Church of God News

Hurricane Katrina Flooded New Orleans

COGwriter

New Orleans is getting presidential visitors to mark the ten year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina:

August 28, 2015

The southern U.S. city of New Orleans, devastated by Hurricane Katrina 10 years ago, is seeing back-to-back-to-back visits by U.S. presidents: current President Barack Obama on Thursday, former President George W. Bush on Friday and former President Bill Clinton on Saturday.

Bush held the office in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina’s floodwaters broke through protective levies, killing 1,800 people and destroying 100,000 homes. …

Storm impact

The storm that slammed into New Orleans on August 29, 2005, broke through protective levies and left more than 80 percent of the city under water.

Torrential rains and winds up to 280 kilometers an hour raked the city near the Gulf of Mexico.

“The world watched in horror as we saw those rising waters drown the iconic streets of New Orleans, families stranded on rooftops, bodies on the streets, children crying, crowded in the Super Dome,”. Obama said.  …

Katrina caused more than $135 billion in damage, making it the costliest natural disaster ever in the United States.

“What started out as a natural disaster became a man-made disaster, a failure of government to look out for its own citizens,” the president noted.

Much of the U.S. Gulf Coast was heavily damaged by the storm, resulting in billions of dollars in federal assistance spent to help coastal communities rebuild.  http://www.voanews.com/content/former-president-bush-clinton-due-to-visit-new-orleans-for-katrina-anniversary/2935928.html

New Orleans was at massive risk of flooding prior to Hurricane Katrina.  Engineers knew this, but government actions and inactions resulted in more devastation happening during Hurricane Katrina than otherwise would have occurred.

On January 16, 2011, I wrote an article titled Weather Affected Fall of Rome, Will it Affect the USA’s Fall? which mentioned Hurricane Katrina. Here is some of what it said:

Since the USA is already in more debt than any nation in the history of the world, it may be that weather problems (such as one or two incidents like Hurricane Katrina), earthquakes, and crop failures may combine in what could be called a “perfect storm” to push the USA over the edge for it to fall.  Riots and civil unrest in the USA would likely result from these events (especially if there are real food shortages) and this may wake the rest of the world up to the fact that the USA is truly incapable of repaying its debts.

Although I have referred to it many times, let me again quote from Habakkuk 2:

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry…5 Indeed, because he transgresses by wine, He is a proud man… 6 “Will not all these take up a proverb against him, And a taunting riddle against him, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases What is not his–how long? And to him who loads himself with many pledges’? 7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. 8 Because you have plundered many nations, All the remnant of the people shall plunder you (Habakkuk 2:3,5,6-8).

The above prophecy will be fulfilled at the time of the end (cf. “The message was true, but the appointed time was long…in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come”, Daniel 10:1,14). …

The fact that weather affected the Roman Empire should not be lost on Americans who tend to think that like the ancient Romans did, their “empire” will always continue.  According to Bible prophecy, it will not.

Weather events will negatively affect the USA and contribute to its downfall.  Big earthquakes, incidents affecting GMO crops, and problems with Yellowstone are three that immediately come potentially to mind.

Here is something I warned about in my latest book Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States:

Increased reliance on GMOs by the United States puts the nation at major risk for nearly complete crop failures.  The Bible warns that famines (Matthew 24:7) and food shortages (Revelation 6:5-6) are coming and Hillary Clinton has further helped set the stage for this.  Unless she repents, she will do more of this. …

The Bible warns against the type of moral decline that is occurring in the U.S.A.:

12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel:  “Because you despise this word, And trust in oppression and perversity, And rely on them,  13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you Like a breach ready to fall, A bulge in a high wall, Whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant. (Isaiah 30:12-13)

But how can this happen to the USA?  It will likely happen with a combination of events. Notice:

5 “Moreover the multitude of your foes Shall be like fine dust, And the multitude of the terrible ones Like chaff that passes away; Yes, it shall be in an instant, suddenly. 6 You will be punished by the Lord of hosts With thunder and earthquake and great noise, With storm and tempest And the flame of devouring fire. (Isaiah 29:5-6)

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

Many sorrows that the U.S.A. will face, like severe weather problems, diseases and earthquakes, will happen irrespective of who is in the White House (Amos 4:7-10; Luke 21:11).  Bible prophecy shows that no matter who is the next U.S.A. president (or his possible successors), the King of the North and King of the South will rise up and the U.S.A. will be ultimately destroyed unless national repentance—truly turning to the God of the Bible—happens.  (Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States, pp. 61,97)

The USA more and more trusts in perversity with its governmental acceptance of  abortion, selling baby parts, pornography, massive debt, and the homosexual agenda.

The time will come when foreign creditors will realize that if the USA could not pay back its debt when things were relatively fine, how possibly could it be expected to pay its debt back after massive ‘weather’ and other problems.  The Bible clearly says that the time will come when creditors will rise up (Habakkuk 2:6-8) and major weather incidents may well be the final factor for this.

The Bible shows that God controls the weather and does use it to urge repentance (see Weather Blessings and Sorrows).  The USA did not repent after Hurricane Katrina.  I do believe that something much worse than Hurricane Katrina will affect the USA.

The real lesson from Hurricane Katrina is that government errors contributed to the devastation and that there was no national repentance.  This is a reason to believe that much worse will hit the USA.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done? Here is a related YouTube video Does God Use Weather?
Earthquakes Today and Bible Prophecy Contains a cool up-to-the-hour update of earthquakes around the world from USGS. It also explains what did Jesus teach about earthquakes and how the Bible describes “the big one” (as well as when it is expected).
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? 2023 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 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.
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
When You Sin: Do You Really Repent? This is an article by Charles F. Hunting. A related sermon is Confess to God and truly repent.
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? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?
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.
Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? Has the Roman Catholic Church allowed abortions? What about the real Church of God? Some may also, or instead, wish to view the YouTube video Abortion, the Bible, and US Debt.
Cross-dressing and other assaults against your children. What should you do? Is there an agenda to turn your children and/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on? There is also a YouTube video on this, titled Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children.
The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality?  Can homosexuals change? A related video sermon is titled What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?
Pornography: A scourge on society Is pornography harmless fun? Does the Bible teach anything about it? What are the views of some involved with it? Here is a link to a YouTube video Pornography: Harmless Fun or a Scourge on Society?
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
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.
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? A booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.
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.

Handwriting on the Wall (Rembrandt)

COGwriter

Sunday will mark the two-year anniversary of the day that David Pack, leader of the improperly named Restored Church of God (RCG), falsely claimed that all in the COGs would come to him. As I repeatedly pointed out in that 2013 Spring and Summer, this was not going to happen.

Why?

Because David Pack simply did not trust Bible prophecy, but instead twisted it in ways it was not intended to be interpreted.

Here is some of what David Pack said and/or wrote about it in 2013 (the sermon comments were sent to me and I did not listen to that sermon myself):

Details may begin (and only begin) to come into view on the first of the month of Elul (in God’s calendar—August 7 in the Roman Calendar). A more complete picture will emerge by Elul 24 (August 30). Right now, all are urged to have in their thinking that they will be reassigned to a new nearby Feast site, and those who choose to return to the Body of Christ will attend with what becomes a much bigger organization—probably significantly bigger than the largest splinter! (Crucial Questions—Important Answers! July 19, 2013, http://rcg.org/sep/crucial-questions-important-answers)

Which three leaders are the greatest obstructionists to God’s stated purpose in Haggai—returning HIS people to doing HIS Work? (The Final Announcement. August 2, 2013, http://rcg.org/sep/the-final-announcement)

Next, the 2013 Feast of Tabernacles: This will also be among the most special and inspiring times in Church history. It will be a Feast of unity and harmony among all of God’s people. Everyone will keep this joyous occasion as members of The Restored Church of God in scores of sites across the world. At this time, we have 21 sites, but we anticipate adding many more. In some areas, former splinter brethren will attend our current sites. In other locations, we will have to quickly add new ones. In still other areas, splinter sites will simply become Restored sites. The total number of Feast sites, and where they are, will depend entirely on how many brethren answer the “stirring” of Jesus Christ to return to His Church, and in what areas they live. Details may begin (and only begin) to come into view on the first of the month of Elul (in God’s calendar—August 7 in the Roman Calendar). A more complete picture will emerge by Elul 24 (August 30). Right now, all are urged to have in their thinking that they will be reassigned to a new nearby Feast site, and those who choose to return to the Body of Christ will attend with what becomes a much bigger organization—probably significantly bigger than the largest splinter! (Crucial Questions—Important Answers! July 19, 2013, http://rcg.org/sep/crucial-questions-important-answers)

All Brethren United Soon Part 12 (Sermon)

How could so many things happen in 24 hours?

Minute 26. Three men die- Elul 24, then everyone makes a decision that day.

Minute 29. Certain things about this prophesy is very complex, others are very simple.

Minute 30. No way everything could happen in one day.

Minute 32. Do you care most how the 3 Shephard’s die? In their sleep, by fire?

Do you care who they are?

If God tells us then I want to know otherwise it doesn’t matter.

You are going to find out how they die and who they are.

Minute 33. I know their names 100% sure. Don’t want the names out yet. Now I’m certain I know.

