Church of God News

Petro Poroshenko (Αντώνης Σαμαράς Πρωθυπουργός της Ελλάδας) and  Vladimir Putin

COGwriter

Ukraine’s Kiev government has sent troops to fight in the east and Russia is not pleased:

MOSCOW — Russia is involved in a historic effort to defend its civilization, President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday, vowing to protect the interests of the Russian community abroad as violence again escalated in Ukraine.

Hours after Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko ended a ceasefire and renewed his assault against pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine’s southeast, Putin compared Ukraine to Iraq, Syria and Libya and said that he could not stand by as a nation with close historical ties to Russia was taken over by people he dismissed as “neo-Nazis.”

Putin made no specific commitment to increasing Russia’s involvement in the roiling southeast region of Ukraine, but he indicated that he would blame Poroshenko for any violence in Ukraine going forward. It was a hint that a stretch of conciliatory efforts from the Kremlin after Ukraine’s May 25 presidential election may be at an end.

Poroshenko has “taken up full responsibility for the continuation of this military campaign,” Putin said in a nationally-televised speech to a Moscow gathering of Russia’s ambassadors.

“We in Europe all need a safety net, so the Iraqi, Libyan, Syrian and Ukrainian precedents will not turn into an infectious disease,” Putin said, warning that European countries may be less stable than they appear.

And he suggested that the slow expansion of the NATO defense alliance toward Russia’s borders was a historic threat that had prompted Russia to annex the Crimean peninsula, the centuries-old home to Russia’s Black Sea fleet.

“Everything that Russia has been fighting for since the time of Peter the Great and maybe earlier – the historians will know better – all of that was at risk. And I want everyone to understand. Our country will continue to defend the rights of Russians, our compatriots, abroad and to use our entire arsenal – from political and economic means to the right to self-defense, as provided for in international law.”…

“We will attack and defend our land,” Poroshenko said in the speech…  http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ukraine-forces-press-assault-hours-after-ceasefires-suspension/2014/07/01/f0f313e0-0104-11e4-8572-4b1b969b6322_story.html

Russia has wanted Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia to be part of its Eurasian Union, which officially begins on January 1, 2015 without them. Russia sees Ukraine, etc. as part of its historic territories and believes that the problems are mainly being caused by the West in general, and the USA in particular.

Vladimir Putin seemingly believes it is his job to restore the old Soviet Union and defend certain moral values that are declining in the world.  Yes, he seems to believe that he is to ‘save civilization’ and not just in Russia (see also Putin claimed to be re-establishing ‘Third Holy Roman Empire,’ but that is happening elsewhere).  The West is basically opposed to Russian expansion, but instead wants to chip away against any territory that may be sympathetic to Russia.

Russia is opposed to NATO expansion and wants as much territorial buffers around itself to be more distant from NATO.  One report I saw said Russia blamed USA involvement for Kiev’s current assaults.

The European Union wants to grow and expand, the USA wants it to, and Russia in not pleased.

At this time, not all in Ukraine want to be part of the European Union. Some (mainly in the east) prefer to be in Russia’s upcoming Eurasian Union. The European Union has demonstrated a history and willingness to enlarge–and it is interested in Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia and has signed deals with them (see Ukraine, Moldova, and George sign deals with European Union; Russia not pleased). The USA keeps encouraging all of this, but this will not end well for the USA (cf. Daniel 11:39; Isaiah 10:5-11).

Russia is upset by the developments in Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia and is attempting to plan its next move.  It seemingly believes it has the diplomatic cover to invade again, but seems to be concerned about how it will be dealt with by Europe if it does so. But it may invade anyway.

That being said, I believe that later, even Russia will cooperate with the rising European Beast power for a time (cf. Revelation 13:4,8). Europe is busily making trade and political deals around the world and is attempting to position itself to rise up and rival the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies. And that final European Beast power will succeed for a time.

And the USA?

