Church of God News

Church of Sweden Bishop Antje Jackelén (Boberger)

COGwriter

Pope Francis met with Lutheran leaders in his quest for ecumenical unity.  Before getting to that, here is some of what Pope Francis taught in his homily today:

May 8, 2015

“A Church where its people are always arguing and there are lobbies and people are betraying their brothers and sisters, is a Church where there is no Holy Spirit!” Pope Francis made this strong statement today during his daily morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta, reported Vatican Radio.  …

Discussions within the Church are to seek unity, the Pope said, noting they should not be places where people are always clashing, betraying each other and forming lobbies to win their argument.

The Holy Spirit, he said, has the power to create unity among all the members of the Church, for the Spirit brings change and moves things forward in the Church.

While acknowledging that sometimes this movement may at first appear to be confusion, Francis said that if the change or movement is welcomed with prayer and a spirit of dialogue, it always generates unity between Christians. http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-s-morning-homily-a-church-with-clashing-is-one-without-holy-spirit

I do not believe that God’s Holy Spirit is behind the type of unity that Pope Francis is working towards. Notice the following he was involved with earlier this week:

Pope hopes 2017 Reformation anniversary will encourage Christian unity

May 6, 2015

Pope Francis says he hopes the 2017 anniversary of the Reformation, as well as a joint document by the Lutheran-Catholic commission for unity, will further encourage steps for Christian accord.

The Pope was referring to the Lutheran-Catholic unity document, “From Conflict to Communion” during a May 4 private meeting with Church of Sweden Archbishop Antje Jackelen. …

Francis said he hopes this initiative will encourage further steps toward unity, with God’s help, “and our collaboration with Him and one another,” Catholic News Agency reported.

On December 18, the general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, Rev. Martin Junge, said relations between the Lutheran and Catholic churches have reached an epoch-making turning-point.

He spoke during preparations in Rome for the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017 when Lutherans and Catholics are expected to cooperate in an act of Christian unity. …

Pope Francis said at his meeting with Archbishop Jackelen that Christians seeking unity should not be afraid to broach potential areas of disagreement such as marriage, family, and sexuality.

“All Catholic faithful” are invited “to take up, recognize the signs of the times, the way of unity for overcoming divisions among Christians,” the pontiff said during his audience with Jackelen.

He said division is not only in opposition “to the will of Christ, but is also a scandal to the world and causes damage to the holiest of causes: the preaching of the Gospel to every creature.”  …

Born in Germany, Jackelen is the first female head of the Lutheran church in Sweden, and the nation’s first foreign archbishop since the 12th century.  http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/pope-hopes-2017-reformation-anniversary-will-encourage-christian-unity-29564

So the Church of Rome is striving for unity with the Lutherans, continues to want to work together for 2017, and met with the primate of the Church of Sweden and discussed unity.

While, on the surface, some Roman Catholics will like that, consider, for example, some of the anti-Christian beliefs of the woman, Antje Jackelén, who is the Bishop of the Church of Sweden:

Jackelén has published several works which deal with the relationship between the natural sciences and religious faith, as well as the role of religion in modern society. Jackelén doesn’t believe in the virgin birth of Jesus. She has said that the virgin birth is a mythological term or a metaphor rather than an actual event. She endorses the theory of evolution and sees no contradiction in believing both in God and in evolution.

She supports same-sex marriage in church, while calling for the state to support the institution of marriage as such. (Antje Jackelén. Wikipedia, accessed 05/08/15)

The Bible is clear that Jesus was born of a virgin (e.g. Matthew 1:18-25; see also Virgin Birth: Does the Bible Teach It?), that God created all life (see Genesis 1; Exodus 20:11; also Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical?), and that homosexual relations are an abomination (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; see also The Bible Condemns Homosexuality).

Antje Jackelén is also married (to a man).  And while the Bible does endorse that bishops get married, the Church of Rome does not endorse that (see also Was Celibacy Required for Early Bishops or Presbyters?).  Furthermore, the Bible specifies that bishops are to be males, and have a wife.  Not a woman with a husband.

Here is what the Apostle Paul wrote, quoting here from the Roman Catholic approved Rheims New Testament translation into the English language:

1.FAITHFUL saying. If a man desire a Bishops office, he desireth a good work.
2. It behoveth therefore a Bishop to be irreprehensible, the husband of one wife,
sober, wise, comely, chaste, a man of hospitality, a teacher,
3. Not given to wine, no fighter, but modest, no quarreler, not covetous,
4. Well ruling his own house, chaving his children subject with all charity.
5. But if a man know not to rule his own house: how shall he have care of the Church of
God? (1 Timothy 3:1-5).

5. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest reform the things that are
wanting, and shouldst ordain priests by cities, as I also appointed thee:
6. If any be without crime, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not in the
accusations of riot, or not obedient.
7. For a Bishop must be without crime, as the steward of God: not proud, not angry, nor
given to wine, no striker, nor covetous of filthy lucre (Titus 1:5-7).

The Bible does not endorse the ordination of women, but men.  To accept females as bishops is clearly in contrast to what the Bible teaches (information on female religious roles can be found in the article Women and the New Testament Church).

Compromise is not what Jesus taught His Church to do. Jude wrote from the New Jerusalem Bible (another Roman Catholic approved translation into the English language):

3 I felt that I must write to you encouraging you to fight hard for the faith which has been once and for all entrusted to God’s holy people. (Jude 3, NJB)

That scripture would also not suggest that doctrinal compromise is appropriate for the faithful.

I would also add here that the Lutherans, who take their name from Martin Luther, have repeatedly compromised in various areas, including several related to their political quest for ecumenical unity.

Martin Luther, himself, taught against the concept that the Roman Catholic Church was the one true church.   And while most modern Protestant leaders would agree on that point, Martin Luther took this much further.

Specifically, Martin Luther taught that the Roman Catholic Church was the “great harlot of the Apocalypse” (O’Hare PF. The Facts About Luther, originally 1916, 1987 ed., p.9).   Martin Luther also claimed that the Pope was the “Antichrist” (Ibid).  Notice also the following:

(1) Martin Luther:… We here are of the conviction that the Papacy is the seat of the true and real antichrist…

(2) John Calvin: I deny him to be the vicar of Christ. … He is an antichrist — I deny him to be the head of the Church (John Calvin Tracts, Volume 1, pages 219, 220). (Standish CD, Standish RR. The Evangelical Dilemma. Hartland Publications, 1996,  p. 162)

Samuel Lee (a seventeenth century Rhode Island minister): It is agreed among all main lines of the English Church that the Roman pontiff is the Antichrist (Samuel Lee, The Cutting off of Antichrist, p. 1). (Standish CD, Standish RR. The Antichrist is Here. Hartland Publications, 1988, p. 16)

With all the ecumenical discussions going on these days, not many Protestant leaders no longer seem to believe in the papal-antichrist position of many of their early leaders.

For the record, I should state that I agree with certain Catholic leaders who have claimed that the final Antichrist will be some type of antipope (see Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies?).

Jesus DID NOT come so that the world would be united in this age. Notice what Jesus said:

51 ‘Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. (Luke 12:51, NJB).

Scripture warns against a coming ecumenical unity which it teaches will be successful:

4 They prostrated themselves in front of the dragon because he had given the beast his authority; and they prostrated themselves in front of the beast, saying, ‘Who can compare with the beast? Who can fight against it?’ 5 The beast was allowed to mouth its boasts and blasphemies and to be active for forty-two months; 6 and it mouthed its blasphemies against God, against his name, his heavenly Tent and all those who are sheltered there. 7 It was allowed to make war against the saints and conquer them, and given power over every race, people, language and nation; 8 and all people of the world will worship it, that is, everybody whose name has not been written down since the foundation of the world in the sacrificial Lamb’s book of life. 9 Let anyone who can hear, listen: 10 Those for captivity to captivity; those for death by the sword to death by the sword. This is why the saints must have perseverance and faith. (Revelation 13:4-10, NJB)

The Bible warns against an end time Babylon unity (note: the New Jerusalem Bible, a Catholic-approved translation, is shown):

1 One of the seven angels that had the seven bowls came to speak to me, and said, ‘Come here and I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute who is enthroned beside abundant waters, 2 with whom all the kings of the earth have prostituted themselves, and who has made all the population of the world drunk with the wine of her adultery.’ 3 He took me in spirit to a desert, and there I saw a woman riding a scarlet beast which had seven heads and ten horns and had blasphemous titles written all over it. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet and glittered with gold and jewels and pearls, and she was holding a gold winecup filled with the disgusting filth of her prostitution; 5 on her forehead was written a name, a cryptic name: ‘Babylon the Great, the mother of all the prostitutes and all the filthy practices on the earth.’ 6 I saw that she was drunk, drunk with the blood of the saints, and the blood of the martyrs of Jesus; and when I saw her, I was completely mystified. (Revelation 17:1-6, NJB)

9 ‘This calls for shrewdness. The seven heads are the seven hills, on which the woman is sitting…18 The woman you saw is the great city which has authority over all the rulers on earth.’ (Revelation 17:9,18, NJB)

1 After this, I saw another angel come down from heaven, with great authority given to him; the earth shone with his glory. 2 At the top of his voice he shouted, ‘Babylon has fallen, Babylon the Great has fallen, and has become the haunt of devils and a lodging for every foul spirit and dirty, loathsome bird. 3 All the nations have drunk deep of the wine of her prostitution; every king on the earth has prostituted himself with her, and every merchant grown rich through her debauchery.’ 4 Another voice spoke from heaven; I heard it say, ‘Come out, my people, away from her, so that you do not share in her crimes and have the same plagues to bear. 5 Her sins have reached up to the sky, and God has her crimes in mind: treat her as she has treated others. 6 She must be paid double the amount she exacted. She is to have a doubly strong cup of her own mixture. 7 Every one of her pomps and orgies is to be matched by a torture or an agony. I am enthroned as queen, she thinks; I am no widow and will never know bereavement. 8 For that, in one day, the plagues will fall on her: disease and mourning and famine. She will be burned to the ground. The Lord God who has condemned her is mighty.’ 9 ‘There will be mourning and weeping for her by the kings of the earth who have prostituted themselves with her and held orgies with her. They see the smoke as she burns, (Revelation 18:1-9, NJB)

In Zechariah, the Bible warns against a coming Babylon and shows that proper unity will not happen until after Jesus returns:

10 Look out! Look out! Flee from the land of the north — Yahweh declares- for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven — Yahweh declares. 11 Look out! Make your escape, Zion, now living with the daughter of Babylon!