Do you care where it happens? I don’t know where it will happen.

I know how they die and who they are. I’m certain.

Minute 34. How about when they die? They die sooner then we thought.

Do they die together or separately. I know they die together.

Two culminating events. The death of these men is the first. The central point is God is going to bring his people back together/unify his people.

In 2013, David Pack also claimed:

Saturday, August 31 will be a Sabbath unlike any other in history. It will be the first time in decades that all of God’s people around the world will be meeting together in the same locations for services. Words cannot describe the excitement and happiness that will be everywhere soon after this reunification. In many areas, much of or possibly even entire congregations might “roll over” into The Restored Church of God. Brethren will have had weeks to prepare for this and to “consider their ways” before God. Those who come will have been led to return to the Body of Christ the day before this Sabbath. Reread this last sentence.

Realize that a host of logistical details must be worked out for this to occur. God has been planning this event for thousands of years—at least 3,000—and His Church has been preparing for it for almost a year. Headquarters and our ministers will be ready to receive potentially a great many phone calls from splinter ministers and members even in the days and weeks before August 31. (Why Reunification THIS YEAR!, posted July 5, 2013 http://rcg.org/sep/why-reunification-this-year)

Of course, this simply did not happened. David Pack also claimed that God revealed to him that he was Joshua about five years ago. Yet, while the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4, KJV) may have done that, it certainly was not the Creator God of the Bible!

Notice what David Pack posted after it did not happen in 2013:

I will explain a week after the Feast EXACTLY what was misunderstood about the prophecy’s timing. It appears we will not be waiting a long time—not another year—for its fulfillment. (Pack D. How Long Will You Wait for God’s Prophecies? 09/06/13 http://rcg.org/sep/how-long-will-you-wait-for-gods-prophecies)

Of course, it still did not happen and will not happen. The Philadelphian remnant of the COG will not become part of RCG and certainly have not done so by the dates that David Pack pointed to. The changes required by RCG would be massive for something like that to possibly happen (David Pack would have to repent, RCG would have to change focus, RCG would have to change doctrine, etc.).

If people think that David Pack is past his dreams of delusion here, think again. In the Summer of 2015, RCG still had at its website, something David Pack put up earlier in 2015:

A Vital Open Letter to All WCG Splinters

Identifying God’s Church, Truth and Work …

We expect to see thousands of you soon in The Restored Church of God. God has long planned to reunify what would become His scattered people at the end of the age.

The above from RCG shows that 1) RCG does not understand the message to the churches in Revelation 2 & 3 which does NOT allow for the type of reunification that David Pack is proclaiming and 2) that RCG is still clinging to the same nonsense it claimed would happen in 2013, and when it did not happen, indicated possibly would for 2014 and still is something RCG is hoping for.  No matter how much David Pack insists on error, it does not change error into truth.

A related article, by David Pack, included the following:

Mr. Armstrong taught:

(1) God has one, unified, organized Church, also called the Body of Christ. …

All Will Come Here!…

History will record that The Restored Church of God gathered the flock, to be with Christ, rather than helped to scatter it—as UCG, LCG, PCG, COGwa, COGaic and so many others are doing! The distinction turns on which church has the full truth and much fruit to back up claims that God leads it, not to mention that this Church still must believe there IS only one Church.

Soon, all of God’s people will know what The Restored Church of God is. They will come to remember and recognize the Church that is the same as the one they used to know. They will return to it, or refuse and quench God’s Spirit forever. No one else is telling Christ’s brethren (YOU) this. This is in part because all other leaders have forgotten what God’s Church looks like. …

You have been duly warned.

I state emphatically, on God’s authority, that every last person—member or minister—throughout the world who is determined not to lose God’s Spirit—certainly many thousands—is coming to The Restored Church of God.

Actually, the Bible does not teach that all true Christians will be in the same corporate organization in the end. Revelation 2 & 3 show that there will be Thyatirans, Sardisians, Philadelphians, and many Laodiceans in the end, and the implication in the original Greek is that the Laodiceans will be in different organizations.

Despite David Pack’s appeals to writings from Herbert Armstrong, Herbert Armstrong never felt that those of Sardis were prophesied to come into the same organization as the Philadelphians, he believed the opposite.

It should be stated that people will NOT lose God’s Spirit by not coming into RCG like David Pack has claimed. Actually, since RCG is led by someone I doubt is truly in the Church of God, the risk of losing God’s Spirit tends to increase for those who do support RCG.

He also made a claim in a video in late July 2015 that all would come with him. RCG’s David Pack released a pompous false and arrogant video titled The Coming Signal to God’s People. In this seven-minute diatribe, David Pack claims that thousands in the Churches of God will be led by God’s Spirit to unite with him.

David Pack says that there will be a single event that will be impossible for those in the COGs to miss. He then gives three signals supposedly which prove this is about to happen:

1. Based on Zechariah 11:14, David Pack claims that there will be ‘a full rupture’ between the USA and Israel and this is something to watch for.
2. That because of its (often false) literature, websites, staff, and headquarters, that RCG is ready for the coming influx of thousands that will lead to an unbelievable work. Well, I certainly do not believe that David Pack is leading God’s end time work, so in that sense it is unbelievable. David Pack claims that Wadsworth will soon be ‘everybody’s headquarters.’ That is not true. David Pack wants people to ‘walk by sight related to his campus that he claims is so magnificent that it ‘staggers the imagination.’ Yet, the Bible says Christians are to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)–which is the opposite of what David Pack is essentially teaching.
3. David Pack claims that it is so obvious that world events have sped up, that God must do something with RCG soon. He claims that the time when no man can work, John 9:4, is getting close. While it is relatively close, RCG is not doing that work (see also Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word).

Let me add here that David Pack has misunderstood God’s work for a long time and falsely acts like the main RCG work is to draw COG members from other groups to RCG.

In the video, David Pack said that all (presumably other COG) leaders will call his message false. Well, his message is false. Yet, David Pack claims that all will realize that it is true.

David Pack then boldly stated that all COG members all say that they all want to get together, to reunify. That is NOT the case. I, for one, do NOT believe that the COGs should all reunify. The Book of Revelation is clear that there will be multiple COG groups around at the time of the end. Here are links to articles about four types of groups that Jesus indicated would be around at the end:

4. The Thyatira Church Era was predominant circa 1050 A.D. to circa 1600 A.D. The Church during the Inquisition.
5. The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, and COG-7th Day.
6. The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
7. 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.

David Pack ignores what the Bible teaches about unity. Just like Pope Francis, David Pack does not realize that unity of the faith will not happen until after Jesus returns. He and his followers need to properly study and understand Zechariah 2:6-12 and other scriptures.

Anyway, in the video, David Pack also misinterprets Habakkuk 1:5. He then claims when God intervenes with RCG, you will see this as it will be ‘impossible to miss.’ He closed his video with the following statement:

Do not worry about missing the signal–you won’t.

Yet, the main signal to notice about David Pack is the following:

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. (2 Peter 2:1-3)

David Pack has long used ‘covetous words’ and is a false teacher. He is NOT God’s apostle nor the Elijah to come as he also claims. David Pack’s prior prophesies related to reunification have been shown to be false in the past and will be so in the future. There is NO WAY that thousands of Philadelphian Christians will come part of RCG. See also the article Why Not the Restored Church of God?

David Pack is NOT a true watchman (watch also Go, Set a Watchman).  David Pack will again be proven false.

Most in the COGs who hear about this ‘coming signal’ will realize that David Pack is wrong.

But David Pack, in my view, remains delusional, as do many who support him.

On January 30, 2015, RCG posted the following from David Pack:

I am posting a new message, “The MASS HEALING of God’s People—Just Ahead!” A spectacular, divine promise has been hidden in God’s Word, lost until it was God’s time to reveal it with 29 PLAIN PROOFS. This message explains—and conclusively PROVES!—that part of God’s “restoration of all things” (Matt. 17:11) involves completely healing ALL brethren who choose to return to His Church when He reunifies it. …

His Plan is MUCH BIGGER and begins MUCH SOONER!

Do not RCG members yet realize that this is not true?  David Pack does not understand important aspects of biblical prophecy and continues to make outlandish claims that are not correct.  He has admitted that he is not a prophet in the past (though he now falsely claims to be the ‘Elijah‘) and he still is not a prophet of God.  Cannot those in RCG see the truth?

Thousands of years ago, the Prophet Daniel was asked to interpret some handwriting that was written on a wall by only a hand that the king of the area personally witnessed (which is why he ultimately called Daniel to see it). The moral trend in that kingdom was not good according to Daniel (Daniel 5:22-23). After stating that, here is the interpretation that the prophet Daniel gave of that handwriting on the wall:

24 Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written.

25 “And this is the inscription that was written:

MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

26 This is the interpretation of each word. Mene: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; 27 Tekel: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; 28 Peres: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” (Daniel 5:24-28)

That kingdom was taken over that very night (Daniel 5:30-31).

Now, let us look at the words from the wall and apply them to David Pack.