Many in the world do not trust the USA.  Here is something that was in the news yesterday that a reader sent me:

The Obama administration has achieved a landmark heretofore considered impossible: they are making America’s allies homesick for the administration of George W. Bush. This week, news broke that Poland’s foreign minister was caught on tape earlier this year disparaging the United States. Radek Sikorski bitterly said Warsaw’s ties to Washington were “worthless,” then followed it up with some even saltier language. …

The president’s supreme indifference is among the foremost complaints of our friends; they no longer believe we care enough to help solve their problems. That was the heart of Sikorski’s complaint: that the United States was doing nothing about Russia’s growing threat, was in thrall to the idea of a pivot to Asia at the expense of long-time allies in Europe, and was leaving those countries that support American policies the most exposed. …

People taking great risks to change their countries — people who should be America’s natural allies — feel abandoned. Worse, they feel betrayed by our indifference after the expectations President Obama excited.  http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2014/06/30/why_the_obama_administration_is_making_europe_miss_george_w_bush

What this means is that even relatively close American allies in Europe such as Poland are turning against the USA and are starting to realize that they need to be able to function in a world where the USA does not protect them. This means that many in Europe are concluding that they need their own defenses.  And while some feel this is not feasible, the Europeans are developing technologies and military strategies that will allow them to be a successful warring empire for a time according to Bible prophecy (Revelation 13:4).  This will not end well for the USA and its Anglo-Saxon descended allies (cf. Daniel 11:39).

Despite lack of trust with the USA, Ukraine has decided to push forward and apparently hopes that the USA will give it some type of help against Russia.  Yet, as the USA has said it will not intervene militarily, Russia may decide to push forward and perhaps take some territories that Ukraine now claims.  One or two sections of eastern Ukraine have basically declared their independence from Ukraine, and some (but not all) there would likely welcome Russian military intervention.

War is in the future for Russia as well as the European Union (and is also for the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies).

I have been writing for some time that war is in the future for Ukraine.  We are seeing some of that today.  And while there will be interludes of peace, even more war will come to the Ukrainian region until Jesus returns and the Kingdom of God is established.

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 short video Ukraine in Prophecy?
Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy Is Russia mentioned in the Bible? It it is where is it? Is there any evidence of a people moving to the land that the Russians now occupy? What do Catholic and other prophecies say about Russia? What does the Bible teach? How are Protestants often in error on this? Is there more in biblical prophecy for Russia than war? Does God have a plan to save Russia and her allies? Does Russia have a history involving Sabbath keepers? Does scripture tie Russia in with Armageddon? Will Russia help defeat the end time Babylonian power? What did the Apostle John, and the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel, write about Russia? This is a sermon-length video.
Bible News Prophecy July-Sept. 2014: The Coming Eurasian Union Here is the latest magazine from the Continuing Church of God.  The cover of which shows Vladimir Putin and features an article about the coming Eurasian Union.
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.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
Wars, rumors of wars, and the Apocalypse Jesus foretold a time before the end where there would be wars and rumors of wars. The Apocalypse (the Book of Revelation) warns of the red horseman of war. Now, even secular writers, like Larry Edelson, are worried that wars and rumors of war are the most menacing problem that now haunts the earth? Are they right? What is the solution? This is a sermonette-length video.
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?
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.
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?
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous.
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach?
Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming Beast power use technology to fulfill passages in Revelation 13? What will this mean for the USA, its Anglo-Saxon allies, as well as a coming Arabic-Turkish confederation? What will Russia, China, and others do about this? Who is developing ‘Beast’ military technology now? What might Galileo, ELI, and supercolliders have to do with this?
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?
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.

