Church of God News

BRICS Leaders Dilma Rousseff, Manmohan Singh, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Jacob Zuma (Agência Brasil Roberto Stuckert Filho)

COGwriter

The BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are meeting this week, and the situation with Greece is to be one of the items to be discussed:

July 7, 2015

BRICS bank, crises in Greece & Ukraine to top agenda at SCO/BRICS summits – presidential aide

Russia currently presides in both BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. So, it was only natural for us to suggest it to our partners that we put these two summits together.Another reason is that both these organizations have a very positive and stabilizing effect on the world. They both have positive agendas.

Also, Russia and China are members of both BRICS and the SCO, India is a member of BRICS and has observer status at the SCO. So, the leaders of these three countries were supposed to come together anyway, and it made sense to put these two events together and to have them in the same city…

the situation in Greece will be discussed at both summits, particularly during informal conversations. Especially now that the results of the Greek referendum are in, and there is intensive consultation underway within the euro zone. The Euro summit launches tomorrow, and the Greek issue will inevitably be on the table there. There has been speculation in the media that Greece may apply for accession to the New Development Bank.  http://rt.com/op-edge/272134-ushakov-putin-brics-sco/

July 7, 2015

“There has been speculation in the media that Greece may apply for accession to the New Development Bank. We know of these assumptions, but so far no one has officially discussed such an option with us,” Yury Ushakov, President Putin’s aide, said. …

The BRICS’ New Development Bank has an initial capital of $50 billion and is believed to have triggered a major reshape of the Western-dominated financial system. The NDB is expected to be up and running by the end of the year.

The BRICS countries are also busy creating an alternative to the US-dominated western SWIFT payment system. http://rt.com/business/272083-russia-greece-brics-ushakov/

July 6, 2015

What to expect from the SCO, BRICS summits in Russia

Often portrayed as a challenge to a Western-led order, this year’s simultaneous SCO and BRICS summits are set to reveal Chinese and Russian plans for closer political and economic engagement in Eurasia. …

The SCO, which groups China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, is expected to announce a rare expansion, with India and Pakistan (two of currently six states with “observer status”) on schedule to become new members – the first countries outside Central Asia since the institution was founded in 2001.  …

So what exactly do Russia and China want? “There seems to be an attempt to boost cooperation between the SCO and the BRICS. Especially a 90-minute session between the leaders of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), BRICS and SCO as well as from Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, is a sign that Russia is aiming for political block-building,” Moritz Rudolf, a China foreign policy expert at the Berlin-based Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS), told DW. …

China could also propose more application of local currencies in intra-BRICS trade and even the financial fate of Greece… http://www.dw.com/en/what-to-expect-from-the-sco-brics-summits-in-russia/a-18564835

July 7, 2015

Greece has been invited by Russia to become the sixth member of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB). The $100 billion NDB is expected to compete with Western dominance and become one of the key lending institutions.

The invitation was made by Russian Deputy Finance Minister Sergey Storchak on Monday during a phone conversation with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, according to a statement on Greece’s Syriza party website. Tsipras thanked Storchak, who’s currently a representative of the BRICS Bank for the invitation, and said Greece was interested in the offer.

“The Prime Minister thanked Storchak and said he was pleasantly surprised by the invitation for Greece to be the sixth member of the BRICS Development Bank. Tsipras said Greece is interested in the offer, and promised to thoroughly examine it. He will have a chance to discuss the invitation with the other BRICS leaders during the 2015 International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg,” the statement said. …

Russia and Greece have been strengthening economic cooperation, as both countries have their own issues. While Russia is stuck in a so-called ‘sanctions war’ with the EU and the US, Greece is struggling to repay its multibillion euro debt to the troika of international lenders – the IMF, the ECB and the European Commission. Greece is trying to find a compromise with its international creditors to have a further €7.2 billion bailout unlocked.  http://rt.com/business/257701-greece-russia-brics-invitation/

Most in the USA do not know much, if anything, about what is going on with the BRICS, EEU, and the SCO.  But these Gentile organizations are growing in economic influence:

July 6, 2015

Leaders of the so-called BRICS countries are meeting starting Wednesday in Ufa, Russia. …

The combined economic output last year of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa almost matched the U.S.’s gross domestic product. Back in 2007, the U.S. economy was double the BRICS.

“Despite some disappointments in some of the BRIC economies, led by China and India, their collective weight in global GDP continues to rise and therefore also does their importance,” said Jim O’Neill, the former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. chief economist who coined the acronym back in 2001, without South Africa. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-06/here-s-the-17-trillion-reason-why-the-brics-summit-this-week-is-a-big-deal

For years Russia and China have been attempting to eliminate domination of the world’s financial markets and reserve currency by the US dollar. Other nations, including those not in BRICS (like the Gulf States and the Europeans) want to do the same thing.  Russia, China, and India also would like to see limits on the EU as well–and that is part of why they have interest in Greece.

Notice an older news story from Pravda that confirms the BRICS plans:

May 17, 2013

The US is bankrupt. Yet Uncle Sam continues to stride the world stage and can simply print more money to get by because the dollar is the world’s reserve currency. Remove it as the reserve currency, and the US will no longer be able to remain supreme or fund its wars by relying on what would then be a worthless paper currency…

China has been implementing bilateral trade agreements with a number of countries, whereby trade is no longer conducted in dollars, but in local currencies. Over the past few years, China and other emerging powers such as Russia have been making agreements to move away from the US dollar in international trade. The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) also plan to start using their own currencies when trading with each other. Russia and China have been using their own national currencies when trading with each other for more than a year.

Under Saddam, Iraq was not using the dollar as the base currency for oil transactions. Neither is Iran right now. http://english.pravda.ru/business/finance/17-05-2013/124594-dollar_crisis-0/

Notice something I wrote about the US dollar in my book Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term:

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

Many leaders of the world are trying to move away from the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency.  The leaders of the BRICS and EU nations want this. And lest seem to be considered a new position by me, these type of warnings were also in a book I wrote in 2009 (2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect)–and this is coming to pass. However, it will have a lot more European influence than the BRICS probably now believe (read, for example Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation, and watch, for example, Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?).

When the USA dollar loses its dominance as the world’s reserve currency, this will mean high inflation and ultimately disaster for the USA.

The current world order dominated by the USA, and formerly by the UK is being changed.

The Bible shows that the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7) is getting nearer. The Bible also tells of the final time of the Gentiles–and while Europe will lead, the Bible shows that the Beast power will prosper the merchants of the earth (Revelation 18:3)–and that will include the BRICS nations. As far as Brazil itself goes, I believe that it will end up closer to Europe than the BRICS nations, but that does not mean that it cannot have trade and other arrangements with groups like BRICS.

The USA wants Greece to remain with Europe:

July 7, 2015

In Washington, the White House said President Barack Obama talked with Tsipras by phone Tuesday. The United States has said it wants an early solution to Greece’s debt crisis that keeps Athens in the European currency area. http://www.voanews.com/content/greece-tsipras-facing-daunting-bid-for-new-bailout/2852019.html

As far as Greece goes, a reader sent me a link to the following:

July 7, 2015

If Greece withdraws from the European Union, its impact on the euro will be trivial. There are those who claim that it would be catastrophic to the euro, but I don’t see why. What might be extremely dangerous is leaving the euro and surviving, if not flourishing. The Greeks are currently fixated on the European Union as a source of money, and there is an assumption that they will be forced out of the global financial markets if they default. But that isn’t obvious.

Greece has three alternative sources of money. The first is Russia. The Greeks and the Russians have had a relationship going back to at least the 1970s. …

Another, though less likely, source of funds for Greece is China and some of its partners. The Chinese are trying to position themselves as a genuine global power, without a global military and with a weakening economy. Working alone or with others to help the Greeks would not be a foolish move on their part, given that it would certainly create regional influence at a relative low cost — mere tens of billions. However, it could come with the political cost of alienating a large portion of the European Union, making Chinese assistance a slight possibility.

Finally, there are American hedge funds and private equity firms. They are cash-rich because of European, Chinese and Middle Eastern money searching for safety and are facing near-zero percent interest rates. Many of them have taken wilder risks than this. The U.S. government might not discourage them, either, because it would be far more concerned about Russian or Chinese influence — and navies — in the eastern Mediterranean. …

Behind all this, the Germans are considering the future of the European Union. They are less concerned about the euro or Greek debt than they are about the free trade zone that absorbs part of their massive exports. With credit controls and default, Greece is one tiny market they lose. The last thing they want is for this to spread, or for Germany to be forced to pay for the privilege of saving it. In many ways, therefore, our eyes should shift from Greece to Germany. It is at the heart of the EU leadership, and it is going to be calling the next shot — not for the good of the bloc, but for the good of Germany, which is backed into the same corner as the rest of the European Union.  https://www.stratfor.com/weekly/greek-vote-and-eu-miscalculation?utm_source=freelist-f&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Gweekly&utm_campaign=20150707&utm_content=readmoretext&mc_cid=fe84a80645&mc_eid=6b35ba78a8

Germany will play a key role in what will happen in Europe.  We will see how much pain it wants the Greeks to feel first, as well as how much it does not want Greece to gravitate towards Russia and the East.  Greece, despite what may happen in the short-run, will end up supporting the end time Beast power that will arise in Europe (cf. Daniel 7; Revelation 13).

Despite the BRICS/SCO/EEU nations, Bible shows that it will be a power in Europe that will control much of the world’s economies for a while–and some of the steps for this to occur have already happened. And eventually, after massive devastation (the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord), Jesus will return and establish His kingdom.

For some items of possibly related interest, please check out the following:

Russia: Its 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?
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?
India and the Beast of Revelation 13 Do biblical, Catholic, and even Hindu prophecies suggest that many in India will follow, for a while, the Beast and False Prophet/Antichrist? Here is link to a related YouTube video Will People in India Worship the Beast of Revelation 13?
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters Where did the Chinese people come from? This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel. Here is a link to a version of this article in Spanish: ¿Prueban los caracteres chinos la exactitud de la Biblia?
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon? A YouTube video of interest may be Is China THE Threat to the United States of America?
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?
Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans?
Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean in Prophecy [Español: México, América central, Suramérica, Brasil y el Caribe en la profecía] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What role might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2022 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
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 2015? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
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.
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.
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.

Beast Portrayal

COGwriter

When is the earliest year that the Great Tribulation can?

Various ones seem to feel that it can begin in 2015 or 2016 or that it already started some time ago.

Those who believe and understand what the Bible actually teaches realize that the Great Tribulation cannot begin before 2019.

Jesus gave a variety of signs/events that had to happen prior the start of the Great Tribulation in Matthew 24. Not only have many not happened, a preceding event in Daniel 9:27 involving the confirmation of a seven-year deal still has not happened. Since it did not happen as of July 7, 2015, this means that it is not possible for the Great Tribulation to begin for at least 3 1/2 years (half of a biblically-prophetic week).

Additional reasons are in the article When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? and The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 (here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation).

At this instant, unless we see more major conflict in the Middle East between now and the end of the Summer, it is unlikely that the Great Tribulation can begin prior to 2020.