1. Mene: Your days being on the top as you view yourself are numbered.
2. Mene: Despite signs of your failure, will you finally publicly repent that your understanding of Haggai and Zechariah are wrong, or instead will you take steps to speed your decline up?  Will you finally repent?
3. Tekel: Your false interpretation of scripture and beliefs about yourself have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting.
4. Peres/Upharsin: Your empire will some day be divided by those who will see more of the truth and leave and those who will accept your provably blatant falsehoods and stay. That cannot be the type of Church that God would want.

Now, a story I often like to tell people is the story about the Emperor who had no clothes. Basically, the Emperor was very vain about his outward appearance, and some shysters persuaded him to give them a lot of money to make the finest clothes. Somewhat similarly, David Pack wanted to build a facility so fine that all the “splinters” would see it and marvel–and he has built something that he has marveled about, yet Philadelphia-remnant Christians and even most of the Laodicean Christians are not impressed by it. In the story, the Emperor agreed to do this and then hold a public parade once the clothes were ready.

The shysters persuaded the Emperor and his supporters that the clothes that they were to make would be so fine that only those unworthy of their positions in life could not see them. When the shysters pretended to supply fine clothes to the Emperor (which in reality was absolutely nothing), the Emperor and his staff commented about how fine the clothes were (the staff apparently worried about losing their jobs or influence if they told the truth out loud). The Emperor then took off his clothes and pretended to put the new “clothes” on. He then went outside and walked in a public parade. A small boy, seeing the Emperor, shouted out, “The Emperor is naked. The Emperor has no clothes!”

People tried to shut the boy up. One or more in the audience said to him, “Boy, you are not worthy of your position as you cannot see these fine clothes.” Others said, “Wait, he is only a small boy. Of course, he is worthy of his position. The Emperor is naked.” Then, when the crowd realized that no one saw the non-existent clothes, they laughed and laughed. The Emperor was extremely humiliated.

Can those in RCG now see that David Pack is NOT GOD’S Apostle?

In the case of David Pack, he seemed to believe that if he had a new headquarters’ building that this would be enough to get people to come to him and that this was God’s plan. But it was never God’s plan, but the imagination and vanity of David Pack and many of his followers. Can they see the truth now or how many more false interpretations from David Pack will it take? Or is this one-year anniversary going to pass with people simply hoping that one day David Pack will be right about this?

David Pack’s interpretations and predictions about what was supposed to happen remain wrong.

Will you personally admit the truth? If any of you in RCG have actual facts that disprove or prove what I am writing here, please contact me. My email remains cogwriter@aol.com. Will you believe the truth and the Bible or David Pack?

If you are in RCG, can you see that your “emperor” is prophetically naked (which is my opinion what his improper interpretations show)? Can you see the handwriting on the wall?

Could the following apply to you?

15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked — 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. (Revelation 3:15-19)

Turning to God is the only answer–and it is not just those in RCG that need to do that. This is something you can do. Do not let your own vanity get in the way. David Pack is wrong.

Can you see the handwriting on the wall?

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Why Not the Restored Church of God? This group, led by David Pack, claims to be the most faithful. The information in this article suggests otherwise. Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Por qué no la Iglesia de Dios Restaurada?
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?
Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 will be fulfilled and RCG is not the group doing this. Who is leading the final phase of the work? What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets? Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set? What is the proof? What has the Continuing Church of God been doing?
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots.  They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent.
The Elijah Heresies Does the Bible teach that there will be a future Elijah? Must it be Herbert W. Armstrong?
Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees? Discusses similarities of the Sadducees and Pharisees to various COGs in this end-time.

Bashar_al-Assad (Fabio Rodrigues Pozzebom / ABr)

COGwriter

Voice of America reports growing dissatisfaction with Syria’s President Assad:

August 27, 2015

ISTANBUL—A growing number of soldiers and civilians in government-controlled areas of Syria are expressing rare public disaffection with the regime of President Bashar al-Assad — non-combatants as well as the military in traditionally loyal coastal regions are complaining not enough is being done to relieve enclaves besieged by rebels.

There is rising alarm also at the increasing presence of Tehran-backed foreign fighters from Lebanon, Afghanistan and Iran, say political activists.

In recent days, foreign Shi’ite fighters along with militiamen in the National Defense Force dispersed young protesters by force in the port city of Tartus, according to activists working with the pro-opposition television station Halab Today.

The station reported a wave of small-scale demonstrations erupted in several coastal towns earlier this week with the focus of the protesters’ ire on Iran’s mounting involvement not only militarily but politically in Syria. Clashes were reportedly especially sharp in the town of Jablah 25 kilometers south of the city of Latakia.

Resentment of Iranian forces inside Syria

Iran, Assad’s closest foreign ally, has supplied crucial support to the regime — from arms supplies to military expertise and funding — and the NDF was trained by Iranian revolutionary guardsmen. …

Even members of the Syrian military showing dissatisfaction with the war

Activists with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based monitoring groups that gathers news from informants on the ground, say there is mounting anger at the airbase among officers and soldiers, some of them conscripts from the coast, over their grim plight.

“They are convinced the regime has no serious plan to lift the siege,” according to Rami Abdulrahman, executive director of the monitoring group. They fear the regime will let them face the same fate as the loyalist forces holed up in Al-Tabqa airbase, which fell last summer to extremists of the Islamic State. More than 250 of the defenders were butchered by the extremists after the base fell.

Tartus has been dubbed “the capital of martyrs” because of the high number of men from the town who have been killed serving in the army or in militia forces loyal to the Assad regime.

Latakia, Assad’s hometown, likewise has seen a series of recent street demonstrations. Protests were sparked initially by local anger over the slaying of a prominent local Alawite Colonel Hassan al-Sheikh, a senior air force officer, who was gunned down in a road-rage incident by one of President Assad’s cousins, Suleiman al-Assad. …

It isn’t the first time discontent has brimmed over publicly in loyalist areas. Last year, following a string of mass abductions and slayings by IS of Syrian soldiers, regime supporters poured out their anger in a Twitter campaign questioning how many more sacrifices would have to be made before the civil war ends. Small protests have also been seen in Damascus.

In several interviews President Assad acknowledged his forces have suffered serious reversals in battles with insurgents. During a ceremony in Damascus commemorating Martyrs Day, he referred to rebel gains as the “ups and downs” of war, but he painted a more sober picture of the fighting and urged Syrians to “boost the morale” of Syrian government soldiers. http://www.voanews.com/content/unease-with-assad-regime-on-the-rise/2934457.html

Iran may help prolong the Assad regime.

The Obama Administration has repeatedly called for the overthrow of the Assad regime.  The  USA has funded opposition to Assad.  And directly and indirectly, the Obama Administration has taken steps which led to the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), now calling itself the Islamic State.  This was an ‘unintended consequence’ as far as the US government is concerned, but the reality is that is what happened.

Now, the USA has a tentative deal with Syria’s closest ally, Iran.  Presuming aspects of the deal come to pass, Iran will receive tens of billions of dollars of its frozen assets back.  There are NOT restrictions in the Iranian nuclear deal that would prevent Iran from providing military and other support to Syria.

Iran wants to help Syria, because President Assad is a Shi’ite Muslim.  The leadership of Iran are all Shi-ite Muslims.  Since most of the Arab world are Sunni Muslim, Iran seems to feel that supporting Assad will help insure a Shi’ite stronghold in the Middle East and in the Arab world.  Iran hopes to build on that by taking over Jerusalem and then ruling the Islamic world–at least the portions in the Middle East.

Because of its religious beliefs and public statements, I believe that the leadership in Iran is likely to ‘overplay its hand,’ after it gets access to its frozen financial assets. This may be an ‘unintended consequence’ for Iran getting access to to its funds–it may be emboldened to the point it will strike out when it falsely thinks it can do so with little consequence.  Since Iran is NOT the prophesied King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43), and because it is due east of Jerusalem, I have long felt that its leadership will do something that will result in its influence being ‘neutralized.’  This could be the result of civil unrest in Iran or possibly the result of a regional war that Iran would not fare well from (Jeremiah 49:34-38).

Notice that Iran’s official policy is the elimination of the nation of Israel:

August 27, 2015

A senior Iranian official on Tuesday said Israel “should be annihilated,” and that the thawing relations with the West would not translate into a shift in Tehran’s position concerning the Jewish state.

Hussein Sheikholeslam, a foreign affairs adviser to parliament speaker Ali Larijani, told Iranian media that contrary to remarks by British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, “Our positions against the usurper Zionist regime have not changed at all; Israel should be annihilated and this is our ultimate slogan.” http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-should-be-annihilated-senior-iran-aide-says/

Perhaps Iran will be in a war that would severely damage the nation called Israel (Isaiah 22:1-14), but also hurt it (Jeremiah 49:34-38).

But what about Iran’s ally Syria?

There are biblical prophecies the tell of the coming destruction to Syria’s capital Damascus. :

7 thus says the Lord God: “It shall not stand, Nor shall it come to pass. 8 For the head of Syria is Damascus (Isaiah 7:7-8).

