Church of God News

Vladimir Putin signing annexation of Crimea documents

COGwriter

Russia continued to defend its annexation of Crimea today and decried sanctions against it:

December 20, 2014

Russia says it has a historic right to Crimea and has dismissed new U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia because of its annexation of the territory.

The Russian foreign ministry said Saturday the sanctions will not force Russia to give up Crimea because Crimea is a “historic and integral part of Russia.”

U.S. President Barack Obama has imposed a wide-ranging trade ban on the Russia-annexed Crimea peninsula through an executive order that bars exports of  key U.S. goods and services and blocks Crimean imports.

A White House statement Friday said the order is “intended to provide U.S. clarity to American corporations doing business in the region.”  The statement also said Obama’s action is intended to demonstrate that Washington “will not accept Russia’s occupation” of Crimea.

Crimea had been a republic in the former Soviet Union but in 1954 was attached to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.  Crimea remained part of Ukraine when that country became independent at the break up of the Soviet Union.

The trade ban includes sanctions on 24 individuals and companies identified as contributing to unrest in eastern Ukraine.  The Russian parliament voted in April to annex the region, despite protests from the European Union and Washington.

The U.S. measures follow similar moves this week by the European Union and Canada. …

Obama said the legislation, known as the Ukraine Freedom Support Act, gives his administration additional flexibility to impose new measures against Moscow, “if circumstances warranted.”

The law also authorizes $350 million in lethal and non-lethal military aid to Ukraine, including anti-tank weaponry, munitions and surveillance drones.

The Russian Foreign Ministry, in a statement Friday, described Moscow as “deeply disappointed” in the U.S. law, calling it “unacceptable and provocative.”  http://www.voanews.com/content/russia-dismissess-new-us-sanctions/2567070.html

December 20, 2014

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday that his country would not back down from “supporting compatriots” in Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Moscow this year despite widespread Western protests. …

Putin has remained defiant in the face of the sanctions and a looming recession triggered by falling oil prices and a 40 percent drop in the value of the ruble. On Saturday, as the economic crisis deepened, Putin urged Russians to prepare “to undergo certain difficulties” in the days and months ahead. …

Crimea had been a republic in the former Soviet Union but in 1954 was attached to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. Crimea remained part of Ukraine when that country became independent at the breakup of the Soviet Union. …

The Kyiv government, the European Union and the United States accuse Moscow of stoking violence in Ukraine and arming pro-Russian separatists seeking autonomy near the Russian border.

Moscow denies arming rebels and insists it annexed Crimea in March only after a referendum showed most Crimeans wanted to become a part of Russia. http://www.voanews.com/content/russia-dismissess-new-us-sanctions/2567070.html

As far as Russia is concerned, the USA providing funding and military assistance to Ukraine may well provoke it to become more open about its support for the separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Notice also something related to some of this and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin from a couple of days ago:

December 18, 2014

MOSCOW (AP) — Sternly warning the West it cannot defang the metaphorical Russian bear, a confident-looking President Vladimir Putin promised Thursday to shore up the plummeting ruble and revive the economy within two years.

While he issued a litany of sharp rebukes against the West, Putin struck a conciliatory note on Ukraine, saying that the rebellious east should remain part of the country, backing a quick exchange of war prisoners and praising his Ukrainian counterpart.

The mixture of blistering anti-Western rhetoric and constructive signals appeared to indicate that Putin is eager to negotiate a face-saving solution to the Ukrainian crisis, but has no intention of conceding defeat in his standoff with the West.

In his first public appearance since the crash of the ruble’s value this week, Putin accepted responsibility for the economic crisis.

He said Western sanctions accounted for at least 25 percent of the ruble’s fall, but the main reason was Russia’s failure to ease its overwhelming dependence on oil and gas exports.  http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2014/12/18/putin-russian-economy-will-recover

December 18, 2014

MOSCOW — The West wants to declaw the bear.

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the U.S. and Europe trying to infringe on Russia’s sovereignty — and he used a bizarre bear metaphor to explain himself.

“Sometimes I think, maybe they’ll let the bear eat berries and honey in the forest, maybe they will leave it in peace,” said Putin, referring to Russia’s famed symbol. “They will not. Because they will always try to put him on a chain, and as soon as they succeed in doing so they tear out his fangs and his claws.”

He spelled out his metaphor, saying that by fangs and claws he means Russia’s nuclear weapons.

“Once they’ve taken out his claws and his fangs, then the bear is no longer necessary. He’ll become a stuffed animal,” he said.  http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/putin-claims-u-s-europe-sanctions-declaw-russia-article-1.2049510

Vladmir Putin does not want the Russian bear declawed.  Based on his prior statements, I suspect that Vladimir Putin considers Ukraine “Russia’s spiritual ground.”  He wants all of Ukraine if possible and has no intention of ever giving up Crimea.

The sanctions, increasing the sanctions, and other actions by the West could well be a pretense he will use for more military action from Russia.

The records of history indicate that some of the ‘Medes’ dwell in Russia as well as in Ukraine and other parts of the east. Despite current circumstances, the time will come that those that are  ‘kings of the Medes’ will determine that the power in Europe is not one that they wish to be part of.

Notice that the ‘kings of the Medes’ will one day turn against the final end time Babylon power, which will be based in Europe:

1 The burden against Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw…

17 “Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them,
Who will not regard silver;
And as for gold, they will not delight in it.
18 Also their bows will dash the young men to pieces,
And they will have no pity on the fruit of the womb;
Their eye will not spare children.
19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms,
The beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride,
Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. (Isaiah 13:1, 17-19)

11 Make the arrows bright!
Gather the shields!
The Lord has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes.
For His plan is against Babylon to destroy it,
Because it is the vengeance of the Lord,
The vengeance for His temple. (Jeremiah 51:11)

This will ultimately not end well for Europe, but is not to occur until nearly 3 1/2 years after the start of the Great Tribulation.  Notice that this will involve a people from the north (Russia is the only major power north of much of Europe):

50:41 “Behold, a people shall come from the north,
And a great nation and many kings
Shall be raised up from the ends of the earth.
42 They shall hold the bow and the lance;
They are cruel and shall not show mercy.
Their voice shall roar like the sea;
They shall ride on horses,
Set in array, like a man for the battle,
Against you, O daughter of Babylon.

43 “The king of Babylon has heard the report about them,
And his hands grow feeble;
Anguish has taken hold of him,
Pangs as of a woman in childbirth…”(Jeremiah 50:41-43).