12 For Yahweh Sabaoth says this, since the Glory commissioned me, about the nations who plundered you, ‘Whoever touches you touches the apple of my eye. 13 Now look, I shall wave my hand over them and they will be plundered by those whom they have enslaved.’ Then you will know that Yahweh Sabaoth has sent me! 14 Sing, rejoice, daughter of Zion, for now I am coming to live among you -Yahweh declares! 15 And on that day many nations will be converted to Yahweh. Yes, they will become his people, and they will live among you. Then you will know that Yahweh Sabaoth has sent me to you! 16 Yahweh will take possession of Judah, his portion in the Holy Land, and again make Jerusalem his choice. (Zechariah 2:10-16, NJB; note in translations such as the NKJV these are shown as Zechariah 2:6-12)

The ecumenical and inter-faith movements that the Vatican and the Eastern Orthodox leaders are promoting are clearly condemned by the Bible and should not be encouraged.

The Bible itself warns against the type of ecumenical unity that Pope Francis and various Protestant leaders are working towards (e.g. Revelation 17).

David Cameron (Official UK photo)

COGwriter

David Cameron’ political party had major gains in yesterday’s election:

8 May 2015

British Prime Minister David Cameron won another five-year term as his party surged to an outright majority of seats in parliament in Thursday’s election, far more than opinion polls had predicted.

It was a stunning victory for Cameron and his Conservative Party, as they became the first British ruling party in decades to increase their seats in parliament in an election.  Cameron went to Buckingham Palace Friday to formally receive the mandate from Queen Elizabeth to form the next government.

“To me, this election campaign was always about the difficult decisions we had to take over the last five years, the foundation of the stronger economy that we built for our country and the chance now to build on that foundation,” Cameron said.

Party leaders resign

Equally stunning was the decline of Cameron’s coalition partner for the last five years, the Liberal Democratic Party, which lost nearly 50 seats and will have fewer than ten. The party leader and deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, resigned Thursday morning.

The leader of the main opposition Labor Party, Ed Miliband, also resigned after the party won fewer seats than it had five years ago, well was short of pollsters’ predictions of a dead heat between Labor and the Conservatives.

“Now it’s time for someone else to take forward the leadership of this party, so I’m tendering my resignation,” Miliband said. “I want to do so straight away because the party has to have an open and honest debate about the right way forward.”

It was a sharp disappointment for Miliband, who just the day before had reason to believe he might become prime minister and reverse much of the Conservatives’ austerity policy.

Economy, Scotland cited as factors in win

Professor Peter Urwin of the University of Westminister said with the economy still under threat, in the end voters went with the party that has brought the improvement of the last few years.

“I think the phrase [is] ‘safe pair of hands.’  The last five years the Conservatives have been seen to guide the economy through some pretty rough waters,” he said.

Urwin said the spending cuts that were a key part of the Conservatives’ policy mainly hit types of people who don’t vote for them anyway, including welfare recipients and young people.

Former journalist now senior fellow at the Chatham House research center, Quentin Peel, focused on a different factor.  He said concern that Labor would have needed support from the Scottish National Party to form a government drove many voters to the Conservatives in the final days of the campaign.

“It was a late surge to safety by English voters voting for the devil they knew, even if they weren’t enthusiastic about it,” Peel said.

The liberal and pro-independence Scottish National Party, which won at least 56 of the 59 seats available from Scotland, had hoped to be part of an anti-Conservative coalition.  Now, its sharply increased delegation in parliament will sit in opposition, and its plan for another referendum on Scottish independence is likely put off to the indefinite future.

Scottish voters rejected independence in a referendum just last year.

The right-wing anti-immigration, anti-European Union UK Independence Party captured an unprecedented 12 percent of the national vote.  But the support was spread across the country and the party took only one seat in parliament.

Its flamboyant leader Nigel Farrage lost his bid for a seat and resigned as party leader, although he said he might run for the post again in September.

EU referendum promised

Prime Minister Cameron is committed to holding a referendum on Britain’s membership in the EU by 2017.

“Yes, we will deliver that in-out referendum on our future in Europe,” Cameron said Friday before his meeting with the Queen.

Before that vote, he wants to negotiate changes in the relationship that will convince British voters to stay in the Union.  But he faces hard bargaining with leaders on the continent.  http://www.voanews.com/content/britains-conservatives-victorious-at-polls/2759514.html

May 8, 2015

Speaking outside No 10 after visiting Buckingham Palace, he said the UK was “on the brink of something special”.

The Conservatives have 330 seats – four more than needed for a Commons majority – their first such victory since 1992.

Mr Cameron’s rivals Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage have all resigned after election disappointment.

The Conservative leader is now beginning the process of putting together the new government, with senior Cabinet appointments expected to be announced later on Friday.

Mr Cameron said he would reach out to all parts of the UK and strive to “bring the country together” in the wake of the SNP’s election landslide in Scotland – where it won 56 of the 59 seats.  http://www.bbc.com/news/election-2015-32659720

Last Summer, David Cameron tried and failed to stop Jean-Claude Juncker from gaining the presidency of the European Commission (see EU Summit opens, UK’s Cameron expected to lose related to J. Juncker: a prelude to a Brixit? and Jean Claude Juncker elected President of the European Commission; He wants Europe center-stage and technologically advanced).  He felt that the policies of Jean-Claude Juncker could be a factor to persuade voters in the UK to pull out of the European Union. Juncker’s election demonstrated that David Cameron’s intentions and efforts do not always get the results he wants for the UK in the EU.  Of course, with the promise of a vote to possibly leave the EU, David Cameron may have more leverage with the EU, for a time, in the future.

As far as the UK’s role in the future, as I have written many times before, the UK will not remain a major power in the final European configuration. The UK will be taken over and essentially devoured by the Beast power. And it may well leave prior to its final formation.

Nigel Farage’s United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) wants the UK to leave the European Union. David Cameron wants the UK to stay in.   UKIP’ Nigel Farage lost his seat in Parliament.  However, because UKIP got 12% of the vote, this shows that there is increased interest amongst those who would want to leave the EU.

The expected rise of Scottish National Party in this election is of interest as Scotland voted last year to remain part of the UK.  The increase in the SNP suggests that more in Scotland may be having second thoughts about that.

The Bible shows that Europe itself will change (Revelation 13; 17:12, 13, & 15-18).  The Bible shows that Europe will have at least three reorganizations (see also Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?) and that ultimately trouble will come to the UK (e.f. Jeremiah 30:7).

Perhaps I should mention that the taking over of the UK has long been a Roman Catholic goal, and the time will come when at least someone from the Vatican will support it.  Here are some centuries old writings related to that from Catholic saints and others:

Saint Edward (d. 1066) “The extreme corruption and wickedness of the English nation has provoked the just anger of God.  When malice shall have reached the fullness of its measure, God will, in His wrath, send to the English people wicked spirits, who will punish and afflict them with great severity…” (Culleton, p. 137).

Mother Shipton (d. 1551) “The time will come when England shall tremble and quake…London shall be destroyed forever after . . . and then York shall be London and the Kingdom governed by three Lords appointed by a Royal Great monarch…who will set England right and drive out heresy (Culleton, p. 163).

It has been foretold in 597, by ST. Columbkille…”…English nobility shall sink into horrible life–wars shall be proclaimed against them, by means of which the franatically proud race shall be subdued, and will be harassed from every quarter. The English shall dwindle into disreputable people and shall forever be derived of power” (Culligan, pp. 118-119).

St. Columbine (d. 597): The enemies of the English shall be aroused in battle–they who reside in the eastern and western parts of the world…the English shall be defeated…After the English shall be defeated in this battle, they shall be harassed by every quarter; like a fawn surrounded by a pack of voracious hounds, shall be the position of the English amidst their enemies. The English afterwards shall dwindle down to a disreputable people (Culleton, R. Gerald.  The Prophets and Our Times. Nihil Obstat: L. Arvin.  Imprimatur: Philip G. Scher, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno, November 15, 1941.  Reprint 1974, TAN Books, Rockford (IL), pp. 131,132).

St. Senanus (d. 560): They (English) themselves will betray each other: in consequence their sovereignty will be broken…One monarch will rule in Ireland over the English (Culleton, p. 128).

Merlin (7th century): After destruction of England…shall come a dreadful man…he shall set England on the right way and put out all heresies (Culleton, p. 132).

Saint Cataldus of Tarentino (c. 500): “The Great Monarch will be in war till he is forty years of age….he will assemble great armies and expel tyrants from his empire. He will conquer England and other island empires” (Connor, p.30).

St. Malachy (12th century). “Ireland will suffer English oppression for a week of centuries, but will preserve her fidelity to God and His Church. At the end of that time she will be delivered, and the English in turn must suffer severe chastisement. Ireland, however, will be instrumental in bringing back the English to the unity of Faith.” (Dupont, p.15)

Certain Catholic sources claim that the first portion involving oppression in the above Malachy prophecy has been fulfilled. But notice that the above also claims that England will suffer from severe chastisement. And apparently many those that survive will become some type of “Catholic” (probably through desperation, coercion, deception, and/or force).

The final European King of the North (Daniel 11:27-40) will take over the UK, USA, and their Anglo-Saxon allies according to Bible prophecy (cf. Daniel 11:39; Isaiah 10:5-11).   The final European King of the North has many traits in common with the ‘Great Monarch’ that certain Catholic-writings indicate will takeover over the UK and more.

If the UK is out of the EU, that would be a reason some might feel force is needed to bring it back in.

Some items of related interest may include:

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?
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.
Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president/prime minister? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand.
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
.Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. A video of possible interest may be Will Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power?.
Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?

Symbol of European “Babylon”

COGwriter

A while back, there was a report that many Europeans have been disillusioned with EU and have a variety of stereotypes:

Public faith in European unity has slumped as people become increasingly gloomy about economic conditions, according to Washington-based Pew Institute…The respected Washington-based Pew Research Centre warned that support for the EU has slid over the last 12 months, from 60% in 2012 to just 45% this year…

European stereotypes Photograph: /Pew Research Centre 2013

National stereotypes

The survey also polled people’s views on their fellow European nations. This revealed that Europeans feel that their nation is the “most compassionate”, while many chose Germany as the “least compassionate” (although the UK was the favourite pick for both Germans and the French).

In a display of Gallic insouciance, the French identified themselves as both the ‘most arrogant’ and ‘least arrogant’.

