 복음이란 무엇인가?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? A booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom. Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy? Pope Francis has taken many steps to turn people more towards his version of ‘Mary.’ Could this be consistent with biblical and Catholic prophecies? This article documents what has been happening. There is also a video version titled Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Could Pope Francis be the Last Pope and Antichrist? According to some interpretations of the prophecies of the popes by the Catholic saint and Bishop Malachy, Pope Francis I is in the position of “Peter the Roman,” the pontiff who reigns during tribulations until around the time of the destruction of Rome. Do biblical prophecies warn of someone that sounds like Peter the Roman? Could Francis I be the heretical antipope of Catholic private prophecies and the final Antichrist of Bible prophecy? This is a YouTube video.
The Malachy Prophecies and “Peter the Roman” An Irish bishop allegedly predicted something about 112 popes in the 12th century. Pope Benedict XVI was number 111. Francis would seem to be number 112–if he is that one–and if so, he is to reign until Rome is destroyed. May he be an antipope/final Antichrist?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.
The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Amazon Book What does the Bible say about a pope near this time? Is the final pope to be an antipope and antichrist? Does Catholic prophecy point to Pope Francis as being the dreaded “Peter the Roman”? This 186 page book provides information and answers.
The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle This electronic version of the printed book which 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 The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle.

Vladimir Putin (www.kremlin.ru)

COGwriter

Vladmir Putin, probably the most high profile world political leader to speak out against the homosexual agenda, has stated that he wants his country cleansed of homosexuality, though he also does not want to scare homosexuals away from attending the Winter Olympics in Russia:

MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered new assurances to gay athletes and fans attending the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics next month. Yet he defends Russia’s anti-gay law by equating gays with pedophiles and says Russia needs to “cleanse” itself of homosexuality if it wants to increase its birth rate.

Putin’s comments in a TV interview broadcast Sunday still show the wide gulf between the perception of homosexuality in Russia versus the West. A Russian law passed last year banning “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” among minors has caused an international outcry.  http://www.cbsnews.com/news/putin-russia-must-cleanse-itself-of-homosexuality/

Russia is not “going after” gays, President Vladimir Putin said…, defending a ban on “propaganda” about homosexuality that has brought criticism from the West ahead of the Winter Olympics.

The Kremlin hopes the games, starting on Feb. 7 in the city of Sochi on the Black Sea, will showcase Russia’s modern face more than two decades after the Soviet Union collapsed.

Putin has identified himself closely with the $50 billion event and also pledged Russia will do everything to ensure safe Games in spite of security concerns.

But Russia last year upset the West and human rights activists by banning what it called the promotion of homosexuality among minors. Calls for a mass boycott of the games have failed, but the row has clouded the build-up to the event.  http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-olympics-putin-says-russia-is-not-going-after-gays/1832433.html

While Vladimir Putin is correct that societies should try to cleanse themselves of homosexuality, I do not believe that homosexuality is the cause of the low birth rates in Russia.  The old Soviet Union embraced abortion more than most other countries did, and that legacy, plus cultural and economic factors, are why Russia has a low birth rate.

That being said, many in the West have vilified Vladimir Putin’s stands against homosexuality, as well as the attempted strong stands against the homosexual agenda by many leaders in various African countries.  Political and economic pressures have been brought against Uganda and some others who have had the courage to condemn something that the Bible refers to as an abomination (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13).

Vladimir Putin is a supporter of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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.
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?
Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? Has the Roman Catholic Church allowed abortions? What about the real Church of God? Some may also, or instead, wish to view the YouTube video Abortion, the Bible, and US Debt.
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?
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?
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?
Russia: Its 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?

COGwriter

The latest edition of the Bible News Prophecy magazine put out by the Continuing Church of God is now available.  A fifth language is now available, Kiswahili!  The cover shown above is from the Kiswahili version.  Here is a pdf. link to the version in Kiswahili: UNABII WA HABARI ZA BIBLIA: Jan-March 2014.

Various editions of the magazine are available in English, Spanish, Tagalog, Mandarin Chinese, and now Kiswahili.