3 Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, Because they have threshed Gilead with implements of iron. (Amos 1:3)

1 The burden against Damascus. “Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap. (Isaiah 17:1)

23 Against Damascus. “Hamath and Arpad are shamed, For they have heard bad news. They are fainthearted; There is trouble on the sea; It cannot be quiet. 24 Damascus has grown feeble; She turns to flee, And fear has seized her. Anguish and sorrows have taken her like a woman in labor. 25 Why is the city of praise not deserted, the city of My joy? 26 Therefore her young men shall fall in her streets, And all the men of war shall be cut off in that day,” says the Lord of hosts. 27 “I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, And it shall consume the palaces of Ben-Hadad.” (Jeremiah 49:23-27)

Damascus has been claimed to be the “oldest continuously inhabited city” in the world. And while some have questioned that claim, the reality is that Damascus has not been destroyed to the point of becoming the “ruinous heap” since God inspired Isaiah to record that.  It may be that Iran will be ‘neutralized’ (Jeremiah 49:34-38) after Damascus is destroyed.

This destruction could come as the result of the current war with the Islamic State. It is possible that attacks against the Islamic State will encourage it to attack Damascus. Also if the Assad regime broadly uses chemical weapons and/or becomes engaged in a conflict with Israel and/or the West, that could also fulfill the above.

The situation for Arab world will have ups and downs. The Bible tells of a time of a peace deal that will affect the region, but that deal will not last (Daniel 9:27; see also The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27). The Bible teaches that more war will later come and will include a coalition of peoples such as the Sunni nations in the Arab world (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:2-8).

While few wish to believe it, it will take the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God to truly solve the conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere. Those in Syria are in my prayers.

Aftermath of 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami

COGwriter

The Los Angeles Times reported the following:

August 27, 2015

Sea levels will rise, experts warn, and ‘it’s not going to stop’

For the last 23 years, ocean levels around the world have climbed by about 3 inches on average, and NASA scientists say the sea will continue to rise as warming temperatures cause ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica to melt. …

New satellite measurements from NASA suggest that ocean levels could rise by 3 feet or more globally by the end of the century. The question faced by scientists and policymakers is not whether oceans will rise, but how fast and by how much.

“People need to be prepared for sea level rise,” said Joshua Willis, an oceanographer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada Flintridge. “It’s not going to stop.”

If ocean levels are rising, where is the additional water coming from?

Steve Nerem, a scientist at the University of Colorado, Boulder, said that about one-third of the rising sea level is a result of the ocean expanding as it absorbs heat trapped by greenhouse gases and becomes warmer. Another third comes from melting glaciers, and the rest comes from the melting of enormous ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica.

How much ice is actually melting in Greenland and Antarctica?

During the last decade, Greenland’s ice sheet lost about 303 gigatons of ice on average each year, while Antarctica’s ice sheet lost about 118 gigatons annually on average. One gigaton is a billion metric tons.  http://www.latimes.com/science/la-me-0827-oceans-rising-20150827-story.html

So, ‘experts’ feel that the ocean could rise by 3 feet or more by the end of the century.  According to the Bible, the situation before the end of this century (see Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? ) will eliminate islands (Revelation 16:18-20; see also Islands and Bible Prophecy).

The reality is that there is enough water to pretty much cover the earth.  The great flood in Noah’s time, when the mountains were a bit lower than they now are, covered the entire planet–even the highest mountains then (Genesis 7:19-20).

Will that happen again?

No.  At least not that way.

How do we know?  Because of God’s promise to Noah:

11 Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

12 And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. 14 It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; 15 and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”  (Genesis 9:11-17)

God gave humans rainbows as a sign that the entire world would not be destroyed by a great flood.

But that does not mean that there will be no weather problems nor problems with sea levels:

11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. (Luke 21:11)

25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;  26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  (Luke 21:25-26)

Earthquakes that cause tsunamis are consistent with the above.  More tsunamis are prophesied and will come to pass.

The Los Angeles Times article also had the following:

What are we supposed to do about rising sea levels?

The key word stressed by scientists: planning. Tom Wagner, cryosphere program manager for NASA, said communities along coastal zones should factor in the increase in sea levels when considering major infrastructure projects such as a water treatment plant or power plant. Rising sea levels could mean more erosion or flooding associated with a storm surge, he said.

The Bible urges repentance and often ties its need in with God’s intervention in the weather (Revelation 16:8-11).

Jesus warned about a time of earthquakes and troubles:

8 … And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be…troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)

Parts of Japan were devastated by the Tōhoku earthquake and and subsequent tsunami in 2011.  Even more severe earthquakes are coming.

The biggest earthquake described in biblical prophecy is the following one:

18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. (Revelation 16:18-20)

Notice that the above earthquake is so big that the cities of the nations will fall. Mountains will be leveled and islands “fled away” (more on this can be found in the article Islands and Bible Prophecy). This seems to be the biggest earthquake that will ever hit the planet with humans on it. Despite the view of religious ‘preterists’ that this already happened (see The Dangerous Rise of Preterists), that is nonsense.

The earthquake of Revelation 16 will be bigger than what the usual “experts” have believed was possible. It will change the planet and humble parts of humanity.

What should humans do about severe weather events?  Repent:

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.

10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. 11 They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.  (Revelation 16:8-11)

Instead of repenting, notice what the Bible prophesied humanity will do after the islands and mountains are basically gone:

20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 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 16:20-21)

Humans should repent now and not wait.  Yet, despite Divine intervention related to weather, including sea levels, humanity refuses to.  Worse problems will be coming.

It should be noted since that apparently biggest of all earthquakes (Revelation 16:18) seems to take place near the end of the Day of the Lord, it probably cannot happen prior to 2023 (for more on why as well as dates, please see the articles When Can the Great Tribulation Begin? and Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?).

Despite the danger, rising sea levels should serve as assurance that biblical prophecy will be fulfilled and that all should believe the prophecies in the Bible. Including those prophecies that show that the kingdoms of this world will be replaced relatively soon.

People should live their lives as if God does exist and that He does have a plan, because He does. It will come to pass and His kingdom will come.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Earthquakes Today and Bible Prophecy Contains a cool up-to-the-hour update of earthquakes around the world from USGS. It also explains what did Jesus teach about earthquakes and how the Bible describes “the big one” (as well as when it is expected).
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?
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.
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? 2023 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 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.
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
When You Sin: Do You Really Repent? This is an article by Charles F. Hunting. A related sermon is Confess to God and truly repent.
Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done? Here is a related YouTube video Does God Use Weather?
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? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?

Iran’s ‘Supreme Leader’ Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

COGwriter

The improperly named Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) has posted various reasons it claims supports its position that Iran is the King of the South.  Here are three reasons:

Three Reasons Why Iran Is the ‘King of the South’ of Bible Prophecy

The king of the south is stirring up trouble today and it’s critical that you know the identity of this prophesied power!

Could this prophesied king of the south be linked to modern Iran?

The Trumpet identifies the king of the south as radical Islam, led by Iran. Editor in chief Gerald Flurry first made this connection in 1994, just six years after Iran emerged from its devastating eight-year war with Iraq—a time when few paid any attention to this rogue Islamist nation.

Here are three reasons why Iran is the king of the south prophesied in the Bible.

1. Iran Is the King of Radical Islam…

2. Iran and Its Allies Are Located to the South…

3. Bible Prophecy Eliminates Every Possibility Except Iran…

Daniel 11:43 shows that the king of the north will also conquer Libya and Ethiopia, which will also be allied with the king of the south.

And what about a fourth reason?

Last month, PCG’s Gerald Flurry posted a video indicating that because of the nuclear deal, that Iran was essentially crowned the King of the South.

PCG has long been wrong on the identity of Iran and the King of the South.

Before going through why its four reasons are wrong, let’s first look at the verses in the Bible related to the King of the South:

40 “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. (Daniel 11:40-43)

Now, let’s look at PCG’s four reasons:

1. Iran Is the King of Radical Islam

Some would perhaps point out that the 9/11 terror attack against the USA was mainly from Saudi Arabians associated with radical elements of the Sunni Muslim faith (Iran is primarily Shi-ite Muslim). As the religion of the specific nations listed in Daniel 11:40-43 is Sunni Islam, combined with the fact that many Sunnis question if Shi’ite Islam is truly Islam, unless a massive conversion takes place, those nations would not support Iran this way. The rise of ISIS in Iraq and Syria also shows that there are strong militaristic Islamic groups that are not with Iran.  Furthermore, neither Egypt nor Libya, both mentioned in Daniel 11:40-43 are truly allied with Iran.  Egypt has also supported Saudi Arabia against the Iranian-backed Yemenese.

2. Iran and Its Allies Are Located to the South

By being south, this is a reference to being south of Jerusalem. While most of the nations listed as being aligned with the King of the South in Daniel 11:40-43, as well as the related account in Ezekiel 30:2-8, are mainly south of Jerusalem, Iran itself is basically due east.

3. Bible Prophecy Eliminates Every Possibility Except Iran

No, Bible prophecy does not eliminate every possibility except Iran. Iran is not even listed in Daniel 11:40-43. Also, when one looks at the parallel account of the King of the South in Ezekiel 30:2-8, one sees that this is an alliance that is tied to Egypt and is mainly an Arabic confederation.