Germany was identified as the most trustworthy country by seven nations, apart from the Greeks, who chose Greece. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/may/14/europeans-disillusioned-divided-debt-crisis

May 13, 2013

…only 26% of the British public think being a member of the European Union has been good for their economy and just 43% hold positive views of the European Union, the British, who will hold a referendum on continued EU membership in 2017, remain evenly divided on leaving the EU: 46% say stay and 46% say go. http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/05/13/the-new-sick-man-of-europe-the-european-union/

At some point in time Britain will end up being controlled by a power out of Europe. This will happen whether or not Britain remains in the EU (and it most likely will leave the EU, at least to a degree, before that happens).  The 2015 elections in the UK show that there are still major concerns about the EU.

Europe itself has problems and does not adhere well together–yet the Bible foretold that as well in Daniel 2:41-43.

Yesterday I reported here that former German Defense and Economics Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg reported that Europeans were more pessimistic that Americans, and he seemed to hint that if that would change that Europe could go far (Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg Interviewed on USA and Europe–he mentions ‘common values,’ differences and ‘the huge debt mountain’). He is somewhat right about that, except biblically, the way Europe will end up, despite its intentions (Isaiah 10:7a), is not good (Isaiah 10:5-12.

Europe has tended to have similarities to the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 (see EU’s Fragile Tower of Babel) and sometimes has used it as a reference as the poster at the beginning of this article shows. The term Babylon seems to derive from Babel and the Bible indicates that the end time Babylon will be European (cf. Revelation 17) (see also the video Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?).

Specifically see the following scriptures, which have European (cf. Daniel 7:2-7, Joshua 9:1, 23:4; Ezekiel 47:15) end time prophetic connections:

41 Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. 43 As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. (Daniel 2:41-43)

12 The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. (Revelation 17:12-13)

Those passages show a fragile coalition that will have to likely reorganize at least two more times according to the Bible. Europe ultimately will have ten major leaders who will then turn their power over to a single leader. And there seem to be a lot of reorganization steps on the way before those two reorganizations take place.

Eventually, Europe will end up with a dictatorial leader (Revelation 13)–and one with militaristic objectives.

The Bible tells of a time when a smooth talker will gain the confidence of the Europeans and lead them in ways that they had not realized. Below are a few short statements in the New Living Translation ® (NLT) for clarity, followed by the longer passages in the NKJV for additional details:

23 At the end of their rule, when their sin is at its height, a fierce king, a master of intrigue, will rise to power….25 He will be a master of deception and will become arrogant; (Daniel 8:23,25a NLT)

22 “The next to come to power will be a despicable man who is not in line for royal succession. He will slip in when least expected and take over the kingdom by flattery and intrigue. 22 Before him great armies will be swept away, including a covenant prince. 23 With deceitful promises, he will make various alliances. (Daniel 11:21-23 NLT)

23 “And in the latter time of their kingdom,
When the transgressors have reached their fullness,
A king shall arise,
Having fierce features,
Who understands sinister schemes.
24 His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power;
He shall destroy fearfully,
And shall prosper and thrive;
He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people.

25 “Through his cunning
He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule;
And he shall exalt himself in his heart.
He shall destroy many in their prosperity.
He shall even rise against the Prince of princes;
But he shall be broken without human means. (Daniel 8:23-25 NKJV)

23 “Thus he said:

‘The fourth beast shall be
A fourth kingdom on earth,
Which shall be different from all other kingdoms,
And shall devour the whole earth,
Trample it and break it in pieces.
24 The ten horns are ten kings
Who shall arise from this kingdom.
And another shall rise after them;
He shall be different from the first ones,
And shall subdue three kings.
25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High…(Daniel 7:23-25 NKJV)

21 And in his place shall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue. 22 With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant. 23 And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. 24 He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time. (Daniel 11:21-24 NKJV)

And while now is not quite yet the dictator’s time, despite expected unification problems (Daniel 2:40-43), a major dictator in Europe will rise up (Revelation 13:1-8), Europe will reorganize (Revelation 17:12-13), and become the final King of the North, European Beast power of Bible prophecy (Daniel 11:21-44).

And this will not be good for the United States of America nor the British (not their Anglo-allies like Canada, Australia, or New Zealand), and ultimately not the Europeans (Revelation 18:1-8). The current financial problems, however, will contribute to the fulfillment of many scriptures and the Europeans, who have more problems ahead, will end up better financially, for a time, than most alive today believe (Revelation 18).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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

COGwriter

A federal appeals court in the USA finally deemed NSA blanket telephone surveillance illegal:

May 7, 2015

A U.S. appeals court in New York ruled Thursday that the clandestine National Security Agency’s massive collection of phone records of Americans is illegal, far exceeding the scope of what Congress authorized.

“Congress cannot reasonably be said to have ratified a progam of which many members of Congress – and all members of the public – were not aware,” a three-judge panel of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals said in a 97-page opinion.

The decision came in a suit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) contesting the NSA’s collection of what the spy agency calls “metadata” — millions of records of phone calls, including the numbers called and the times the calls were made, although not the content of the calls.  The surveillance was unknown to almost all Americans until two years ago when former NSA contractor Edward Snowden leaked a trove of documents about NSA spying before he fled overseas, eventually to asylum in Russia.

A three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan stopped short of ruling on the constitutionality of NSA’s phone data collection, but it said the spying went far beyond what Congress authorized. It said the laws used by the government to justify the spying “have never been interpreted to authorize anything appoaching the breadth of the sweeping surveillance” the NSA conducted.

“In light of the asserted national security interests at stake, we deem it prudent to pause to allow an opportunity for debate in Congress that may (or may not) profoundly alter the legal landscape,” the opinion written by Circuit Judge Gerald Lynch said.

“If Congress decides to authorize the collection of the data desired by the government under conditions identical to those now in place, the program will continue in the future under that authorization,” the ruling said. “If Congress decides to institute a substantially modified program, the constitutional issues will certainly differ considerably from those currently raised.”

The ruling said the government does not even claim that the records it collected are relevant to any specific ongoing terrorism investigation, only that “there might at some future point be a need or desire to search them in connection with a hypothetical future inquiry.”

The decision overturned a lower court ruling saying the surveillance is legal. But the appellate court declined to issue an injunction to halt the NSA surveillance, saying it would have little effect.

“This appellate court ruling is a historic breakthrough, because it shows the FISA court got it wrong, disastrously wrong, and will continue to get it wrong unless it is fundamentally reformed,” Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) told VOA.

“For the FISA court to make such a serious, dangerous error shows the need for fundamental, far-reaching reform in the entire FISA system, including an advocate to protect constitutional liberties that were harmed and endangered by the FISA court,” he added.

Senator Dan Coats (R-Indiana) disagrees, telling VOA “Coupled with this (decision) is the proclamation by ISIS that they have a significant number of people embedded in America, and there are more terrorist attacks to come. So, watch out. This (bulk data collection) program helps us thwart those terrorist attacks. It has done so and we need to have it continue to do so.”

Senator Bill Nelson (D-Florida) expects the high court to reverse the decision.

“I think the Supreme Court will reverse that,” he told VOA. “Our ability to protect ourselves is to be able to have immediate access (to information), without having a delay to go through the court proceedings to get the phone records to see who has been talking to whom.”

Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said on Thursday that the Department of Justice is “reviewing that decision.” http://www.voanews.com/content/us-appeals-court-finds-nsa-phone-record-gathering-excessive/2753756.html

Many credit/blame Edward Snowden for letting Americans know that this had been going on:

May 7, 2015

Edward Snowden hasn’t had his day in court, but he’s already finding some vindication in the U.S. judicial system.

A U.S. appeals court’s ruling on Thursday that bulk collection of telephone metadata by the National Security Agency is illegal has given fresh hope to supporters of the former government contractor, who say the judgment proves he was right to reveal the program. Some argue it’s another reason the 31-year-old should be allowed to return to the United States without fear of prosecution. http://www.politico.com/story/2015/05/edward-snowden-nsa-court-ruling-telephone-records-117733.html#ixzz3ZUcY5aFh

May 7, 2015

On 6 June 2013, the Guardian published a secret US court order against the phone company Verizon, ordering it on an “ongoing, daily basis” to hand over the call records of its millions of US customers to the NSA – just one of numerous orders enabling the government’s highly secret domestic mass surveillance program. Just days later the world learned the identity of the whistleblower who made the order public: Edward Snowden.

Now, almost two years later, a US court has vindicated Snowden’s decision, ruling that the bulk surveillance program went beyond what the law underpinning it allowed: the US government used section 215 of the Patriot Act to justify the program. A US court of appeals has ruled the law does not allow for a program so broad. In short, one of the NSA’s most famous and controversial surveillance programs has no legal basis.

Of Snowden and the NSA, only one has so far been found to have acted unlawfully – and it’s not Snowden.  http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/07/edward-snowden-whistleblower-nsa-bulk-surveillance-illegal

Related to the Snowden leaks of espionage of Europe, in Hard Choices, on page 244 Hillary Clinton blames Edward Snowden for what he did, along with Russia for allowing him to stay there, without apologizing for Obama Administration policies, intrusions, and practices along those lines.  While I do not believe Edward Snowden should have violated certain pledges, I see more problems with government surveillance than people like Hillary Clinton seem to.

Many in the government of the United States simply do not believe that anyone has privacy rights on the the telephone nor the internet.

This is not the first time any governmental body in the USA has declared NSA actions as illegal (see NSA’s practices deemed illegal by a federal government agency), but it is the highest legal body in the USA to do so related to the Snowden leaks.  Various parts of Europe have indicated that aspects of USA espionage are illegal.  In my view, part of the public justification that the European Beast power will give for taking over the USA is that the USA engaged in illegal activities, such as blanket espionage, violating trade agreements, and getting militarily involved in places outside its borders.

Getting back to NSA actions, the Bible warns that sometimes matters done in secret can have bad consequences:

1 Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation;
Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,
From the rebellion of the workers of iniquity,
3 Who sharpen their tongue like a sword,
And bend their bows to shoot their arrows — bitter words,
4 That they may shoot in secret at the blameless;
Suddenly they shoot at him and do not fear.

5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter;
They talk of laying snares secretly;
They say, “Who will see them?”
6 They devise iniquities:
“We have perfected a shrewd scheme.”
Both the inward thought and the heart of man are deep. (Psalms 64:1-6)

And while you might think that if you have done nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear from surveillance, consider that many in the government of the USA consider that not supporting homosexual marriages, etc. are extremist. I also saw someone once on a documentary that stated that people who believed in the millennium could not be trusted and should be considered as potential terrorists.  The fact that we in the Continuing Church of God would be considered pacifists, does not change the fact that since we hold to millennial and other biblical views that we will not be improperly classified by government employees with various agendas.

Having biblical views are becoming more problematic in the USA.