The Great Tribulation is coming, but it will not begin in 2015. And, as I announced within days after Barack Obama was re-elected, I did not believe that it would can begin until after his second term ended. And as of July 7, 2015, I do not believe that it can begin prior to 2019.

That being said, I posted a news item last month which showed why the COGs associated with the Sardis and Laodicean churches could not possibly know when the Great Tribulation will begin unless they change..

CG7, for one example, believes that most events in the Book of Revelation have already been fulfilled, so they are not officially looking for it. And the Laodicean churches have added extra, non-biblical events/requirements to precede the Great Tribulation, that are not necessary and hence those who believe them will NOT believe that the Great Tribulation will start until it is too late (see also The Laodicean Church Era).

The Great Tribulation will, of course, come some day per Jesus’ statement in Matthew 24:21. And those that will listen and truly understand what Jesus taught in Matthew 24 and what He referred to in the Book of Daniel, can understand.

Yet, according to Jesus’ words to the churches in Revelation 2 & 3, relatively few (the remnant of the Philadelphia Church Era only). Will you truly listen and truly understand?

Beef carcasses

COGwriter

A reader tipped me off to the following:

July 6, 2015

From burger meat to prime steaks, the rising cost of beef from Canada shows no signs of easing anytime soon. To understand why, look no further than ranchers like Shawn Freimark who can’t afford to feed their cattle.

A drought has parched pastureland throughout the biggest beef-producing provinces and left Canada, the world’s seventh-largest exporter, with its smallest herd in 22 years. Freimark was unable to grow the grass normally used to feed his 200 cattle in Castor, Alberta. He’s sold one-fifth of his animals to cut his losses, and may unload even more.

“We’re going to be buying all of our feed,” said Freimark, 45, who estimates it will cost him C$50,000 ($39,800) to get C$100,000 of hay by truck from six hours away.

Cattle supplies are so tight in Canada that meat plants are running at 74 percent of capacity, a seven-year low, forcing processors to pay a premium for animals to slaughter. Retail prices are the highest on record going back to at least 1995, with a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of ground beef up by a third over the past two years to C$12.64 in May and sirloin steak jumping 44 percent to C$24.22.

Delaying Expansion

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. In February, the government said high meat prices would encourage ranchers to expand the breeding herd this year. Instead, they’re shrinking as persistent dryness compounds the financial strain on an industry that has been hurt over the past decade by cases of mad cow disease, flooding and labor shortages.

“It could be four to six years of tight supplies,” said Charlie Pearson, a market analyst with Alberta’s agriculture ministry in Edmonton.

That spells trouble for meat eaters south of the border in the U.S., the world’s biggest consumer. Canada exports more than a third of its cattle and beef to the U.S., where tight supplies also have led to record prices.  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-05/expensive-steaks-here-to-stay-as-drought-cuts-canada-cattle-herd

And of course, south of Canada, California’s drought is affecting food prices:

Jul.y 6, 2015

California is making the largest water cutbacks on record, and Lake Mead is dropping toward 1,075 feet of water, a level it’s never hit before and that triggers the first-ever mandatory water cuts in the Colorado River Basin. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/twenty-wests-leading-water-managers-raft-colorados-yampa-river-180955618/#KvEU8bVCbiir5p8B.99

July 5, 2015

With California in its fourth year of drought, the burgeoning assortment of almond products is in danger of becoming too costly for most consumers.

“Almonds a year ago were priced at about $3.30, and we thought that was an exorbitant price,” Stephen Smith, Hain Celestial’s chief financial officer, said on a conference call last month. “And here we are looking at prices in the mid-$4 range.”  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-06/almond-prices-surge-as-sales-boom-collides-with-drought

Californian beef producers, the fourth largest producer in the country, are raising their prices amid the water shortage. Distributors said beef prices have jumped at least 10 percent in recent weeks, highlighting in a new way for consumers how crucial water is to meat production.“The issue of water [intensive] foods has been important for a long time, of course,” said Sophie Egan, who works for Culinary Institute of America. “But now with the drought in California, the concept of a food’s water footprint has really come into mainstream conversation.”Red meat has a high water footprint because farmers must plant a tremendous amount of grass for the animals to feed on, in addition to providing drinking water. While vegetables are ready to eat after a couple months, beef cattle require over two years of maintenance — the water adds up. Low rainfall in California has forced ranchers to move herds to wetter regions and purchase feed to supplement their animals’ diets, which led to statewide price increases. http://peninsulapress.com/2015/06/23/water-cost-california-drought-and-beef/

Of course, there are also droughts in parts Europe, Asia, Africa and elsewhere.

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

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

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

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

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

The above prophecy will come to pass (see also Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and/or watch the video The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse). Those predictions have NOT yet been completely fulfilled. Food shortages and price fluctuations for food are still going to happen and we are seeing some now.

The Bible connects sin and drought.  Scripture shows that water/rain/drought will become a problem for various disobedient peoples:

13 ‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, 14 then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil. 15 And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled.’ 16 Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, 17 lest the Lord’s anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the Lord is giving you. (Deuteronomy 11:13-17)

6 “Also I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities. And lack of bread in all your places; Yet you have not returned to Me,” Says the Lord. 7 “I also withheld rain from you, When there were still three months to the harvest. I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city. One part was rained upon, And where it did not rain the part withered. 8 So two or three cities wandered to another city to drink water, But they were not satisfied; Yet you have not returned to Me,” Says the Lord. (Amos 4:6-8)

10 “Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace — and one builds a wall, and they plaster it with untempered mortar — 11 say to those who plaster it with untempered mortar, that it will fall. There will be flooding rain, and you, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall tear it down. 12 Surely, when the wall has fallen, will it not be said to you, ‘Where is the mortar with which you plastered it?'” 13 Therefore thus says the Lord God: “I will cause a stormy wind to break forth in My fury; and there shall be a flooding rain in My anger, and great hailstones in fury to consume it. 14 So I will break down the wall you have plastered with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered; it will fall, and you shall be consumed in the midst of it. Then you shall know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 13:10-14)

15 “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: 16 “Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country. 17 “Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. 18 “Cursed shall be the fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. 19 “Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out. 20 “The Lord will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doings in which you have forsaken Me. 21 The Lord will make the plague cling to you until He has consumed you from the land which you are going to possess. 22 The Lord will strike you with consumption, with fever, with inflammation, with severe burning fever, with the sword, with scorching, and with mildew; they shall pursue you until you perish. 23 And your heavens which are over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you shall be iron. 24 The Lord will change the rain of your land to powder and dust; from the heaven it shall come down on you until you are destroyed. (Deuteronomy 28:15-24)

6 I will lay it waste; It shall not be pruned or dug, But there shall come up briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds That they rain no rain on it. (Isaiah 5:6)

1 The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the droughts. 2 “Judah mourns, And her gates languish; They mourn for the land, And the cry of Jerusalem has gone up. 3 Their nobles have sent their lads for water; They went to the cisterns and found no water. They returned with their vessels empty; They were ashamed and confounded And covered their heads. 4 Because the ground is parched, For there was no rain in the land, The plowmen were ashamed; They covered their heads. 5 Yes, the deer also gave birth in the field, But left because there was no grass. 6 And the wild donkeys stood in the desolate heights; They sniffed at the wind like jackals; Their eyes failed because there was no grass.” 7 O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, Do it for Your name’s sake; For our backslidings are many, We have sinned against You. (Jeremiah 14:1-7)

5 “A sword is against the Chaldeans,” says the Lord, “Against the inhabitants of Babylon, And against her princes and her wise men. 36 A sword is against the soothsayers, and they will be fools. A sword is against her mighty men, and they will be dismayed. 37 A sword is against their horses, Against their chariots, And against all the mixed peoples who are in her midst; And they will become like women. A sword is against her treasures, and they will be robbed. 38 A drought is against her waters, and they will be dried up. For it is the land of carved images, And they are insane with their idols. (Jeremiah 50:35-38)

4 We pay for the water we drink, And our wood comes at a price. 5 They pursue at our heels; We labor and have no rest. (Lamentations 5:4-5)

16 Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, surely I will cut off the supply of bread in Jerusalem; they shall eat bread by weight and with anxiety, and shall drink water by measure and with dread, 17 that they may lack bread and water, and be dismayed with one another, and waste away because of their iniquity. (Ezekiel 4:16-17)

7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! 8 Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord. 9 “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the Lord of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. 10 Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit. 11 For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.” (Haggai 1:7-11)

10 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter. (Revelation 8:10-11)

8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory. (Revelation 16:8-9)

Droughts and weather problems, including floods and high heat, can contribute to food shortages, higher food prices, and sometimes famines.

Notice that God uses weather to warn people to turn to Him, but many ignore this:

17 I struck you with blight and mildew and hail in all the labors of your hands; yet you did not turn to Me,’ says the Lord.  (Haggai 2:17)

21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.  (Revelation 16:21)

The Bible shows:

30 God…commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30)

And weather-problems are one way that God uses to urge people to repent (cf. Haggai 2:17).

Now, does this mean that those most affected by weather are necessarily worse sinners than those less affected?

The biblical answer is no.

Notice the words of Jesus:

45…He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:45)

4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13:4-5)

God uses weather and other events to warn people.

There is a cost to sin and we are seeing some of that in the weather patterns.

Some items of related interest may include:

Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done? What does the Bible teach about weather? What about floods, droughts, heat, earthquakes, tornadoes, and solar storms? Here is a related YouTube video Does God Use Weather? A related item in the Spanish language would be Bendiciones y maldiciones del clima.
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future.
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.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 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 2015? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language video The Great Tribulation Will Not Begin Before 2017. You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
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? A related video sermon is titled What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse What do each of the four horseman of the Apocalypse represent? Have they began their ride? Did Jesus discuss the any of this? Might their rides coincide with the “beginning of sorrows? Do they start their ride prior to the Great Tribulation? Did Nostradamus or any other ‘private prophets’ write predictions that may mislead people so that they may not understand the truth of one or more of the four horseman? There is also a related YouTube video titled The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse What is the pale horse of death and pestilences? What will it bring and when? Spanish: El cuarto jinete de Apocalipsis, el caballo pálido de muerte y pestilencia.
GMOs and Bible Prophecy What are GMOs? Since they were not in the food supply until 1994, how could they possibly relate to Bible prophecy? Do GMOs put the USA and others at risk? Here is a related YouTube video GMO Risks and the Bible.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? A booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near? A related sermon is titled The Millennium.
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2021 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up?

Greek Riots (2008)

COGwriter

The voters in Greece turned down an offer to help their economy, but still hope for assistance:

July 6, 2015

Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis resigned Monday, a day after Greek voters overwhelmingly rejected a demand by the country’s lenders to impose more austerity measures on the country in exchange for new bailout loans for the government in Athens.

His resignation was a surprise because Varoufakis had said he would only resign if his countrymen voted in favor of accepting the austerity demands.

However, Varoufakis said Monday he was “made aware of a certain preference” by some eurozone members for his “absence” from meetings of finance ministers. He said his withdrawal from such meetings was “an idea the prime minister judged to be potentially helpful to him in reaching an agreement” with Greece’s creditors.