4. Iran Got the Better of the USA with its Nuclear Deal

While the nuclear deal has flaws, it will NOT result in Iran becoming the King of the South.  Instead, it may well embolden Iran to ‘overplay’ its hand.  It may drop the pretense of following it and/or be caught severely violating it (especially after it gets access to a lot of its frozen assets) and this may result in its ‘neutralization’ by Israel and/or the USA.  And Israel (Isaiah 22:1-14) and even the USA, could get damaged in the process.  But so would Iran (Jeremiah 49:34-38), as it may also involve Syria, who would not fare well (cf. Isaiah 17:1).

Furthermore, notice something that PCG improperly claims:

The PCG is the only Church that holds onto ALL of what Christ established through Mr. Armstrong (Flurry, Gerald and Leap, Dennis. Ezra and Nehemiah: Building God’s Temple. Booklet. 1997. p.29).

Did the late Herbert W. Armstrong (HWA) teach that Iran was the King of the South?

No.

Under HWA’s leadership, notice he had taught that the King of the South would be an Arab-Moslem confederation:

But who is the ‘king of the south’?…in verse 40 we skip to ‘the time of the end’…Just as there is yet to be a final ‘king of the north’…there may very well emerge in the same manner a final ‘king of the south’–an overall leader of an Arab-Moslem confederation…Germany (Assyria in Bible prophecy) and perhaps the rest of Europe will be in league in the future with a union of Arab nations…But in the end, the European-Arab alliance will prove short-lived…the ‘king of the north’ will ultimately turn against the Arab ‘king of the south’…The Arab-Moslem Confederation will, of course, be thrown into chaotic disarray in the fact of invasion (The Arab World in Prophecy. Plain Truth. December, 1979).

Bible prophecy reveals the coming emergence of an Arab-Moslem confederation in the Middle East. It is referred to in prophecy as “the king of the south” (Dan. 11:40). This confederation will play a crucial role in end-time events. (Seeing the World Through Islamic Eyes. Plain Truth, June 1983, p.44).

The king of the South? EGYPT, of course. But not Egypt of today. Egypt of a few more years from now–Egypt as she continues to expand the U.A.R., bringing more and more of the North Africa Mohammedan nations into the same Afro-Arabian power block! (“And when you see the Abomination…” Plain Truth, July, 1963, p. 22).

So under HWA, the old WCG taught that the King of the South would be a Arab-Muslim confederation. I do not recall seeing anything in the old WCG literature indicating that Iran would be the king of the South.

A search of old WCG literature I recently conducted never once tied the term ‘Iran’ in with the expression ‘King of the South.’

What HWA basically was taught about Iran in prophecy was:

Iran will eventually become linked with the Soviet Union. This is not to say that Iran…will be incorporated into the Soviet Union…Rather, there will generally be only political linkage in the form of alliances or vassal states dominated by Moscow (Why Russia Will Not Attack the United States, reprint 1980, p. 11).

Herbert Armstrong did not teach that Iran was to become the final King of the South. Those who want to understand more about who can be should read the article titled Is there a Future King of the South?

Notice also a claim that Gerald Flurry wrote the following in the October-November 2012 edition of the Philadelphia Trumpet:

Egypt Unites With Iran and Fulfills a Bible Prophecy…

Over the last 20 years, I have been explaining the prophecy in Daniel 11 which says that Egypt would fall to radical Islam, ally itself with Iran, trash its peace treaty with Israel, and become a violent enemy of Israel and the United States.

In August, that prophecy was fully and totally fulfilled! It is now reality!

Egypt and Iran are now allies…

A Fulfilled Prophecy

In a January 2006 letter to co-workers, I wrote: “We have said for years that Egypt has been a friend to the West, but because of this prophecy [Daniel 11:42], we also said that could change. … As the MB grows more popular it will strengthen its ties with Islamic powers throughout the region—especially Iran. … [W]atch for Cairo to distance itself from America. Should the MB ever take control, there is no doubt that a strong alliance between Iran and Egypt will be built.”

That is a fulfilled prophecy.

That was NOT a fulfilled prophecy, but yet another where Gerald Flurry has been proven to be a false prophet.

Egypt and Iran are not now strong allies. Simply do a Google news search and you will find many articles explaining that Egypt is still a rival to Iran and that they are not strong allies. “Egypt is the only Arab country without an embassy in Iran” (Wikipedia, viewed 05/14/15), hence that relationship is not that close. Also, according to a 2013 BBC World Service poll, only 15% of Egyptians view Iran’s influence positively, with 48% expressing a negative view.

Gerald Flurry may disagree about their connections, but he is ignoring reality. The Iranians mainly support Shi’a Islam and the Egyptians still mainly support Sunni Islam–and the two groups are not close enough together to consider them “strong” allies.

Furthermore, the meeting Gerald Flurry referred to in August 2012 between leaders of those two nations did not fulfill any biblical prophecies in Daniel 11. Plus, the Egyptian leader (Dr. Morsi) that Iran met with was deposed a while back.

PCG may wish to reconsider that what it teaches about Iran is in clear error. Iran is NOT the final King of the South.

Some items of related interest may include:

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” make it so. This article provides many quotes from this group which tries to look faithful.
Iran in Prophecy Is Iran in Bible prophecy? If so, what does the Bible teach? What names, other than Persia, may be used to describe Iran? There is also a YouTube video titled Iran in Prophecy. Here is a related video Iran In Prophecy.
Iraq, the King of the South, Armageddon, and Prophecy What will happen to Iraq? Is it the prophesied Mystery Babylon? What is Armageddon and how does that have to do with Iraq? Here is a related video Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy.
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
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?

       Eurasian Economic Union emblem

COGwriter

Pakistan is interested in Vladimir Putin’s Eurasian Economic Union:

August 26, 2015

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif – who is on an official visit to Kazakhstan – has said that Pakistan is interested in signing a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

“Pakistan wants to sign a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union. This will promote fruitful cooperation between Pakistan’s business community and the union,” he said in an interview with the Kazakh Express. Nawaz said that Kazakhstan can be a very helpful in maintaining the free trade agreement, since being an active member of the association.

The Eurasian Economic Union – comprising Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia – is an international organisation to streamline the flow of goods and services between its member countries. More than 40 countries and international organisations, including China, Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia, have expressed interest in creating a free trade area with the union, according to Russian Economic Development Minister Alexey Ulyukaev. http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/26-Aug-2015/pakistan-keen-to-ink-free-trade-pact-with-eurasian-economic-union

Relatively few in the West even know that there is a Eurasian Economic Union.

The EEU officially formed on January 1, 2015.

India established a task force a couple of months ago as it is also looking to be a member (see Eurasian Economic Union: India wants in).

The Bible shows that a confederation of leaders in the East (Revelation 16:12) will form and have Russian dominance (cf. Jeremiah 50:41-43). Because of the coming formation of a 200,000,000 man army (Revelation 9:16, this strongly points to that army having Indian support–and that would likely also include Pakistan.

The reality is that the Church of God has seen a confederation of Eurasian nations coming together for a long time. While this has been believed since biblical times, COG leaders such as G.G. Rupert wrote about it last century.

Although he had some prophetic and timing misunderstandings, here is something from G.G. Rupert (a Church of God leader in the early 20th century with distant ties to CG7):

The Yellow Peril; or, the Orient versus the Occident

Russia has today one hundred and twenty-nine millions of population. Persistently, carrying out a plan conceived more than forty years ago, she has quietly occupied every position in Asia which would eventually enable her to annex the four hundred millions of China; then the two hundred and eighty millions of India, and finally the eight millions of Persia. …

Men talk of ‘the Yellow Peril.’ They do not seem to see that it is through Russia, and through Russia only, that the yellow races might become a peril to the world at large. …

Russia has a wonderful assimilating power. Having absorbed the tribes of central and northern Asia, and moulded them into Russian legions to carry forward the Russian advance, it does not require a prophet to see a day when with Russo-Chinese armies, Russia would drive the Germans, the French, Italians and other Europeans into the seas and the distant mother countries would be powerless to prevent Russia then in control of 400,000,000 Chinese. …

Armageddon is rapidly drawing near. …

Mrs. Helen E. Gardner, who has been six years in touring the world, has spent considerable time in China. She says of this country: “China is going to give us a tremendous surprise. It will be a surprise such as the world has never known.” …

As we view the history of the world for many centuries through the history as given by the pen of inspiration, we will now seek to show the teaching of the Bible concerning the three great divisions of the world in the last days, the movement of the nations, and the issue be- tween them as they shall gather to the great battle of Armageddon.

“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false . prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” Rev. 16:13-16.

The events here described take place under the sixth plague. When the vial of the seventh plague is poured out, there comes a voice out of the temple of heaven out of the throne, saying, “It is done.” This movement is the greatest and the crowning event of all earth’s history. …

The prophet Jeremiah, in speaking of this power, uses this expression, “For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the Lord.” Jer. 1:15.

This expression shows there are many families of kingdoms clustered together, which we understand must include all the territory controlled by the dragon power, which would include all the kings of the East, such as China, India, and any others that might exist in the dragon territory. …

China. It is the oldest nation in the world, and from the prophet’s standpoint it would come from far, or the end of the earth, lying eastward. It is a mighty nation… in the sixteenth chapter of Revelation, Japan, China and India are called the kings of the East. …

Russia is the land of Magog which was the grandson of Noah. It is an ancient nation. But even a more ancient Nation is to be joined to them, namely, China, Japan and India with others. (Rupert GG. The Yellow Peril; or, the Orient versus the Occident, Third ed. c.1911)

An alignment between Russia and India is consistent with G.G. Rupert’s writings.  What about Pakistan?