Notice also the following prophecy:

13 Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time, For it is an evil time.  (Amos 5:13)

The above indicates that even those that are doing nothing wrong will need to be silent at the coming evil time.

Notice also another prophecy:

11 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God,
“That I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine of bread,
Nor a thirst for water,
But of hearing the words of the Lord.
12 They shall wander from sea to sea,
And from north to east;
They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord,
But shall not find it. (Amos 8:11-12)

God is going to allow humanity to stop people from finding various biblical truths for a time–many are starting to take steps related to that already (watch also Famine of the Word?).

Basically, the time will come when teaching various biblical truths will be publicly stopped (except that the two witnesses will not be stopped).

Government surveillance that the USA has done, and has at least partially taught the Europeans to do, may well be factors that hasten the time for the coming famine of the word.

Whether or not the US Supreme Court will back this Court of Appeals remains to be seen.  But already, repercussions of NSA telephone surveillance has affected Europe, and this will not be truly reversed over there.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

COGwriter

A local free weekly paper called New Times ran an article in its May 1 – May 7, 2015 edition about a science teacher (Brandon Pettenger) at Arroyo Grande High School who received complaints that he was teaching creationism.  The article reported that people who seemingly have studied into evolution less than the science teacher, disciplined him for having the courage to attempt to point out some of the scientific flaws of evolution.  Then others who also seem to have studied the subject less scientifically than the science teacher condemned him as well.

The New Times followed up that printed article with the following, which I found online:

There’s no other side to evolution

Atheists United San Luis Obispo applauds the Lucia Mar Unified School District for pledging to ensure that their teachers understand that creationism and intelligent design are not allowed in science classes. We would like to explain why this policy is just as much in the interest of the religious as the non-religious.

After learning that their son was allegedly being taught creationism in science class, the parents of an Arroyo Grande High School student wrote an email to the teacher, asking him to stop. The teacher responded by saying: “I feel it would be a disservice to my students not to present both sides of the argument.” This prompted letters from Atheists United San Luis Obispo and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which got administrators to take notice.

In explaining the teacher’s actions, Assistant Superintendent Tom Fiorentino told the media: “It was the right intent; it was the wrong action,” and, “based on my investigation, it was just a way to motivate those 11th-graders into discussion.” The Tribune also weighed in, stating “Sorry, but there is no dispensation for teachers who feel it’s their duty [to] present both sides of the debate. … Teaching religious dogma in science class is prohibited—period.”

We very much appreciate the support and swift actions of our community to get creationism out of science classes, but we also feel compelled to point out that the justifications for doing so hint of the insidious misconception that there is a scientific controversy about evolution. There is not, and perpetuating this myth only undermines our children’s understanding of the scientific method.

The overwhelming majority of the scientific community endorses evolution and rejects creationism and its dressed-up child, intelligent design (ID). A 2015 Pew Research Center poll puts this number at 98 percent. Our federal courts came to the same conclusion in 2005. In the case of Kitzmiller v. Dover, the Discovery Institute, supporting intelligent design (ID), and the National Center for Science Education, supporting evolution, brought out their best experts for an exhaustive evaluation of the evidence. This is what the judge, John E. Jones III, a Republican appointed by President George W. Bush, concluded:

“Not a single expert witness over the course of the six week trial identified one major scientific association, society or organization that endorsed ID as science,” and, “The overwhelming evidence at trial established that ID is a religious view, a mere re-labeling of creationism, and not a scientific theory.”  http://www.newtimesslo.com/commentary/12324/the-debate-evolution-vs-creationism/

So according to the above, science is partially defined as to whether certain groups hold to a view.

That is not science.  The view “There’s no other side to evolution” is not only improper censorship, it is scientifically flawed.

None of the then so-called ‘scientific groups’ of the 15th century thought the world was round. Group-think is not science nor should it be portrayed as such.

Furthermore, the acceptance of ‘evolution’ as the only scientific explanation of how life began is absurd.  It is NOT EVEN POSSIBLE.

Science is supposed to be about observation and documentation of facts that are true.  There is absolutely no science to demonstrate that life spontaneously began and then quickly evolved.

Getting back to New Times, it did also put a rebuttal article online that pointed out a few things:

I am writing in response to a letter from the Freedom From Religious Foundation (FFRF) and the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science (RDFRS). The letter was written at the behest of Atheists United SLO and the family of a student at Arroyo Grande High School (AGHS). It was addressed to Jim Hogeboom, superintendent of the Lucia Mar Unified School District, and urges the investigation of Brandon Pettenger, a science teacher at AGHS who the letter accuses of “inserting his personal religious beliefs into the public school classroom.” The letter has received attention in the local press and was circulated on the Internet. I write as a concerned citizen and as a parent of a Central Coast New Tech High School student as well as two recent graduates of AGHS.

It is indeed ironic that Atheists United SLO, which promotes itself as a “freethought” organization would lead a campaign to stifle classroom debate and limit academic inquiry. Yet in the letter written by RDFRS and FFRF, they say:

“Any attempt to teach that there is a controversy about evolution is similarly fraught with legal peril. Evolution is as much a fact as gravity. There are not two sides of the evolution argument for Penttenger to present. Teaching a controversy about evolution is like teaching about the controversy that exists between chemistry and alchemy, or astronomy and astrology, or voodoo and medicine. There exists only scientific fact and evidence, and a religious belief that rebels against such evidence. On can, indeed must, be taught in public schools. The other cannot.

“We request that you investigate this matter immediately. If these allegations are founded, Pettenger must be directed to refrain from promoting religion or attacking evolution in the public school. Courts have upheld the dismissal of teachers in cases like this. At the very least, appropriate disciplinary action should be taken, and the results of your investigation placed in the teacher’s file. Please promptly inform us in writing of the steps you are taking to protect the rights of your students.”

Threatening schools with legal action and good teachers with dismissal amounts to intimidation and bullying. It’s downright intolerant. The fact that these organizations continue to publicize the issue even after AGHS handled it internally reveals their true motives. They want to silence anyone else who might have the audacity to question their evolutionary dogma as well. Their strategy is censorship by intimidation.

The National Center for Science Education defines dogma as “a system of beliefs that is not subject to scientific test and refutation.” When an organization claims that “evolution is as much a fact as gravity” or that people must “refrain from attacking evolution in public school” they are treating the theory of biological evolution as if it is infallible dogma that is above critique or refutation. It is not, and should not be treated as such.  http://www.newtimesslo.com/commentary/12324/the-debate-evolution-vs-creationism/

Schools, in the USA at least, were supposed to teach truth and encourage independent thought.  Yet, more and more, the truth is stifled for various false agendas (the homosexual agenda is another that immediately comes to mind).  Forcing the teaching of evolution, while stopping scientific explanations in conflict with it is a prelude to a type of the ‘famine of the word’ which is prophesied to come (Amos 8:11-12; watch also Famine of the Word?).

People who have seen the Ben Stein movie, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, realize that the academic community frequently hurts the careers of those who actually have scientific evidence against evolution. Most academics teach that, in violation of the law of biogenesis, primitive life somehow sprung up–it is a false teaching that facts disprove.

But what if we allow the impossibility of spontaneous primitive life to have occurred as evolutionists (as now defined) save is scientific?

Well, the primitive life would die. Part of the reason for this is that even a single-cell is so complex, and so full of various biological subsystems, that scientists have learned that many systems are essentially necessary for life to exist or continue. Science recognizes that living organisms must be self-contained, eat, digest, and reproduce to continue to exist.

Notice what even Charles Darwin wrote his book The Origin of the Species:

If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down (Darwin C. The Origin of Species. In Chapter 6, Difficulties on Theory. Cricket House Books LLC, 2010, p. 124).

Is it scientific to not point out the fact that the cell is too complex to have spontaneously sprung up on its own?  A cell could not possibly have randomly formed as it needs to be complete to survive.

Even if a spontaneously alive lined-up amino acid (with other substances coincidentally there) cell could have existed, it would die because:

1) All living organisms need biological structures such as organelles and membranes. Without a membranous structure, the proteins would ultimately diffuse and destroy the living organism. Living organism must be somewhat self-contained.
2) All living organisms need nourishment and direction. Since randomness would not have created the biological structure known as a DNA-containing nucleus (or some primitive equivalent), the cell would die. Even if it had some type of nucleus to provide direction, the nucleus would have to have come into existence with ability to determine what to eat and how to find food, another impossibility.
3) Even if the cell had all the above, it would die, because there would have been no reason for it to have spontaneously generated a digestive system in order to utilize the food.
4) Even if evolutionists are granted all the improbabilities and impossibilities this article discusses, the primitive life would quickly die out as there would have been no reason for it to have spontaneously generated an ability to reproduce, nor would it have any innate ability to do so.

It is in the Bible that we are told that when God made life He intended it to reproduce (Genesis 1:11,28,29). The idea of an ‘intelligent design’ by a Spirit being is the only explanation that does not defy scientifically provable knowledge–for all other explanations result in something that must die out.

And the scientific fact is that evolution as a model for explaining how life began makes no scientific sense.  FWIW, let me mention that I do have a Ph.D. in one of the biological sciences, am a published scientist, and am completely convinced that real scientific evidence completely eliminates evolution as the source of life.

Evolution requires simply too many scientific impossibilities to make sense. And it only takes one impossibility to disprove a theory.  Evolution is falsely called science (1 Timothy 6:20, KJV).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true? Here is a link to a YouTube sermon titled Is it logical to believe in God?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge. Here is a link to a YouTube video titled Quickly Disprove Evolution as the Origin of Life.
How Old is the Earth and How Long Were the Days of Creation? Does the Bible allow for the creation of the universe and earth billions of years ago? Why do some believe they are no older than 6,000 years old? What is the gap theory? Where the days of creation in Genesis 1:3 through 2:3 24 hours long? Here is a link to a sermon: Genesis, ‘Prehistoric man,’ and the Gap theory. Here is a link to a related article in Spanish: ¿Cuán vieja es la Tierra? ¿Cuán largos fueron los Días de la Creación? ¿Teoría de la brecha?
Questions and Answers from Genesis Many wonder about certain early events that this article discusses.
Where Did God Come From? Any ideas? And how has God been able to exist? Who is God?
Building Character: Going on to Perfection Once you have accepted Jesus, do you need to strive for perfection and build character? A related video sermon is available: Going on to perfection and building character.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally? There is also a video titled What is the meaning of your life?

Hebrew Scroll of the Book of Job (Pete Unseth)

COGwriter

Job is recognized by various faiths in the month of May, and on differing days.