Varoufakis has often clashed with the creditors in the past few months. And a few days ago, he accused the European Union of “terrorism” by trying to scare the Greeks into voting the EU’s way.

Varoufakis said Sunday the “no” vote was a “holy moment” and “a moment of hope for the whole of Europe.”

Results showed 61 percent of voters rebuffed warnings from European leaders that ignoring their calls for more austerity could force the country from the 19-nation euro currency bloc.

Difficulties ahead

Jeroen Dijsselbloem, head of the eurozone finance ministers, said “difficult measures and reforms are inevitable” for the recovery of the Greek economy.

One voter predicted there would be no good outcome from the referendum, saying, “This referendum should not have happened. There is no dilemma.  It is just as bad for us either way.”

But those in the “yes” camp said Greece has no choice but a European future. Being forced out of the eurozone means Greece would have to go back to using its old currency, the drachma, money that some outside Greece could refuse to accept.

The week leading up to Sunday’s referendum was miserable for most Greeks.  http://www.voanews.com/content/greece-rejects-europe-bailout-terms/2850242.html

July 06. 2015

ATHENS, Greece — Greece and its membership in Europe’s joint currency faced an uncertain future Monday, with the country under pressure to reach a bailout deal with creditors as soon as possible after Greeks resoundingly rejected the notion of more austerity in exchange for aid.

With Greek banks running out of cash and facing the danger of collapse within days without new aid, the government in Athens is racing against the clock.

In an effort to facilitate negotiations on a new aid program, Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, who had clashed with European officials in the bailout talks, announced his resignation Monday.

But Greece and its creditors, who will meet again Tuesday to discuss how to keep the country in the euro, remain far apart on key issues, particularly the notion of debt relief.

The negotiations are complicated for the European creditors by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ triumph in Sunday’s referendum. …

But everything hinges on European reaction. A eurozone summit was hastily called for Tuesday afternoon to discuss the situation.

European officials appear to be split on a key demand by Greece to have the burden of its bailout loans be made more manageable.

France’s finance minister, Michel Sapin, indicated that discussing Greece’s debt is not taboo, saying the country could not recover with its current obligations “in the months and years to come.”

Sapin also called for the ECB to maintain liquidity assistance to Greek banks.

Germany, however, remains reluctant to discuss debt forgiveness.

Finance Ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger said Germany’s “position is well-known … a debt cut is not an issue for us.”

More broadly, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman said talks on a new bailout program for Greece would depend on what proposals Athens makes.

Steffen Seibert said Germany respects the “clear ‘no’ vote” by Greeks against austerity measures.”

However, he added that “in view of Greek citizens’ decision yesterday, the conditions are not there at present to enter negotiations on a new program.” He said the “no” vote is a vote against the principle — still supported by Germany — that solidarity requires countries to make their own reform efforts. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/07/06/world/europe/ap-eu-greece-bailout.html?_r=0

The EU wants to help Greece, Greece wants the help, but the Germans feel that they have been maligned and disrespected.  Yesterday’s vote does not set well with the Germans.  Since the Germans are the source of much of the money, they have more influence than the nations in Europe who immediately want the Germans to give the Greeks more money.

The European Union wants Greece to be part of the Eurozone.  It does not want Greece to possibly turn to Russia for financial assistance. This situation is tough for the Germans and the Greeks. The Germans feel that they have lent Greece money in good faith and that they are not being paid back as agreed, while the Greeks feel that they have sacrificed enough.

I believe that the European powers want Greece to feel more pain for a while so that they will have more influence over Greece.  Given enough pain, look for civil unrest and even violent riots in Greece.  If Greece feels trapped, look for more discussions with Russia.

Look for more calls for financial controls and possible currency changes.

If any think that the problems in Greece were resolved by yesterday’s vote, they are in error.  The Greek vote seems to have been a matter of national pride–not a solution.  It did not produce wealth.  It did not produce money to pay down debt nor move the Greek economy forward.  Greeks may be celebrating the vote, but that celebration may prove hollow.  The Greeks do not seem to realize that the Europeans/Germans have been subsidizing their nation for some time and that lack of subsidy will hurt (of course, Americans do not realize how much they have been subsidized and big problems will hit the USA because of it per Habakkuk 2:6-8).  Pride and a haughty spirit can precede a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

There will be difficulties in Greece.  Even the Greek Prime Minister and its now former Finance Minister realize that Greece has problems and needs to deal with the Europeans/Germans.  Some humility will be needed and some in the Greek government have at least hinted that–whether it will be enough soon enough we will see.  Problems are very likely.

Yet, ultimately, Greece will end up as a nation that will support the final King of the North European Beast power.

The Bible is clear that the final European Beast power will be a mixture of of weak and strong parties that do not adhere particularly well together per Daniel 2:41-43. We will see how the crisis with Greece will turn out, but the end result will be that the Beast power will arise and surprise many (Revelation 13:1-4).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
WTO/TTIP and the Babylonian Beast Will international trade agreements like WTO/TTIP/CETA lead to the fulfillment of end time prophecies concerning the Babylonian Beast power that the Book of Revelation warns against? What does the Bible teach? A related video would be WTO Trade Deal and the Rise of the European Beast Power.
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?
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.
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people? Here is a link to a related sermon titled Germany in Bible Prophecy. Here is a link to a video Is the USA Pushing Germany to Start WWIII?
Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean in Prophecy [Español: México, América central, Suramérica, Brasil y el Caribe en la profecía] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What role might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
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.
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.
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?

Gerald Flurry

COGwriter

A couple of years ago, I received the following in an email about the Philadelphia Church of God:

Did you know that Flurry made a announcement in The Church that no one could have any children any more .As He said it’s time to go, any moment, and He wants all the people to tell all of their familys… that are in some of what He calls “Off Shoots” He wants them all back..?

…a CD just was distributed in all Churches, of the [PCG] “of course.”.. They are to tell ALL , The family members and “all others” that left and in “THE OFF SHOOTS”. “That it is time” for all to return to “The True Church”, as it’s time to go very soon now.. They are not allowed to have anymore children, if they do it’s possible they might be put out and unable to go to the Place of Saftey… This is what I heard, one could never have the proof as He has all the CD’s destroyed after hearing them.. [ Look on Exit and Support ].. for more details.. Flurry, forbids any “CD”S going out”.. If he finds some one tell anyone anything “There marked”…

While I have not listened to Gerald Flurry’s CD, Gerald Flurry does have a history of being off in his prophetic understandings.  He also seems to like to acquire artifacts to the point that sometimes seems to be idolatrous (e.g. PCG Added Another Relic). The time to flee is not imminent and the Great Tribulation will not begin before 2019.

What about this issue about becoming pregnant?

Jesus told of a time when being pregnant would be a problem:

¹⁵ “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), ¹⁶ then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁷ Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. ¹⁸ And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. ¹⁹ But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! ²⁰ And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.

²¹ For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. ²²And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened (Matthew 24:15-22).

As far as when the time will come to not get pregnant, back in 2009, I actually wrote about this in my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect as follows:

A year or two after this Daniel 9:27 deal is made, women may wish to be careful about becoming pregnant, as Jesus warned that the time right at the beginning of the Great Tribulation would be hard on those who are pregnant or nursing (Matthew 24:19).

Notice that Jesus said it would be a problem being pregnant when it is time to flee and that this fleeing happens after the time when the abomination of desolation is standing in the holy place (Matthew 24:15), which is also discussed in Daniel 11:31. But Daniel 11:31 does not happen until three and one half years after the deal in Daniel 9:27 is made. Here are fuller quotes from Daniel:

26b And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.

27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate.” (Daniel 9:-26-27)

31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. (Daniel 11:31)

The seven year (‘one week’) covenant has not been confirmed, hence the Great Tribulation cannot happen for at least 3 1/2 years. The ‘him’ in Daniel 11:31 is the final King of the North (Daniel 11:40) and was called a ‘prince’ when he first confirms the seven year deal–which simply has not yet happened.

Presuming that the reports are right that Gerald Flurry made the announcement in the past to stop having children, his timing, in my view at least, is premature. Gerald Flurry claims to be a prophet, but he is not a true prophet of God. He needs to rely more on the Bible and less on his own imaginations.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include the following:

Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God Simply calling oneself ‘Philadelphia’ does not make one so (see Revelation 3:7-9), nor does Gerald Flurry calling himself “that prophet” or a variety of other titles make it so. This article provides many quotes from this group which tries to look faithful.
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
What is a True Philadelphian? Many claim to be part of the Philadelphia era of the Church, but is claiming enough? This article has biblical and historical evidence about who really are the Philadelphians.
Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees? Discusses similarities of the Sadducees and Pharisees to various COGs in this end-time.
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory. There is also a video on the subject: Might Petra be the Place of Safety?
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 2015? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?

Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito, Ecuador

COGwriter

Pope Francis is scheduled to be in Ecuador this afternoon for the first of his three nation tour of Latin American this month.  Some have hope, some do not:

July 5, 2015

“The pope of the poor” chose to visit Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay specifically because they are among the poorest and most marginal nations of a region that claims 40 percent of the world’s Catholics. He’s skipping his homeland of Argentina, at least partly to avoid papal entanglement in this year’s presidential election.

The trip starts in Ecuador, where falling world prices for oil and minerals threaten to fray the social safety net woven by President Rafael Correa, who has been buffeted for nearly a month by the most serious anti-government street protests of his more than eight years in power.  http://news.yahoo.com/native-turf-pope-frances-touches-cherished-issues-040143187.html

July 5, 2015

Poverty and social inclusion will be at the core of his agenda in Latin America, where the gap between the rich and the poor is a major problem.

“Francisco is hopeful that Latin America will show in a near future new paths of compassion to the rest of the world” Gustavo Vera, the Pope’s friend, says.

But not everyone in Ecuador is celebrating his arrival – or the $3m (1.9m) it is costing.

Homeless people and shoeshine boys in Quito’s grand central square share the plaza with the impressive cathedral.

Irene Casillas, a make-up saleswoman from Quito, says it is this sort of inequality that made her turn away from the Catholic Church.

“I think the Vatican should get rid of the material things to help those who need it,” she says.

“The arrival of the Pope will not be the solution to all our problems. As soon as he is gone, poverty will still be there.”

Latin America represents nearly 40% of the world’s total Catholic population, with 425 million people.

But, every day, more people like Irene leave the Church or join evangelical communities.

Child abuse scandals and a Vatican seen as being out of touch have led people to turn to other churches.  …The “Pope of the Poor” http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-33396091

Pope Francis frequently talks about the poor. BBC and others have referred to him as the “Pope of the Poor.” His encyclical Laudato Si used the term ‘poor,’ ‘poorer,’ and ‘poorest’ at least 60 times.  When that encyclical came out last month, I wrote a post titled Laudato Si: Will Pope Francis’ economic actions match his words?

So far, Pope Francis’ actions have not followed his words.

