Church of God News

Southern Portion of Crimea (Sergiy Klymenko)

COGwriter

Preliminary results indicate that Crimean voters really want to be part of join Russia:

March 16, 2014

Around 95 percent of voters in the Crimean referendum have answered ‘yes’ to the autonomous republic joining Russia and less than 5 percent of the vote participants want the region to remain part of Ukraine, according to preliminary results.

With around 50 percent of the votes already counted, preliminary result show that 95.5 percent of voters said ‘yes’ to the reunion of the republic with Russia as a constituent unit of the Russian Federation. In Sevastopol, the number of those who voted ‘yes’ stands at 93 percent, according to the head of the Sevastopol commission, Valery Medvedev.

The preliminary results of the popular vote were announced during a meeting in the center of Sevastopol, the city that hosts Russia’s Black Sea fleet.

The overall voter turnout in the referendum on the status of Crimea is 81,37%, according to the head of the Crimean parliament’s commission on the referendum, Mikhail Malyshev.

Over a half of the Tatars living in the port city took part in the referendum, with the majority of them voting in favor of joining Russia, reports Itar-Tass citing a representative of the Tatar community Lenur Usmanov.  http://rt.com/news/crimea-vote-join-russia-210/

March 16, 2014

Crimea’s prime minister, Sergei Aksyonov, says preliminary results from Sunday’s referendum on whether to break away from Ukraine indicate that 93 percent of voters opted for their region to join Russia.

Aksyonov, who only recently took power, is not recognized by Ukraine’s central government in Kyiv which has also dismissed the vote in Crimea as illegitimate and unconstitutional.

Less than one hour after the polls closed, the White House released a statement saying it rejects Sunday’s referendum.  http://www.voanews.com/content/voting-under-way-in-crimea-referendum-to-join-russia/1872380.html

March 16, 2014

SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine (AP) — Fireworks exploded and Russian flags fluttered above jubilant crowds Sunday after residents in Crimea voted overwhelmingly to secede from Ukraine and join Russia. The United States and Europe condemned the ballot as illegal and destabilizing and were expected to slap sanctions against Russia for it.

Ukraine’s new government in Kiev called the referendum a “circus” directed at gunpoint by Moscow — referring to the thousands of Russian troops now in the strategic Black Sea peninsula after seizing it two weeks ago.

But after the polls closed late Sunday, crowds of ethnic Russians in the regional Crimean capital of Simferopol erupted with jubilant chants in the main square, overjoyed at the prospect of once again becoming part of Russia.

The Crimea referendum offered voters the choice of seeking annexation by Russia or remaining in Ukraine with greater autonomy. After 50 percent of the ballots were counted, Mikhail Malishev, head of the referendum committee, said more than 95 percent of voters had approved splitting off and joining Russia.  http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2014-03-16/crimea-votes-on-whether-to-secede-from-ukraine

The USA may be perturbed that so many Crimeans voted to become annexed by Russia, but it should be clear that the Crimeans were not happy with the interim coup government in Kiev.  The poor and middle class in Crimea obviously feel that Russia will help them more than the West would.

But the US White House rejects what the Crimeans claim that they want.

I have long questioned the logic of governments who claim that they believe in democracy, yet who ignore the results of votes that they find unacceptable.

Now, Russia, too has its own problems ignoring the will of voters (Georgia comes to mind).  But historically, I have questioned the USA’s view of this as it has claimed to be the ‘arsenal for democracy’ or the ‘bastion of democracy,’  which Russia has not.

And it is not a modern question only.  While I did not agree with various positions in the US South that caused the South to vote to succeed from the Union in 1860, from a constitutional perspective, I did not feel that this justified the USA going to war against the South.  Many, many were killed.  And yes, I realize that others have a different opinion about the value of that war and the US Constitution.

It is just that as a non-voter, I have often found the hypocrisy of those that claim to be believers in democracy appalling.  The vote from the Crimeans certainly indicates that they do not wish to be under the authority of the new, interim, government in Kiev, and that they believe that they will be better treated by Russia than they would be in Ukraine.

Almost no significant vote from the public in the USA ends up with over 90% of voters agreeing on anything.  The USA will have a hard time having much credibility talking about supporting democracy when it calls the Crimean vote illegitimate.

If, as I have suspected, the Crimeans are mainly ethnically descendants of the ancient Median empire, biblically, from a prophetic sense, it makes sense that they would again become part of Russia.  Crimea could be one of the ‘kings of the Medes’ that the Bible speaks of in Jeremiah 51:11-28.  But, because of its location, western Ukraine may very well end up with the European Union (Daniel 8:9-11)–which ultimately will be overwhelmed by the Russian/Median led armies of the north and east (Daniel 8:12; 11:44-45).

There is also the possibility that eastern Ukraine will wish to support Russia, though Russia’s recent actions, while emboldening some there for that cause, has disturbed others.  Russia, however, seems very willing to entertain absorbing more of the land considered to be part of Ukraine.  This is what the West does not want, and the political leaders value that objective well above their public support of democracy.

Russia may end up ‘overplaying its hand’ in all this–and at minimum, Russia’s actions will give the Europeans more reasons to increase their military.  Watch (Mark 13:37).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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? You can also watch the new video Ukraine in Prophecy?
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?
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?
Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president/prime minister? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand.
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.
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.

Ukraine with Crimea in Red

COGwriter

Those in Crimea have been voting today:

March 16, 2014

Perevalnoye, Ukraine (CNN) — Residents of Ukraine’s Crimea region headed to the polls Sunday to vote in a disputed referendum on whether to join Russia or become an effectively independent state connected to Ukraine.

Preliminary results could come as soon as Sunday night local time. The United States, which says the vote is illegal, has already said it expects the Black Sea peninsula’s majority ethnic Russian population to vote in favor of joining Russia. Moscow has strongly backed the referendum.

Kicking off the polling in a prerecorded statement, Crimean Prime Minister Sergey Aksyonov called on the residents of Crimea to cast their vote “independent of nationalism and disintegration.”…

‘Russia is an opportunity’

Another voter in Perevalnoye, Viktor Savchenko, said he would never vote for the government in Kiev. “I want us to join Russia, and live like Russians, with all their rights,” he said.

Victoria Khudyakova said she also had voted to join Russia, which she sees as being “spiritually close” to Crimea. “For me, Russia is an opportunity for our Crimea to develop, to bloom. And I believe that it will be so,” she said.