8 O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed,
Happy the one who repays you as you have served us!
9 Happy the one who takes and dashes
Your little ones against the rock! (Psalms 137:8-9)

What will Russia now do?

That will depend on how Russia perceives its actions will affect it in the long run.  In the long-run, the ‘kings of the Medes’ will align together with Russia.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? There is also a video sermon available: Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy and a video sermonette available: 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?
Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fulfilled? A related video is available titled Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now?
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?
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?
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?
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? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
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. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2015? When will the Great Tribulation begin? Can it begin in 2015 as some have indicated? What are the biblical requirements that precede the Great Tribulation? What did Jesus teach would happen prior to the Great Tribulation. Are there definite clues in the Book of Daniel that Christians should look out for? Is there a King of the North or a King of the South yet? Where does the ‘prince’ of Daniel 9:26-27 come from?  What about ‘blood moons’?  Dr. Thiel videoed this on the Mount of Olives where Jesus specifically discussed events leading up to the Great Tribulation in Matthew 24.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2015, 2016, or 2017? 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 2014 o 2015? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
Prophecy Obama: Prophecies of Barack Obama? Reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and 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?  Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies. Watch also the YouTube Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.

Barack Obama Official Whitehouse Photograph

COGwriter

Barack Obama claimed to have had major successes in 2014:

December 20, 2014

WASHINGTON • President Barack Obama said Friday that 2014 had been “a breakthrough year for America,” putting aside the fits and starts of the past 12 months to focus on achievements and the prospect of compromise with his political foes who are taking control of Congress. …

The news conference came at the end of what Obama titled his “Year of Action,” one in which Congress failed to take up most of his agenda and he turned to looking for ways to act on his own. http://www.stltoday.com/news/national/obama-declares-a-breakthrough-year-for-america/article_5239b1d0-9ac2-578e-adc5-72e3fe415518.html

December 20, 2014

The U.S. has a chance to “reverse the decades-long erosion of middle-class jobs and incomes” now that the economy is undergoing a “resurgence,” President Obama argued Saturday in his weekend address. …

Obama said. “But as a country, we have every right to be proud of what we’ve got to show for it.  More jobs.  More insured.  A growing economy.  Shrinking deficits.  Bustling industry.  Booming energy.”  http://thehill.com/policy/finance/227768-obama-touts-us-resurgence

I heard a report on the radio yesterday that essentially contradicted Barack Obama’s claim about the erosion of the ‘middle class’ as well as unemployment numbers. I would also add that the deficits have gone up more under the Obama Administration than any in USA history as the admitted federal deficit exceeds USD$18 trillion.  The USA is now the most indebted nation in the history of humanity. The Bible teaches this will end in destruction and takeover (Habakkuk 2:6-8).

On some of Barack Obama’s other points, let’s just say that he took several steps opposing certain growth in the energy and industrial sectors of the economy, thus it was mainly factors outside of his administration that are factors here for the success he is alluding to.

But I would like to mention four of the ‘breakthroughs’ that occurred in 2014 related to the Obama Administration.

The first to mention is that because of Barack Obama’s early decisions to not enforce the Defense of Marriage Act, combined with his insistence that the US military allow openly homosexuals to be part of it, he set the stage for the horrific (and in my opinion unconstitutional) reversal of anti-homosexual marriage laws by many courts throughout the land.

Notice what the Bible actually teaches:

22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination. 23 Nor shall you mate with any animal, to defile yourself with it. Nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it. It is perversion.

24 ‘Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you. 25 For the land is defiled; therefore I visit the punishment of its iniquity upon it, and the land vomits out its inhabitants. 26 You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations, either any of your own nation or any stranger who dwells among you 27 (for all these abominations the men of the land have done, who were before you, and thus the land is defiled), 28 lest the land vomit you out also when you defile it, as it vomited out the nations that were before you. 29 For whoever commits any of these abominations, the persons who commit them shall be cut off from among their people. (Leviticus 18:22-29)

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

In the USA and elsewhere, the way the supporters of the homosexual agenda talk, homosexual marriage is all supposedly about fairness, love, and equality. The reality is that this is about morality, society, disease, and protection of children. Sexual immorality has been shown to be harmful, and according to the Bible it is sinful.

Biblically, a marriage exist as a relationship between a man and woman as God intended (Matthew 19:3-6). But, many in the USA, including its President, do not really care what the Bible teaches. And this is dangerous and will lead to destruction (cf. Romans 1:18-32).

A second ‘breakthrough’ had to do with marijuana. On February 14, 2014 it was reported that the Obama Administration issued new rules to allow marijuana dealers to be able to get banks to do business with them (see Obama Administration relaxes financial restrictions for marijuana sellers).  This, then encouraged the rise of the marijuana industry in the USA.

Marijuana is not healthy to smoke and getting high is not good for a nation.  Even California Governor Jerry Brown declared:

“How many people can get stoned and still have a great state or a great nation?” Brown asked, expressing some skepticism about legalization. “The world’s pretty dangerous, very competitive. I think we need to stay alert, if not 24 hours a day, more than some of the potheads might be able to put together. “

Despite the wisdom of Jerry Brown’s statements, the Obama Administration took another direction.

A third ‘breakthrough’ was an escalation of the espionage crisis between the USA and Germany.  Notice a couple of items:

July 13, 2014

It was in Berlin in 2008 that then Senator Obama unveiled his global promise – an America that could once again be trusted. Germans no longer believe it. In the wake of the “friendly spying” ring allegations, less than 40 per cent of Germans consider the US a trustworthy partner, according to one survey.  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f0776136-08ee-11e4-9d3c-00144feab7de.html

July 14, 2014

In trampling on German civil liberties, the Obama administration is besmirching America’s image and allowing Germans to feel morally superior to their former conqueror.

If Obama is unable to rein in spying on Germany, he may discover that he is helping to convert it from an ally into an adversary. For Obama to say auf Wiedersehen to a longtime ally would deliver a blow to American national security that no amount of secret information could possibly justify. http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-heilbrunn-u-s–germany-relations-20140711-story.html

The Obama Administration’s handling of all of this has helped turn Germany from an ally to one who will become a conquering enemy (Isaiah 10:5-11).

In an apparent attempt to placate, the Obama Administration placed a German general over the entire US Army in Europe (see German general now commands the US Army in Europe).  In August 2014, the Obama Administration placed a German general, Brig. Gen. Markus Laubenthal (formerly commander of the 12th Armored Brigade in Amberg and chief of staff for the international security assistance force regional command north in Afghanistan), the chief of staff for U.S. Army Europe. This means that the Europeans will have much more control over the military over the USA than most have imagined.

