Church of God News

COGwriter

A Twitter account affiliated with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, posted an image over the weekend that appears to portray U.S. President Barack Obama holding a gun to his head. (Source: Twitter/CNN)

COGwriter

US President Barack Obama’s deal with Iran was rejected by the US House of Representatives, but is still expected to be implemented:

September 11, 2015

The Republican-led House went on record Friday against the Iran nuclear deal, but the symbolic vote will not stop President Barack Obama from implementing the agreement.

After three hours of hot-tempered debate, the House voted 269 to 162 to reject the deal. Some two dozen Democrats broke with Obama to register their disapproval.

The fate of the agreement on Capitol Hill, however, was sealed on Thursday when Senate Democrats voted to uphold the accord with Iran, overcoming heavy GOP opposition to hand Obama a victory on his top foreign policy priority.

The Senate action guaranteed that any legislation disapproving of the accord will never reach Obama’s desk. Moreover, House Democrats late Thursday announced there are now 146 members of the House who have publicly voiced their support of the agreement — enough to uphold a presidential veto even if any GOP legislation against the deal could get through. …

Democrats argued that the agreement would stabilize the Mideast, stop Iran from rushing to develop a nuclear bomb and offer a chance to end the standoff with Iran diplomatically, while retaining a U.S. threat of military action. …

Republicans countered that the agreement’s inspection regime against Iran, a state sponsor of terrorism, is weak and repeatedly recalled how Islamic extremists attacked America on Sept. 11, 2001. They said the deal will allow Iran to eventually possess a nuclear weapon and that the billions it will receive through sanctions relief will end up in the hands of terrorist groups that Tehran supports.

“This deal is far worse than anything I could have imagined,” said House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.

“This is such a bad deal the ayatollah won’t even have to cheat to be steps away from a nuclear weapon.”

Boehner criticized the deal, saying that it does not have a rigorous enough inspection regime, will allow Iran to keep thousands of centrifuges spinning and will leave the nation with a chance to become a nuclear-armed state in about a decade.

“Never in our history has something with so many consequences for our national security been rammed through with such little support,” Boehner said. “Today is Sept. 11 … Our fight to stop this bad deal is just beginning. We will not let the American people down.”  http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/house-continues-effort-snarl-iran-nuclear-deal-33678479

So, it looks like the Iranian deal will not be blocked by the Congress of the USA.

The famous singer Pat Boone posted something about the Iran deal last month that some may find of interest:

People, listen to me, please. ..

We, like lemmings or mindless sheep, allow ourselves to be herded in larger groups by propaganda, purposed misinformation, media bias and outright lies. Very few take the trouble to check out the news reporting and the government’s proclamations.

“If the president says it, it must be so” is the pill, the Kool-Aid, millions of Americans are swallowing every day. It’s almost the “blind leading the blind,” except in some cases, the “blind” know exactly what they’re doing and that what they’re saying is patently false. They just depend on the likelihood that none will actually check what they say or do for veracity – or whether what they’re doing is actually in the best interests of America.

The president is doggedly determined to make a “deal” with Iran, supposedly preventing them from acquiring (actually producing) nuclear bombs and intercontinental missiles. It’s something he thinks will justify his eight years of failed presidency, even if the “deal” only kicks Iran’s nuclear ambitions down the road for a few years and gives them $150 billion in unfrozen assets, knowing full well they will use much of that to amp up their known funding of terrorism worldwide, especially including America in its claws.

Well, two very responsible friends of mine just acted like old-fashioned American citizens. They did some valid research, read the Quran and Hadith, noting Muhammad’s own words, and saw how Iran operates and what they bring to the nuclear “deal.” Jimmy and Carol Owens have written the following, which I want to share with as many fellow citizens as I can in hopes that they will bombard our elected Congress before they decide to rubber-stamp this insane, suicidal action.

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE

Re: Negotiations with the Government of Iran

We emailed this letter to the president and the secretary of state several days before the June 30, 2015, deadline on the nuclear agreement with Iran.

Dear Sir,

We write you simply as concerned citizens of America.

As you seek a treaty with the government of Iran, surely you are aware of the Muslims’ doctrine called Taqiyya, which permits them to deceive their enemies when doing so will be advantageous to Islam’s cause.

Here are some quotes from their founder himself, the prophet Muhammad:

Bukhari 3,49,857 Muhammad said, “A man who brings peace to the people by making up good words or by saying nice things, though untrue, does not lie.”