As of 3 p.m. (9 a.m. ET), voter turnout for all of Crimea stood at 63.9% of eligible voters, with 970,019 votes cast so far, Mikhail Malyshev, the head of the Crimean Election Commission, told reporters in the regional capital, Simferopol.

But Ukraine’s Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, speaking in Kiev, dismissed the referendum as illegitimate under Ukrainian and international law, and improperly run.

He said Ukrainian authorities had information from Crimea about voting irregularities, including people who are not Crimean citizens casting ballots, absence of proper monitoring and the presence of armed men.

Malyshev said there was no information that people with foreign passports were voting in the referendum. He also said no “provocations” had been reported at polling stations…

German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized Russian activities in Kherson in a phone call with President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, according to a statement from her office.

She urged an increase in the presence on the ground of military observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, so they can quickly be sent to contested areas, especially in eastern Ukraine.  http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/16/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/

March 16, 2014

WASHINGTON — Supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin expect to savor victory as residents of Crimeavote Sunday on splitting from Ukraine. But Western officials and analysts increasingly feel that in the long run, Russians will come to see their nation’s military and political move into Crimea as a mistake. http://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-us-ukraine-20140316,0,4828947.story#ixzz2w8gxcXrc

March 16, 2014

SIMFEROPOL, UKRAINE — Diplomatic efforts to find a solution to the Ukraine crisis intensified on Sunday with a phone call between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

A statement from Russia’s foreign ministry said the two men had agreed on the need to push for constitutional reforms that would come “in a generally acceptable form and while taking into the account the interests of all regions of Ukraine.”  No details of the type of reforms under discussion were divulged and officials in Washington have yet to comment on Sunday’s discussion.

Meanwhile, under grey skies and the occasional flurry of snow, voters in Crimea’s regional capital cast ballots Sunday in the controversial referendum on Crimean secession. The vote which took place across Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula offered to choices:  break from Ukraine and join Russia, or revert to their status under a 1992 constitution, which gives considerable latitude to join Russia in the future…for many voters, especially the elderly, the idea of coming back under Moscow’s rule – as in Soviet days – is a dream come true.

An elderly woman turns emotional after she casts her ballot.  “It’s been 23 years,” she says, “don’t make me cry”

At another polling station in Simferopol, Crimean parliament member Vladimir Klychnikov prepares to mark his ballot for joining Russia.

He says people have the opportunity to determine their future.  He calls it “a celebration – a celebration of democracy.”

And, indeed, a fair amount of money has been spent in the run-up to the vote to present this as a festive pro-Russian occasion.

Entertainers from already-Russian republics took to the stage at a rally in the capital to cheer voters to the polls.  http://www.voanews.com/content/crimeans-vote-on-joining-russia/1872201.html

March 16, 2014

At a polling booth at a school in Simferopol, the Crimean regional capital, dozens of people lined up outside to cast their ballots early.

“I have voted for Russia,” said Svetlana Vasilyeva, 27, a veterinary nurse. “This is what we have been waiting for. We are one family and we want to live with our brothers.”

Vasilyeva voiced fears common among some of Ukraine’s native Russian-speakers about the consequences of Yanukovich’s downfall after protests in which over 100 people were killed. “We want to leave Ukraine because Ukrainians told us that we are people of a lower kind. How can you stay in such a country?” she said.

But ethnic Tatars – Sunni Muslims who make up 12 percent of Crimea’s population – said they would boycott the vote despite promises by the regional authorities to give them financial aid and proper land rights…

Many Crimeans hope union with Russia will bring better pay and make them citizens of a country capable of asserting itself on the world stage. But others see the referendum as a land grab by the Kremlin from Ukraine, whose new rulers want to move the country towards the European Union and away from Russia’s sway.

Putin defended the vote in a phone call on Sunday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, saying it complied with international law, including Article 1 of the U.N. Charter which states the principle of self-determination of peoples. “It was emphasized that Russia will respect the choice of the Crimean people,” a Kremlin statement said.

Putin has said he must protect the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine from “fascists” in Kiev who ousted Yanukovich. www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/16/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSBREA1Q1E820140316

Crimea is a fairly poor region that feels neglected and discriminated against by the western portion of Ukraine.  When Ukraine’s coup government took over last month, one of the first things it did was to pass a bill (that ended up not being signed into law) to make Russian a second-class language in Ukraine.  That incensed those in Crimea and various ones in the eastern portion of Ukraine, as many in those regions speak Russian as their native language.

Many of those in Crimea (other than the Tartars) seem to believe that they will be much better off with Russia who wants them. than Kiev who claims to want to keep them, but has not shown signs that it would truly be able to help them.  The USA seems to want to stop Russia from expanding and has taken steps to isolate Russia from the rest of the world on this matter.  The European Union, who is very interested in getting Ukraine to join it, also has tried to isolate Russia.  However, while the European Union wants Crimea, it most likely will be satisfied with much of the remaining land of Ukraine and likely will allow the Crimean crisis to blow over in time.

That being said, I do believe that the situation with Russia and Crimea will embolden the Europeans to step up their desire to develop their own independent military deterrents so that they will feel that they can stand up to Russia on their own.  And while that will work for a while, the Bible is clear that a Russian-led confederation will eventually cause the Europeans problems (Daniel 11:44-45) and eliminate it (Jeremiah 51:11-32).

Of course, the situation in Ukraine and Crimea remains tense and difficult. The Bible shows that war is in the prophesied future for some or all of Ukraine/Crimea (watch the new video Ukraine in Prophecy?).

As I have written before, those in Ukraine and Crimea need our prayers and the kingdom of God.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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? You can also watch the new video Ukraine in Prophecy?
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

COGwriter

The Continuing Church of God is pleased to announce our latest video on our Bible New Prophecy YouTube channel.

19:28

How Should a Christian View Marijuana?

There is a growing trend to increase the legalization and public acceptance of smoking or ingesting marijuana. Is this something that Christians should do? What has US President Barack Obama said and done related to marijuana? What does the White House website state? Is marijuana no less dangerous than alcohol? Is marijuana safe? What are the affects of marijuana? Are there health risks? What about ‘medical marijuana’? What does the Bible teach about mental intoxication?

Our latest BNP video is titled: How Should a Christian View Marijuana?

Henrique Capriles Radonski

COGwriter

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has called for the end of protests:

March 15, 2014

(Reuters) – Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro warned protesters in Caracas on Saturday to clear a square they have made their stronghold, or face eviction by security forces.

Plaza Altamira, in upscale east Caracas, has been a focus of anti-government protests and violence during six weeks of unrest around Venezuela that has killed 28 people.