A fourth ‘breakthrough’ had to do with the handling of the Ebola crisis.  While many in the West consider it to be mainly an African problem, the reality is that how the Obama Administration handled it has set a precedent. Basically, although the Bible tends to advise quarantine (Leviticus 13, 14), Obama Administration officials often rejected that.  Although Ebola, as I correctly stated, did not become a major pestilence for the USA, pestilences will come (Matthew 24:4-8) and the improper ‘breakthrough’ for Ebola may be a factor in the spread of one or more in the future.

The Bible warns about leaders who go the wrong direction:

12 As for My people, children are their oppressors, And women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths.” (Isaiah 3:12)

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

2014 was not a morally appropriate ‘breakthrough year’ for the USA.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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?
Market Collapse then New World Order in 2015? This is a video. A long-time financial adviser named Harvey Organ claims that claims that because of insufficient gold in the central banks of USA and UK, that Shanghai would bring about exposing this and that this would lead to a massive, overnight, rise in the price of gold and silver, diminished value of their currencies. He states a market collapse will occur before the end of 2014, that the petroyuan will replace the petrodollar, and that a Chinese led New World Order will be in place for 2015. Is this possible? Where does the leader of the ‘New World Order’ come from? What does the Bible teach?
Project Prophecy: Economic Collapse Starting in 2015? Jim Rickards once worked for the CIA and also was once part of a a USA government program called called ‘Project Prophecy.’ He has a video were he claims that starting in 2015, the USA may have economic collapse resulting in a 25-Year Great Depression. He mainly cites debt figures and claims advises alternatives to the USA dollar which he says will collapse? What did Rand Paul state? Can the USA dollar collapse?
Cross-dressing and other assaults against your children.  What should you do? Is there an agenda to turn your children and/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on?  There is also a YouTube video on this, titled Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children.
The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality?  Can homosexuals change?
Marijuana: Should a Christian Get High? There is increasing acceptance of the use of marijuana. How should Christians view this? Here is a related video titled How Should a Christian View Marijuana?
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people? Here is a link to a video Is the USA Pushing Germany to Start WWIII?
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?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2015, 2016, or 2017? 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 2014 o 2015? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2015? When will the Great Tribulation begin? Can it begin in 2015 as some have indicated? What are the biblical requirements that precede the Great Tribulation? What did Jesus teach would happen prior to the Great Tribulation. Are there definite clues in the Book of Daniel that Christians should look out for? Is there a King of the North or a King of the South yet? Where does the ‘prince’ of Daniel 9:26-27 come from? What about ‘blood moons’? Dr. Thiel videoed this on the Mount of Olives where Jesus specifically discussed events leading up to the Great Tribulation in Matthew 24.
Can those in the USA/UK see the Handwriting on the Wall? Is everything fine in the USA/UK or is it like the days of Noah? Can we learn from the handwriting that appeared on a wall thousands of years ago? Here is a link to a related YouTube video Can you see the ‘Handwriting on the Wall’?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin?
Hillary Clinton in Prophecy Prophecy, Hillary Clinton? Are there prophecies that Hillary Clinton may fulfill? Are there any prophecies that she has already helped fulfill? Could Hillary Clinton be apocalyptic? Could Hillary Clinton be the final Antichrist?
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.
Prophecy Obama: Prophecies of Barack Obama? Reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and 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?  Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies. Watch also the YouTube Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.

‘Christmas Wreath’ in UK (Richard Croft)

COGwriter

The Continuing Church of God is pleased to announce its recommended sermon this week from its ContinuingCOG channel:

Was December 25th observed by early Christians?  Since that date does not come from the Bible, where did it come from?  Whose birthday do Catholic and other scholars teach occurred on December 25th?  Is December 25th a date that real Christians should observe?  When was it first observed in Rome and Constantinople?  When did the term ‘Christmas” begin to appear?

Download MP3
http://tinyurl.com/lnjqpw2

A written article of related interest is titled What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days?

Here is a link to the video sermon: What do Catholic and other scholars teach about Christmas?

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Was Jesus Born in the Grotto of the Nativity? Was Jesus born in a below ground cave? Was Jesus born below the “Church of the Nativity”? Were the wise men there?
How did December 25th become Christmas? Was Jesus born then? If not, why December 25? Here is the article translated into Mandarin Chinese 12月25日最后是怎么被许多基督的信仰者采纳的.
Is Keeping Christmas a Sin? Is keeping Christmas acceptable for true Christians? What are some scriptures to consider?
What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them? Is December 25th Jesus’ birthday or that of the sun god? Here is a link to a related sermon: What do Catholic and other scholars teach about Christmas?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations?
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from c. 31 A.D. to 2014. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries. Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God. To see how CCOG has done so far, here is a sermon Continuing Church of God (CCOG) first year anniversary: What has been accomplished? Here is a written link to a version of that sermon in the Spanish language: Aniversario del primer año de la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios: ¿Qué se ha cumplido?
CCOG.ASIA We in the Continuing Church of God also have the url www.ccog.asia which has a focus on Asia and has various articles in Mandarin Chinese as well as some in English, plus some items in other Asian languages. 我们在继续神的教会也提供此网址 www.ccog.asia, 关注于亚洲并且有各种各样的中英文文章，其中一些用菲律宾语翻译的文章也正在进行中，准备添加到这个网站中。 Here is a link to our Statement of Beliefs in Mandarin Chinese 继续神的教会的信仰声明.
CCOG.IN This is a website targeted towards those of Indian heritage. It has a link to an edited Hindi translation of The Mystery of the Ages and is expected to have more non-English language materials in the future.
CCOG.EU This is a website targeted toward Europe. It has materials in more than one language (currently it has English, Dutch, and Serbian, with links also to Spanish) and it is intended to have additional language materials added.
CDLIDD.ES La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. This is the Spanish language website for the Continuing Church of God.
PNIND.PH Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos. This is the Philippines website Continuing Church of God. It has information in English and Tagalog.
Paglalahad ng Mga Paniniwala ng Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos This is the Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God in Tagalog, the primary language of the Philippines.
Bible News Prophecy online radio. This is an audio version of the Bible News Prophecy videos as well as some ContinuingCOG channel sermons. It is also available as a mobile app.
ContinuingCOG channel. Dr. Thiel has produced scores of 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 USA reported that it has 85% less nuclear weapons than it did at the height of the Cold War and it hopes to make further reductions:

State Dept: U.S. Nukes Down 85%, From 31,255 to 4,804

Dec 19, 2014

The State Department’s Rose Gottemoeller, under secretary for arms control and international security, spoke at the Brookings Institution Thursday where she reaffirmed the United States’ “unassailable” commitment to putting the nuclear weapons genie back in the bottle. Gottemoeller told the attendees at the Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Initiative-sponsored event that “the U.S. commitment to achieving the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons is unassailable.”