Well, there was no nation called Pakistan when G.G. Rupert wrote what he did.  Pakistan formed when many of the Muslims in India decided that they did not want to be under Indian rule and many located to the eastern and western border areas.  For decades they were know as East and West Pakistan.  East Pakistan finally changed its name to Bangladesh.

Russian Orthodox making the ‘sign of the cross’ (www.kremlin.ru)

COGwriter

Pope Francis said that parents need to teach children how to pray and use the ‘Sign of the Cross’:

August 26, 2015

Pope Francis stressed how sometimes he goes in the cities and makes a sad observation. “There are children who have not learned how to make the Sign of the Cross! But you mommies, daddies, teach the little ones to pray, to make the Sign of the Cross: this is a beautiful task of moms and dads!”  http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-to-parents-teach-your-little-ones-to-pray-make-sign-of-cross

Teaching the “Sign of the Cross” is NOT a beautiful task for parents.

Why not?

Well, it is not something that Jesus nor His original apostles did.

The first reference to any version of it being a practice among the Greco-Romans appears to be in the late second century.  Here is information from The Catholic Encyclopedia:

…the marking of a little cross seems to be the most ancient….”In all our travels and movements”, says Tertullian (De cor. Mil., iii), “in all our coming in and going out, in putting of our shoes, at the bath, at the table, in lighting our candles, in lying down, in sitting down, whatever employment occupieth us, we mark our foreheads with the sign of the cross”. On the other hand this must soon have passed into a gesture of benediction, as many quotations from the Fathers in the fourth century would show. Thus St. Cyril of Jerusalem in his “Catecheses” (xiii, 36) remarks: “let us then not be ashamed to confess the Crucified. Be the cross our seal, made with boldness by our fingers on our brow and in every thing; over the bread we eat and the cups we drink, in our comings and in goings; before our sleep, when we lie down and when we awake; when we are travelling, and when we are at rest”.  Thurston, Herbert. “Sign of the Cross.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 13. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 26 Aug. 2015 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13785a.htm>.

Tertullian of Carthage wrote in the late second and early third century–that is the “most ancient” Catholic-related record.  Carthage was in Egypt, an area that adopted many heretical practices and attempted to combine them with a compromised faith.

As far as the more ‘modern’ “sign of the cross,” this developed later.  Here is information on that from The Catholic Encyclopedia:

Epiphanius tells us (Adv. Hær., xxx, 12) of a certain holy man Josephus, who imparted to a vessel of water the power of overthrowing magical incantations by “making over the vessel with his finger the seal of the cross” pronouncing the while a form of prayer. Again half a century later Sozomen, the church historian (VII, xxvi), describes how Bishop Donatus when attacked by a dragon “made the sign of the cross with his finger in the air and spat upon the monster”. All this obviously leads up to the suggestion of a larger cross made over the whole body, and perhaps the earliest example which can be quoted comes to us from a Georgian source, possibly of the fourth or fifth century. In the life of St. Nino, a woman saint, honoured as the Apostle of Georgia, we are told in these terms of a miracle worked by her: “St. Nino began to pray and entreat God for a long time. Then she took her (wooden) cross and with it touched the Queen’s head, her feet and her shoulders, making the sign of the cross and straightway she was cured” (Studia Biblica, V, 32). It appears on the whole probable that the general introduction of our present larger cross (from brow to breast and from shoulder to shoulder) was an indirect result of the Monophysite controversy. … On the whole it seems probable that the ultimate prevalence of the larger cross is due to an instruction of Leo IV in the middle of the ninth century. “Sign the chalice and the host”, he wrote…

The Monophysite controversy was in the fifth century and it was in the ninth century that Rome somewhat officially endorsed the modern version of the ‘Sign of the Cross’ that Pope Francis wants parents to teach children.

Early faithful Christians did not make the ‘sign of the cross’ nor did they teach their children to do so.  Jesus was not even killed on a cross–He was killed on a tree/stake according to the New Testament (see also What is the Origin of the Cross as a ‘Christian’ Symbol? ).

Perhaps, a few statements from the 19th century historian Alexander Hislop may also be helpful for some:

In the Papal system as is well known, the sign of the cross and the image of the cross are all in all. No prayer can be said, no worship engaged in, no step almost can be taken, without the frequent use of the sign of the cross. The cross is looked upon as the grand charm, as the great refuge in every season of danger, in every hour of temptation as the infallible preservative from all the powers of darkness. The cross is adored with all the homage due only to the Most High and for any one to call it, in the hearing of a genuine Romanist, by the Scriptural term, “the accursed tree,” is a mortal offence. …

The same sign of the cross that Rome now worships was used in the Babylonian Mysteries, was applied by Paganism to the same magic purposes, was honoured with the same honours. That which is now called the Christian cross was originally no Christian emblem at all, but was the mystic Tau of the Chaldeans and Egyptians–the true original form of the letter T–the initial of the name of Tammuz…That mystic Tau was marked in baptism on the foreheads of those initiated in the Mysteries, * and was used in every variety of way as a most sacred symbol…To identify Tammuz with the sun it was joined sometimes to the circle of the sun; sometimes it was inserted in the circle…The mystic Tau, as the symbol of the great divinity, was called “the sign of life”; it was used as an amulet over the heart; it was marked on the official garments of the priests, as on the official garments of the priests of Rome; it was borne by kings in their hand, as a token of their dignity or divinely-conferred authority. The Vestal virgins of Pagan Rome wore it suspended from their necklaces, as the nuns do now. The Egyptians did the same, and many of the barbarous nations with whom they had intercourse, as the Egyptian monuments bear witness…The cross thus widely worshipped, or regarded as a sacred emblem, was the unequivocal symbol of Bacchus, the Babylonian Messiah, for he was represented with a head-band covered with crosses…

The first form of that which is called the Christian Cross, found on Christian monuments there, is the unequivocal Pagan Tau, or Egyptian “Sign of life.” Let the reader peruse the following statement of Sir G. Wilkinson: “A still more curious fact may be mentioned respecting this hieroglyphical character [the Tau], that the early Christians of Egypt adopted it in lieu of the cross, which was afterwards substituted for it, prefixing it to inscriptions in the same manner as the cross in later times. For, though Dr. Young had some scruples in believing the statement of Sir A. Edmonstone, that it holds that position in the sepulchres of the great Oasis, I can attest that such is the case, and that numerous inscriptions, headed by the Tau, are preserved to the present day on early Christian monuments.” The drift of this statement is evidently this, that in Egypt the earliest form of that which has since been called the cross, was no other than the “Crux Ansata,” or “Sign of life,” borne by Osiris and all the Egyptian gods; that the ansa or “handle” was afterwards dispensed with, and that it became the simple Tau, or ordinary cross, as it appears at this day, and that the design of its first employment on the sepulchres, therefore, could have no reference to the crucifixion of the Nazarene, but was simply the result of the attachment to old and long-cherished Pagan symbols, which is always strong in those who, with the adoption of the Christian name and profession, are still, to a large extent, Pagan in heart and feeling. This, and this only, is the origin of the worship of the “cross.” …

It is certain that the X was the symbol of the god Ham in Egypt, and as such was exhibited on the breast of his image. Whichever view be taken, however, of Constantine’s sincerity, the supposed Divine warrant for reverencing the sign of the cross entirely falls to the ground. In regard to the X, there is no doubt that, by the Christians who knew nothing of secret plots or devices, it was generally taken, as Lactantius declares, as equivalent to the name of “Christ.” In this view, therefore, it had no very great attractions for the Pagans, who, even in worshipping Horus, had always been accustomed to make use of the mystic tau or cross, as the “sign of life,” or the magical charm that secured all that was good, and warded off everything that was evil. When, therefore, multitudes of the Pagans, on the conversion of Constantine, flocked into the Church, like the semi-Pagans of Egypt, they brought along with them their predilection for the old symbol. The consequence was, that in no great length of time, as apostacy proceeded, the X which in itself was not an unnatural symbol of Christ, the true Messiah, and which had once been regarded as such, was allowed to go entirely into disuse, and the Tau, the sign of the cross, the indisputable sign of Tammuz, the false Messiah, was everywhere substituted in its stead.  (Hislop A. The Two Babylons. Chapter V, Section VI, The Sign of the Cross. pp. 197-201)

Some may question what Alexander Hislop wrote, but notice the following from The Catholic Encyclopedia:

The sign of the cross, represented in its simplest form by a crossing of two lines at right angles, greatly antedates, in both the East and the West, the introduction of Christianity. It goes back to a very remote period of human civilization…

Early in the third century Clement of Alexandria (“Strom.”, VI, in P. G., IX, 305) speaks of the Cross as tou Kyriakou semeiou typon, i.e. signum Christi, “the symbol of the Lord” (St. Augustine, Tract. cxvii, “In Joan.”; De Rossi, “Bull. d’arch. crist”, 1863, 35, and “De titulis christianis Carthaginiensibus” in Pitra, “Spicilegium Solesmense”, IV, 503). The cross, therefore, appears at an early date as an element of the liturgical life of the faithful …Tertullian says: “Frontem crucis signaculo terimus” (De Cor. mil. iii), i.e. “We Christians wear out our foreheads with the sign of the cross.” The practice was so general about the year 200, according to the same writer, that the Christians of his time were wont to sign themselves with the cross before undertaking any action. He says that it is not commanded in Holy Scripture…the custom of placing the crucifix over the altar does not date from earlier than the eleventh century. (Marucchi O. Transcribed by Wm Stuart French, Jr. Archæology of the Cross and Crucifix. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume IV. Copyright © 1908 by Robert Appleton Company. Online Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. Knight. Nihil Obstat. Remy Lafort, Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York).