“I’m giving the Chuckys, the killers, just a few hours,” Maduro said, using the name of a murderous child-doll in a horror film to describe anti-government demonstrators who have made the normally genteel 1940s square a base of operations.

“If they don’t retreat, I’m going to liberate those spaces with the security forces,” Maduro added. “They have a few hours to go home … Chuckys, get ready, we’re coming for you.”

Students and other protesters have been using the square, in the pro-opposition Chacao district of Caracas, as a rallying point since a wave of protests started to gather steam in mid-February.  http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/15/us-venezuela-protests-idUSBREA2E0R520140315

March 15, 2014

Foreign Minister Elias Jaua has called US Secretary of State John Kerry a murderer and accused him of inciting violence in Venezuela. Jaua’s words came in retaliation to Kerry’s accusation that the Venezuelan government is terrorizing its own people.

In a heated rebuke to Kerry, Jaua denounced him as a murderer of the Venezuelan people.

“Kerry, we denounce you before the world. You are inciting violence in Venezuela, and we will denounce it in every part of the world. We denounce you as a murderer of the Venezuelan people,” Jaua said in Caracas.

He added that Venezuela would not back down until the US ordered its “lackeys” in Venezuela to cease their violent activities.

“Every time we’re about to isolate and reduce the violence, Mr. Kerry comes out with a declaration and immediately the street protests are activated,” Jaua said in a speech carried on state TV. He added that the protests had not succeeded, however, in achieving their aim of triggering a coup d’etat in Venezuela.

Mass protests have gripped country over the last month with many demonstrations descending into violence and clashes with riot police. http://rt.com/news/venezuela-maduro-kerry-killer-034/

Saturday March 15, 2014  12:00 AM

INTERVIEW | Henrique Capriles Radonski…

As the strategy of the Venezuelan opposition seems to discreetly shift towards less radical stances, major opposition leader Henrique Capriles Radonski clings to one single vision, his own vision, his longstanding vision. While underscoring that protests should continue because the problems which caused it persist, he stressed the need to get rid of polarization and tighten ties between the middle class and low-income sectors…

– Do you mean that should the government refuse to give way, we are heading for a conflict?

– Undoubtedly. Not promoted by Capriles. Probably, we will have much of what we have seen. Twenty-five days after the inauguration of President Carlos Andrés Pérez, the government broke down and eventually left.

– Is same thing happening at this moment?

– It might be happening at this moment.

– So, protests weakened the government.

– Depending on how they finish.

– How will they finish?

– Some protest will remain.  http://english.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/140315/if-the-government-does-not-give-in-there-will-be-conflict

The government of Venezuela had hoped that Carnaval 2014 would stop protests, but obviously some still want to protest that government, despite it now being over.

Pope Francis recently told people to pray to his version of Mary for peace in Venezuela. Specifically Francis said to pray to the ‘Lady of Coromoto’ is an apparition that that that allegedly appeared twice to the chief of the local tribe in the area now known as Venezuela, once in 1651 and again on September 8, 1652.  That was not the answer.

Here is something else about the situation in Venezuela:

Complaint list

Although their movement is smaller than those in Brazil, Ukraine and the Middle East, the protesters in Venezuela share a similarly amorphous list of grievances and causes.

Some want Maduro out now. All complain about crime, inflation and shortages of basic goods. Demands to free detainees, especially hardline opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, have become an increasingly loud cry on the streets.

The protests have wrong-footed the moderate leadership of Venezuela’s opposition coalition, including two-time presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, who lost to Maduro by just 1.5 percentage points in last year’s vote.

His strategy had been to work patiently in grassroots communities while waiting for the next electoral opportunity, parliamentary elections in 2015, but now firebrand opposition leaders and students are taking the lead.

Fellow Latin American nations, though deeply worried, have taken a relatively low-key approach to Venezuela’s crisis.

Leftist allies have backed Maduro’s right to defend himself against “coup plotters” while more conservative governments have urged dialogue but in moderate terms.

Maduro broke diplomatic ties with Panama after it pushed for a meeting of the Organization of American States to discuss Venezuela. Caracas views the OAS as a U.S. pawn.

Foreign ministers from South America’s Unasur group of governments were meeting in Chile on Wednesday to discuss Venezuela.

“We’ll be in favor of protecting and promoting human rights, but at the same time we can’t accept violent mobilizations that seek to bring down a legitimately constituted government,” Chilean Foreign Minister Heraldo Munoz told reporters.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Venezuela’s neighbors should take the lead in helping mediate the situation, and rejected Maduro’s repeated accusations that Washington was deliberately stirring up trouble against him.

“We’ve become an excuse. We’re a card they play,” Kerry told a U.S. House of Representatives committee when asked about Venezuela. “And I regret that, because we’ve very much opened up and reached out in an effort to say, ‘it doesn’t have to be this way’.”

Oil exports, which provide 95 percent of Venezuela’s revenues, remain unaffected by the crisis.  http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-venezuela-unrest-death-toll-rises-students-fight-troops-again/1870217.html

About two dozen were killed in Venezuela the past week and the situation in Venezuela is volatile. And, of course, so is the situation in Ukraine and many other parts of the world. Even though Venezuela is somewhat of a Russian ally, Russia would not likely wish to militarily intervene in support of that government (though it might try to use that as a negotiating chip in the future as it attempts to deal with what the West wants to do it for its interventions in eastern Ukraine, and if the Venezuelan government were to ask for its assistance).

Because of the cultural, ethnic, language, legal, and religious ties between Europe and Latin America, I have long believed that those two regions will likely cooperate more in the future. These ties will be primarily economic, along with the religious and cultural ones, but also may include some type of military cooperation. This is consistent with Ezekiel 27:12-23 and other scriptures.

The continued calls for protest by Henrique Capriles may help pave the way for closer European cooperation with Venezuela.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean in Prophecy [Español: México, América central, Suramérica, Brasil y el Caribe en la profecía] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What role might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
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?
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 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?
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?
Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What happened at Fatima? What might they mean for the rise of the ecumenical religion of Antichrist? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How do the Eastern/Greek Orthodox view Mary? How might Mary view her adorers? Here is a link to a YouTube video Marian Apparitions May Fulfill Prophecy.
Do you understand the ramifications of the ‘Lady of Guadalupe’? It is claimed that a female apparition appeared near Mexico City on December 12, 1531. How has it affected the world? What might it suggest about the future?
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 t

COGwriter

A reader sent me a link to something in which NASA is warning of impending major problems:

NASA: Industrial civilization headed for ‘irreversible collapse’

A new study sponsored by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center has highlighted the prospect that global industrial civilisation could collapse in coming decades due to unsustainable resource exploitation and increasingly unequal wealth distribution.