Pope Francis, within days of becoming pontiff, declared, “Oh, how I would like a poor Church, and for the poor” (see Pope Francis: Do his comments about the poor show that he intend to fulfill biblical and Catholic prophecies about the final Antichrist?). Is it possible that he is suggesting that since his church holds enormous wealth in bank accounts, land, art, and jewels, that perhaps he intends to distribute some of this wealth (see Pope Francis claims he wants his church to be poor and help the poor)? Would he not then set an example he wants others to follow as he indicated in his Laudato Si?

Pope Francis must be aware that the Bible teaches:

15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:15-17)

Someday, he or another pontiff, will decide that on this point that they should walk the walk and not simply talk the talk.

Speaking about other economic issues, the Pope recently made some statements about the situation in Greece:

Pope Francis said July 1 expressed his closeness to the Greek people who are suffering the effects of the current crisis, the Holy See Press Office said.

European officials have said no to further negotiations with Greece before a national referendum planned for July 5, noting that the Athens government’s vote holds peril for the country no matter which option Greeks choose.

Francis described the news from Greece “regarding the economic and social situation of the country as worrying.”

He said he “conveys his closeness to all the Greek people, with a special thought for the many families gravely beset by such a complex and keenly felt human and social crisis.”

“The dignity of the human person must remain at the center of any political and technical debate, as well as in the taking of responsible decisions” the Pope noted.

He invited all the faithful to “unite in prayer for the good of the beloved Greek people.” http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/pope-francis-says-let-greeks-have-dignity-while-urging-responsible-decisions-31172

Today, the Greeks voted for a choice between two difficult financial options.  Greece will still have problems tomorrow.  Will Pope Francis help out?

Might the Pope use some of the wealth of the Vatican to support certain European nations/leaders? I expect this, as it seems to be likely and consistent with the following scriptures:

1…”Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”…9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits…18:3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” (Revelation 17:1-2,9; 18:3)

Nor do I believe the Vatican will limit its support to Europe. The Church of Rome has a lot of worldly wealth–it is a version of that church that is being discussed above in Revelation.  Pope Francis must be aware of the extreme poverty in parts of Latin America, not to mention Africa and certain other parts of the world.

I suspect the time will come when the Vatican will actually sell/give away/pledge some of its wealth to influence world events. Pope Francis has been hinting of this for over two years, so at some point in time, he probably intends to take action to match his rhetoric. This will increase his popularity with the media, European leaders, and others in the world.

If Pope Francis does not end up doing this, he, at minimum, has made various statements that the final Antichrist (which may not be him as that is not certain yet) and the Beast, can point to as justification for wealth distribution.

The Pope wants unity among the world’s religions and nations.  Putting the Vatican’s ‘money where his mouth is’ could be something that he will do to try to support that.

The type of unity he wants is NOT unity with original Christianity, but the form impacted by Mithraism.

Here is some of what he said in Ecuador today:

July 5, 2015

Dear friends, I begin my visit filled with excitement and hope for the days ahead. In Ecuador is the point closest to outer space: it is the peak of Chimborazo, which for that reason is called the place “closest to the sun”, the moon and the stars. We Christians identify Christ with the sun, and the moon with the Church, the community of the faithful. No one, save Jesus Christ, possesses his or her own light. May the coming days make all of us ever more clearly aware of how close is the sun which “dawns upon us from on high”. May each of us be a true reflection of his light and his love.

From this place, I wish to embrace all of Ecuador. From the peak of Chimborazo to the Pacific coast; from the Amazon rainforest to the Galapagos Islands, may you never lose the ability to thank God for what he has done and is doing for you. May you never lose the ability to protect what is small and simple, to care for your children and your elderly, to have confidence in the young, and to be constantly struck by the nobility of your people and the singular beauty of your country.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, to which Ecuador has been consecrated, grant you every grace and blessing. Thank you. http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=27854

Early Christians did NOT identify Christ with the sun–the pagan followers of the sun-god Mithras did, and the Greco-Romans adopted that.  Early Christians did NOT identify the church with the moon.  Early Christians did not invoke Mary nor her heart.

What Pope Francis is trying to do is not related to restoring knowledge of true Christianity.  He promotes a faith that original Christians did not have.  We will see if he decides money will help.

Some items of related interest may include:

Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean in Prophecy [Español: México, América central, Suramérica, Brasil y el Caribe en la profecía] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What role might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. December 25th was celebrated as his birthday. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity? A sermon video from Vatican City is titled Church of Rome, Mithras, and Isis?
United Nations: Humankind’s Last Hope or New World Order? Is the UN the last hope for humanity? Or might its goals end up with sinister results? A related video would be United Nations and Vatican Are Planning the New World Order.
Sunday and Christianity Was Sunday observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians? Who clearly endorsed Sunday? What relevance is the first or the “eighth” day?
Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation discusses the largest church since the second/third century, which in a real sense is the eighth church mentioned in the Book of Revelation (it also endorses “eighth day” worship). What church would support the Beast? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video of related interest could be Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?
Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy? Pope Francis has taken many steps to turn people more towards his version of ‘Mary.’ Could this be consistent with biblical and Catholic prophecies? This article documents what has been happening. There is also a video version titled Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?
Feast of the Immaculate Conception? Did early Christians teach Mary had an immaculate conception and led a sinless life?
Origin of the Marian Dogmas: Where Do Catholic Scholars Say The Four Dogmas of Mary Came From?
Assumption of Mary Did Mary die? Was she taken to heaven on August 15th? What is known? What does the Bible show?
Could Pope Francis be the Last Pope and Antichrist? According to some interpretations of the prophecies of the popes by the Catholic saint and Bishop Malachy, Pope Francis I is in the position of “Peter the Roman,” the pontiff who reigns during tribulations until around the time of the destruction of Rome. Do biblical prophecies warn of someone that sounds like Peter the Roman? Could Francis I be the heretical antipope of Catholic private prophecies and the final Antichrist of Bible prophecy? This is a YouTube video.
The Malachy Prophecies and “Peter the Roman” An Irish bishop allegedly predicted something about 112 popes in the 12th century. Pope Benedict XVI was number 111. Francis would seem to be number 112–if he is that one–and if so, he is to reign until Rome is destroyed. May he be an antipope/final Antichrist?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. [Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja do deus?]
The Last Pope Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Why might Pope Francis be the last pope? What happens if he is? Biblical and other prophecies help explain what to expect.
The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Amazon Book What does the Bible say about a pope near this time? Is the final pope to be an antipope and antichrist? Does Catholic prophecy point to Pope Francis as being the dreaded “Peter the Roman”? This 186 page book provides information and answers.
The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle This electronic version of the printed book which is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle.

Irvin Baxter’s Four Horsemen (Endtime Ministries Website)

COGwriter

Last night, I caught a few minutes of Irvin Baxter’s End of the Age program where he discussed Islam and his view of the ‘four horsemen of the apocalypse.

He claimed that each of the four horsemen represented one of four spirits.  He claimed that the white horseman represented the Roman Catholic Church, the red horseman represented communism, the black horseman represented capitalism, and the green horseman represented Islam.

He showed at least part of the illustration shown at the beginning of this post.  He claimed it was amazing how all of these (supposedly) fit in with Bible prophecy.

One of his biggest ‘proofs’ is that he showed a video clip that had a greenish image fade in a crowd prior to the overthrow of Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak.  He said this was proof that his ‘green horse’ was Islam.  He showed the video clip at least three times that I noticed.  The clip reminded me of an email that an Eastern Orthodox supporter in eastern Europe (Bulgaria, I believe) of an ‘angel’ which supposedly proved that the Eastern Orthodox faith was the correct one (see also Satan’s Plan).

But the criteria for truth is the Bible and the Bible does NOT endorse the Eastern Orthodox faith nor Irvin Baxter’s interpretation of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Anyway, here is some information written by Irvin Baxter on his views on the four horsemen and Islam:

Revelation 6:1-8 depicts four riders on white, red, black and pale horses. These spirits have competed with each other and patrolled and dominated the earth for the entire last century. They certainly appear to fulfill Bible prophecies concerning the very Antichrist philosophic and political movements of Catholicism, Communism, Capitalism and Islam as we move towards the end of days.

The Fourth Horse “The Green Horse”

The translators of the King James Version of the Bible used the word “pale” for the fourth horse, which is better translated “green” from the original Greek word, “chloros.” Green is the universally identifiable color of Islam.

“And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with death.” (Revelation 6:8)

According to a 2013 report in muslimpopulation.com, Islam has 2.04 billion adherents, 23% of the world population, projected to be 2.8 billion by 2014. According to a 2013 report in The Economist magazine, over 70% of Muslims support Sharia law and 90% support execution of apostates.

The Mark of Islam: Death

The green horse is marked by death. Islam is associated around the world with the nearly 3,000 deaths in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, and the over 22,594 deadly terror attacks around the world since that time, according to thereligionofpeace.com. It is the culture of death. Yet, Islam claims to be the “religion of peace.”  http://www.endtime.com/islam/ accessed 07/05/15

Is any or all of that right?

To determine that we need to look at the Bible and world history while we consider each of the four horsemen individually.

The four horsemen are listed in the Book of Revelation chapter 6.  They are listed sequentially and each one begins to ride after a seal is open.

The first horsemen represents a successful false ecumenical religion:

1 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (Revelation 6:1-2)

Could this represent some version of catholicism as Irvin Baxter claimed?

Well, if catholicism means ‘universalism,’ which it does, and Irvin Baxter means a church that will use the term ‘Catholic’ to refer to itself, then yes, Irvin Baxter is correct.  Basically, my read of scriptures, such as Daniel 11:36-38, Revelation 13:4-8, and Revelation 17, confirms that in the end time, a church of the city of seven hills that has political connections (Revelation 17) will be changed by the influences of a political leader (Revelation 13:1-10; Daniel 11:36-38) and false prophet (Revelation 13:11-18).  They will be successful for a time, until their destruction will come (Revelation 19).

Now let’s look at the opening of the second seal.  This second horsemen represents war:

3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.”  4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword. (Revelation 6:3-4)

Irvin Baxter claims that this second horseman represents communism.  That is not the case.  While red is the color of the communists and communists have engaged in war, communism per se did not take peace from the earth.  Communism did not cause either World War I nor World War II.  Nor will communism cause World War III (see also World War III: Steps in Progress).  Irvin Baxter’s interpretation of this is wrong.

Now let’s look at the opening of the third seal.  This third horsemen represents food shortages and famine:

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

Irvin Baxter claims that this third horseman is capitalism.  That is not the case.  Capitalism existed before communism, thus this interpretation of the third seal is in sequential error.  God does not make those type of mistakes.

Furthermore, history suggests that communism causes more food shortages than capitalism.  Irvin Baxter’s interpretation of this is wrong.

Now let’s look at the opening of the fourth seal.  This fourth horsemen represents pestilence and death:

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

Irvin Baxter claims that this refers to Islam.  Islam has not been killing people with hunger and by the beasts of the earth (pestilence).  It has not killed a quarter of the earth’s population, nor will it.  Although it does appear to be prophesied to cause death (e.g. Psalm 83:4-8) and lands dominated by it look to be part of the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43), this would mainly be through terrorism and war.  Islam most assuredly is NOT the fourth horseman of the apocalypse (see also Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse).  Irvin Baxter is wrong about the identity of the fourth horseman, even if Islam does contribute to some of the prophesied deaths.