Even  The Catholic Encyclopedia admits that the sign of the cross predates Christianity.  In other words, it existed in paganism.  It simply was a compromise with paganism.  Some started to use it in the late second century A.D. and it got more acceptance after Emperor Constantine, a follower of the sun-god Mithras in the fourth century, promoted it.

While teaching about prayer is fine (see our free online booklet Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach?), no one should teach their children to adopt pagan practices (cf. Deuteronomy 12:29-32).  Parents are to teach children God’s ways (cf. Deuteronomy 6:6-9; see also Five Rules for Effective Parenting).

Most who claim some tie to Roman Catholicism do not realize how much that church has changed. An article that documents this in great detail is available: Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God?

I would add that it is not just Roman Catholics that made changes that disagree with the views of the original apostles. Some details are in the free online booklets Continuing History of the Church of God and Where is the True Christian Church Today?

Perhaps I should close this with the comment that prophecy indicates that the cross could be the Mark of the Beast.  This is another reason to consider the ramifications of what Pope Francis is now advocating.

Some items to assist in your studies may include:

What is the Origin of the Cross as a ‘Christian’ Symbol? Was the cross used as a venerated symbol by the early Church? A related YouTube video would be Origin of the Cross.
Mark of the Beast What is the mark of the Beast? Who is the Beast? What have various ones claimed the mark is? What is the ‘Mark of the Beast’?
The Mark of Antichrist What is the mark of Antichrist? What have various ones claimed? Here is a link to a related sermon What is the ‘Mark of Antichrist’?
Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach? This free booklet contains 28 biblically-based tips on improving the effectiveness of your prayers. This is a pdf. A related two part sermon is available: What Does the Bible Teach About Prayer? and What does the Bible Teach About Prayer (& Healing)?
Five Rules for Effective Parenting Do you know that there are five simple rules that can make you a more effective parent? Here is a link to a version in Mandarin Chinese 五条简单有效的子女养育规则. There is also a 12 1/2 minute English language YouTube video on this, also titled Five Rules for Effective Parenting.
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?
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. Is telling the truth about the early church citing Catholic accepted sources anti-Catholic? This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church. There is also a YouTube sermon on the subject titled Church of God or Church of Rome: What Do Catholic Scholars Admit About Early Church History?
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Who were the Nazarene Christians? What did they believe? Should 21st century Christians be modern Nazarenes? Is there a group that exists now that traces its history through the Nazarenes and holds the same beliefs today? Here is a link to a related video sermon Nazarene Christians: Were the early Christians “Nazarenes”?
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
Apostolic Succession What really happened? Did structure and beliefs change? Are many of the widely-held current understandings of this even possible? Did you know that Catholic scholars really do not believe that several of the claimed “apostolic sees” of the Orthodox have apostolic succession–despite the fact that the current pontiff himself seems to wish to ignore this view? Is there actually a true church that has ties to any of the apostles that is not part of the Catholic or Orthodox churches? Read this article if you truly are interested in the truth on this matter! Here is a version in the Spanish language La sucesión apostólica. ¿Ocurrió en Roma, Alejandría, Constantinopla, Antioquía, Jerusalén o Asia Menor?
Early Church History: Who Were the Two Major Groups Professed Christ in the Second and Third Centuries? Did you know that many in the second and third centuries felt that there were two major, and separate, professing Christian groups in the second century, but that those in the majority churches tend to now blend the groups together and claim “saints” from both? “Saints” that condemn some of their current beliefs. Who are the two groups?
What Was the Original Apostles’ Creed? What is the Nicene Creed? Did the original apostles write a creed? When was the first creed written? Are the creeds commonly used by the Eastern Orthodox or Roman Catholics original?
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?
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.
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?
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.
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?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
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?

Currencies (Veronidae)

COGwriter

The Continuing Church of God is pleased to recommend the sermon: Tithing Answers from the Bible, which is at its ContinuingCOG channel.

Is tithing biblical? Should Christians tithe? Did early Christians tithe? If tithing is appropriate, does it include tithing on wages? How are tithes calculated? What is an increase? Does one tithe on the gross or net salary after taxes? What about offerings? Does the Bible teach multiple tithes? Is the ministry entitled to compensation? What are tithes and offerings used for? To whom should tithes/offerings be sent?

An article of related interest is titled Tithing Questions and Some Answers.

Here is a link to the sermon: Tithing Answers from the Bible.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Tithing Questions and Some Answers Answers questions about tithing and also addresses some non-biblical arguments against tithing. Should people tithe?
Ending Your FINANCIAL WORRIES How can people help themselves and others financially? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject. A video of related interest would be: Dealing With Financial Worries.
Is Second Tithe and Third Tithe Still Valid Today? Should you save and use second tithe? Some in the COGs no longer teach payment of third tithe, is this biblically correct?
Gambling and Sin: Is it a Sin for Christians to Gamble? What does the Bible reveal? A related video is Gambling: A Covetous Sin?
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.

New York Financial District

COGwriter

There is still a lot of volatility in the stock markets in the USA and elsewhere:

August 25, 2015

U.S. stocks initially jumped Tuesday but the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all faltered as Wall Street sought to rebound from some from Monday’s 588-point drop in the Dow in a stock market rout that sent all the major indexes into official correction territory.

Blue chips comprising the Dow took a huge swing, giving up a 442-point gain to end 205 in the red.

The Dow Jones industrial average — now in a brutal, six-day losing streak — ended down 205 points, or 1.3% to 15,666.44. Losing 1.4% — 26 points — was the S&P 500, which settled at 1867.62.

Holding up better was the Nasdaq, which lost 0.4%, or 20 points, to 4506.49. …

European stocks rose sharply as France’s CAC 40 index added 4.1% and Germany’s DAX index was up 5%.

The People’s Bank of China said the rate for a one-year loan will be cut 0.25 percentage point to 4.6% and the one-year rate for deposits will fall to 1.75%. The central bank also lowered the amount of crash reserves Chinese banks are required to hold.

The announcement was made after the close of Chinese and other Asian markets, which were volatile Tuesday as Chinese stocks plunged again and Tokyo markets also fell sharply after earlier rebounding. The Shanghai composite index declined 7.6% to 2,964.97. The index is now below the psychologically important 3,000 level.  http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/markets/2015/08/25/stocks-tuesday/32317511/

Of course, stock prices rise and fall. Many countries are affected by the latest market volatility.  Some wonder if volatility is going on because some want to implement more financial controls internationally (which will happen, cf. Revelation 13:16-18).

As far as the USA itself goes, the efforts of those in the USA to pump counterfeit dollars through a program called “quantitative easing,’ as well as federal deficits, has sometimes propped up the USA stock market, but eventually reality and truth matters.

Yet, because many do not wish to believe the truth, the economy of the USA looks better that it really is. Yet it is because of mistrust and issues with other governments, that the USA and its dollar will continue to enjoy dominance internationally for longer.

But the time will come when that will end.

The Bible teaches the following:

13 “Behold, therefore, I beat My fists at the dishonest profit which you have made, and at the bloodshed which has been in your midst. 14 Can your heart endure, or can your hands remain strong, in the days when I shall deal with you? I, the Lord, have spoken, and will do it. 15 I will scatter you among the nations, disperse you throughout the countries, and remove your filthiness completely from you. 16 You shall defile yourself in the sight of the nations; then you shall know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 22:13-16)

The dishonest profits that the USA has generated for years have to do with how it is pumping more and more un-backed currency into the international markets and living off of this. Increasing federal deficits with no real intent to repay and  programs like quantitative easing are ‘dishonest profits.’  As far as filthiness goes, abortion, selling baby parts, pornography, and increased acceptance of the homosexual agenda would seem to qualify.  The prophecies in Ezekiel 22 will have some fulfillment related to the USA.

As I have written before, problems in China help show that China is not going to be the power that will lead the world after the USA is gone. While the Bible also shows that Europe will have problems (Daniel 2:41-43), the Bible also shows it will reorganize (Revelation 17:12-13) and rise up for a time and to dominate the world’s financial system (cg. Revelation 18).

As far as 2015 goes, as I mentioned before, consider watching the videos Project Prophecy: Economic Collapse Starting in 2015?, Market Collapse then New World Order in 2015?, Alternative to the US Dollar in the Fall of 2015?, and The ‘Harbinger’ and September 2015.