Noting that warnings of ‘collapse’ are often seen to be fringe or controversial, the study attempts to make sense of compelling historical data showing that “the process of rise-and-collapse is actually a recurrent cycle found throughout history.” Cases of severe civilisational disruption due to “precipitous collapse — often lasting centuries — have been quite common.”…

By investigating the human-nature dynamics of these past cases of collapse, the project identifies the most salient interrelated factors which explain civilisational decline, and which may help determine the risk of collapse today: namely, Population, Climate, Water, Agriculture, and Energy.

These factors can lead to collapse when they converge to generate two crucial social features: “the stretching of resources due to the strain placed on the ecological carrying capacity”; and “the economic stratification of society into Elites [rich] and Masses (or “Commoners”) [poor]” These social phenomena have played “a central role in the character or in the process of the collapse,” in all such cases over “the last five thousand years.”…

Although the study is largely theoretical, a number of other more empirically-focused studies – by KPMG and the UK Government Office of Science for instance – have warned that the convergence of food, water and energy crises could create a ‘perfect storm’ within about fifteen years. But these ‘business as usual’ forecasts could be very conservative.  http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/03/14/nasa-industrial-civilization-headed-for-irreversible-collapse/

It should also be noted that continual increases of debt cannot be sustained.  Even USA President Barack Obama has admitted that, while regularly increasing debt, as well as advocating practices like abortion and the homosexual agenda which are also harmful to civilization.

Notice also something I wrote earlier in one of my books, Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term:

The debt situation of the USA is putting it at risk of being unable to recover should it be hit by weather problems, terrorist acts, war, riots, solar flares, severe earthquakes, civil unrest, devastation of their genetically-modified food supplies, food shortages, and/or various pestilences–an intensity of “sorrows” such as Jesus discussed in Matthew 24:4-8 leading up to the time of the Great Tribulation. Disasters, especially if there is an ElectroMagnetic Pulse (emp) attack or a severe solar flare storm, could be part of a so-called “perfect storm” of events that could set the USA for destruction…

It seems since many are now questioning the role of the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency, more are looking into other currencies as well as gold. Gold will set records in U.S. dollar terms. When the U.S. dollar totally collapses people all around the world will consider that even if the Euro (or something similar) is strong, having a more gold-backed currency would be safer. The collapse of the U.S.A. dollar will shake a lot of the world’s confidence in non-gold backed currencies.

Having the European power acquiring a lot more gold to back the Euro (even if the backing is only implied) or possibly other future European currency (that might potentially replace the Euro or even a basket of currencies) may greatly increase European credibility, prosperity, and influence around the globe (and will happen, to a degree, before that King arises).

The financial policies of the Obama Administration (which are a massive acceleration of the previous policies of the Bush Administration) are heading the world into the direction that something other than the U.S. dollar will be valued as its reserve currency. (Thiel B. Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term. Nazarene Books, 2013, pp. 70, 132-133)

The time is coming that the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies will be no more.  The end of Anglo-Saxon economic and industrial dominance is coming.

The final time of the Gentiles is almost here.  Those in Asia and Europe are rising up.  And while all industrialized civilization may not be destroyed in fifteen years, the end of the industrial civilizations of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies very well could come within the next fifteen years.

Although the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies are not likely to repent to prevent this nationally, personally you can repent, and hopefully will, well before the collapse of USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies (cf. Zephaniah 2:1-3).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Jesus: The Son of God and Saviour Who was Jesus? Why did He come to earth? What message did He bring? Is there evidence outside the Bible that He existed? Here is a YouTube sermon titled Jesus: Son of God and Saviour.
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. A related sermon is Confess to God and truly repent.
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory. There is also a video on the subject: Might Petra be the Place of Safety? Here is something related in the Spanish language: Hay un lugar de seguridad para los Filadelfinos. ¿Puede ser Petra?
Just What Do You Mean Conversion? Many think that they are converted Christians. But are they? Would you like to know more about conversion. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
False Conversion Have you really been converted? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this article on this important subject.
All About Water Baptism What is baptism? Would you like to know more about it. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject. As far as early history, see also Baptism and the Early Church.
God’s Grace is For All Is being Jewish a hindrance to salvation? What about not being a descendant of Israel? What does the Bible really teach?
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 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? What MUST happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation?
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?
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?
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.
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.

Missing Malaysian Aircraft for Flight MH370 (Laurent ERRERA)

COGwriter

The government of Malaysia announced that the disappearance of flight MAS 370 was deliberate:

March 15, 2014

BANGKOK — Malaysian, American and other authorities investigating what happened to a missing jetliner en route to China one week ago are concluding that its disappearance was a deliberate action.

Malaysia’s prime minister confirms that whatever took Flight 370 off course was not an accident.

Najib Razak told reporters Saturday the transponder of Flight 370 appears to have been deliberately switched off before the airliner turned back, flew west over peninsula Malaysia and then shifted to a northwest heading.

Najib said, “Up until the point at which it left military primary radar coverage these movements are consistent with deliberate action by someone on the plane.”

But the prime minister emphasized that hijacking is not the only possibility authorities are considering for the suspicious actions.

The Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 with 239 people on board was en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur.

Najib also announced that the search effort in the South China Sea, where authorities had concentrated their resources for a week, is ending.

Newly revealed satellite data puts the aircraft’s last known path, in a northern corridor from a border region of Kazakhstan to northern Thailand, or a southern one from Indonesia to the southern Indian Ocean.

There has been no trace of any debris on land or in the sea from the large airliner since it vanished on March 8th.

The final signal from the jet received by a satellite was nearly seven hours after ground control lost contact with the aircraft.  http://www.voanews.com/content/malaysia-plane-search/1871796.html

On March 8, 2014, the Boeing 777-200ER aircraft operated by Malaysia Airlines went missing after it took off. It was carrying 12 crew members and 227 passengers from 15 countries.  If this was deliberate, hundreds of people have been kidnapped and possibly also killed.  If it was not deliberate, then presumably all on-board are now dead.

The families of the missing 239 from MH370 have been in my prayers.  What has happened is horrible.