Here is a pdf link to the English version of the January-March 2014 edition of Bible News Prophecy magazine.

Contents:

3 Christians Have Taught the Gospel of the Kingdom Did first and second century Christians understand and teach about the kingdom of God? What about Christians in the 20th and 21st centuries?
10 Blood Moons: Will Jesus Return in 2014? “Blood moons” are expected in 2014. Do they possibly mean that Jesus will return in 2014?
15 Study the Bible Course Lesson 1: Why Study the Bible? This is the first lesson of the course to help people study the Bible.
21 Mardi Gras: The Devil’s Carnival? Mardi Gras appear to be growing in popularity. Some believe it is a party for Christians. But is it?
22 What Did Jesus Mean – “I Will Have Mercy, And Not Sacrifice”? According to Jesus, mercy is one of the “weightier matters of the law” (Matthew 23:23). Here is an old Good News article (which cites the KJV) about it.
31 Keeping the Days of Unleavened Bread How and when?

Again, here is a pdf link to the January-March 2014 edition of Bible News Prophecy magazine.

The official English language website of the Continuing Church of God is www.ccog.org

If you want to learn more about the group that is striving to be the most faithful, you may find some of the following links of interest:

Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God. Here is a link to its website in Mandarin Chinese: http://www.ccog.asia (0ther language sites are in progress).
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Blood Moons and Prophecy There are four ‘blood moons’ expected in 2014 and 2015. Do they signal the Day of the Lord or the return of Jesus Christ? A related YouTube video is also available: Blood Moons, Prophecy, 2014, and 2015.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Mardi Gras: The Devil’s Carnival? Is Mardi Gras Christian? Do you know that in Bolivia the carnival/Mardi Gras time is part of a celebration known as the Devil’s Carnival? Where did it come from?
Keeping Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread How should Christians keep Passover, especially if they are by themselves. Why does the Church of God not require lambs for Passover? How does one keep the Days of Unleavened Bread? For a step-by-step video for Christians to keep it, check out CCOG Passover Service.
Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God “Contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3, NKJV), “Let brotherly love (Philadelphia) continue” (Hebrews 13:1) “…continuing stedfastly in the teaching of the apostles” (Acts 2:42 YLT). So, what does that really mean in terms of specific beliefs?

“Elijah in the wilderness“

COGwriter

Have various leaders and writers associated with the Church of God promoted Satan’s plan?  Has Satan influenced various ones to help fulfill his plan?  How so?

Notice one recent writing from James Malm:

At this point we exclaim how terrible it is to seek out a familiar spirit [demon] about the future or anything else.  Yet we do exactly the same thing in the church of God groups!  What do I mean with the statement?  I mean that whenever we study the teachings of false religions or of worldly men and apply them to keep them, instead of going to the word of God; we are turning our backs on the word of God to consul with familiar spirits [demonic] spirits.

How many of you consult horoscopes in the local papers?  How many COG groups beginning with HWA, turned aside from what Jesus Christ commanded us to preach, in to a worldly business model organization and outreach?  How many organizations use the Roman Catholic Beast government [adopted by HWA after Loma’s death] system for church leadership?

There is even one man who left LCG a year ago who styles hiself a prophet, who voraciously seeks out and studies the prophecies of every false religion that he can find, in order to find support for his own false prophecies.

Do we not realize that learning false doctrine and prophecy to follow it, is turning our backs on the word of God to embrace the ways of the enemy of God? (Posted 01/18/14)

James Malm was referring to me, Bob Thiel, above, despite my condemnations of various false predictions, including astrology (see The Bible and Astrology).

James Malm is promoting Satan’s plan in several ways.  First of all, I do not seek out false prophecies to find support for my supposed false prophecies, thus he is bearing false witness.  And he should know that, but does not seem to care how he tries to ‘spin’ my writings.

Additionally, perhaps I should point out that James Malm himself essentially insisted that the Great Tribulation had to begin in 2008 or 2009, and I denounced him (see James Malm Challenges COGwriter) for that and was right.  Furthermore, he has claimed that the Great Tribulation could start in pretty much every year since that time.  I have boldly claimed it could not, and of course, have been right every time (see When Will the Great Tribulation Begin?).