Job is commemorated by the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod in their Calendar of Saints on May 9, by the Roman Catholic Church on May 10, and by the Eastern Orthodox Church on May 6. He is also commemorated by the “Armenian Apostolic Church” on May 6 and December 26, and by the Coptic Orthodox Church on April 27 and August 29.

While the Church of God does not commemorate a specific date, we in the Continuing Church of God recognized Job as one God worked with (e.g. Job 38-42) and blessed (Job 42:12) in the Old Testament. Job is also mentioned in the New Testament:

11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord — that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. (James 5:11, NKJV throughout unless as otherwise noted).

Many scholars teach that Job was likely to have been alive around the time of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), thus the subjects in the Book of Job were all known prior to Mount Sinai. Biblical evidence includes the facts that both Job and Abraham’s wealth are listed in livestock (Job 1:3;42:12; Gen 12:16;13:2;30:43;32:5), the Chaldeans are portrayed as raiders (Job 1:17; as a people, they were not raiders later), the particular Hebrew word for ‘piece of silver’ in Job 42:11 is only used otherwise in conjunction with Jacob (Gen 33:19; Josh 24:32), and Job’s age (Job 42:16) appears to be consistent with the patriarchs.

Job knew about God before the Book of Genesis was written, as he said, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You” (Job 42:5).

Here are some Jewish views on when Job may have lived:

According to Bar Ḳappara, Job lived in the time of Abraham; according to Abba b. Kahana, in the time of Jacob, he having married Dinah, Jacob’s daughter (ib.; B. B. 15b; comp. additions in Targ. Yer. to Job ii. 9). R. Levi said that Job lived in the time of Jacob’s sons; and he also said, in the name of Jose b. Ḥalafta, that Job was born when Jacob and his children entered Egypt and that he died when the Israelites left that country. Job consequently lived 210 years (comp. Rashi on Ex. xii. 40). When Satan came to accuse the Israelites of being idolaters, God set him against Job, whence Job’s misfortunes (Gen. R. l.c.). This opinion is supported by the statement that Job with Jethro and Balaam was consulted by Pharaoh as to the means of reducing the number of the children of Israel and that Job was stricken with calamity because he had remained silent (Sanh. 106a; Soá¹­ah 11a). It may be mentioned that this legend is narrated differently in the “Sefer ha-Yashar” (section “Shemot,” p. 110a, ed. Leghorn, 1870) as follows: At first Job, who was one of Pharaoh’s eunuchs and counselors, advised Pharaoh to have every male child murdered (Ex. i. 16). Afterward Pharaoh, having had a dream which prognosticated the birth of a helper, again consulted Job. The latter answered evasively: “Let the king do as he pleases” (“Sefer ha-Yashar,” l.c. p. 111a). Levi b. Laḥma also held that Job lived in the time of Moses, by whom the Book of Job was written. Some of the rabbis even declare that the one servant of Pharaoh who feared the word of God (Ex. ix. 20) was Job (Ex. R. xii. 3). Raba, specifying the time more accurately, said Job lived in the time of the spies who were sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan (B. B. 15a). According to these rabbis, Job was a Gentile—an opinion which is elsewhere expressed more fully, in that Job is said to have been a pious Gentile or one of the prophets of the Gentiles (ib. 15b; Seder ‘Olam R. xxi.). Other tannaim place Job variously in the reign of Saba, in that of the Chaldees, and in that of Ahasuerus. R. Johanan and R. Eleazar both declared that Job was one of those who returned from the Captivity and that his bet ha-midrash was at Tiberias (Yer. Soá¹­ah v. 8; B. B. l.c.; Gen. R. l.c.). It is said in B. B. (ib.) that these tannaim necessarily considered Job an Israelite; but R. Hananeel (ad loc.) has in his text, “All the Tannaim and Amoraim, with the exception of the one who placed Job in the time of Jacob, were of opinion that Job was an Israelite” (comp. also Gen. R. l.c.). (Job. Jewish Encyclopedia of 1906. http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/8692-job accessed 05/06/15)

A few have indicated that Job could have been the first written book of the Bible, though many point to a later time of writing. Even if it were not written down prior to Mount Sinai, the narrative appears to be before the children of Israel entered the land of Egypt during the time of Joseph.

Many who teach that Christians do not need to obey the ten commandments also teach that the ten commandments were not in effect prior to Mount Sinai (Ex 20). The truth is that all of the ten commandments are listed in the Bible prior to Mount Sinai (please see the article Were the Ten Commandments in Effect Before Mount Sinai?).

Although the Book of Job does not specifically quote any of the ten commandments, it does appear to allude to each one of them. This suggests that the ten commandments were not only known before Mount Sinai, but that they were possibly known outside of the descendants of Israel.

Commandment 1:

2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 “You shall have no other gods before Me. (Exodus 20:2-3)

The Book of Job states:

21 Blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21).

28 And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding’ (Job 28:28).

28 This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgement, For I would have denied God who is above (Job 31:28).

1 The Job answered the LORD and said: 2 ‘I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You’ (Job 42:1-2).

What is interesting about Job 28:28 is that Job said that this is what God said to man and there is no record of this being said in Genesis (which is the primary biblical book with information prior to the story of Job), thus this verse proves that God spoke to humankind prior to Moses in at least one way that was not recorded in Genesis. Thus this refutes the argument that none prior to Mount Sinai could have known what the commandments were! If there were no commandments in effect, how could denying God be an iniquity deserving of judgement?

Commandment 2:

4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image — any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. (Exodus 20:4-6)

The Book of Job states:

27 If I have observed the sun when it shines, or the moon moving in its brightness, so that my heart has been secretly enticed, and my mouth has kissed my hand; 28 This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgement, For I would have denied God who is above (Job 31:27-28).

The observing of the sun and moon, whereby one is enticed, as well kissing one’s own hand, are believed by most commentators to have been practices associated with idolatry.

Commandment 3:

7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. (Exodus 20:7)

The Book of Job states:

5 It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts (Job 1:5).

21 Blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21).

9 Curse God and die! (Job 2:9).

10 In all this, Job did not sin with his lips (Job 2:10).

The third commandment is clearly shown in Job to have been understood. It is clear that before Mount Sinai one could ‘sin with his lips,’ and that ‘sin’ was known to exist then (after Mount Sinai, God did tell the Israelites that the people who used to live in the land sinned by violating this command, Leviticus 18:21,27).

Commandment 4:

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:8-11)

The Book of Job states:

13 So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great (Job 2:13).

1 Is there not a time of hard service for man on the earth (Job 7:1).

5 That the triumping of the wicked is short…20 Because he knows no quietness in his heart (Job 20:5,20).

21 Now aquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace (Job 22:21).

4 Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? (Job 38:4).

Job 2:13 supports the concept that the week was being observed prior to Mount Sinai. It is consistent with the two accounts in Genesis that a week was used as a period of rejoicing (Gen 29:22,27-28) and grieving (Genesis 50:10).

Job 7:1 supports the concept of “six days shall you labor” (Exodus 20:8) which is part of the fourth commandment. Job 20:20 supports the concept found in Hebrews 4:3-6 that those do who disobey “shall not enter My rest.” Whereas Job 22:21 supports the related concept that “we who believed do enter that rest…There remains therefore a rest (Greek sabbitismos, ‘a sabbath observance’) for the people of God” (Hebrews 4:3,9).

In Job 38:4, God says He ‘laid the foundations of the earth’ which is similar to the concept in Exodus 20:11 ‘For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them’. Thus in Job we see the nearly all the concepts of the fourth commandment.

Commandment 5:

12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)

The Book of Job states:

21 His sons come to honor (Job 14:21).

5 He who speaks flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children will fail (Job 17:5).

8 But the mighty man possessed the land, and the honorable man dwelt in it (Job 22:8).

These verses support the concept that one is to be honorable, children are to honor their father, and that the children are to become honorable, whereas the fifth commandment says to give honor (Exodus 20:12) which implies that parents are to be honorable.

Commandment 6:

13 “You shall not murder. (Exodus 20:13)

The Book of Job states:

14 The murderer rises with the light; He kills the poor and needy; And in the night he’s like a thief (Job 24:14).

39 If I have eaten its fruit without money, or caused its owners to lose their lives; 40 Then let thistles grow instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley (Job 31:39-40).

These scriptures clearly support the concept that Job and his companions considered murder to be wrong. Job 24:14 is similar to a teaching by Jesus tieing in murder and thievery together:

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. (John 10:10).

Notice that Job knew of this connection thousands of years before Jesus stated it as recorded by John.

Commandment 7:

14 “You shall not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)

The Book of Job states:

15 The eye of the adulterer waits for the twilight, saying, ‘No eye will see me’; and he disguises his face (Job 24:15).

1 I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman? (Job 31:1).

9 “If my heart has been enticed by a woman, Or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door, 10 Then let my wife grind for another, And let others bow down over her. 11 For that would be wickedness; Yes, it would be iniquity deserving of judgment. 12 For that would be a fire that consumes to destruction, And would root out all my increase. (Job 31:9-12).

These scriptures clearly support the concept that Job and his companions knew adultery was prohibited and an ‘iniquity deserving of judgement.’

Commandment 8:

15 “You shall not steal. (Exodus 20:15)

The Book of Job states:

5 Is not your wickedness great, and your iniquity without end? 6 For you have taken pledges from your brother for no reason, and stripped the naked of their clothing (Job 22:5-6).

14 And in the night he’s like a thief (Job 24:14).

39 If I have eaten its fruit without money, or caused its owners to lose their lives; 40 Then let thistles grow instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley (Job 31:39-40).

These scriptures clearly support the concept that Job and his companions considered stealing to be wrong.

Commandment 9:

16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16)

The Book of Job states:

28 I would never lie to your face (Job 6:28).

35 They conceive trouble and bring forth futility; Their womb prepares deceit (Job 15:35).

25 Now if it is not so, who will prove me a liar and make my speech worth nothing? (Job 24:25).

4 My lips will not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit (Job 27:4).

6 Should I lie concerning my right? (Job 34:6).

4 For truly my words are not false (Job 36:4).

These scriptures clearly support the concept that Job and his companions considered ‘bearing false witness’ to be wrong.

Commandment 10:

17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17)

The Book of Job states:

2 And envy slays a simple one (Job 5:2).

12 Why does your heart carry you away, and what do your eyes wink at, that you turn your spirit against God, and let such words go out of your mouth? (Job 15:12-13).