According to the Bible, kidnapping is a capital offense:

16 “He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death. (Exodus 21:16)

7 “If a man is found kidnapping any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and mistreats him or sells him, then that kidnapper shall die; and you shall put away the evil from among you. (Deuteronomy 24:7)

Kidnapping is evil and should not be done.

It has been speculated that the Malaysian aircraft either was deliberately crashed into the sea or that whoever was involved in changing its course, took and hid the aircraft for future use.  No credible ransom demands have been made public.  This whole matter sounds like a terrorist and/or suicide incident.  But no credible terrorist claims from any group have been made public–terrorists tend to want publicity, so this is a reason some wonder if it was a terrorist incident.  Of course, if the objective was to actually take the aircraft and use it in the future as part of some terror plot, then that could explain why no public claims from the kidnappers have been made.  It is also possible that this is part of a bigger terrorist plot to frighten people away from flying and perhaps more aircraft will be taken in the future.

Terrorism is essentially listed as a curse in the Hebrew scriptures (Leviticus 26:14-16). And its use in these times is consistent with some warnings in the Greek scriptures as well, as Jesus taught:

7…But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 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 13:7-8)

Although the Great Tribulation has still not began, we seem to be in the time that Jesus referred to as the “beginning of sorrows,” hence we will see more troubles, etc.

While the Bible suggests that some religious zealots will use terrorism, violent terror is totally inconsistent with the message of the Bible. Those who practice various forms of terrorism do not know the God of the Bible:

1 These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. (John 16:1-3)

9…”You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:9-10)

Throughout history, terroristic and persecuting religious people have overlooked or discounted these scriptures and still do so today.

The Bible simply does not in any way condone terrorism.

But it does tell of a time when it, and other evils like it, will be gone:

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4)

That is part of the good news of the coming Kingdom of God. Until then, people individually should repent and as Jesus taught:

9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10)

Notice also how the Bible ends:

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (Revelation 22:20-21)

The return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God is what is now needed and is something believers should pray for.

Some items of additional interest may include the following:

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.
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. A related sermon is Confess to God and truly repent.
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.
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?

COGwriter

The Continuing Church of God is pleased to announce its latest sermon: The Christian Sabbath and How and Why to Keep It, which is at its ContinuingCOG channel.

1:15:57

The Christian Sabbath and How and Why to Keep It

Which day is the Christian Sabbath? Does the New Testament even teach that there is a Sabbath-rest for the people of God? What day did Jesus say that He was Lord of. Have many been misled by mistranslations and improper traditions? What does the Bible actually teach about this? What day did the Apostle Paul keep? What is taught about Sunday? What does the Bible teach about the seventh-day? What did Cardinal Gibbon’s teach? How can one keep the Sabbath? What should and should not be done on the Sabbath? Should you risk your job by keeping the Sabbath? How do you keep the Sabbath? Dr. Thiel addresses these questions and more.

Here is a link to the sermon: The Christian Sabbath and How and Why to Keep It.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church?
How to Observe the Sabbath? How should you keep the Sabbath? This is an old article by Raymond Cole, with updated information for the 21st century.
Is Revelation 1:10 talking about Sunday or the Day of the Lord? Most Protestant scholars say Sunday is the Lord’s Day, but is that what the Bible teaches?
The Dramatic Story of Chinese Sabbathkeepers This reformatted Good News article from 1955 discusses Sabbath-keeping in China in the 1800s.
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?
ContinuingCOG channel. Dr. Thiel has produced YouTube video sermons for this channel. Note: Since these are sermon-length, they can take a little longer to load than other YouTube videos.

COGwriter

The latest issue (#159, print date February 28, 2014) of The Journal was sent out electronically and just received.

One of the lead articles has to do with the death of UCM’s Ray Wooten:

BIG SANDY, Texas—Ray Wooten, a familiar name to many longtime Church of God members, made several startling statements in an interview and in a Sabbath sermon back in March 2009… He said he didn’t believe the Sabbath Commandment is the Test Commandment. Not only that, Mr. Wooten thought he’d located the Ark of the Covenant. Mr. Wooten was here with his wife, Peggy, for a special Sabbath on March 15, 2009, during the annual women’s conference sponsored by the Church of God Big Sandy. He enlarged on his themes during a conversation with this writer after Sabbath services.

Since 1995 Mr. Wooten, who died at age 80, with his wife had operated United Christian Ministries since 1995, first in Alabama and later in Roanoke and Fort Wayne, Ind. He was no stranger to controversy, having helped found the United Church of God in 1995. He left that organization that same year because he believed it had quickly departed from the founding principles he thought it was advocating in favor of more of a centralized, controlled ministry than he was uncomfortable with.

Ray Wooten is one of many ministers once in WCG who went along with hierarchical governance when Herbert W. Armstrong was alive, but apparently had major problems with one of what were referred to as the 18 restored truths.  Sadly, most who CLAIM to accept biblical governance did not truly abide by it (details on church governance can be found in the article The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government).

Another lead item has to do with two upcoming Ambassador College reunions:

THE JOURNAL received word of two reunions of Ambassador College students that will come to fruition in 2014 in England and in California in 2015. Bricket Wood May 2014 The deadline to register for the reunion in Bricket Wood, England, is almost here. “We need to have final numbers by April 1, 2014, and that’s no joke,” explained Annette Weatherley Forkun… Write Mrs. Forkun at an- nette@bricketwoodre- union.info for more reunion information as it becomes available.

Pasadena February 2015

You have a little more time if you plan to attend the Pasadena, Calif., reunion, which is set for Feb. 27 through March 2, 2015, in the Pasadena Hilton Hotel, one mile from the former AC campus. “There will be a full range of ac- tivities,” including visits to the cam- pus, said Bob Gerringer. The gathering will be for former students from “the first 30 years,” he said, “to celebrate our unique experiences and friendships as AC stu- dents.” Eligible are former students who attended anytime between 1947 and June 1977. For more information visit ACPasa – denaReunion.com or write bob@ acpasadenareunion.com or Carol Stephenson Taylor at carol@acpasa- denareunion.com.

While I never attended AC, many once part of the old WCG did.  Some may wish to attend one or more of the reunions.

The back page of The Journal had the following:

Is the pope Pentecostal?

TULSA, Okla.—Kenneth Copland Ministries of Fort Worth, Texas, in January received a personal message from Pope Fr ancis that Church of God members should be aw are of. So says Steve Tremble, a JOURNAL reader in Oklahoma who said the video- based communication between the two church- men was “historic” in the context of Bible- prophecy fulfillment.