Overall, Irvin Baxter is wrong about his identification of three of the four horsemen of Revelation 6.  Yet, he has a significant following.  Those who want to live as a Christian should pay attention to biblical prophecy, but need to be careful that they do not follow those that are in significant prophetic and doctrinal error.

While many prophecy watchers will rightly discount Irvin Baxter, let me state that all real and claimed Christian groups outside of the Continuing Church of God that I have looked into related to prophetic teachings ALL have provably clear prophetic errors.  Here is a link to some related to Protestantism: Dangerous Protestant Prophetic Errors.  Some related to Catholicism are in the article Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God?  And here is a link that has 30 prophetic errors related to the Laodicean COG groups: The Laodicean Church Era.

Irvin Baxter is not the only one with prophetic error (see also Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? and How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God).

In the Continuing Church of God:

19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts (2 Peter 1:19, KJV).

The Bible says:

21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV)

Some items of related interest may include:

Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse What do each of the four horseman of the Apocalypse represent? Have they began their ride? Did Jesus discuss the any of this? Might their rides coincide with the “beginning of sorrows? Do they start their ride prior to the Great Tribulation? Did Nostradamus or any other ‘private prophets’ write predictions that may mislead people so that they may not understand the truth of one or more of the four horseman? There is also a related YouTube video titled The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse What is the pale horse of death and pestilences? What will it bring and when? Spanish: El cuarto jinete de Apocalipsis, el caballo pálido de muerte y pestilencia.
Satan’s Plan Does Satan have a plan? What is it? Has it already been successful? Will it be successful in the future? Here are links to a two-part sermon series: What are Some of the Parts of Satan’s Plan? and Satan’s Plan is More Dramatic than Many Realize.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. [Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja do deus?]
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video sermon of related interest is: Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III? and a video sermon is also available: Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics Unity between these groups will put them in position to be part of the final end time Babylon that the Bible warns against as well as require improper compromise.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 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 2015? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language video The Great Tribulation Will Not Begin Before 2017. You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
Blood Moons and Prophecy There are four ‘blood moons’ expected in 2014 and 2015. Do they signal the Day of the Lord or the return of Jesus Christ? A related YouTube video is also available: Blood Moons, Prophecy, 2014, and 2015.
Dangerous Protestant Prophetic Errors What are some errors that various Protestants hold to that will tend to prevent them from knowing when the Great Tribulation will begin? A related video is titled Ten Dangerous Protestant Prophetic Errors.
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?
The Dangerous Rise of Preterists Has the Great Tribulation finished? What was the view of early Christians? Why is the preterist view dangerous? A related sermon video is titled Preterism: You’ve Gotta Be Kidding…Right?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near? A related sermon is titled The Millennium.
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2021 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up?
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots.  They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent.
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them. Here is a related article in the Spanish language ¿Por qué estar preocupado acerca de falsos y heréticos líderes?
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? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?

COGwriter

The Continuing Church of God is pleased to announce the following video on our Bible New Prophecy YouTube channel:

16:20

The ‘Harbinger’ and September 2015

Are you aware of many events that are to happen in 2015? These expected events include the end of military operation Jade Helm, a claimed end to a Shemitah year, Pope Francis speaking before US Congress, Pope Francis speaking before the United Nations, a planned UN proposal to recognize the State of Palestine, and the fourth of four ‘blood moons’ of 2014 &2015.

A written article of related interest is titled: September ‘convergence’: a harbinger of potential disaster?

Here is a link to our video: The ‘Harbinger’ and September 2015.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

United Nations: Humankind’s Last Hope or New World Order? Is the UN the last hope for humanity? Or might its goals end up with sinister results? A related video would be United Nations and Vatican Are Planning the New World Order.
Jade Helm, Captivity, and Prophecy Jade Helm 15 is scheduled by the US Army Special Operations Command to be held from July 15 – September 15, 2015. Some are concerned that this is a prelude to martial law and imprisonment of American political dissidents by the Obama Administration. Is there anything to this? Will the USA be one day taken captive? If so, by whom? What does the Bible teach about conspiracies like Jade Helm?
Messianic Judaism Beliefs Differ from the Continuing Church of God Both groups keep the seventh-day Sabbath, but have important differences in doctrines and practices. Here is a link to a related sermon: Messianic Jewish Beliefs.
The Day of Atonement–Its Christian Significance The Jews call it Yom Kippur, Christians “The Day of Atonement.” Does it have any relevance for Christians today? What is the Jubilee? Is fasting healthy?
Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required? Although people like Timothy LaHaye teach a third Jewish temple is required, who is ‘the temple of God” in the New Testament? Does the Bible require a rebuilt Jewish Temple? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Por qué no se requiere un templo judío en Jerusalén? Here is a link to a sermon titled The Temple, Prophecy, and the Work.
The Red Heifer, Jewish Beliefs, and the End of the World The Temple Institute is watching a ‘red heifer.’ Why might this be important in the sequence of end time events? Here is a related link in the Spanish language Novilla roja descubierta en EE.UU. e Instituto del Templo está interesado en ella. Here is a related video in English The Red Heifer and the End of the World.
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.
Gaza and the Palestinians in Bible Prophecy What does the Bible teach about Gaza and the fate of the Palestinians? Here is a link to a related video: Gaza and Palestine in Prophecy.
Satan’s Plan Does Satan have a plan? What is it? Has it already been successful? Will it be successful in the future? Here are links to a two-part sermon series: What are Some of the Parts of Satan’s Plan? and Satan’s Plan is More Dramatic than Many Realize.
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
United Nations: Humankind’s Last Hope or New World Order? Is the UN the last hope for humanity? Or might its goals end up with sinister results? A related video would be United Nations and Vatican Are Planning the New World Order.
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video of related interest could be Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?
The Bible, Christians, and the Environment How should Christians view the environment? Does the Bible give any clues? What are some of the effects of air, water, and land pollution? Is environmental pollution a factor in autism and death? Do pollutants seem to double the autism risk? What will Jesus do? A YouTube video is available titled Air Pollution, Autism, and Prophecy.
Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet.” Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy. You can also watch a video titled What Does the Bible teach about the Antichrist?
The Malachy Prophecies and “Peter the Roman” An Irish bishop allegedly predicted something about 112 popes in the 12th century. Pope Benedict XVI was number 111. Francis would seem to be number 112–if he is that one–and if so, he is to reign until Rome is destroyed. May he be an antipope/final Antichrist?
Will You Be Deceived by Antichrist? 1964 article by David Jon Hill, originally published in the old Good News magazine.
Could Pope Francis be the Last Pope and Antichrist? According to some interpretations of the prophecies of the popes by the Catholic saint and Bishop Malachy, Pope Francis I is in the position of “Peter the Roman,” the pontiff who reigns during tribulations until around the time of the destruction of Rome. Do biblical prophecies warn of someone that sounds like Peter the Roman? Could Francis I be the heretical antipope of Catholic private prophecies and the final Antichrist of Bible prophecy? This is a YouTube video.
The Last Pope Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Why might Pope Francis be the last pope? What happens if he is? Biblical and other prophecies help explain what to expect.
The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Amazon Book What does the Bible say about a pope near this time? Is the final pope to be an antipope and antichrist? Does Catholic prophecy point to Pope Francis as being the dreaded “Peter the Roman”? This 186 page book provides information and answers.
The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle This electronic version of the printed book which is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Kindle.
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.
Blood Moons and Prophecy There are four ‘blood moons’ expected in 2014 and 2015. Do they signal the Day of the Lord or the return of Jesus Christ? A related YouTube video is also available: Blood Moons, Prophecy, 2014, and 2015.
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them. Here is a related article in the Spanish language ¿Por qué estar preocupado acerca de falsos y heréticos líderes?.
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?
The 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.
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from c. 31 A.D. to 2014. Two related sermon links would 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. In Spanish: Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios.
CCOG.ORG Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.
CCOG.ASIA We in the Continuing Church of God also have the url www.ccog.asia which has a focus on Asia and has various articles in Mandarin Chinese as well as some in English, plus some items in other Asian languages. 我们在继续神的教会也提供此网址 www.ccog.asia, 关注于亚洲并且有各种各样的中英文文章，其中一些用菲律宾语翻译的文章也正在进行中，准备添加到这个网站中。 Here is a link to our Statement of Beliefs in Mandarin Chinese 继续神的教会的信仰声明.
CCOG.IN This is a website targeted towards those of Indian heritage. It has a link to an edited Hindi translation of The Mystery of the Ages and is expected to have more non-English language materials in the future.
CCOG.EU This is a website targeted toward Europe. It has materials in more than one language (currently it has English, Dutch, and Serbian, with links also to Spanish) and it is intended to have additional language materials added.
CCOG.NZ This is a website targeted towards New Zealand and other British-descended dominated lands.
CDLIDD.ES La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. This is the Spanish language website for the Continuing Church of God and has articles in español/castellano.
PNIND.PH Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos. This is the Philippines website Continuing Church of God. It has information in English and Tagalog.
ContinuingCOG channel. Dr. Thiel has produced YouTube video sermons for this channel. Note: Since these are sermon-length, they can take a little longer to load than other YouTube videos.
Bible News Prophecy online radio. This is an audio version of the Bible News Prophecy videos. It is also available as a mobile app.
Bible News Prophecy channel. Dr. Thiel has produced many YouTube videos for the BibleNewsProphecy channel. And you can find them at that channel.

Jordan River

COGwriter

Princess Charlotte of Cambridge is fourth in line to succeed the Queen of England, after her grandfather, father, and elder brother.She was born on May 2, 2015 and is to be baptized with ‘holy water’ from the Jordan River on July 5, 2015:

July 4, 2015

When Princess Charlotte is christened on Sunday, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will baptise her with water from the River Jordan. The same water was also used at the christening of Charlotte’s brother, George, two years ago. Why?

Contrary to how it is traditionally represented in songs, poems and paintings, the River Jordan is unimpressively shallow, muddy and narrow.

It is less than 10m (30ft) across and about 2m (6ft) deep.

However, these reed-lined waters overflow with spiritual significance that makes them a precious resource.

The tribes of Israel under Joshua are said to have crossed here to enter the Promised Land after years of wandering in the desert.

This is also where it is believed Jesus was baptised by Saint John, a preacher who wore a cloak of camel hair, lived on locusts and honey, and developed the practice of immersing people in the river to show they had repented of their sins and turned to God for forgiveness. …

“Whatever happens, don’t swallow it or let it get up your nose,” a Jordanian Catholic woman instructed her relatives a few days ago, as they prepared to be baptised – the water is said to be polluted by sewage and industrial effluent.

A few yards away, on the West Bank side, a young Russian woman emerging from the water showed me three decanters she was stowing away in her handbag “as special gifts”.