1 They conceive trouble and bring forth futility (Job 15:35).

1 I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman? (Job 31:1).

9 “If my heart has been enticed by a woman, Or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door, 10 Then let my wife grind for another, And let others bow down over her. 11 For that would be wickedness; Yes, it would be iniquity deserving of judgment. 12 For that would be a fire that consumes to destruction, And would root out all my increase. (Job 31:9-12).

These scriptures clearly support the concept that Job and his companions considered covetousness (or evil desire) to be wrong. Since Paul wrote, “I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, ‘You shall not covet.’ ” (Rom 7:7), it is clear that the law against covetousness must have been in effect prior to Mount Sinai.

“Sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4) or as it says in the AV “sin is the trangression of the law.” The terms sin (9), sinned (6), and sins (1) are used 16 times in the the Book of Job (NKJV).

How could there be sin if there was no law, since according to an interesting scripture by the Apostle Paul, “sin is not imputed when there is no law?” (Romans 5:13).

In the Book of Job, Elihu said:

5 Behold God is mighty…10 He also opens their ear to instruction, and commands that they turn from iniquity. 11 If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. 12 But of they do not obey, they shall perish by the sword and they shall die [as one] without knowledge (Job 36:5,10-12).

If people in Job’s day were not supposed to know about God’s law, how could they obey Him? If those who disobey will perish like those that have no knowledge of God and His ways, then they must have had knowledge of God and His laws.

There is another interesting passage from the Apostle Paul to consider:

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” (Romans 7:7)

What is so interesting about that?

Well, Paul said it was only because there was an existing law against coveting that he understood that he was not to covet.

But, Job knew, prior to Mount Sinai that he was not to covet. Job specifically knew it was wrong to covet his neighbor’s wife.

The Book of Job demonstrates that God has revealed information that is not specifically listed in the Book of Genesis (Job 28:28;36:12;42:5). This is also consistent with the following concerning what God said to Isaac related to his father Abraham:

4 And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; 5 because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws. (Genesis 26:4-5)

The Book of Job demonstrates that sin and God’s Ten Commandment law were known prior to Mount Sinai.

While some may try to reason around what the Book of Job teaches, it is a fact that early Christians did believe that they needed to keep the Ten Commandments (for detailed proof, see The Ten Commandments and the Early Church). And real Christians believe that today.

Some items of possible interest may include:

Were the Ten Commandments in Effect Before Mount Sinai? Some have said not. This article provides biblical quotes to answer this important question.
Job and the Ten Commandments Was Job written prior to Mount Sinai? Did Job know about the ten commandments? This article provides biblical answers to those questions.
What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments? This article quotes what Jesus actually said about them (His words are in red).
Were the Ten Commandments Nailed to the Cross? Some have said so. This article provides some biblical quotes to answer this important question.
What Did Paul Actually Teach About the Ten Commandments? Many say Paul taught against the ten commandments. Is this true? This article quotes Paul with his words in green.
Are the Ten Commandment Still in Effect? This article quotes the ten commandments and combines some of the previous articles into one article about the ten commandments. The commandments are shown at Mount Sinai, before Mount Sinai, in the teachings of Jesus, after the crucifixion, and in the teachings of Paul. It addresses the most common “traditions of men” regarding them as well.
Were the Pharisees Condemned for Keeping the Law or Reasoning Around it? Many believe that the Pharisees were condemned for keeping the law, but what does your Bible say? If they were not condemned for that, what were they condemned for?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught? For a more detailed discussion of the first four commandments, please see the video The Ten Commandments: Loving God. For a more detailed discussion of the last six commandments, please see: The Ten Commandments: Loving Your Neighbor. Here is a link to a related article in Mandarin Chinese 十条诫命显示爱，违反诫命的就是邪恶的
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.
When was the Exodus? Did it Happen? Some deny the biblical account of the Exodus. Was Ramses II the pharaoh then? When did the Exodus occur?  Is there proof outside of the Bible that there was an Exodus? Here is a related article in the Spanish language: ¿Cuándo fue el Éxodo? ¿Ocurrió realmente?
Reasons, Proofs, and Ramifications of the Ten Plagues of Exodus What do you know about these plagues? Is there any confirmation outside the Bible? Might something worse be coming? A related two-part sermon is available: Egypt and the Plagues (Part 1) and Exodus Plagues and Prophecy (Part 2).
Exodus and the Days of Unleavened Bread This article discusses parts of the Book of Exodus with some connections to the Days of Unleavened Bread. A related sermon is available and is titled: Unleavened Bread: Lessons in Exodus.
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 Acts 2 to the 21st century. 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.
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? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE?

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping

COGwriter

Not satisfied with the issues from the West, Russia is taking steps towards the East:

May 06, 2015

Western leaders are boycotting a massive military victory parade in Moscow this week that commemorates the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II because of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. But many Asian leaders, including China’s President Xi Jinping, will be attending – underscoring how Russia is looking East as tensions with the West increase.

Political analysts say Russia’s “turn to the east” is more for economic than ideological reasons.

“The military parade in Moscow on May 9th, known in Russia as the Victory Day, is definitely one of the most significant symbols for Putin right now to boost his legitimacy at home and to show that he’s not alone,” said Alexander Gabuev, head of the Russia in the Asia Pacific Program at the Carnegie Center Moscow.

Gabuev said Western support for Ukraine’s popular Maidan uprising that led to the downfall of Russia-backed President Viktor Yanukovych, was seen by the Kremlin as interference in its sphere of influence.

“There is a deep mistrust,” he said. “And, though Russia, Russian elite or Russian people still see themselves as part of the European civilization, I would say the ruling elite is trying to position Russia as the major non-western or non-U.S. power in the world in [an] ideological sense.”

He added that “it probably more or less resembles what the Soviet Union tried to do-just to present itself as an alternative to the western narrative and the western system.”

Snubbing West risky

The West’s turning its back on Russia leaves Moscow with mainly undemocratic and communist regimes as allies a sign of Russia’s revival as an authoritarian state, argued historian Andrei Zubov. “Right now Russia, China, North Korea and a number of countries adjoining them are creating an anti-liberal pact, anti-western pact, anti-democratic pact, and this is alarming,” he said.

Moscow was set to host North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for his first foreign trip before it was cancelled due to “internal Korea” issues.

But economic relations are growing fast since Pyongyang settled its Soviet-era debt. The two sides declared 2015 “a year of friendship” and could reach a trade goal of $1 billion by 2020, said Vitaly Survillo, head of a new Russia-North Korea business council.

“If all the projects that exist, and that are set, will take place, particularly the railways projects, as well as electricity grids, we could probably reach it, in theory. How it will be in practice, depends on how this or that project is implemented,” Survillo explained.

Right now, it is much less than that, and North Korea has even greater interest than Russia in stepping up bilateral trade because they exist in isolation, he said.

“In fact, the volume of trade with North Korea leaves much to be desired,” he added. “It is insignificant, but it has been growing fast during the last few years, 2013, 2014. And we hope that it develops in the same way this year.”

China-Russia relationship

While South Korea joined China in abstaining from sanctions against Russia, it is the Moscow-Beijing dynamic in the East that is gaining most importance, said Gabuev.

“And with the relationship with the U.S. treaty, allies like Japan and South Korea also in a very difficult, problematic situation, there is only one large partner-China. And, the longer we have this confrontation between Russia and the West,” he said, “the more significant the relationship between Russia and China will get.”

Last year, as the West enforced economic sanctions against Russia, Beijing and Moscow signed a $400 billion deal on natural gas. This week, the most anticipated East Asian leader attending the Victory Day parade is Chinese President Xi Jinping

While the Ukraine crisis has made Russia’s turn to China more significant, its renewed interest in its former cohort in communism, pre-dates tensions with the West, Gabuev said.

“The real origin starts after the global credit crunch in 2008/2009 when Russia’s GDP dip was the largest among G20 countries and China still continued to grow at the average pace of about 8 percent per year and Russia realized that there are untapped market opportunities and untapped sources of capital for its domestic growth and that large, uninhabited regions of Siberia and the far-east really need this Asia connection to get these economic opportunities,” he said.

Celebrating Victory Day

Turning to the East makes sense as Russia is an eastern country, said car salesman Ivan Karpov. “I’m not an expert on geopolitics, but we shouldn’t forget that we are a country that stretches from Europe to the Pacific,” he noted. “There are more of us in Asia than in Europe. So I don’t know why Russia is compared with Europe and the West.”

Law student, Ivan Makarov said Russia’s growing ties with China are not surprising. “We have good historical ties with China, our communist past and theirs. And since we’re not receiving any support from the West, due to current events, why not turn our attention to the East?” he stated. “Especially since it’s politically and economically profitable.”

Zubov noted, with a degree of optimism, that during Putin’s first years in power he referred to Russia as a western, European state that must be together with the Western world. Zubov holds out hope that “Russia will turn to the way of ties with the West.”

Russian economy

President Putin, while trying rhetorically to present Russia as an alternative to western power and ideology, is focused on economics.

At a November Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Beijing, Putin said, “Russia’s location in Eurasia determines its role as a major factor for bringing Western and Eastern civilizations closer together, and we therefore want to strengthen our relations with all Asia-Pacific region countries and play an active part in building a free trade system and in economic and investment cooperation.”

Despite political tensions, Russia’s trade ties with the West are not expected to take a back seat to Asia’s any time soon.

The European Union remains Russia’s largest trade partner, accounting for about half of all Russian trade.  http://www.voanews.com/content/russias-turn-to-the-east-more-economic-than-ideological/2752514.html

The Bible indicates that Russia will keep its relationship with the European part of the West.

However, that will someday fall apart and Russia will be part of a confederation of the East (cf. Daniel 11:44).

Until that time, expect Russia to make deals with eastern nations, like China.

The following prophecy, in my view, shows a confederation including Russia (“people from the north”) and Asian nations like China (one of the “kings…from the ends of the earth”), against Europe (called the “daughter” and “king of Babylon” below):

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).

The above is also consistent with the following from the New Testament:

12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15 Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” 16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16).

Here we see that the kings of the East are those that need to cross the Euphrates. Russia, China, India, Japan, and others are from the north and east and also probably “kings of the East.”

Some forget that although Russia is a nation of the far north (cf. Ezekiel 38:3,6), it is also a nation that has parts in the far, far, east.

Russia is prophesied to work with the East militarily against the European West.  Snubs by the West of Russia, and turning of Russia towards the East are partial foundation steps for this to come to pass.