“I personally talked to an attendee of the conference to confirm that happened,” Mr. Tremble told THE JOURNAL , “and he said this is truly a historic conference.” Mr. Copeland, 77, is said to be part of the Word of Faith and Pentecostal movements, preaching a “prosperity and abundance” gospel message. The links Mr. Tremble referred to are accessible at tinyurl.com/copeland6667 and tinyurl.com/copeland6668. Mr. Tremble urged caution when viewing the linked video because of what he described as the intense nature of the pope’s demeanor. “I believe it is important to be aw are of this event and check out these links for yourself,” he said.

The Journal tends not to report much about Protestants and Catholics, but the above is something that was extensively covered at the cogwriter.com website.  So much so, in addition to a news post (see Protestant endorsement of the ecumenical agenda: Kenneth Copeland do you not understand?), a video was made (watch Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware!), and a new article developed (see Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction!).

Also in The Journal there were the usual letters to the editor and advertisements, various comments, and opinion articles (including something about the date of Passover–an article of related interest may be TPM: Passover on the 14th or 15th?).

The Journal itself is available by paid subscription (though Dixon Cartwright says some subscriptions are free to those who cannot afford it) and often tends to take a non-Philadelphian era view of certain church matters.

Painting of 1625 Titled ‘Feast of Esther’

COGwriter

From sunset March 15th to sunset March 16th is the Feast of Purim (some Jews begin celebrations and preparations earlier), which comes from the Book of Esther:

1 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day, the time came for the king’s command and his decree to be executed. On the day that the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, the opposite occurred, in that the Jews themselves overpowered those who hated them. 2 The Jews gathered together in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could withstand them, because fear of them fell upon all people. 3 And all the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and all those doing the king’s work, helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. 4 For Mordecai was great in the king’s palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces; for this man Mordecai became increasingly prominent. 5 Thus the Jews defeated all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, with slaughter and destruction, and did what they pleased with those who hated them. (Esther 9:1-5)

20 And Mordecai wrote these things and sent letters to all the Jews, near and far, who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, 21 to establish among them that they should celebrate yearly the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar, 22 as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month which was turned from sorrow to joy for them, and from mourning to a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and joy, of sending presents to one another and gifts to the poor. 23 So the Jews accepted the custom which they had begun, as Mordecai had written to them, 24 because Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to annihilate them, and had cast Pur (that is, the lot), to consume them and destroy them; 25 but when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letter that this wicked plot which Haman had devised against the Jews should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.

26 So they called these days Purim, after the name Pur. Therefore, because of all the words of this letter, what they had seen concerning this matter, and what had happened to them, 27 the Jews established and imposed it upon themselves and their descendants and all who would join them, that without fail they should celebrate these two days every year, according to the written instructions and according to the prescribed time, 28 that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city, that these days of Purim should not fail to be observed among the Jews, and that the memory of them should not perish among their descendants.

29 Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, with Mordecai the Jew, wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter about Purim. 30 And Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews, to the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth, 31 to confirm these days of Purim at their appointed time, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had prescribed for them, and as they had decreed for themselves and their descendants concerning matters of their fasting and lamenting. 32 So the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim, and it was written in the book. (Esther 9:20-32)

(Note: Since Purim is a national holiday and is not listed as a holy day in Leviticus 23 or elsewhere, it is not a biblically required observation for those in the Church of God. As Esther 9:27-28 points out it was a Jewish invention for Jews.)

Some have wondered about the Book of Esther in light of the current events in Iran and Israel.  Iran and Israel were actually allies during the time of the Shah of Iran.  And interestingly that in the time of Esther it was only a minority of the Persian empire that wanted to eliminate the Jews.  It  is possible that a regime change in Iran (which could be brought about by many means, including attacks by Israel) could change the relationship between the Jews and Persians (Iranians) again.

Interestingly, the connection between the original Purim and today has not been lost by all. Notice the following:

Iran and Israel, It’s Purim All Over Again

March 4, 2012

Some 2,000 years ago, the Jewish people, Exiled in the vast empire of Persia faced a plot engineered by the king’s chief minister to annihilate them…Today the Jewish People in their historical homeland, the Jewish State of Israel, are once again being openly threatened by an evil Persian Empire of Terror known today as Iran. Today’s Hamans – Iranian “Supreme Leader” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Hizbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, to name just a few, are no less committed to the destruction of the Jewish People as were Haman and his ten sons of old. They openly and clearly call for Israel’s destruction and make no secret of the nuclear weapons, the type that can wipe out the Jews in one day…

Among the cohorts to today’s Iranian Hamans are the scientists working feverishly to enrich sufficient uranium to make a nuclear bomb. One such scientist was Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan Behdast assassinated in early January. Should anyone doubt Mostafa’s personal commitment to the cause of mass murder of Jews, his wife proudly clarified that telling point.

Earlier this month Iran’s FARS News Agency (FNA) reported that Fatemeh Bolouri Kashani, wife of the aforementioned assassinated Iranian scientist who was a senior official at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, told the FNA: “Mostafa’s ultimate goal was the annihilation of Israel.”…

The primary lesson of Purim for today’s Jewish leaders is that just as in the original Purim story the Jews had to ultimately defend themselves so too today the Jews cannot pin their national survival on vague promises of support as the Iranian nuclear clock continues to tick.

As Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu heads off to Washington to meet with US President Barack Obama on the week of the Purim holiday, he will no doubt have in mind the lesson of Purim: the only ones who can be relied on to defend the Jews are the Jews themselves.

While there is a lot of truth in the above, the only one who could be relied upon to defend the Jews is God Almighty–yet He only promised to do that if they obeyed Him. And while I do not believe that Bible prophecy allows for Iran to eliminate the nation of Israel, the reality is that if there is a war between Iran and Israel, Israel will suffer much more losses than the ancient nation did during the time of Esther.

Here is something from 2014:

Yes my friends, the Purim festivities have begun…the messages of Purim are as relevant and powerful as ever. Even the location of the Purim miracle, ancient Persia, where we experienced then an existential threat of destruction, is still the place on the map— Iran—that houses a modern existential threat to the Jewish State of Israel.  http://www.jewishvoicesnj.org/news/2014-03-05/Religion_Column/Purim_is_my_story_your_story_but_especially_HIStor.html

Notice something from 2014 by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee:

Too often the past is, truly, prologue, and…– March 15th — is the start of Purim, a holiday that marks the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient empire of Persia – now Iran.  As the story goes, a plot had been hatched to destroy all Jews in the Persian empire, but Mordecai and his adopted daughter, Esther, foiled the plot and the day of deliverance became a day of celebration and feasting – Purim.