He, and others, who insist I misuse non-biblical prophecies simply do not understand who the old Radio Church of God taught them, which is the same way I do (see Hill DJ.  Christ or Antichrist.  Good News magazine, Radio Church of God, April 1961; also see the article Satan’s Plan).

Furthermore, I, in advance also denounced false prophecies and predictions from Ronald Weinland and David Pack in 2013 and at other times.  And was also right about them.  Partially, because of how absurd Ronald Weinland, David Pack, and certain other leaders that have claimed to be in the COG have been, many true Christians have distanced themselves from any leader who truly have been ordained by God to have a prophetic gift.

Should my denouncing of James Malm’s Ronald Weinland’s, and David Pack’s false predictions be considered me studying “the prophecies of every false religion” that I “can find, in order to find support for…false prophecies?”

Well, James Malm’s writings suggest that is so.  He errs not knowing the scriptures or the power of God (cf. Mark 12:24) as did religious leaders in Jesus’ day.  I also have not made any false actual prophecies–and he and any truly interested in the truth should realize that.

Jesus, Jeremiah, Paul, and others denounced false prophets and false understandings of prophecies.  So do I.

Notice also the following from the prophet Micaiah:

19 Then Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by, on His right hand and on His left. 20 And the Lord said, ‘Who will persuade Ahab to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner. 21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, and said, ‘I will persuade him.’ 22 The Lord said to him, ‘In what way?’ So he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And the Lord said, ‘You shall persuade him, and also prevail. Go out and do so.’ 23 Therefore look! The Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and the Lord has declared disaster against you.”  (1 Kings 22:19-23)

Notice that God’s prophet specifically explained how a lying prophecy was going to be successful.  When it comes to Catholic,  Eastern Orthodox, Hindu, and Chinese prophecies, I have done the same thing.  I have also striven to follow the Apostle Paul who claimed that he tried different cultural approaches (including referring to improper religious beliefs, Acts 19:22-31) to try to reach who he could (cf.1 Corinthians 9:19-22), and that he did that “for the gospel’s sake” (1 Corinthians 9:23)

The Bible is clear that people will be deceived (Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12) and following false prophets (Revelation 13) and believing “doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1) will be factors.  But the most faithful Christians are not to be ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11).

Apparently James Malm and other critics of mine believe that Philadelphia Christians should be ignorant as various ones, including Roderick Meredith, have publicly criticized me for this.  An odd thing about those two, however, is that they both have referred to non-biblical prophecies, yet have condemned me for that.

Do they not care that Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their hypocrisy?  James Malm, Roderick Meredith, and others have been hypocritical here of their improper condemnations of me.

Now how do all these leaders assist Satan’s plan?

1. Each of these leaders has made false statements that they have not repented of.
2. Various ones have believed these false statements.
3. All of those leaders have condemned me, despite my reporting of the truth.
4. Because of this, many have decided it is ‘safer’ not to believe that God could use myself or anyone else in the role of a prophet in the end times.
5. This results in more and more become Laodicean, thus affecting the Philadelphia work.

I have long had an article titled Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders?  There are many, many, other COG leaders that also are assisting getting Christians to not truly support the final phase of the work, but I will not take the time to go through all of them here, though there are articles about many claimed COG groups at the COGlinks page.

These leaders/writers are misleading others.  Most, whether they have been directly or indirectly affected by leaders like them, will justify in their minds that they do not have to believe what I say or do as I believe the Bible advocates that they should.

Notice that Jesus had the same problem:

43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.  44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.  45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.  46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?  (John 8:43-46)

None have convicted me of sin, though people like James Malm, Roderick Meredith, and David Pack have falsely accused me (Ronald Weinland has as well, but his references were a bit more subtle).

Using lies, false prophecies, and character assassination have long been part of Satan’s plan to stop people from listening to God’s prophets throughout history.

Satan uses both the bold and the subtle approach, and the subtle approach has been accepted by many in this age.  Jesus essentially warned the Laodiceans this would happen as most true Christians would not really want to repent and believe the truth (Revelation 3:14-23).