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?
12 Apocalyptic Risks from Oxford University Oxford University’s Future of Humanity Institute and the Global Challenges Foundation issued a 212 page report titled “12 Risks that threaten human civilisation.” The Russian Times reported about it with an article titled The article was titled, “12 likely causes of the Apocalypse, as seen by scientists.” Risks included asteroid impact, supervolacanic explosion, global pandemic, nuclear war,climate change, synthetic biology, nanotechnology, unknown consequences, ecological collapse, economic global system collapse, bad governance, and artificial intelligence flaws. Are the risks greater than what Oxford scientists believe? What does the Bible say about these risks?
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.
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?
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.
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?

Germany’s Angela Merkel

COGwriter

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and some of her current and former officials are trying to defend there actions related to accusations she allowed espionage by the USA:

May 6, 2015

BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel’s current and former chiefs of staff are appearing before a parliamentary committee over allegations Germany’s spy agency acted against national interests in cooperating with U.S. counterparts.

The government has faced scrutiny over what the chancellery knew, and when, of the Federal Intelligence Service’s activities since a report last month suggested it may have helped the U.S. spy on European companies and officials as long ago as 2008.

Merkel’s then-chief of staff, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere, and incumbent Peter Altmaier were to testify behind closed doors Wednesday to the parliamentary panel overseeing intelligence services.

Merkel says she’s willing to testify before a separate parliamentary inquiry. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/05/06/world/europe/ap-eu-germany-spy-agency.html?_r=0

May 6, 2015

The Austrian government has filed suit due to suspicions that Germany’s BND spying agency, in collaboration with the NSA, may have spied on its authorities and companies, said Interior Minster Johanna Mikl-Leitner … on Tuesday.

“Austria demands clarification,” she said to Reuters news agency, “…today we have filed a legal complaint with the prosecutor’s office against an unknown entity due to secret intelligence services to Austria’s disadvantage.”

Mikl-Leitner added that Austria’s security services were in contact with their German counterparts.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended her country’s intelligence agency on Monday against suggestions that it illegally assisted the US in spying on politicians and companies in Europe, including France’s Airbus, the main competitor of America’s Boeing aircraft manufacturer.  http://www.dw.de/austria-files-legal-complaint-over-german-espionage/a-18430550

May 6, 2015

France said on Wednesday that it was confident the German government will take the necessary action after claims that its intelligence services spied on top French officials.

Long portrayed as a victim of snooping by allies, Germany faced embarrassing press reports last week that it had spied on its ally as well as the EU’s headquarters and European businesses, including France’s Airbus, on behalf of US intelligence.

“The Franco-German friendship will overcome … this news, which has still to be confirmed,” government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said.

“There will be a parliamentary investigation, it will be transparent. We trust the German government,” said Le Foll, giving the first official response to the reports from France.

Citing intelligence agency documents, the Bild daily reported that the office of German Chancellor Angela Merkel was informed in 2008 of German involvement in US economic espionage but did not react.

Merkel insisted on Monday that Germany’s BND intelligence service was “under control” and repeated a pledge to testify before a parliamentary inquiry if called to do so. https://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/france-says-trusts-germany-act-spying-claims-125732569.html

If a lot of this had come out prior to the revelations from the Edward Snowden leaks, relatively few in Germany would have probably cared.  The Germans considered that the USA was their friend and ally, hence cooperating with the USA would not had such strong political reactions.

Now, the situation has changed.  Many in Germany have learned about how the government of the USA really views it and are not happy.

According to a NSA document from 2010, the only ones that the USA trusts are its Anglo-Saxon descended allies:

According to an NSA document dated September 2010, only a few countries labeled as close friends by the U.S. are explicitly exempted from monitoring – Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. http://www.voanews.com/content/germany-calls-allegations-of-us-bugging-unacceptable/1692522.html

The above outraged the continental Europeans when this came out–as did the revelations from the Edward Snowden leaks that the USA spied about as much on Germany as it did on countries like Russia and China. The Germans were not pleased with this.

Notice also the following:

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

To try to compensate for some of this, the USA placed a German general in charge of the US Army in Europe (see US Army in Europe to report to a German general!). As I have written previously, this does not bode well for the USA.  The current inquiries and complaints related to possible German government cooperation with USA government espionage agencies is showing that more and more Germans want to limit cooperation with the USA.

In her book, Hard Choices, (which came out in the Spring of 2014), one thing that Hillary Clinton bragged about was restoring better relations between the USA and Germany.  But the Germans did not see it that way.

Furthermore, notice also something from last year:

Treasure Map: The NSA Breach of Telekom and Other German Firms

September 14, 2014

When it comes to choosing code names for their secret operations, American and British agents demonstrate a flare for creativity. … A program called Treasure Map even has its own logo, a skull superimposed onto a compass, the eye holes glowing in demonic red …

Treasure Map allows for the creation of an “interactive map of the global Internet” in “near real-time,” the document notes. Employees of the so-called “FiveEyes” intelligence agencies from Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, which cooperate closely with the American agency NSA, can install and use the program on their own computers. …

Treasure Map graphics don’t just provide detailed views of German cable and satellite networks. Red markings also reveal to agents which carriers and internal company networks FiveEyes agencies claim to have already accessed. Of particular interest from the German perspective are two “Autonomous Systems” (AS) — networks — marked in red. They are labeled Deutsche Telekom AG and Netcologne, a Cologne-based provider.

The legend for the graphics in question explains the meaning behind the red markings: “Red Core Nodes: SIGINT Collection access points within AS.” SIGINT refers to signals intelligence. In other words, networks marked with a red dot are under observation. …

According to the logic of the undated Treasure Map documents, that would mean that the NSA and its partner agencies are perhaps not only able to monitor the networks of these companies and the data that travels through them, but also the end devices of their customers. Where exactly the NSA gained access to the companies’ networks is not made clear in the graphics. The red-marked AS of Deutsche Telekom by itself includes several thousand routers worldwide.

‘Completely Unacceptable’

The German company is also active in the US and Great Britain. Furthermore, it is part of the TAT14 telecommunications cable consortium; the cable runs via Great Britain to the east coast of the US. “The accessing of our network by foreign intelligence agencies,” says a Telekom spokesperson, “would be completely unacceptable.” …

Telekom and Netcologne are not the first German companies to have been successfully hacked by Anglo-American intelligence agencies, according to their own documents. In March, SPIEGEL reported on the large-scale attack by the British agency GCHQ on German satellite teleport operators Stellar, Cetel and IABG. …

CEO Steffen commented on the document … He considers it to be final proof that his company’s systems were illegally breached. “The hacked server stood behind our company’s own firewall,” he said. “The only way of accessing it is if you first successfully break into our network.” http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/snowden-documents-indicate-nsa-has-breached-deutsche-telekom-a-991503.html

The USA has made Germans and others realize they are not a true allies and not part of the USA and Anglo-Saxon club (the ‘five eyes’).

The USA has been showing the Europeans in general (the USA was caught placing bugs in European Union facilities), and the Germans in particular, that they are not truly trusted allies. Many in Germany, and other parts of Europe, are getting disillusioned with the USA and are taking steps to limit cooperation.

Those in the USA and Canada may hope that the Germans and other Europeans will simply overlook all of this espionage, yet the time will come when the Europeans will take successful military actions against the USA, Canada, and their Anglo-Saxon allies (cf. Daniel 11:39; Revelation 13:4).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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?
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?
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.
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? Could He Become “the Beast”? What makes the German Defense Minister a candidate?
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 are links to two sermon videos Germany in Bible Prophecy and The Rise of the Germanic Beast Power of Prophecy.
The ‘Lost Tribe’ of Reuben: France in Prophecy? What is the origin of this in France? What is prophesied to happen to them? A two-part sermon related to history and prophecy is available online: The ‘Lost Tribe’ of Reuben and France and Prophecy.
Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power? Various allegations have surfaced about the United States government spying on its own citizens as well as its supposed allies in the European Union. Whether or not all the espionage allegations are true, and the main ones have not been publicly denied by the government of the USA, the reality is that this does have prophetic ramifications and will help the Beast of Revelation. This video provides quotes from the Bible showing how this is so. The USA is placing itself in a position to be taken over and its response to the allegations will make it easier for the Europeans to do so.
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?
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.
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States This is a 188 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Hillary Clinton and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also discusses Republicans. The physical book can be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Hillary Clinton Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Hopi, and other America-Related Prophecies? $11.99.
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version of the 188 page print edition is available for only US$3.99. 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 Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon Kindle edition.

Greek 2 Euro Coin Showing Europa Riding the Beast

COGwriter

Various ones in the European Union are concerned about what will happen because of the May 7th election in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland:

5 May 2015

You know, everyone turns away from you, looking rather awkward, and then tries to change the subject?

It’s a bit like that in Brussels when you ask people their opinion on the British election.

Why is that?

Well, as one German politician put it to me: “The real divide as we see it in the UK, is not between Labour and the Conservatives, it’s between the UK and Europe.”

This week’s vote is seen in mainland Europe as a Brexit barometer. An indication as to how likely – or not- it might be that Britain will choose to exit the EU.

The majority of Britain’s EU partners want it to stay and so – as an article in France’s influential Le Monde put it last weekend – Brussels has been treading carefully these last weeks not to focus on issues that might “annoy” the UK.

Hence the reluctance to discuss this week’s election in too much detail.

While Europe has barely featured in the election campaigns in Britain – with the exception of Ukip which managed to link the issues of the EU and immigration – here in Brussels the UK vote is being scrutinised to an unprecedented extent.

David Cameron has promised to hold a referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU by 2017 if the Conservative Party is returned to government. Labour hasn’t ruled out a referendum at some point and many EU civil servants believe the public mistrust of Brussels to be so high in Britain, they assume there’ll be a demand for some kind of EU vote. …

“Europe is watching,” Sophie in ‘t Veld, vice-chair of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, told me.

“People here realise that national elections have implications for the course of the European Union. Everyone is sure this UK election will somehow lead to a referendum and I hope Britain has not given up on the EU. The EU has certainly not given up on Britain.” …

In fact, despite well-known frustration in Europe at Britain often asking to be an exception to EU policies and regulations – in the case of the euro, Schengen border controls, the social chapter, the charter on fundamental rights, and police and justice co-operation which EU officials dismissively describe as the UK’s “pick and mix attitude” towards the EU – Britain is hugely appreciated in a number of ways.

Balance of power

Germany’s Angela Merkel, the EU’s most influential leader, has called for the UK to stay in the EU. …

If Britain leaves, it would be mostly German taxpayers, as the largest net contributors, making up the shortfall to the EU budget.

Britain is also often praised in EU circles for “asking the hard but necessary questions” as a close aide to Chancellor Merkel put it to me. Such as cutting EU red tape and increasing competitiveness.

Concern and interest in this Thursday’s election even stretches across the Atlantic.