The parallel is all too obvious when it comes to the situation today in the Middle East, and the protection of the Israeli people from the threat posed by a nuclear Iran.  Let us pray that – if the time should come – together we will be like Mordecai and Esther, we shall foil Iran’s nuclear plot, and deliver the Jewish people again as well as protect the world from a nuclear threat.  http://www.njjewishnews.com/article/21925/menendez-at-aipac-iran-cannot-be-trusted-to-live-up-to-its-word#.Uxisoc5FCKQ

Another news story had the following:

Think Again: Purim in contemporary guise

‎

Jerusalem Post

Prominent Sunni theologian Yusuf al- Qaradawi, hailed as a returning hero in Tahrir Square, calls upon his followers to “kill the Jews wherever you find them.” The Hamas Charter is equally explicit that not a single Jew should be left alive in Palestine. And most ominous, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei describes Israel just like the Nazis described the Jewish people – as a “cancer.” Cancers must be eradicated.… This Purim, we will celebrate the Jewish people’s acceptance of the Torah anew, this time without Divine compulsion. Those who had been so far away as to partake of Ahasuerus’s banquet, which celebrated the failure to rebuild the Temple, rediscovered their common mission and the unity of Sinai – “as one man, with one heart.” Only then were they delivered from enemies dedicated to “destroy, kill and exterminate” every Jew.

It seems that the above article is hinting that the Jews need to repent and live by the Bible. I agree.

Here is another news item of interest:

Stand Up Barack‎ American Free Press

March 02, 2012…

Not once has Obama publicly denounced Israel’s “imminent” plans to wage a preemptive strike. Rather, the only element Obama and Netanyahu officials seem to be haggling over is the timeframe. Even this point is crucial because last year, the U.S.-NATO led invasion against Muammar Qadaffi’s Libya occurred on March 19—the Jewish festival of Purim. President George W. Bush’s “shock and awe” attack on Iraq in 2003 also began on Purim.

Currently, Israel believes it has little choice but to plan to attack or somehow try to neutralize Iran. Syria is realizing that it is being cut off from much of the world and Iran is one of its few reliable allies. Iran and Syria may well team up against Israel–and this could include using biological and chemical weapons against Israel. This could be something that Syria may regret (cf. Isaiah 17:1).

It should be mentioned that the President of Iran believes that he was elected because of the influence of an Islamic leader that he and others refer to as the Imam Mahdi. This leader is supposed to unite Islam and root out problems within its religion. But Iran is not quite ready for that yet, though its leadership believes that the Iman Mahdi has made his presence known (Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: World Order About to Collapse, Mahdi Behind it) and it hopes that he will become publicly known soon (see Iran’s Leader Preparing for ‘Armageddon’ and the Imam Mahdi).

For various reasons, the Imam Mahdi sounds a lot like the final King of the South that the Bible foretells (Daniel 11:40-43). And he may be part of a deal that will affect the USA and its Anglo-allies (Psalm 83:4-8). And this will not be good.

Yet, the final King of the South will not be Iran (Iran is basically east of Jerusalem), but apparently Arabic (which includes those of Egypt, Libya, etc.). Yet, Iran’s actions and rhetoric (as well as rhetoric from the USA, Syria, and Israel) continue to stir up the situation in the Middle East. The leadership in Iran may wish to re-read the Book of Esther.

The situation in the Middle East is tense. Regional war involving Israel, Iran, Syria, and others this year is a real possibility. Damascus, the capital of Syria, could become a ruinous heap (Isaiah 17:1). But this does not mean that the USA and Israel would get off without troubles and cost. Just like Afghanistan was a major problem for the old Soviet Union, Iran could be a major drain on the USA (and at minimum would raise terrorist issues).

It may take a regional war in the Middle East and perhaps terrorist attacks on USA-related targets for the apparent peace deal of Daniel 9:27 to take place. The situation in Syria, Iran, and Israel will change–and military conflict may well be one of those changes.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Iran in Prophecy Is Iran in Bible prophecy? If so, what does the Bible teach? What names, other than Persia, may be used to describe Iran? There is also a YouTube video titled Iran in Prophecy. Here is a related video Iran In Prophecy.
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future What does the Bible say about Jerusalem and its future? Is Jerusalem going to be divided and eliminated? Is Jesus returning to the area of Jerusalem? There is also a related YouTube video you can watch titled Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-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. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
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?
British are the Covenant People What do ‘British’ and ‘Britain’ mean in Hebrew? Are the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons people of the covenant? Does the British royal family connect to the throne of David? What does the Bible teach? What does history show us? Is there any DNA evidence related to British-Israelism? When did Christianity make it to the British Isles? Could Jeremiah have made it to the British Isles? What type of Christians made it to the British Isles? Did the last King of England believe in British Israelism?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? This is the longest and most complete article on this page on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.
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? If so, what does that really mean for the USA and its Anglo allies.

COGWriter

Hundreds in Belgium have been visiting a glowing statue supposedly of Mary:

March 14, 2014

A ‘glowing’ statue of the Virgin Mary has brought hundreds of pilgrims flocking to a house in a small town in southern Belgium.

Police in Jalhay have been forced to post guards around a pavilion erected by the retired owners of what is being referred to as ‘the mysterious glowing Virgin’.

On one day this week alone 500 people visited the house in the normally quiet town to see the statue, which witnesses claim emits a dull glow in the dark.

But local Catholic authorities, who have sent clergymen to investigate, remain cautious about claiming for definite whether there is a natural or religious explanation for the statue’s luminescence.

The phenomenon was first noticed in the middle of January and has gradually attracted growing crowds.

Local media report that some of those visiting the statue claim to have been cured of ailments. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2580733/Hundreds-flock-sleepy-Belgian-town-glowing-statue-Virgin-Mary.html#ixzz2vwpR0Ehp

Police have been required to bolster their presence around a pavilion erected by the retired Belgian owners of the statue, which witnesses suggest lets out a dull glow after dark.

The phenomenon was first noticed in mid-January and has gradually attracted larger crowds, with local media reporting that some of those visiting the statue claim to have been cured of a skin condition.

The statue, about 30 centimetres (one foot) in height, represents the “Virgin of Banneux”, from the name of a nearby village where in 1933 a young girl was said to have witnessed an appearance by the Virgin.  http://news.yahoo.com/hundreds-belgians-flock-glowing-virgin-mary-statue-171557770.html

The Bible never indicates that Christians should look to statues for healing or to see if any ‘glow.’