Thomson Reuters Building (Producer Matthew)

COGwriter

Thomson Reuters is claiming that humankind will solve food shortage and price fluctuation problems by 2025:

June 30, 2014

Thomson Reuters Predicts What the World Will Be Like in 2025

In 2025, genetically modified crops will be grown rapidly and safely indoors, with round-the-clock light, using low-energy LEDs that emit specific wavelengths to enhance growth by matching the crop to growth receptors added to the food’s DNA.Crops will also be bred to be disease resistant. And, they will be bred for high yield at specified wavelengths.

Imaging techniques such as three-dimensional displays coupled with hyperspectral imaging will also be able to provide early detection of mal-developing crops and diseased animal proteins before human consumption.

Because there is reduced risk of crop failure, price fluctuations and food shortages will become things of the past. http://sciencewatch.com/tags/2025

Of course, many are relying on science and technology to solve the problems on the planet.  Yet, some of those same ‘solutions’ contribute to the problem.  I have been of the opinion for many years that genetically-modified crops are putting the USA in particular and the world in general in serious risk of crop failures and food shortages.

Modern food processing practices and transportation seem to be increasing the risk of catastrophic food shortages.  Notice something in the news from a few months ago:

March 3, 2014

In the last 50 years, what’s on dinner plates has grown more similar the world over – with major consequences for human nutrition and global food security, researchers said Monday.

“Diversity enhances the health and function of complex biological systems,” the researchers wrote in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. But, they said, the world of food has become homogeneous, to the point of suggesting a global standard food supply…

More people are relying on “a short list of major food crops,” such as wheat, corn and soy, dairy and meat, the lead researcher, Colin Khoury, said…The lessening of diversity of food crops also makes the food supply more vulnerable to drought, insects or disease, Khoury said, adding that that was a lesson taught by the Irish potato famine of the 1840s. http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-global-food-supply-20140303,0,5664949.story#ixzz2v0QQlv91

Humankind is basically setting itself up for greater risk of pestilences and famines.

The Bible warns of food shortages and pestilences. Nearly 2000 years ago, Jesus taught:

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

We seem to be in the time Jesus called “the beginning of sorrows.”

Notice also the following end time prophecies related to food shortages and price fluctuations:

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.”

7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” 8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.  (Revelation 6:5-8)

The above prophecy will come to pass–those two “horsemen of the Apocalypse” will still ride (see also Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and/or watch the video The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse).  Those predictions have NOT yet been completely fulfilled.  Food shortages and price fluctuations for food are still going to happen.

Human engineered crops (GMOs) are also at a great risk of being destroyed by various pests–and more so than many non-engineered foods. The increased tendency towards monoculture in the food supply is increasing that risk for famine as well–not truly diminishing it.

Now, what about the end of hunger?

That time will come according to the Bible:

16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.  (Revelation 7:16-17)

Yet, that does not happen until after Jesus returns and the Kingdom of God is established.  Those who believe that human efforts will truly solve this are deceiving themselves.

More serious food shortage problems are coming.  Yet, if Jesus does return prior to 2025, which is a possibility see Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?), then food shortages as we have seen them will not be as they have been.

But until Jesus returns, we are subject to food shortages, price fluctuations, and other problems that Thomson Reuters claims humans will be able to solve on their own.

Some items of related interest may include:

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.
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse What do each of the four horseman of the Apocalypse represent? Have they began their ride? Did Jesus discuss the any of this? Might their rides coincide with the “beginning of sorrows? Do they start their ride prior to the Great Tribulation? Did Nostradamus or any other ‘private prophets’ write predictions that may mislead people so that they may not understand the truth of one or more of the four horseman? There is also a related YouTube video titled The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse What is the pale horse of death and pestilences? What will it bring and when? Spanish: El cuarto jinete de Apocalipsis, el caballo pálido de muerte y pestilencia.
GMOs and Bible Prophecy What are GMOs? Since they were not in the food supply until 1994, how could they possibly relate to Bible prophecy? Do GMOs put the USA and others at risk? Here is a related YouTube video GMO Risks and the Bible.
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.
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.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near? A related sermon is titled The Millennium.
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 sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.