She went on to note that the nation’s stockpile of active weapons is down 85 percent from maximum cold war levels, falling to 4,804 in 2013 from a high of 31,255. But, she said, “We still have more work to do.”

According to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, which is put out by the Federation of American Scientists, Russia has about the same number of active weapons now as the U.S., and both countries have several thousand more warheads awaiting deactivation. Due to security concerns governments are reluctant to divulge exact numbers, but it’s generally believed that most of the older nuclear powers (U.S., Russia, the UK, and France) have reportedly been gradually declining their stockpiles. Israel, never publicly acknowledging its possession of nuclear weapons, is believed to be holding steady on its stockpile. China, India, and Pakistan, on the other hand, are all still believed to be gradually increasing their numbers. The exact status of North Korea’s nuclear program and stockpile of weapons remains unknown. http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/state-dept-us-nukes-down-85-31255-4804_821888.html

The less nuclear weapons the USA has, the weaker it is in comparison to most other nations. But it appears that the USA has less nuclear weapons than the announcement as it likely is counting nuclear missiles in Europe that are under European control.

Notice something from Time:

It is Europe’s dirty secret that the list of nuclear-capable countries extends beyond those that have built their own weapons — Britain, France and Russia. The truth is that Belgium, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands store nuclear bombs on their air-force bases and have planes capable of delivering them. There are an estimated 200 B-61 thermonuclear-gravity bombs scattered across these four countries. Under a NATO agreement struck during the Cold War, the bombs, which are owned by the U.S., can be transferred to the control of a host nation’s air force in time of conflict. Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Dutch, Belgian, Italian and German pilots remain ready to engage in nuclear war. (Harrall E. What to Do About Europe’s Secret Nukes . Time, January 4, 2010. http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1943799,00.html, viewed 05/09/14)

The amount of nuclear weapons seems to be higher than the Time article indicated:

The US has supplied some 480 B61 thermonuclear bombs to five so-called “non-nuclear states”, including Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey. Casually disregarded by the Vienna based UN Nuclear Watchdog (IAEA), the US has actively contributed to the proliferation of nuclear weapons in Western Europe…

Among the five “undeclared nuclear states”, “Germany remains the most heavily nuclearized country with three nuclear bases (two of which are fully operational) and may store as many as 150 [B61 bunker buster ] bombs” (Ibid). In accordance with “NATO strike plans” (mentioned above) these tactical nuclear weapons are also targeted at the Middle East.

While Germany is not categorized officially as a nuclear power, it produces nuclear warheads for the French Navy. It stockpiles nuclear warheads (made in America) and it has the capabilities of delivering nuclear weapons. Moreover, The European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company – EADS , a Franco-German-Spanish joint venture, controlled by Deutsche Aerospace and the powerful Daimler Group is Europe’s second largest military producer, supplying .France’s M51 nuclear missile.

Germany imports and deploys nuclear weapons from the US. It also produces nuclear warheads which are exported to France. Yet it is classified as a non-nuclear state. (Chassudovsky M. Belgium or Iran, Where’s The Nuclear Threat? Europe’s Five “Undeclared Nuclear Weapons States” Are Turkey, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands and Italy Nuclear Powers? Global Research, February 12, 2010, updated March 21, 2013. http://www.globalresearch.ca/europe-s-five-undeclared-nuclear-weapons-states/17550 viewed 5/11/14)

The reality is that if Europe chooses to turn against the USA, it has the nuclear ability to do so pretty much any time. It may be of interest to note that Europe was probably about the same number of nuclear weapons that it has been speculated that the Obama Administration wants the USA might reduce its own arsenal down to. Presuming Europe gets to keep those that it already has, if the USA does greatly reduce its arsenal, this will mean that the USA will not have a massive nuclear advantage over Europe.

Interestingly, the late Herbert W. Armstrong claimed that the Great Tribulation would begin with a nuclear attack against the UK and/or USA and then Canada. Notice:

That will be a time when the UNITED Europe shall appear–the revival of the medieval “Holy Roman Empire.” We shall then be warned, and readied to be taken to a place of refuge and safety from the Great Tribulation. Forty-five days later “the beasts armies” will surround Jerusalem. Thirty days later the Great Tribulation will probably start with a nuclear attack on London and Britain–and possibly the same day or immediately after, on the United States and Canadian cities. The GREAT TRIBULATION, we shall fully then realize, is the time of “Jacob’s Trouble,” spoken of in Jeremiah 30:7. And Jacob’s name was named on Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen. 48:16). At that time a third of the people in our nations will die, or shall have died, by famine and disease epidemics; another third will dies of the war–our cities being destroyed (Ezek. 6:6), and the remaining third will be carried to the land of our enemies as slaves (Ezek. 5:12). Armstrong HW. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General’s Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979, Page 2).

The reality is that if Europe chooses to turn against the USA, it has the nuclear ability to do so pretty much any time. It may be of interest to note that Europe was probably about the same number of nuclear weapons that it has been speculated that the Obama Administration wants the USA might reduce its own arsenal down to. Presuming Europe gets to keep those that it already has, if the USA does greatly reduce its arsenal, this will mean that the USA will not have a massive nuclear advantage over Europe.

Of course, some believe that despite WWI, WWII, and previous massive wars, that Europe would never start WWIII, this overlooks a biblical prophecy:

5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. 6 I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.

8 For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings? 9 Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus? 10 As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria; 11 Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols? (Isaiah 10:5-11, KJV)

The USA is sometimes prophetically referred to as Samaria in biblical prophecy. So, even though Europe (referred to as Assyria above) does not seem to wish to do this (Isaiah 10:7), according to biblical prophecy it will come to pass.

Notice two more prophecies:

39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain. (Daniel 11:39)

4… and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”  (Revelation 13:4)

In the first a European king of the North power (the one called “he” in Daniel 11:39) successfully defeats the one with the strongest military fortresses (which would be the USA and its Anglo-Saxon descended allies in the 21st century.  In the second, the world marvels that the European Beast power could do this.