Kensington Palace would not say how water from the river was obtained for Princess Charlotte’s christening, but a Jordanian official told the BBC that it had been sent by his country’s royal court.

“We organise the process of bottling holy water from the River Jordan,” says Dia Madani, head of Jordan’s baptism site commission.

“We provide it to investors after cleaning it, sterilising it and giving it the blessings of religious men. Each bottle has a label from the commission.”  http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-33382957

July 2, 2015

Princess Charlotte, the second child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and younger sister to Prince George, is being christened at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Sandringham on Sunday, a short walk from the family’s Norfolk country mansion Anmer Hall. …

:: Royal babies are christened using the ornate silver gilt lily font, which is usually on show as part of the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London.

The font was was specially commissioned by Queen Victoria in 1840 to distance her family from what she saw as a distasteful association with the Charles II font, which was used to christen his illegitimate children.

:: The water being used for the christening is holy water taken from the River Jordan, where it is said Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist.

:: Charlotte’s godparents will be announced ahead of the service at the 16th century church and are expected mostly to be close friends of the Duke and Duchess.

Bookmaker Ladbrokes has princesses Beatrice and Eugenie as favourites to be named as godparents, odds-on at 1/3 and 2/5 respectively, along with Peter Phillips (1/2) and family friend Hugh van Cutsem Jr (4/6).

Kate’s sister Pippa is even money to be chosen, while her brother James is 5/4. http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/10-facts-Princess-Charlotte-s-christening-need/story-26821906-detail/story.html#ixzz3evlPKf9S

As far as the Jordan River and baptism go, they are mentioned together in the Bible:

4 Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.  (Matthew 3:4-6)

But what the ‘royals’ do is not biblical.

What Was the Original Practice?

Notice more from Matthew:

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.  (Matthew 3:13)

16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water;  (Matthew 3:16)

So, notice that Jesus came up from the water.  Why is that important?  Because baptism comes from a word meaning immersion.  Baptism was NOT a process of simply sprinkling a few drops of water on someone’s head, which is what typically happens when the Greco-Romans baptize infants.

In the Apostolic Age, as in Jewish times (John 3:23), baptism was administered without special fonts, at the seaside or in streams or pools of water (Acts 8:38); Tertullian refers to St. Peter’s baptizing in the Tiber (De bapt., iv); similarly; in later periods of evangelization, missionaries baptized in rivers as is narrated of St. Paulinus in England by Bede (Hist. Eccl., II, xiv-xvi). (Peterson JB. Transcribed by the Cloistered Dominican Nuns. Baptismal Font. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume II. Copyright © 1907 by Robert Appleton Company. Online Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. Knight. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York).

The word Baptism is derived from the Greek word, bapto, or baptizo, to wash or to immerse. It signifies, therefore, that washing is of the essential idea of the sacrament…The most ancient form usually employed was unquestionably immersion. This is not only evident from the writings of the Fathers and the early rituals of both the Latin and Oriental Churches, but it can also be gathered from the Epistles of St. Paul, who speaks of baptism as a bath (Ephesians 5:26; Romans 6:4; Titus 3:5). In the Latin Church, immersion seems to have prevailed until the twelfth century. After that time it is found in some places even as late as the sixteenth century. Infusion and aspersion, however, were growing common in the thirteenth century and gradually prevailed in the Western Church. The Oriental Churches have retained immersion (Fanning, William H.W. Transcribed by Charles Sweeney, S.J. Baptism. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume II. Published 1907. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Nihil Obstat, 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York).

1214 This sacrament is called Baptism, after the central rite by which it is carried out (Greek baptizein) means to “plunge” or “immerse”; the “plunge” into water symbolizes the catechumen’s burial into Christ’s death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as “a new creature” (Catechism of the Catholic Church. Imprimatur Potest +Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. Doubleday, NY 1995, p. 342).

Was the Jordan River chosen by John the Baptist because it was ‘holy’?  No, notice the reason that John baptized where he did:

22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.  (John 3:22-23)

The reason for the location was because there was ‘much water there.’ Enough water was needed to immerse people.  John could have used a bucket of water to baptize scores of people if all was needed was a few drops.

Baptism of Infants/Children

Of the 100 or so times the terms Baptist, baptize, baptized, etc. are used of those in the New Testament, there is never one time that infants or young children are specifically mentioned as being baptized.

There is no recorded instance that baptism not allowed unless there was some type of repentance or professed belief. The Roman Catholic Church (as well as other churches, like the Eastern Orthodox) understand that, but they change the practice for infants.

Notice what what Catholic named Jodocus Tiletanus admitted:

We are not satisfied with that which the apostles or the Gospel do declare, but we say that, as well as before as after, there are divers matters of importance and weight accepted and received out of a doctrine which is NOWHERE SET FORTH IN WRITING. For we do blesse the water wherewith we baptize, and the oyle wherewith we annoynt; yea and besides that, him that is christened. And (I pray you) OUT OF WHAT SCRIPTURE have we learned the same? HAVE WE NOT IT OF A SECRET AND UNWRITTEN ORDINANCE? And further what scripture hath taught us to grease with oyle? Yea, I pray you, whence cometh it, that we do dype the child three times in that water? Doth it not come out of this hidden and undisclosed doctrine, which our forefathers have received closely without any curiosity, and do observe it still? (Harvet, Gentianus. Review of Epistles, PP. 19B, 20A, London 1598, as quoted by Hislop, A in The Two Bablyons, emphasis mine).

Hence it is known that infant baptism is not from scripture and that somehow it entered Catholicism from a secret ordinance.

In the 20th century the Roman Catholic Franciscan Jean Briand reported:

Authors of old only described adult baptisms. (Briand J. The Judeo-Christian Church of Nazareth.  Translated from the French by Mildred Duell. 1st edition, Franciscan Printing Press, Jerusalem, 1982, p. 54)

After reviewing documents and other evidence, Catholic scholar and priest Bagatti correctly concluded that Judeo-Christians did not baptize infants, “following the example of the Lord” (Bagatti, From the Church of the Circumcision, p. 239).

Furthermore, the Catholic Church itself officially teaches that following about baptism:

Baptismal Vows The name popularly given to the renunciations required of an adult candidate for baptism just before the sacrament is conferred. In the case of infant baptism, they are made in the name of the child by the sponsors (Delany J.F. Transcribed by Janet Grayson. Baptismal Vows. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume II. Published 1907. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Nihil Obstat, 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York).

1427 Jesus calls to conversion. This call is an essential part of the proclamation of the kingdom: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel.” In the Church’s preaching this call is addressed first to those who do not yet know Christ and his Gospel. Also, Baptism is the principal place for the first and fundamental conversion. It is by faith in the Gospel and by Baptism that one renounces evil and gains salvation, that is, the forgiveness of all sins and the gift of new life. (Catechism of the Catholic Church. Imprimatur Potest +Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. Doubleday, NY 1995, p. 398).

However, since a baby cannot repent nor confess belief in Christ, any statement by an adult sponsor cannot be imputed to the baby. That is one of the most important reasons why infant baptism is not appropriate. The Catechism of the Catholic Church sort of even admits that when it states:

1231…By its very nature infant baptism requires a post-baptismal catechumenate. Not only is there a need for instruction after Baptism, but also for the necessary flowering of baptismal grace in personal growth…

1254 For all the baptized, children or adults, faith must grow after Baptism… (Catechism of the Catholic Church. Imprimatur Potest +Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. Doubleday, NY 1995, pp. 342,351).

What is a required post-baptismal catechumenate? The statement does not make logical sense (as the dictionary definition of catechumenate does not seem to mean “godparents”, it seems to mean one new to the faith instead, which is about the same definition of a catechumen). More importantly, an infant does not have any faith to begin with, hence does not the have faith that grows after baptism. An infant is incapable of repentance and no one can repent for someone else (the Bible, in Philippians 2:12 teaches, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”).

Despite all this, there are others will not accept this.  There is also a false conclusion about Polycarp of Smyrna (a church leader in the second century) that that supposedly proves infant baptism (I have read similar claims from other Catholic writers).  Note: Any boldingis in the sources:

St. Polycarp, who was the disciple of the Apostle John himself (as well as an associate of the Apostle Philip). And, in AD 155, St. Polycarp said this at his execution:

“Polycarp declared, ‘Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me injury. How can I blaspheme my King and Savior?” (Polycarp, Martyrdom of Polycarp 9 c. AD 156)

Now, it is well documented that “The Martyrdom of Polycarp” was written the year after the saint’s execution; and so the quote above is extremely reliable. It is also well documented that Polycarp was 86 years old at the time of his death. Therefore, if the saint claims to have served Jesus for 86 years, it therefore follows that he was Baptized as an infant. And, in another place, we are told that Polycarp was Baptized by none other than the Apostle John! 🙂 Therefore, at least in the case of St. John, we can show conclusively that the Apostles Baptized infants (Bonocore MJ. Infant Baptism.  Apolonio’s Catholic Apologetics. http://www.bringyou.to/apologetics/a26.htm viewed 10/06/08).

Polycarp stated at his martyrdom (167/8 A.D.) that he had been in the “service of Christ” for eighty-six years. Other recorded dates from Polycarp’s life make it likely that eighty-six years was his age from birth. Joachim Jeremias, in The Origins of Infant Baptism, concludes the following from these facts: “This shows at any rate that his parents were already Christians, or at least were converted quite soon after his birth. If his parents were pagans at his birth, he would have been baptized with the ‘house’ at their conversion. But even if his parents were Christians, the words ‘service of Christ for eighty-six years’ support a baptism soon after his birth rather than one as a child of ‘mature years’…for which there is no evidence at all.” (Bajis J. Infant Baptism. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7067 viewed 07/04/15)

Now while the above may sound plausible, the truth is that Polycarp never claimed to have been baptized as an infant. Nor did he claim he was 86 years old. An ancient manuscript called the Harris Fragments shows the following with one addition from me in {}:

Polycarp…He was… {an} old man, being one hundred and f[our] of age.  He continued to walk [i]n the canons which he had learned from his youth from John the a[p]ostle.(Weidman, Frederick W.  Polycarp and John: The Harris Fragments and Their Challenge to Literary Traditions.  University of Notre Dame Press, Notre Dame (IL), 1999, pp. 43,44).

So, if Polycarp lived to be 104, then he was baptized at age 18, and thus was not baptized as an infant (more on Polycarp’s age can be found in the article Polycarp of Smyrna: The Heretic Fighter).  Hence, the Harris Fragments are one other way to help disprove mythological traditions that are simply not biblical. No early true Christian advocated, nor practiced, infant baptism.

Polycarp had to have been older than 86 when he died to have possibly been appointed a bishop by any of the original apostles, especially if this happened when Polycarp was around age forty. Notice what Coptic Orthodox Bishop Youssef has claimed:

Polycarp…Appointed to be Bishop of the See of Smyrna by the Apostles themselves, at the age of 40, he provides us with an important link in our long historical chain of Orthodox tradition clasping together the Apostles and the Second Century Church. (Youssef HG, Bishop. St. Polycarp the Blessed Peacemaker. Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. http://suscopts.org/resources/literature/174/st-polycarp-the-beloved-peacemaker/ viewed 12/01/2012.)