Satan’s is a liar and the father of lies and many, sadly, have been deceived.  But you, if you truly are willing to believe the truth, do not have to be.  Do not fall to any part of Satan’s plan.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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.
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets, yet many overlook what the Bible teaches about how to recognize a true one. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? This article contains a scripture-based checklist to assist with this determination.
How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God This is a sermon on YouTube addressing a subject that most in the Church of God do not seem to have looked into very much. It discusses scriptures and dispels some improper assertions that some associated with the COG have made about prophets in this time.
Elijah: Past and Prophesied Information about the original Elijah and some information about the Elijah-related prophecies.
The Elijah Heresies Does the Bible teach that there will be a future Elijah? Must it be Herbert W. Armstrong?
Error-Ridden James Malm Not Doing an Elijah Work James Malm is an ‘independent’ who misunderstands and improperly maligns.
Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claimed to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up, that the Great Tribulation began on December 14, 2008, Jesus would return late September 2011, that Jesus would return on May 27, 2012, and that Jesus would return on May 19, 2013. Why else does the Bible show that Ron Weinland is a false prophet? He has other views which show he is not part of the Church of God?
Why Not the Restored Church of God? This group, led by David Pack, claims to be the most faithful. The information in this article suggests otherwise. Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Por qué no la Iglesia de Dios Restaurada?
Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God Several have speculated reasons, but here is the truth. (En el idioma español: ¿Por qué Bob Thiel dejó la Iglesia del Dios Viviente?)
Journal Report on Continuing Church of God Leader Bob Thiel Bob Thiel was interviewed by The Journal News of the Churches of God related to him being a prophet, the proclamation goals of the Continuing Church of God, and why he left LCG.
Response to a Letter from Dr. Roderick C. Meredith Dated December 28, 2012 In violation of Matthew 18, Dr. Meredith publicly sent out a letter that forced Dr. Thiel to conclude that the Continuing Church of God must be formed. Here is that letter and some of Bob Thiel’s comments about it. Here is a version in the Spanish language Respuesta a una carta del Dr. Roderick C. Meredith fechada el 28 de diciembre, 2012.
What About the Living Church of God? Are there Doctrinal Differences with the Continuing Church of God? This article explains some information and doctrines of the Living Church of God as led by Roderick C. Meredith and some concerns about them. (En el idioma español: ¿Qué hay acerca de la Iglesia de Dios Viviente? ¿Hay diferencias doctrinales con la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios?)
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.
Who Are The Two Witnesses? What is their job? What does the Bible reveal? What has the Church of God taught on this subject? Might even Roman Catholic prophecies give some clues here?
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God. To see how CCOG has done so far, here is a sermon Continuing Church of God (CCOG) first year anniversary: What has been accomplished? Here is a written link to a version of that sermon in the Spanish language: Aniversario del primer año de la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios: ¿Qué se ha cumplido?
CCOG.ASIA We in the Continuing Church of God also have the url www.ccog.asia which has a focus on Asia and has various articles in Mandarin Chinese as well as some in English, plus some items in other Asian languages. 我们在继续神的教会也提供此网址 www.ccog.asia, 关注于亚洲并且有各种各样的中英文文章，其中一些用菲律宾语翻译的文章也正在进行中，准备添加到这个网站中。
CCOG.IN This is a website targeted towards those of Indian heritage. It has a link to an edited Hindi translation of The Mystery of the Ages and is expected to have more non-English language materials in the future.
CCOG.EU This is a website targeted toward Europe. It has materials in more than one language (currently it has English, Dutch, and Serbian, with links also to Spanish) and it is intended to have additional language materials added.
CDLIDD.ES La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. This is the Spanish language website for the Continuing Church of God.
PNIND.PH Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos. This is the Philippines website Continuing Church of God. It has information in English and Tagalog.
Paglalahad ng Mga Paniniwala ng Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos This is the Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God in Tagalog, the primary language of the Philippines. Here is a link to the first Tagalog edition of the Bible News Prophecy magazine: MGA BALITA NG PROPESIYA NG BIBLIYA January-March 2013 edition.