As the USA winds down some of its military advantages, others will pick up some of the slack.  And the Europeans are getting stronger, relatively speaking to the USA almost every time the USA decommissions a nuclear warhead.

Events for the fulfillment of biblical prophecies in Isaiah 10:5-11, Daniel 11:39, and Revelation 13:4 are moving ahead.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
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? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
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.
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?
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? The Book of Revelation tells of a beast power that will rise up. Some think that this must be Russia or could be Islamic, while others say that this power is European. The Book of Daniel tells of the rise of an end time King of the North that some think must be referring to a Russian leader, while others say that this power is European. How can you be sure? This YouTube video has all the scriptural proofs that you should need to prove that this power must be a European one.
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?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2015? When will the Great Tribulation begin? Can it begin in 2015 as some have indicated? What are the biblical requirements that precede the Great Tribulation? What did Jesus teach would happen prior to the Great Tribulation. Are there definite clues in the Book of Daniel that Christians should look out for? Is there a King of the North or a King of the South yet? Where does the ‘prince’ of Daniel 9:26-27 come from?  What about ‘blood moons’?  Dr. Thiel videoed this on the Mount of Olives where Jesus specifically discussed events leading up to the Great Tribulation in Matthew 24.  A written article of related interest is titled: When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2015, 2016, or 2017?
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.
Can those in the USA/UK see the Handwriting on the Wall? Is everything fine in the USA/UK or is it like the days of Noah? Can we learn from the handwriting that appeared on a wall thousands of years ago? Here is a link to a related YouTube video Can you see the ‘Handwriting on the Wall’?
The Snowden Leaks are Leading to the Destruction of the USA Can what happened with the leaks of what the NSA has done help the USA to be taken over? What does the Bible teach that seems to be related to this? Here is a related YouTube video titled Are the Snowden NSA leaks leading to the destruction of the USA?
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.

Ecumenical Service

COGwriter

The Vatican is pushing forward with its inter-faith and ecumenical plans, while it acknowledges that there are obstacles:

December 19, 2014

Vatican City – The president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue believes the Pope’s actions promoting interreligious dialogue in Turkey were both simple and clear. …

When asked for his reaction to the Pope’s visit to Turkey, he noted it was “very significant” for him personally, especially being responsible for interreligious dialogue.

“I think the Pope has been very clear. Simple and clear,” he said.

“What is important to make people understand,” he said, “is that we cannot be happy the one without the others. And never the one against the others.”

Responding to how dialogue with Muslims was promoted during the visit, the French cardinal stressed, “There was dialogue, but it’s very discreet, I should say.”

“Because there’s a tiny Christian community,” he noted, the dialogue is not as obvious, but it still exists. “It’s just not as elaborated like in Europe or the Middle East.”

He said Pope Francis having met with the Chief Rabbi in Turkey could be seen as increased interreligious dialogue with Jews. However, he added that even with the Pope’s efforts, “It’s not easy to make the three monotheistic religions be in dialogue.”  http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/cardinal-tauran-we-cannot-be-happy-one-without-against-the-others

December 18, 2014
Pope Francis says that despite open questions in ecumenical dialogue, Christians should not resign themselves to a lack of unity and should instead “concentrate on the next step possible.”

The Pope said this today in an address to representatives of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Germany and the Ecumenical Commission of the German Bishops’ Conference during their ecumenical visit to Rome.

The Pope reminded them that the common goal is unity and we shouldn’t let theological differences halt the “common ecumenical journey” taking place.

“Let us not forget that, together, we are following a path of friendship, of mutual esteem and of theological research, a path that makes us look to the future full of hope,” the Pope underscored.

The official dialogue between Lutherans and Catholics, after almost 50 years of intensive work, Francis noted, has achieved remarkable progress. …

The Pope acknowledged that “the common objective of the full and visible unity of Christians sometimes seems to be distant due to the different interpretations, within the dialogue, on what the Church is and her unity.” …

“Ecumenical dialogue can no longer be separated from the reality and the life of our Churches.,” he said, noting both religions should be encouraged to, with God and the Spirit’s help, “further steps towards unity and not to limit ourselves simply to what we have already achieved.” http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-on-ecumenism-despite-what-s-unresolved-let-s-focus-on-next-steps

The type of ecumenical and inter-faith plans that the Vatican is working on WILL NOT RESULT THE TYPE OF UNITY THAT THE BIBLE ENDORSES.  The reality is that TRUTH is being discarded when it is not considered to be politically-expedient.

The Lutherans and Catholic have resolved many of their differences, ignored some of their own histories, and are poised for greater unity.  Such unity will happen, but it is not endorsed by the Bible.  Those who do not have the ‘love of the truth’ are prophesied to accept it when certain events occur:

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)

When the events predicted above come to pass, some will erroneously claim that it is because of God’s Spirit that certain signs are occurring and that God blesses that type of unity.  Some may fall for apparitions claimed to be Mary or other such lying wonders (see Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions).

But those who fall for this movement will be in error.

The Bible is clear that a group of churches, led by one from the city of seven hills, is to be avoided and will end in disaster (Revelation 17:1-10,18).

The Bible does not teach that Christians will have the type of unity that the Vatican claim to want UNTIL AFTER THE FALL OF BABYLON (Zechariah 2:12-16).

The Bible tells that the ecumenical/inter-faith movement will also end in destruction (Revelation 18 & 19). This is not something that Catholics or the Eastern Orthodox should want (see also Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox?).

Only the return of Jesus Christ and the millennial kingdom will bring the true type of unity that the world needs. The Vatican is pushing for a type of unity that will end in disaster according to the Bible.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.
Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! What is going on in the Protestant world? Are Protestants turning back to their ‘mother church’ in Rome? Does the Bible warn about this? What are Catholic plans and prophecies related to this? Is Protestantism doomed? watch the video Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware! and World Council of Churches Peace Plan.
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics Unity between these groups will put them in position to be part of the final end time Babylon that the Bible warns against as well as require improper compromise.
United Nations: Humankind’s Last Hope or New World Order? Is the UN the last hope for humanity? Or might its goals end up with sinister results? A related video would be United Nations and Vatican Are Planning the New World Order.
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. Here is a link to a sermon video: Why Learn About Fatima?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2015, 2016, or 2017? 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 2014 o 2015? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
Could Pope Francis be the Last Pope and Antichrist? Former Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is now Pope Francis. According to some interpretations of the prophecies of the popes by the Catholic saint and Bishop Malachy, Pope Francis is in the position of “Peter the Roman,” the pontiff who reigns during tribulations until around the time of the destruction of Rome. Do biblical prophecies warn of someone that sounds like Peter the Roman? Could Francis be the heretical antipope of Catholic private prophecies and the final Antichrist of Bible prophecy? Could a Jesuit be “the black pope”?
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?
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from c. 31 A.D. to 2014. A related sermon link would be Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios.