Perhaps it may be of interest to mention that in 1821, “Cler. Gloc.” wrote that Polycarp was placed in charge of the “See of Smyrna” for around seventy years, that he calculated that Polycarp probably lived around 100 years based upon other historical records, and that the idea Polycarp died at age 86 was a “misconception”(Gloc. C. Letter to the Remembrancer, August 1821. As shown in Scott W. Garden F. Mozely JB. The Christian remembrancer. Printed for F.C. & J. Rivington, 1821. Original from the New York Public Library, Digitized Nov 21, 2007, p. 454).

Infant baptism was not done with Polycarp by the Apostle John.

One more thing related to the baptism of Princess Charlotte–there is nothing in the entire Bible that suggests that any “godparents” are assigned to either children or adults after baptism (there also is no example of infant baptism in the entire Bible).

Here is a Catholic statement on godparents:

1255 For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the parents help is important. So too, is the role of the godfather and godmother, who must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized–child or adult–on the road to the Christian life. There task is a truly ecclesial function (officium) (Catechism of the Catholic Church. Imprimatur Potest +Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. Doubleday, NY 1995, p. 351).

How can “the role of the godfather and godmother” be an important and ecclesial function if it is not even mentioned in the Bible? It is also not mentioned in any early Christian writings.  The use of ‘godparents’ does NOT come from the Bible or the original apostles.

Irenaeus Condemned What Seems to be ‘Holy Water’

Interestingly, the Roman, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican Catholic saint Irenaeus condemned a practice like the ‘holy water, sprinkling done in their baptisms:

But there are some of them who assert that it is superfluous to bring persons to the water, but mixing oil and water together, they place this mixture on the heads of those who are to be initiated, with the use of some such expressions as we have already mentioned. And this they maintain to be the redemption (Irenaeus. Adversus Haeres. Book 1, Chapter 21, Verse 4).

So, instead of bring the person to the water, the water is brought to the person.  Is this not close to what is done today within Roman Catholicism, as well as other groups like the Anglicans, that practice infant baptism?

I no longer recall the precise terms that the Roman priests use when they baptize (and they usually use Latin), but the appearance of these Roman Catholic sacraments seems to bear a strong resemblance to the type of ceremonies that Irenaeus condemned. Yet, the Church of Rome adopted this around the fourth century:

The use of holy water in the earliest days of the Christian Era is attested by documents of only comparatively late date. The “Apostolic Constitutions”, the redaction of which goes back to about the year 400, attribute to the Apostle St. Matthew the precept of using holy water. The letter written under the name of Pope Alexander I, who lived in the second century, is apocryphal and of more recent times; hence the first historical testimony does not go back beyond the fifth century. … As, in many cases, the water used for the Sacrament of Baptism was flowing water, sea or river water, it could not receive the same blessing as that contained in the baptisteries. On this particular point the early liturgy is obscure, but two recent discoveries are of very decided interest. The Pontifical of Serapion of Thumis, a fourth-century bishop, and likewise the “testamentum Domini”, a Syriac composition dating from the fifth to the sixth century, contain a blessing of oil and water during Mass. The formula in Scrapion’s Pontifical is as follows: “We bless these creatures in the Name of Jesus Christ, Thy only Son; we invoke upon this water and this oil the Name of Him Who suffered, Who was crucified, Who arose from the dead, and Who sits at the right of the Uncreated. Grant unto these creatures the power to heal; may all fevers, every evil spirit, and all maladies be put to flight by him who either drinks these beverages or is anointed with them, and may they be a remedy in the Name of Jesus Christ, Thy only Son.” As early as the fourth century various writings, the authenticity of which is free from suspicion, mention the use of water sanctified either by the liturgical blessing just referred to, or by the individual blessing of some holy person. …

Gregory of Tours (De gloria confess., c. 82) tells of a recluse named Eusitius who lived in the sixth century and possessed the power of curing quartan fever by giving its victims to drink of water that he had blessed; we might mention many other instances treasured up by this same Gregory (“De Miraculis S. Martini”, II, xxxix; “Mirac. S. Juliani”, II, iii, xxv, xxvi; “Liber de Passione S. Juliani”; “Vitae Patrum”, c. iv, n. 3). It is known that some of the faithful believed that holy water possessed curative properties for certain diseases, and that this was true in a special manner of baptismal water. In some places it was carefully preserved throughout the year and, by reason of its having been used in baptism, was considered free from all corruption. This belief spread from East to West; and scarcely had baptism been administered, when the people would crown around with all sorts of vessels and take away the water, some keeping it carefully in their homes whilst others watered their fields, vineyards, and gardens with it (“Ordo rom. I”, 42, in “Mus. ital.”, II, 26). (Leclercq, H. (1910). Holy Water. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved July 4, 2015 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07432a.htm)

The use of ‘holy water’ seems to have been adopted by some of the Greco-Romans in the fourth century and became more widespread later.

The idea of ‘holy water’ is pagan.  The Anglicans have adopted many pagan aspects of the Greco-Roman faiths, and incorporated them into their infant baptism.

Blessing of Little Children is Scriptural

On the other hand, the Bible does enjoin the fact that infants/toddlers can be prayed for and blest. Notice what Jesus said and did:

14 “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them (Mark 10:14-16).

15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” (Luke 18:15-17)

13 Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there. (Matthew 19:13-15)

It is likely that the worldly churches, who had read the accounts in the gospels and perhaps heard of it performed in the early COG, may have used that as part of their justification.

In fact, when I researched this further today, I found that the Catholic Church does refer to this passage in Luke 18 & Matthew 19 as part of its justification for infant baptism (see article Baptism in The Catholic Encyclopedia). But sadly, they are confusing a blessing ceremony with baptism.

None of the children that Jesus laid hands on are recorded to have been immersed into water or sprinkled with water prior to Jesus blessing them (which is part of why I thought I should list all the accounts in the gospels on this).

Hence what Jesus did WAS NOT a form of infant baptism, but instead a ceremony that is retained by relatively few today, like those of us in the Continuing Church of God. But oddly, those groups that embrace infant baptism do not seem to have kept this.

And this includes the Anglicans, who have more similarities to the Church of Rome than many there seem to realize.

UPDATE: July 5, 2015:  Here is a link to a related video: Princess Charlotte, Infant Baptism, and Holy Water.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Baptism, the Early Church, and the Continuing Church Was it by immersion? Did it include infants? Does Polycarp prove infant baptism? Here is a link to some information in the Spanish language: Bautismo de infantes o bendición de los niños pequeños. A related sermon video is titled Baptism: What is it and how should it be done?
Did Real Christians Practice Nude Baptism? This is not a joke. Find out what was taught in the second and later centuries.
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.
Real Conversion Many think that they are converted Christians. But are they? Would you like to know more about conversion.
False Conversion Have you really been converted? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this article on this important subject.
All About Water Baptism What is baptism? Would you like to know more about it. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject. As far as early history, see also Baptism and the Early Church.
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from c. 31 A.D. to 2014. A related sermon link would be Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios.
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? 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? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

COGwriter

A reader sent me the following today:

4th of July fireworks: World War III with China dead ahead

Admit it, we love war. Marine Corps posters grabbed me as a kid. Trained me in aviation weapons systems. Five years ago I couldn’t resist Erik Sofge’s edgy fast-paced thriller, “China’s Secret War Plan,” … Sofge’s WWIII fast-paced thriller begins on Aug. 9, 2015, 0400, a moment predicted years ago, yet ironically right about the upcoming GOP presidential primary debates. China’s war against “Taiwan starts in the early morning … 1,200 cruise and ballistic missiles rise from heavy vehicles on the Chinese mainland … Taiwan’s modest missile defense network, a scattered deployment of I-Hawk and Patriot interceptors … slams into dozens of incoming warheads … a futile gesture … The mass raid overwhelms the defenses as hundreds of Chinese warheads blast the island’s military bases and airports.”

“Taiwan’s air force is grounded … Taiwanese troops mobilize in downtown Taipei, take up positions on the beaches facing China, just 100 miles to the west. But they know what the world knows: This is no longer Taiwan’s fight. This is a battle between an old superpower and a new one.”

Warrior mind-set sabotages our superpower status and economy

Yes, this is how WWIII starts, between an aging war-lovng America, versus the world’s rapidly emerging superpower, China, with a population that’s one billion larger than America by 2050. …

Powerful new war strategies: Cyberattacks on the 4th of July

Future warriors: New “army” of hackers, tech geeks, game players, search-engine geniuses. Today Chinese compete, using Google, Facebook, X-Box technology, cyberwarriors, trained by war-loving generals. The Pentagon knows: They’ll add trillions to our budgets, taxes and deficits, preparing for future cyberwars, before combat .

Read Sofge’s 2010 “China’s Secret War Plan” thriller, read Singer’s “Ghost Fleet” … see how America could lose WWIII to China … in less than a day. Leaders on both sides have macho egos, love war, make irrational plan, disregard long-term costs.

America’s ego was losing Pentagon war games to China five years ago, says Sofge … Singer now reinforces that threat of a China triggered WWIII. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/4th-of-july-fireworks-world-war-iii-with-china-dead-ahead-2015-07-03?page=2

Of course, despite the fact that Erik Sofge’s book “China’s Secret War Plan” is fiction, many are concerned about China.  Many fear that World War III might be a war between the USA and China.

The USA is concerned about the possibility of China being a major military power and enemy (see, for example, US putting more weapons in Europe because of Russia, while also concerned about China’s militarization).  Years back, Hillary Clinton as part of the Obama Administration promoted what has been called the Asian ‘pivot’ strategy to shift USA military focus to Asia and away from Europe.

Of course, since USA officials are overlooking key prophecies, they do not realize that the actual power that will defeat the USA militarily will be European (cf. Daniel 11:39) (though there could be some assistance from China and others, like Russia).

China is not the major threat (watch also the video Is China THE Threat to the United States of America?).  Yet, because of the perceived threat from China, the USA is setting itself up to being taken over by a rising power in Europe.

Back in the Summer of 2009, I warned:

Barack Obama has pledged increased cooperation with the Europeans.  And while cooperation is normally a good thing, this particular cooperation is likely to lead to the rise of the prophesied King of the North, who is to be the final leader of the Beast of Revelation (Revelation 13:1).  Unlike previous U.S. administrations, President Obama’s administration has declared that it will encourage and support increases in Europe’s own military, far beyond what Presidents Bush or Clinton were willing to consider. (Thiel B. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. Nazarene Books, 2009, pp. 131-132, 147)

Has that been happening?