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.
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.
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 Who is 666? This article explains how the COG views this, and compares this to Ellen White. Here is a link to a prophetic video Six Financial Steps Leading to 666?
The Mark of Antichrist What is the mark of Antichrist? What have various ones claimed? Here is a link to a related sermon What is the ‘Mark of Antichrist’?
Mark of the Beast What is the mark of the Beast? Who is the Beast? What have various ones claimed the mark is? What is the ‘Mark of the Beast’?
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.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? What about WWIV? 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?
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 Snowden Leaks are Leading to the Destruction of the USA Can what happened with the leaks of what the NSA has done help the USA to be taken over? What does the Bible teach that seems to be related to this? Here is a related YouTube video titled Are the Snowden NSA leaks leading to the destruction of the USA?
Project Prophecy: Economic Collapse Starting in 2015? Jim Rickards once worked for the CIA and also was once part of a a USA government program called called ‘Project Prophecy.’ He has a video were he claims that starting in 2015, the USA may have economic collapse resulting in a 25-Year Great Depression. He mainly cites debt figures and claims advises alternatives to the USA dollar which he says will collapse? What did Rand Paul state? Can the USA dollar collapse?
Market Collapse then New World Order in 2015? A long-time financial adviser named Harvey Organ claims that claims that because of insufficient gold in the central banks of USA and UK, that Shanghai would bring about exposing this and that this would lead to a massive, overnight, rise in the price of gold and silver, diminished value of their currencies. He states a market collapse will occur before the end of 2014, that the petroyuan will replace the petrodollar, and that a Chinese led New World Order will be in place for 2015. Is this possible? Where does the leader of the ‘New World Order’ come from? What does the Bible teach?
The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? What do economists and the Bible teach about gold? Gold and silver may drop in value. Inflation/deflation? What do Christians need to know about gold?
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.
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
When You Sin: Do You Really Repent? This is an article by Charles F. Hunting. A related sermon is Confess to God and truly repent.
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? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
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.
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.

François Hollande Janvier

COGwriter

France’s President Hollande is warning that more terrorism will come:

August 25, 2015

PARIS—French President François Hollande warned on Tuesday that the country must prepare for further terrorism, four days after a foiled attack on a train from Amsterdam to Paris.

A heavily armed gunman on a train with 500 passengers was wrestled to the ground by vacationing U.S. soldiers and other civilians Friday. One passenger was shot by the attacker, but nobody was killed and a massacre was avoided, Mr. Hollande said.

“It is further proof that we must prepare for other attacks, and therefore protect ourselves,” Mr. Hollande said.

The thwarted attack has sparked debate over railroad security in France and in Europe, where there are no systematic searches on trains crossing boarders within the Schengen zone. The Schengen zone is the area comprising 26 European countries that have abolished passport and any other type of border control at their common borders.

Speaking to ambassadors at the Élysée Palace, Mr. Hollande also said France must take action abroad to protect itself at home and stem the flow of fighters returning to Europe from conflicts zones such as Iraq and Syria.  http://www.wsj.com/articles/french-president-warns-that-country-must-prepare-for-further-terrorism-1440501091

August 25, 2015

Hollande said that Friday’s incident “could have degenerated into monstrous carnage without the courage of the passengers,” including three Americans and a Briton who subdued the gunman.

In a wide-ranging diplomatic speech Tuesday, Hollande said his country remains “exposed” to violent extremism and “this aggression is new proof that we should prepare ourselves for other assaults.”  http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/08/25/after-train-standoff-french-presidents-warns-his-country-to-prepare-for-new/

(For more on France, see The ‘Lost Tribe’ of Reuben: France in Prophecy?)

The individual that several Americans and a Brit helped overpower was another Islamic terrorist:

The gunman, named by Spanish media as Ayoub El Qahzzani, boarded the train at Gare du Midi in Brussels carrying a short-stocked Kalashnikov, five magazines of ammunition, a handgun and a box cutter knife. He had managed to fire one shot from the handgun before he was tackled. One of the Americans suggested his Kalashnikov had jammed. During the fight he slashed Stone in the hand and face, inflicting a deep wound to his thumb that has required surgery.

Mr Cazeneuve said gunman was known to French intelligence services, having been tipped off from Spain because of his connections to the radical Islamist movement. He migrated to Spain from Morocco in 2013 and then travelled to Syria in 2014. The French had also alerted Belgian authorities about his radicalization. …

The attempted terrorist attack comes eight months after the Charlie Hebdo slaughter and Jewish deli attacks in Paris. The Kouachi brothers and Amedy Coulibaly procured weapons from arms dealers in Belgium, including from near the Gare du Midi. El Qahzzani will now be questioned about his links to the Islamic State and the networks that provided him with the weapons. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/french-train-attacker-was-on-radar-of-european-intelligence-services/story-e6frg6so-1227494987055

Despite the ‘war on terror’ that US President George Bush declared back in 2001 (which he indicated would probably take about ten years to complete), terrorism is not over. Nor will it be.

As regular readers of this page are aware, the Bible shows that terrorism is prophesied:

14 ‘But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, 15 and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, 16 I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 17 I will set My face against you, and you shall be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you shall reign over you, and you shall flee when no one pursues you. (Leviticus 26:14-17)

25 The sword shall destroy outside; There shall be terror within (Deuteronomy 32:25)

12 “Cry and wail, son of man; For it will be against My people, Against all the princes of Israel. Terrors including the sword will be against My people; Therefore strike your thigh. (Ezekiel 21:12)

12 Behold, these are the ungodly,Who are always at ease; They increase in riches…19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. (Psalms 73:12,19)

25 Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, 27 When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. (Proverbs 1:25-27)

5 Also they are afraid of height, And of terrors in the way (Ecclesiastes 12:5).

France’s Hollande is right that more terrorism should be expected.  And because of increasing terrorism (and yes, terrorism has been increasing, see State Department: 35% increase in terrorist activities), many are trying to figure out what to do.

Increased ‘security’ is the route often taken–and while that does thwart many acts of terrorism, it does not stop them all.  Nor does it get to the root causes.  The root causes have to do with greed, lust, poverty, and following the desires of Satan.

Satan was a murderer from the beginning and influences people today:

44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.  (John 8:44)

The real ‘solution’ to terrorism would be massive repentance and turning away from Satan and to the God of the Bible.  However, since the Bible shows that true unity will not happen until Jesus brings in the Kingdom of God (cf. Zechariah 2:6-12), that is not expected yet.

Instead, more and more inside and outside of the Arab world have proposed for some type of Arabic/Islamic confederation to better combat the problem.  Expect also to see more plans in Europe to deal with problems associated with Islam.

The Bible tells of a time when a confederation of people in North Africa and the Middle East will get together (Ezekiel 30:2-8) and be part of something led by the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43). For a time this may be somewhat supportive of a temporary peace deal (cf. Daniel 9:27; see also The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27).  When that deal is in place, many government leaders (as well as people around the world) will believe that the problem of terrorism will be basically solved–but that will not be the case as this will be a false and temporal peace.  Sudden destruction will come when many say “peace and safety” (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

The Bible shows that along with the prophesied King of the North,  this King of the South power will be involved in one or more deceptive deals (Daniel 11:27; Psalm 83:3-8). Deals that will not end well for the USA (Daniel 11:39) nor its Anglo-Saxon allies (Psalm 84:3-8). Furthermore, after that, the Bible shows that this North Africa and Middle East power will itself be defeated (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:2-8).

Anyway, terrorist incidents in Europe and around the world are setting the stage for many in the world to propose the type of King of the South confederation that the Bible tells of (Daniel 11:40-43). Because few understand biblical prophecies, they do not realize that this will end in disaster for the USA, its Anglo-Saxon allies, and the nations that stick with the King of the South per Daniel 11:39-43.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Differences Between Islam and the Continuing Church of God What are some of the main differences? Are there any similarities? A video of related interest is titled: Islam: Any Christian Concerns or Similarities?
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
The Prophesied ‘Islamic’ Confederation Where is an Islamic caliphate prophesied? Will one happen? Should you be concerned about it? A related video is Will an Arabic Calphiphate Destroy the West?
Libya, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia in Prophecy What is ahead for North Africa? What does the Bible teach?
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.
How Will Middle East Peace be Brought About? Can humans bring peace to the Middle East? Here is a link to a related video: Middle East Peace? When?
The ‘Lost Tribe’ of Reuben: France in Prophecy? What is the origin of this in France? What is prophesied to happen to them? A two-part sermon related to history and prophecy is available online: The ‘Lost Tribe’ of Reuben and France and Prophecy.
Ten clues tying Belgium and Luxembourg with the tribe of Asher Who did some in Belgium and Luxembourg descend from?
Ten clues tying Zebulun with the Dutch Who did some in the Netherlands descend from?
Iraq, the King of the South, Armageddon, and Prophecy What will happen to Iraq? Is it the prophesied Mystery Babylon? What is Armageddon and how does that have to do with Iraq? Here is a related video Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy.
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?
How Will Middle East Peace be Brought About? Can humans bring peace to the Middle East? Here is a link to a related video: Middle East Peace? When?
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
When You Sin: Do You Really Repent? This is an article by Charles F. Hunting. A related sermon is Confess to God and truly repent.
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.
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?