UCG’s Logo for Beyond Today

COGwriter

The United Church of God (UCG) announced that it is dropping the ‘Good News’ title and replacing it:

December 18, 2014

In this new Inside United Podcast, United Church of God president, Victor Kubik, talks about the Church’s proclamation efforts and the recent approval by the Council of Elders to change the title of The Good News magazine to the Beyond Today magazine.

Here are some reports from UCG’s Council of Elders’ meetings:

Victor Kubik gave a presentation to the Council on behalf of the administration to discuss how to consolidate and simplify our media identity in a manner that increases audience awareness of the benefits of God’s way, the gospel message and the Church. This would include a name change for The Good News magazine as part of this process. It would also include assessing how all of our media products can become more recognizable with one identity for quicker identification by the public we are reaching. It would be more than just a name change, but it would include changing The Good News magazine to Beyond Today.

…….

Peter Eddington addressed some concern for the low circulation of The Good News. He commented that the 2014-15 media budget didn’t include funds for print advertising, so the proposal before the Council for the purpose of increasing magazine circulation was to approve $150,000 to mail card pack direct mail advertising to 10.7 million households. It is expected that an additional 53,000 Good News subscribers will be added as a result of the card pack mailing. The cost of fulfilling those additional subscriptions is less than $100,000, bringing the total amount of the project to a maximum of $250,000.

Much discussion followed concerning the proposal. Victor Kubik commented that this should be looked at as an investment in our future. John Elliott asked if perhaps it would be best to delay this initiative until after the transition of The Good News to Beyond Today. To that, Mr. Eddington replied that waiting would put us six months to a year behind in adding subscribers.

Rex Sexton asked if this was the most efficient use of our money to increase circulation.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Attending the Church of Choice This article discusses whose choice is important to worship God; should you attend the church of your choice or the church of God’s choice?
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it? Here is a related article in the Spanish language: Unidad: ¿Cuál Iglesia de Dios para usted?
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from two of the largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
Concerns about Church of God, a Worldwide Association Known as COGWA, this is the largest group that came out of the United Church of God.  Here is some history and concerns about it. UCG’s former president Clyde Kilough and UK CEO Peter Hawkins are part of it.
Concerns about Church of God, a Worldwide Association Known as COGWA, this seems to be the largest group that came out of the United Church of God. Here is some history and concerns about it. UCG’s former president Clyde Kilough and UK CEO Pater Hawkins are part of it.
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from c. 31 A.D. to 2014. A related sermon link would be Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from lower level leaders? A related sermon is available titled Priority of the Philadelphia Work.
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 teaches “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come ” will be fulfilled and RCG is not the group doing this. Who is leading the final phase of the work? What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets? Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set? What is the proof? What has the Continuing Church of God been doing?  This is a sermonette length video.
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.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots.  They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent.

Solis Invicti coin (Jastrow)

COGwriter

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

Why December 25?

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

By Elesha Coffman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

17 Therefore

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

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

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

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

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

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, did Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority? Statements from him changing and/or discounting 18 books of the Bible are included. Do you really want to know the truth?
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differ from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the genuine Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example? Here is a related sermon video: Martin Luther and Herbert Armstrong: Reformers with Differences.
Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they? A related sermon is titled Tradition and Scripture.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. December 25th was celebrated as his birthday. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity?
Was Jesus Born in the Grotto of the Nativity? Was Jesus born in a below ground cave? Was Jesus born below the “Church of the Nativity”? Were the wise men there?
How did December 25th become Christmas? Was Jesus born then? If not, why December 25? Here is the article translated into Mandarin Chinese 12月25日最后是怎么被许多基督的信仰者采纳的.
Is Keeping Christmas a Sin? Is keeping Christmas acceptable for true Christians? What are some scriptures to consider?
What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them? Is December 25th Jesus’ birthday or that of the sun god? Here is a link to a sermon titled What do Catholic and other scholars teach about Christmas?
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
Early Church History: Who Were the Two Major Groups Professed Christ in the Second and Third Centuries? Did you know that many in the second and third centuries felt that there were two major, and separate, professing Christian groups in the second century, but that those in the majority churches tend to now blend the groups together and claim “saints” from both? “Saints” that condemn some of their current beliefs. Who are the two groups?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from c. 31 A.D. to 2014. A related sermon link would be Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios.
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church?

Some attendees at the CCOG youth camp in Kenya

COGwriter

Pastor Evans Ochieng of the Continuing Church of God sent the following:

It is of great joy and happiness to report that the Continuing Church of God is not only making progress towards the Everlasting Kingdom with only the old but pushing and training everyone together so that all could know and love to walk even as Christ walked.

This was portrayed by having a youth camp to teach and train the youths to believe and walk the way of Christ. As we all know that we are truly living in a very deceived world with no hope and no help but to us who believe in God, we must have hope and believe that our help comes from the Lord. It by having such a youth camp as the one we had this year in Kenya that we can also make the young to also know God and have hope in God.  Psalm 105:1 “ Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his Name; make known His deeds among the people”

The Continuing Church Of God is trying to have everyone whoever old of young to know God and live with Christ in this deceived world and to help everyone know how to call upon God’s name: all our help comes from Him.

It has been very clear to our understanding that the Continuing Church Of God is truly fulfilling Matthew 28:19 and also Matthew 24:14  And I want to call upon everyone to; Isaiah 55:6 “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near”

The youth camp was wonderful and everyone who came enjoyed being at the camp. It started on Thursday and ended on Tuesday and was attended by 71 youths five pastors and two cooks . There was great joy as the youths were singing songs of praise to the Lord, giving and reading verse and having the opportunity to learn from each other and also uniting to walk closer to our savior Jesus Christ. They learned new things amongst them and they truly saw the need and the importance of the young camp.

It was indeed wonderful and even the elders who had the opportunity to attend as Bartholomew Otieno, Charles Osutwa, Charles Arton, Ezekiel, among others did not only teach and train the youths but they also learned from the very inspiring Dramas and sermons from the youths. And we hope God willing the youth camp should be yearly to help the young know how to live with Christ in this deceived world.