Here is a list of ten steps that the Obama Administration has taken that is leading to the rise of the Beast of the sea, the final King of the North of Bible prophecy that will lead to WWIII:

1. Encouraged the Final Approval of the Lisbon Treaty. On October 15, 2009 it was reported that Czech President Vaclav Klaus was the lone EU leader still opposed to the Lisbon Treaty (Waterfield B. Czech President Vaclav Klaus ‘to continue’ lone resistance to Lisbon Treaty.  Telegraph, October 15, 2009.  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/czechrepublic/6329690/Czech-President-Vaclav-Klaus-to-continue-lone-resistance-to-Lisbon-Treaty.html).The Obama administration worked to get the Lisbon Treaty approved as President Obama “wants a strong and united Europe” (Source: Baldwin T, Reid T., Coates S. Obama Administration worried about Cameron effect in Europe.  The Times, October 21, 2009. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6883075.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=797093).On October 23, 2009, the USA sent Vice President Joseph Biden to the Czech Republic in order to apply provide secutiry assurances as well as to apply pressure to the Czech government to sign the agreement for a European empire to form (U.S. foreign policy aware of threats – Havel after meeting Biden.  CTK, October 23, 2009. http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/zpravy/u-s-foreign-policy-aware-of-threats-havel-after-meeting-biden/404375).  This could have had some limited influence on some of the Czech leadership.Once its then President Klaus signed it, he announced with disappointment that he had just signed away the sovereignty of the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic was the only hold-out for the agreement and if the Czech Republic had not then signed it, the agreement would have expired. Instead the USA applied pressure to form a more complete European government that will ultimately change and become the Beast power of Revelation 13:1-10 and will take over the USA as prophesied in Daniel 11:39.On November 3, 2009, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported that USA President Barack Obama publicly expressed his support for the Czech President’s signing of the Lisbon Treaty and for now having a  ’strengthened’ EU (Obama welcomes ‘strengthened’ EU. AFP, November 3, 2009.  http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hJ8OzJSh0xfKow8z47RGCYQu1nsg).

   The European nations became part of the new empire called for the European Union on December 1, 2009 with Herman Von Rompuy as its “first permanent president” (EU Constitution Comes into Force.  Voice of America,  December 1, 2009. http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/europe/EU-Constitution-78224062-01DEC09-.html).

2. Encouraged German Funding of Greece. When the new agreement was a risk of falling apart because of problems with Greece. The New York Times reported that on May 10, 2010, President Obama called German Chancellor Merkel and told her that Europe needed an overwhelming financial rescue for the sake of its unity, and she apparently heeded that suggestion. (Erlanger S, Benhold K, Sanger D. Debt Aid Package for Europe Took Nudge From Washington. The New York Times, May 10, 2010.   (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/11/business/global/11reconstruct.html). This kept the union of Europeans, dominated by Germany, together.On November 10, 2010, EU President Herman van Rompuy declared that in Europe the “time of the homogeneous nation state is over” (Johnson D. The end of Britain as a nation state? Not on your life, Mr Van Rompuy.  Daily Mail, November 11, 2010. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1328579/Herman-Van-Rompuy-The-end-Britain-nation-state.html).  Full political union is expected in the next decade by many leaders (Willis A.  Germany predicts EU ‘political union’ in 10 years.  EU Observer, December 13, 2010.  http://euobserver.com/9/31485) and some want it much  sooner (Czuczka T. Parker B.  Merkel Risks EU Clash Over Political Union Push.  Blommberg, November 14, 2011.  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-14/merkel-risks-eu-clash-over-political-union-push-to-end-europe-debt-crisis.html).  It has been reported that the “EU is an empire” (Baudet T.  The EU is an empire, and empires mean war. NRC Handelsblad, Press Europ, July 9, 2012.  http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/2300601-eu-empire-and-empires-mean-war).This is an empire the Barack Obama has been supporting.In December 2010, it was announced USA made “an extra commitment of money” to support the EU and it was also reported that the “United States, has committed 250 billion euros to the EFSF” (European Financial Stability Facility) to support the euro and economic structure of the European Union (US Ready to Back Bigger EU Stability Fund: Official.  Reuters, December 1, 2010.  http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/12/01/eu-us-efsf-idUSLDE6B023Z20101201).  “US believes it’s time Germany stepped up and started acting like a regional and even a global leader” and Barack Obama publicly stated, “The world today does not fear a strong Germany”  (DJW.  Media roundup: Barack gives Angie a push.  The Local, June 8, 2011 http://www.thelocal.de/opinion/20110608-35537.html).
3. To Rely on Europe’s GPS for Defense. Back in 2009, I warned that the USA was having problems with its GPS system and may decide it needed to rely on Europe’s upcoming Galileo system for its own military defense:
   

   “the Europeans are planning on having their own global positioning system (GPS), called Galileo, available for military applications. This will allow the Europeans to track the world and attack others without relying on the U.S.A.’s GPS. This will be the first time in the 21st century that Europeans will be able to have that type of independent military capability. Furthermore, according to a 2009 report from the U.S. government, the U.S. Air Force may have to start relying on the European Galileo system (at least to a degree) beginning in 2013, as the U.S. GPS capabilities are expected to deteriorate by then (other problems are also appearing in the newer U.S. satellites). Because the Europeans will be able to control Galileo, they will also likely be capable of derailing certain sophisticated U.S. military applications.  This will give the Europeans a unique defensive (as well as offensive) capability that no others on the planet will have.  (Thiel B. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. Nazarene Books, 2009, p. 85)

   Because of concerns about China, Reuters reported on February 4, 2010, “The U.S. Defense Department is linking its Global Positioning System with Europe’s Galileo, another space-based global navigation satellite system. GPS will feature a new military signal called M-code to boost anti-jamming, facilitate secure access and increase the local signal strength.” (Wolf J. US, wary of China, mulls satellite substitutes.  Reuters, February 4, 2010. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0411054720100205).

   This linking will essentially guarantee that the USA will have a portion of their military response ability controlled by the Europeans.  Galileo initially had critics as there were “early objections from the Americans who thought a rival system to GPS might be used to attack its armed forces” (Amos J. EU awards Galileo satellite-navigation contracts.  BBC, Jan 7, 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi /science/nature/8442090.stm).

   The “brain” of the Galileo satellite system was shipped to Rome on April 26, 2010 (First EU Navigation Satellite Payload Shipped.  Red Orbit, 26 April 2010. http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/1855166/first_eu_ navigation_satellite_payload_shipped/ /science/nature/8442090.stm).  On July 31, 2010, it was announced that the USA would, indeed, do this (see USA GPS and EU Galileo linking was expected ). This is all the more astounding because the USA was initially opposed to Europe developing Galileo because it felt this could be used against the USA. Now, the USA is partially-dependent upon it, and in the event of war with Europe, the USA will not be able to effectively communicate or counter-strike because of this.

4. Pivoting Away from Defending Europe. The ‘pivot’ that the USA and its ally Canada have been doing towards defending Asia as it has been called since at least 2012 (see Canadian and USA Shifting Military Power to Asia), has resulted in a pivot away from Europe. The Germans and others in Europe are realizing that the USA is not intending to defend them as before, hence the USA is pushing them to arm themselves.
5. Pushing the Europeans to Develop Their Military. In 2012, US Defense Secretary Panetta made public calls for the Europeans to increase their military strength and spending (Carmichael L. Europe Needs To Invest In Defense, Too: U.S..  Defense News, February 4, 2012. http://www.defensenews.com/article/20120204/DEFREG02/302040001/Europe-Needs-Invest-Defense-Too-U-S-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p).  In the Spring of 2014, the Obama Administration again called for Europe (meaning to a great degree Germany) to increase their military spending (see Obama tries to provide assurances to Europe while pushing for increased European military spending). Increasing military spending will turn out to be the destructive to the USA (cf. Daniel 11:39). This is very dangerous.
6. Removal of Tanks from Germany. In 2013, the USA removed the last of its tanks from Germany (see There are no longer USA tanks in Germany: Do Americans understand this is a serious risk?). By having no tanks on the ground, this means that the USA will not have the ground-force power to fight against Germany in the event of a war against the USA, should some elements of the US Army attempt to do that.
7. Agreement to Share Espionage and Techniques. Because of the Snowden leaks in 2013, US President Barack Obama promised to turn over to Germany all of its espionage techiques etc., as well as to reduce espionage against Germany (see Germany most upset by USA espionage). This will give the Germans a major advantage over the USA. If you know how your enemy spies and what it spies on, you can take steps to protect secrets.
8. Cessation of Chancellor Merkel’s Cellular Telephone Conversations. Barack Obama agreed to no longer allow listening in on the cell phone of German Chancellor Angela Merkel after she complained (Merkel angered by USA allegedly listening in on her cell phone and EU summit to discuss USA spying), and presumably will not do this for her replacement (s). This will reduce the ability of the USA to understand what is going on when Germany is coordinating an attack in the future. While this may not seem to be important, it could prove disastrous.
9. Allowing the Loss of Crimea. While Barack Obama did make stronger statements than some European leaders related to Crimea (e.g. Russia controls Crimea; Obama talks to Putin–Putin defiant; Obama dissed by many), the reality is that they did not stop Russia. Although Barack Obama and Germany’s Angela Merkel called the annexation “unacceptable” (Merkel, Obama call Crimea grab ‘unacceptable’ Agence France-Presse, March 18, 2014. http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140318/merkel-obama-call-crimea-grab-unacceptable) it is clear to the Germans that the USA has accepted it (Germany still wants Crimea back). Europe and the Germans are concluding that they will need their own military deterrents to Russia to stop further incursions into territories that they want to be part of the European Union. The Europeans are moving ahead with military technology (see European Technology and the Beast of Revelation ), and this will give them further motivation.
10. Giving Europeans Control Over More of the USA Military. As far as control of the military, the first non-American, French General  Stéphane Abrial became the “Commander of the Allied Command Transformation” of NATO in Europe in September, 2009 (French General Takes Over Key NATO Command In U.S.  RTT News, September 10, 2009.http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView. aspx?Id=1062869; http://www.nato.int/cps/
    en/natolive/topics_50114.htm). He was replaced by another French General, Jean-Paul Paloméros. So, this is another part of the military no longer under USA control.In the Summer of 2014, the Obama Administration placed a German general over the entire US Army in Europe (see German general now commands the US Army in Europe).In August 2014, the Obama Administration placed a German general, Brig. Gen. Markus Laubenthal (formerly commander of the 12th Armored Brigade in Amberg and chief of staff for the international security assistance force regional command north in Afghanistan), the chief of staff for U.S. Army Europe. This means that the Europeans will have much more control over the military over the USA than most have imagined.

And the above are steps that are publicly known; watch also the video 10 Steps Obama Has Taken Leading to the Rise of the Beast. These steps will help Europe when it finally decides to start WWIII. There may also be other steps that have not been publicly revealed.

So, while China is not about to start WWIII with the USA, steps have taken place to get the USA closer to the time when WWIII will begin.

This will not end well for the USA.  It will LOSE its prized independence.  Something to carefully consider on this ‘Independence Day.’

Some items of possibly related interest may include the following:

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?
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters Where did the Chinese people come from? This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel. Here is a link to a version of this article in Spanish: ¿Prueban los caracteres chinos la exactitud de la Biblia?
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon? A YouTube video of interest may be Is China THE Threat to the United States of America?
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?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?  Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests?  Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies. Watch also the YouTube Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
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.