The US does not want the UK to leave the European Union.   http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32586764

Many in the UK believe that they provide too much funding to the European Union and are hampered by its regulations and ultimate agenda to eliminate national sovereignty in Europe.  Many in continental Europe fear that if Britains get to vote on the EU that they may vote to actually leave it.

Nigel Farage’s UKIP wants the UK to leave the European Union. David Cameron wants the UK to stay in. This election ultimately may result in the UK leaving the European Union or at least changing its stance towards it.

The Bible shows that Europe itself will change (Revelation 13; 17:12, 13, & 15-18).

The reality is that the UK will leave or somehow be eliminated from the final confederation of nations that will be part of the European Beast power. Ultimately, the Europeans will divide up and rule the UK.  Notice also the following from various writers who were once part of the Church of God (three of which have since died):

Here is Britain trying to GET IN on this uniting of Europe! … It is this same daughter of ancient Babylon who is to lay the YOKE of captivity and slavery on America and Britain. … Britain is allowing it self to get mixed in with European foreigners… When God brings Britain DOWN-the rime of JACOS’ S TROUBLE -the only time when the DAUGHTER of Babylon will be sitting astride a united MILITARY EUROPE. (Armstrong HW. BRITAIN’S DOOM Prophesied for Common Market Seeking Membership! Plain Truth, July 1962)

Perhaps it should be mentioned that the general position within the Churches of God is that Britain will not remain in the EU and will pull out at some point. (Thiel B. Tony Blair a Catholic EU Leader? Church of God News, June 26, 2007. https://www.cogwriter.com/news/prophecy/tony-blair-a-catholic-eu-leader/)

The English-speaking nations will not prosper for long in connection with this system, however. In fact, they will ultimately be overpowered and destroyed by it militarily. Prior to military attack and occupation, devastating weather problems, combined with internal civil strife (“tumults in the midst” cf. Amos 3:9) will bring our nations to the point of internal collapse. (Ogywn J. The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy. Booklet, Charlotte (NC)).

It should be understood that ultimately, Britain will NOT thrive as part of the EU but will be taken over by the final European Beast power–yet its former Prime Minister is promoting something that will not help the peoples of the UK. (Thiel B. Tony Blair Calls for a Strong, Elected, EU President Church of God News, June 9, 2007. https://www.cogwriter.com/news/prophecy/tony-blair-calls-for-a-strong-elected-eu-president/)

Bible prophecy clearly shows that Britain will not be one …comprising the final United States of Europe (McNair R. A Strong United Europe. Tomorrow’s World, February 1970, p. 17).

The Bible shows that Europe will have at least three reorganizations (see also Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?) and that ultimately trouble will come to the UK (e.f. Jeremiah 30:7).

The final European King of the North (Daniel 11:27-40) will take over the UK, USA, and their Anglo-Saxon allies according to Bible prophecy (cf. Daniel 11:39; Isaiah 10:5-11).  Repercussions from this week’s elections will likely be a contributing factor.

Some items of related interest may include:

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?
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.
Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president/prime minister? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand.
.Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. A video of possible interest may be Will Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power?.
Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?

Mike Huckabee (photo by Gage Skidmore)

COGwriter

Former Baptist minister, Governor of Arkansas, and radio/television host Mike Huckabee has officially announced his candidacy for the US presidency:

May 5, 2015

Mike Huckabee launched his second run for the Republican presidential nomination by promising to take the nation “from hope to higher ground” and emphasizing his ability to work with Democrats while he was governor of Arkansas.

“I learned how to govern and I learned how to lead,” he said Tuesday at his announcement in Hope, Ark., the hometown he shares with former president Bill Clinton.

Huckabee’s wide-ranging, folksy speech included a call to replace all federal taxes with a sales tax, criticism of trade pacts that he said would undermine U.S. workers’ wages and a defense of Social Security, saying that Congress should “end their own … pensions,” rather than changing the national retirement system.

“Power and money and political influence have left a lot of Americans lagging behind,” he said,

Huckabee’s opposition to citizenship for illegal immigrants and to Common Core educational standards is in sync with the rest of the crowded Republican presidential field. …

Huckabee, 59, has better favorable ratings in national and statewide surveys than former Florida governor Jeb Bush, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Rubio. He is also well-positioned with blue-collar voters, senior citizens and conservatives as well as the evangelical voters who helped fuel his 2008 Iowa victory.​  http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2015/05/05/mike-huckabee-presidential-race-announcement/22317637/

Mike Huckabee ran for president back in the 2008 election.  Notice also the following:

May 5, 2015

In September of 2007, Bill Clinton, appearing on ABC’s “This Week,” said that among the Republican candidates for president, there was only one “dark horse that’s got any kind of chance” against his then-senator wife Hillary Clinton.

Of the same “dark horse,” Clinton adviser James Carville said, “He likes people, he knows how to relate to people. He can talk the talk. I’m impressed with this guy’s political skills.”

“This guy” was Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor well-known to the Clintons but a little-known former Baptist minister to everyone else. He decided he wasn’t scared of John McCain or Mitt Romney, the party’s two frontrunners. He wanted to run for President anyway.

And his performance that year is likely a big reason why Huckabee thinks he may have a shot at the nomination this go round.

In 2008, he won the Iowa caucuses and on Super Tuesday won an additional six states. He finished second in the South Carolina primary and third in the New Hampshire and Michigan primaries. …

Huckabee’s positions won’t win everyone over, that’s certain. But if voters are truly ready for a “new tone,” as they perennially say they are, they’d be hard pressed to find a more promising candidate. http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/s-e-cupp-mike-huckabee-article-1.2211156

Here is one listing  about some of Mike Huckabee’s political positions:

Abortion

Mike Huckabee is strongly opposed to abortion, including in cases of rape or incest. He has stated that abortion should be legal only when the life of the mother is at risk. He believes that it would “most certainly” be a good day for America if Roe v. Wade were repealed.

Health care

Huckabee opposed Obama’s health care plan, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. He stated that he wants to “give citizens more control over their own health care choices.”

Free Trade

In his book From Hope to Higher Ground, Huckabee expressed support for free trade, but only if it is “fair trade”. He identified excess litigation, excess taxation, and excess regulation as three factors contributing to the loss of American jobs, and has proposed economic sanctions on China.

Gay Marriage

Huckabee has voiced opposition to both same-sex marriage and civil unions. He says that Americans should respect gay couples, but no gay adoptions should take place. He signed legislation outlawing same-sex marriage in Arkansas.

Teaching of Evolution

Huckabee has voiced his support of intelligent design and he has stated that he does not accept the validity of Darwin’s theory of evolution. He was quoted in July 2004 on Arkansans Ask, his regular show on the Arkansas Educational Television Network: “I think that students also should be given exposure to the theories not only of evolution but to the basis of those who believe in creationism.”

Military

In 2007 Mike Huckabee argued for a larger military and an increase in defense spending, writing “Right now, we spend about 3.9 percent of our GDP on defense, compared with about six percent in 1986, under President Ronald Reagan. We need to return to that six percent level.”

Immigration

During his bid for president, Huckabee released a comprehensive nine-point immigration enforcement and border security plan. His plan includes building a border fence, increased border patrol personnel, and increases in visas for skilled workers who enter the country legally. He has previously stated he is opposed to using military resources for border patrol.Huckabee’s plan would also require all 11-12 millionillegal immigrants to register with the federal government and return to their home countries within 120 days. Failure to do so would carry a 10-year ban from entering the US.

Gun control

Huckabee has voiced his support for self-defense and the Castle Doctrine, and has generally taken an anti-gun control stance. He believes that the concealed carrying of weapons should be allowed. He has said that whenever he hears people start talking about hunting when referring to the Second Amendment, he realizes they do not know what they are talking about, because the Second Amendment was to allow an armed citizenry the opportunity to protect themselves in case a tyrannical government ever came into power. (Mike Huckabee, Wikipedia, accessed 05/05/15)

Certainly, I agree that abortion is wrong and should not be legal nor that homosexual marriage should be legal.  I also agree that Darwinism as generally understood is wrong (see also Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical?).

But that being said, I do not believe that Mike Huckabee is the real answer for the USA.  The USA needs national repentance and the return of Jesus and the Kingdom of God.

I also have severe doubts that the mainstream media would stand for Mike Huckabee’s election.  Expressions like ‘too extreme,’ ‘out-of-touch,’ ‘anti-woman,’ and accusing hints of racism may be used against him and more. Because of his radio and television presence, the media will likely be able to find a lot of quotes from Mike Huckabee to attempt to exploit.  On the other hand, ever since he got his own television show on Fox years ago, I believed that Mike Huckabee was using this to build his popularity to run for the presidency–and because of that, he may have been careful on many statements–but even so, I still believe the mainstream media will find many comments he has made offensive to their agendas.

That being said, if Mike Huckabee were to win the Republican nomination and potentially face Hillary Clinton, there would be major differences between their platforms and goals for the USA.

Several 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.
Can you see the ‘Handwriting on the Wall’? Thousands of years ago, King Belshazzar saw a hand appear at a big party he was hosting. The hand wrote Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin. Shortly after the Prophet Daniel explained it, his empire was taken over and King Belshazzar died. Is this applicable today? Are there signs right before our eyes that show that the end is coming to the United States and its Anglo-descended allies. Do abortions, sexual immorality, celebrity pornography, and increased debt mean anything? What does the Bible show?
Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true? Here is a link to a YouTube sermon titled Is it logical to believe in God?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge. Here is a link to a YouTube video titled Quickly Disprove Evolution as the Origin of Life.
How Old is the Earth and How Long Were the Days of Creation? Does the Bible allow for the creation of the universe and earth billions of years ago? Why do some believe they are no older than 6,000 years old? What is the gap theory? Where the days of creation in Genesis 1:3 through 2:3 24 hours long? Here is a link to a sermon: Genesis, ‘Prehistoric man,’ and the Gap theory. Here is a link to a related article in Spanish: ¿Cuán vieja es la Tierra? ¿Cuán largos fueron los Días de la Creación? ¿Teoría de la brecha?
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? A video of related interest is titled Hillary Clinton and Bible Prophecy.
Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president/prime minister? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand.
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.
Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? Has the Roman Catholic Church allowed abortions? What about the real Church of God? Some may also, or instead, wish to view the YouTube video Abortion, the Bible, and US Debt.
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?
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? A booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom.
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.
nited States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also discusses Republicans. The physical book can be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Hillary Clinton Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Hopi, and other America-Related Prophecies? $11.99.
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version of the 188 page print edition is available for only US$3.99. 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 Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon Kindle edition.