And let us all know; Isaiah 60:19 “ The sun shall be no more, thy light by day neither for brightness shall the moon give light upon thee  but the Lord shall be upon thee everlasting light and thy God thy Glory”

I would indeed thank everyone who made it Physical and spirituallypossible to have the youth camp 2014 in Kenya. May God sincerely bless you …

Evans

The camp was held December 12th to 16th 2014.  This is the first youth camp that the Continuing Church of God has been directly involved with.

Teaching our youth is important.

The Bible says:

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. (Deuteronomy 6:4-7)

6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

Notice that you are to teach your children to love God. There is also another related commandment:

39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39)

31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. (Luke 6:31)

Children who love God and properly love their neighbor are much less likely to get involved in certain inappropriate behaviors.

A youth camp gives another way to teach God’s truths and His way of life to His children.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Five Rules for Effective Parenting Do you know that there are five simple rules that can make you a more effective parent? Here is a link to a version in Mandarin Chinese 五条简单有效的子女养育规则. There is also a 12 1/2 minute English language YouTube video on this, also titled Five Rules for Effective Parenting.
What Psychologists do not Know About Child Rearing This is an article by Herbert Armstrong that was used as the introduction to the pdf booklet The Plain Truth About Child Rearing.
The Plain Truth About Child Rearing This is a pdf booklet that the old WCG put out.
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work.
Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 will be fulfilled. Who is leading the final phase of the work? What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets? Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set? What is the proof? What has the Continuing Church of God been doing? This is a sermonette length video.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from lower level leaders?
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.
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots. They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent.
Behind the Work: Go Therefore and Make Disciples How is the Continuing Church of God making disciples. What has been happening in the Continuing Church of God related to this and aspects of the final phase of the work. This ‘behind the work’ video shows New Zealand, Africa, Jerusalem, Vatican City, the USA, and the United Kingdom as well as one from Asia. Teaching and baptisms are shown.
CCOG.ASIA We in the Continuing Church of God also have the url www.ccog.asia which has a focus on Asia and has various articles in Mandarin Chinese as well as some in English, plus some items in other Asian languages. 我们在继续神的教会也提供此网址 www.ccog.asia, 关注于亚洲并且有各种各样的中英文文章，其中一些用菲律宾语翻译的文章也正在进行中，准备添加到这个网站中。 Here is a link to our Statement of Beliefs in Mandarin Chinese 继续神的教会的信仰声明.
CCOG.IN This is a website targeted towards those of Indian heritage. It has a link to an edited Hindi translation of The Mystery of the Ages and is expected to have more non-English language materials in the future.
CCOG.EU This is a website targeted toward Europe. It has materials in more than one language (currently it has English, Dutch, and Serbian, with links also to Spanish) and it is intended to have additional language materials added.
CDLIDD.ES La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. This is the Spanish language website for the Continuing Church of God and has articles in español/castellano.
PNIND.PH Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos. This is the Philippines website Continuing Church of God. It has information in English and Tagalog.
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.

COGwriter

Frank McCrady, a former UCG pastor, who later went to the the Church of God, a Worldwide Association (COGWA) has died.  A reader sent me the following:

From Ken Treybig, pastor, Ruston, LA & East Texas, TX:

Thank you very much for your prayers over the almost four years since Mr. Frank McCrady’s massive stroke. His battle has ended and he died peacefully Monday evening, Dec. 15. He now awaits that glorious reunion at the first resurrection and while his widow, Charlene, finds great comfort in that truth, it is still a big transition in her life. There will be a memorial service for him this Sunday at the East Texas church hall (708 E Broadway in Gladewater), followed by a meal for the family and guests.

15380 CR 3104

Gladewater, TX 75647

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Frank McCrady II

GLADEWATER — Memorial services for Frank McCrady II, 89, Gladewater, will be 2 p.m. Sunday, December 21, 2014, at the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, in Gladewater. Arrangements are by Hilliard Funeral Home. Mr. McCrady was born July 3, 1925, in St. Louis, Mo., and died December 15, 2014, in Gladewater.

COGwriter

Some in Germany have held marches protesting the Islamization of Germany, with more protesting planned.   Minister for Foreign Affairs gave a speech reminiscent of one given in support of the rise of the so-called Third Reich. A reader just sent me the following:

‘Anti-Islamization’ Marches Increase Tensions In Germany

Published December 17, 2014

Anti-immigrant rallies in Germany have been building in recent weeks, peaking Monday night in the city of Dresden where tens of thousands of people turned out to demonstrate against what they call the ‘Islamization’ of the West. Germany has offered asylum to more Syrian refugees than any other country, and this appears to have set off the protests. http://www.voanews.com/media/video/anti-islamization-marches-increase-tensions-in-germany/2562335.html

PEGIDA, a German abbreviation for “Patriotic Europeans against the Islamization of the West” …

German Chancellor Angela Merkel faces challenges from allies and rivals to confront a rising tide of anti-immigrant sentiment driving increasingly popular anti-Islam marches in the city of Dresden every Monday.

With thousands expected at the next march, Merkel is in a dilemma. Her security officials are warning of an increase in hate crimes, while opinion polls show support for the marchers’ calls for a tougher German immigration policy.

“There is a visible rise in xenophobic crime countrywide,” police chief Holger Muench told Welt am Sonntag, which like most German Sunday newspapers focused on Monday’s march by a group calling itself PEGIDA – an acronym for “Patriotic Europeans against the Islamization of the West”.

There has been a spike in both anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic sentiment this year, with right-wingers joining football hooligans to fight Salafist Muslims and a spate of attacks on Jews. At the same time, with record levels of immigration, Germany has become Europe’s biggest recipient of asylum-seekers.  http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2014/12/15/chancellor-merkel-in-dilemma-as-german-anti-islam-marches-gain-support/

The group leading this movement in Germany is called PEGIDA.  I went to its website and tried to machine-translate information there.  Basically, it seems to believe that police-funding to control immigrants is insufficient, the bureaucracy associated with immigrants needs reform, too many Islamic immigrants have been allowed to stay in Europe, that Muslim immigrants hate women, and many in Islam pose threats to Europe. PEGIDA is against the implementation of ‘sharia’ and wants to protect the ‘Christian’ Western culture.

It also plans to hold some type of event next Monday, December 22, 2014 according to the banner I copied from its site and placed at the start of this article.