Instead, the Apostle Paul warned about signs and lying wonders:

9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

Many, within Roman Catholicism as well as some without, consider statues like this as miraculous proof that Mary is present and approves these statues.

Here is some of what I wrote about it in my book Fatima Shock!:

It has been reported that there are weeping and bleeding statues of the Lady of Fatima. Many people, including some of the Catholic clergy, have indicated that these types of occurrences are proof that the apparitions are Mary sent by God to the earth.

Now here is another shock–since I have no reason to doubt all the reports of weeping and/or bleeding Fatima statues, and since none of the statues that reportedly have wept look like the apparition that was originally described as appearing to the three children in Fatima in 1917, there is no way that the weeping and/or bleeding is proof that they are from God. That would be confusion.

According to the Holy Bible, “God is not the author of confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:33, NKJV) or “God is a God not of disorder” (NJB), but the devil is a liar, and the father thereof” (John 8:44, DRB).

Therefore, weeping and/or bleeding statues are further proof that the apparition seen at Fatima was not Mary sent by the God of the Bible, but instead suggest a demonic origin:

“Let them be all confounded that adore graven things” (Psalm 96:7, DRB; Psalm 97:7 is where the equivalent reference is in NJB/NKJV).

This includes statues and images that are supposed to be of Mary. And of course, the ‘Pilgrim Statues’ in Fatima do not resemble what was seen there. (Thiel B. Fatima Shock. Nazarene Books, 2012, pp. 246-247)

Those who rely on enchantments like weeping/bleeding statues are relying on something that is condemned by the Bible.

What about reported healings?  Here is something else from my book Fatima Shock!:

What About the Healings?

Are claimed healings associated with Fatima proof that the messages were from God?

There are several reasons to consider that they are not proof.

The first is that there have been hundreds of claimed healings   from   those   going   to   discredited   sites   like Medjugorje.   According to Msgr. Pavao Zanic, Bishop of Mostar, the “seers” claimed messages from the “Marian” apparition that were clearly false and the facts he laid out prove this.   Hence it would not be appropriate to ascribe the “healings” there as approved by God.

The second is that many of the original healings claimed at Fatima seemed to be related to properties that the water and/or soil once had.  One study indicated that twenty- nine out of thirty claimed healings at Fatima seemed to be related to the soil and/or water.    In fact, many who claimed that they were “healed” indicated that the water and/or soil were decisive factors in their healing.   It has been speculated that perhaps the water and soil in that area no longer has the same healing properties.   Furthermore, since the area in and around where the Lady appeared five of the six times in 1917 is all under concrete, even if that soil had retained healing properties, direct contact with it is no longer practical.

The third is that many of the “healings” at Fatima appear to be similar to the claimed healings from those who saw various “aliens” or UFOs.  Thus, since Catholics do not normally consider those encounters are from God, then just having a lot of “healings” should not be accepted as absolute proof. (Thiel B.  Fatima Shock!, pp. 142-143)

Of course, Satan can influence people and affect ailments.

The Bible warns of a “virgin” that uses enchantments who is also called the Lady of Kingdoms. Notice the following as shown in a Catholic version of the Bible:

1 Come down, sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne for the daughter of the Chaldeans, for thou shalt no more be called delicate and tender…4 Our redeemer, the Lord of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel. 5 Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called the lady of kingdoms. 6 I was angry with my people, I have polluted my inheritance, and have given them into thy bend: thou hast shown no mercy to them: upon the ancient thou hast laid thy yoke exceeding heavy.

7 And thou hast said: I shall be a lady forever: thou hast not laid these things to thy heart, neither hast thou remembered thy latter end.

8 And now hear these things, thou that art delicate, and dwellest confidently, that sayest in thy heart: I am, and there is none else besides me: I shall not sit as a widow, and I shall not know barrenness.

9 These two things shall come upon thee suddenly in one day, barrenness and widowhood. All things are come upon thee, because of the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great hardness of thy enchanters. 10 And thou best trusted in thy wickedness, and hast said: There is none that seeth me. Thy wisdom, and thy knowledge, this hath deceived thee. And thou best said in thy heart: I am, and besides me there is no other. 11 Evil shall come upon thee, and then shalt not know the rising thereof: and calamity shall fall violently upon thee, which thou canst not keep off: misery shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know. 12 Stand now with thy enchanters, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, in which thou hast laboured from thy youth, if so be it may profit thee any thing, or if thou mayst become stronger. 13 Thou hast failed in the multitude or thy counsels: let now the astrologers stand and save thee, they that gazed at the stars, and counted the months, that from them they might tell the things that shall come to thee. (Isaiah 47:1, 4-7, 11-13, DRB)

Jesus warned that signs and wonders would deceive almost everybody (Matthew 24:24). As we get closer to the end and the formation of an improper ecumenical religion, expect to see more issues with statues that appear to have supernatural properties.  Notice something from the Book of Revelation:

11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.  (Revelation 13:11-15)

So, just because a statue seems to be supernaturally influenced, and is even endorsed by one who ‘looks like a lamb,’ this does not mean that this is approved by God.  God’s word repeatedly condemns many things associated with statues as well as various odd wonders.

Notice what the Apostle Paul warned:

9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

Deception must be clever to work, and multitudes have already been deceived by signs and wonders coming from statues–even prior to the time that the New Testament was written.  The current Pope Francis keeps encouraging people to turn to Mary and has often endorsed Marian statues and apparitions–this is not good.

As far as the Bible goes, all should realize that there is nothing in the Bible, or even in early church writings, that supports the view that God wanted to use glowing or weeping statues, etc. of Mary.  More are likely to be deceived by them (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

For more information, please check out the following:

Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What happened at Fatima? What might they mean for the rise of the ecumenical religion of Antichrist? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How do the Eastern/Greek Orthodox view Mary? How might Mary view her adorers? Here is a link to a YouTube video Marian Apparitions May Fulfill Prophecy.
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?
Origin of the Marian Dogmas: Where Do Catholic Scholars Say The Four Dogmas of Mary Came From?
Assumption of Mary Did Mary die? Was she taken to heaven on August 15th? What is known? What does the Bible show?
Women and the New Testament Church Were women important in the New Testament Church? Which women and how were they involved?
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?
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! provides concerned Christians with enough Catholic-documented facts to effectively counter every false Marian argument. In addition to the print version, there is a Kindle version of Fatima Shock! which you can acquire in seconds.