PEGIDA says it is against hate. Now, I included the following below because they machine-translated better into English than many of other stances of PEGIDA did:

PEGIDA ist GEGEN Radikalismus egal ob religiös oder politisch motiviert!

PEGIDA is AGAINST radicalism whether religious or politically motivated!

PEGIDA ist GEGEN Hassprediger, egal welcher Religion zugehörig

PEGIDA is AGAINST preachers of hate, no matter what religion.

Protests against Islam are not unexpected. Long time readers of this page may recall the following in posts in years past:

Europe is starting to get fed-up with Islam.  And this is an arena where the EU differs from the USA–the USA would be loathed against such a ban (and this would not be expected to be possible in places like Southern California)–but Europe has a different view. (Belgium To Ban the Burka?. April 1, 2010)

France has also indicated it would like to eliminate burkas, while Switzerland voted to ban the construction of more minarets last Fall (see Switzerland Votes to Ban Minarets)

A divide between Islam and the nominally-Christian Europe is going to become more and more real.  Though there will be apparent cooperation (cf. Psalm 83; Daniel 11:27), the two will turn against each other (Daniel 11:40-43).  (France Begins Burqa Ban. April 11, 2011)

The reality is that most Germans do not consider that Islam is part of Germany.  The stage is being set for a more forceful German leader (perhaps Karl Guttenberg) to rise up and take this to the next level.  If, as German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared, multiculturalism is a total failure and those from Islamic countries will not totally integrate, the next step may be to insist they integrate or leave. (Germany’s Merkel: Multiculturalism a Total Failure. October 18, 2010)

The reality is that throughout Europe anti-Islamic sentiment is rising up and the Netherlands seems to also plan on banning veils or burqas (Headscarf debate returns to spotlight in Europe. http://africa.ibtimes.com/articles/67932/20101002/headscarf-veil-islamic-muslim-veil-france-netherlands-turkey-ban.htm). (Netherlands Having Political Change. October 4, 2010)

Furthermore, it may partially because of civil war/unrest/riots/austerity that a significant de-Islamization of Europe will take place. The situation in Europe will change and the leader known biblically as the ten-horned Beast or the final King of the North will rise up, irrespective of the accuracy of any other predictions. Civil unrest in Europe combined with the rise of a militaristic leader is also consistent with various biblical prophecies. (France arrests 19 suspected Islamic terrorists: What’s next?. March 30, 2012)

World events are moving towards the fulfillment of properly understood biblical prophecy.  There will be more protests against Islam in Germany, France, and other parts of Europe.

Catholic prophecy tells of a time when a ruler will push Islam out of Europe:

St. Francis de Paul (1470):…From your lordship shall be born the great leader of the holy militia…These devout men shall wear on their breasts, and much more in their hearts, the sign of the living God, namely the cross…members of this holy order…

…the Great Monarch…He shall be a great captain and prince of holy men, who shall be called ‘the holy Cross-bearers of Jesus Christ,’ with whom he will destroy the Mahometan sect and the rest of the infidels. He shall annihilate all the heresies and tyrannies of the world. He shall reform the Church of God by means of his followers, who shall be the best men upon the earth in holiness, in arms, in science, and in every virtue…They shall obtain dominion over the whole world, both temporal and spiritual…

God Almighty will exalt a very poor man of the blood of Emperor Constantine…who shall on his breast wear a sign which you have seen at the beginning of this letter (a red Cross)…He will gather a grand army, and the angels shall fight for them…

This religious order shall be the last and best in the Church: it shall proceed with arms…Woe to tyrants, to heretics, and to infidels to whom no pity will be shown…An infinite number of wicked men shall perish through the hands of the Cross-bearers…most holy Crossbearers elected by the Most High, who, not succeeding in converting heretics with science, shall make vigorous use of their arms…These holy Cross-bearers shall reign and dominate holily over the whole world until the end of time…

But when shall this take place? When crosses with the stigmas shall be seen, and the crucifix shall be carried as the standard. The time is coming when the Divine Majesty will visit the world with a new religious order of holy Cross-bearers, who will carry a crucifix, or the image of our crucified Lord, lifted up upon the principal standard in view of all. This standard will be admired by all good Catholics; but at the beginning it will be derided by bad Christians and by infidels…You shall destroy the sect of the Mahomet, and all infidels of every sect. You shall put an end to all the heresies of the world…

He shall be the great founder of a new religious order different from all the others…This shall be the last religious order in the Church and shall do more good for our holy religion than all other religious institutes. By force of arms he shall take possession of a great kingdom. He shall destroy the sect of Mahomet…There will be one fold, one shepherd. He shall reign until the end of time. On the whole earth there will be twelve kings, one emperor and one pope. (Culleton, p. 157-161).

St. Francis de Paul (d. 1507): A new order will be founded, that of the Cruciferi, because its members will carry the cross on their banners…The Crusaders will lead the Mohammedans, the teachers of heretical doctrines and bad Christians back to Christ…the power of Islam {was} destroyed by the Great Monarch. (Culleton, The Reign of Antichrist, p. 142).

Venerable Bartholomew Holzhauser (died 1658):…”When everything has been ruined by war; when Catholics are hard pressed by traitorous co-religionists and heretics; when the Church and her servants are denied their rights, the monarchies have been abolished and their rulers murdered…then the hand of Almighty God will work a marvelous change, something apparently impossible according to human understanding. There will rise a valiant monarch anointed by God. He will be a Catholic, a descendant of Louis IX, (yet) a descendant of an ancient imperial German family, born in exile. He will rule supreme in temporal matters. The Pope will rule supreme in spiritual matters at the same time. Persecution will cease and justice shall reign. Religion seems to be oppressed, but by the changes of entire kingdoms it will be made more firm.

“He will root out false doctrines and destroy the rule of the Moslemism. (Connor E. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, pp.35-36)

The ‘Great Monarch’ that is spoken of above is quite similar to the final King of the North that the Bible warns against.  Both Catholic and biblical prophecy teach that this leader will be a European, probably at least partially of German heritage.  As the 21st century proceeds, do not be surprised that Islam will be pushed out of Europe to a major degree (cf. Daniel 11:40-43).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the former German Defense Minister (who is also the former German Minister for Economics and Technology) one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
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?
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? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
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?
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.
The Prophesied ‘Islamic’ Confederation Where is an Islamic caliphate prophesied? Will one happen? Should you be concerned about it? A related video is Will an Arabic Calphiphate Destroy the West?