Bukhari 4,52,267 Muhammad cried out, “Jihad is deceit.”

Bukhari 5,59,369 Bin Maslama volunteered to kill an enemy for Muhammad, then said, “Give me permission to deceive him with lies so that my plot will succeed.” Muhammad replied, “You may speak falsely to him.”

Bukhari 8,78,618 Abu Bakr, the prophet Muhammad’s closest friend and adviser and first convert to Islam, said, “If I make a pledge and later discover a more worthy pledge, then I will take the better action and make amends for my earlier promise.”

If deception to an enemy is advantageous to Islam, it is not a sin.

If you are aware of this, Sir, how can you make an unverifiable, unenforceable agreement with any nation whose guiding religion provides that they may lie to “unbelievers”? If their first allegiance is to Allah, why should they remain true to an agreement with any other power? …

Respectfully,

Jimmy and Carol Owens

Friends, fellow citizens: Too few of our neighbors know any of this. http://www.wnd.com/2015/08/the-muslim-principle-that-makes-nuke-deal-suicide/#P341bHspzb6dA8MZ.99

Public comments from Iranian officials show that they believe that they can interpret the deal to allow them to continue to support terrorism, increase Iran’s military presence, and remain enemies of the USA and Israel. For an example of this, see After deal, Iran’s Khamenei calls USA ‘arrogant’ and ‘the real terrorists;’ he also says Iran will not change its policies in Middle East.

Despite the advantages this deal has for Iran, it will not end well for Iran as it is likely to get too emboldened by this deal.  Iran has repeatedly called for the takeover of the nation of Israel.

Look for war to come to Iran and/or its ally Syria. And more war in Syria that the present conflict–something that will render Damascus a ‘ruinous heap’ (Isaiah 17:1).

Iran wants to takeover Jerusalem and lead the Islamic world. It then wants to takeover the world. Iran hopes that the West will let it get far enough along in its military plans to make that a possibility. But Iran will fail if it takes too strong of actions against the USA and/or Israel.

This nuclear deal, including its access to funds, and Iran’s overall ambitions make Iran dangerous. Iran may well damage Israel (Isaiah 22:1-14) and even the USA. But that will not end well for Iran (cf. Jeremiah 49:34-38).

Despite many hopeful Americans that the deal will bring peace, expect more issues from Iran.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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.
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria.
Differences Between Islam and the Continuing Church of God What are some of the main differences? Are there any similarities?
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?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
United Nations: Humankind’s Last Hope or New World Order? Is the UN the last hope for humanity? Or might its goals end up with sinister results? A related video would be United Nations and Vatican Are Planning the New World Order.
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States This is a 188 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Hillary Clinton and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also discusses Republicans. The physical book can be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Hillary Clinton Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Hopi, and other America-Related Prophecies? $11.99.
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version of the 188 page print edition is available for only US$3.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon Kindle edition.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

Islamic State Terrorists

COGwriter

CBS is reporting that some in the Obama Administration have been understating the threat from the Islamic State:

Flash Points: Why the possibility of altered ISIS intelligence reports is alarming

September 10, 2015, 5:05 PM|CBS News Senior National Security Analyst Juan Zarate and CBS News Homeland Security Correspondent Jeff Pegues talk about reports that senior officials are trying to put a positive spin on the fight against ISIS.

The above report says there is a possibility of data manipulation by the Obama Administration for political purposes.  CBS News Senior National Security Analyst Juan Zarate says that this could be a major problem.  He also said perhaps the problem is how some in the Obama Administration are instead misinterpreting the data, which also is not good.

Notice also the following:

It’s being called a ‘revolt’ by intelligence pros who are paid to give their honest assessment of the ISIS war—but are instead seeing their reports turned into happy talk.

More than 50 intelligence analysts working out of the U.S. military’s Central Command have formally complained that their reports on ISIS and al Qaeda’s branch in Syria were being inappropriately altered by senior officials, The Daily Beast has learned.

The complaints spurred the Pentagon’s inspector general to open an investigation into the alleged manipulation of intelligence. The fact that so many people complained suggests there are deep-rooted, systemic problems in how the U.S. military command charged with the war against the self-proclaimed Islamic State assesses intelligence.

“The cancer was within the senior level of the intelligence command,” one defense official said.

Two senior analysts at CENTCOM signed a written complaint sent to the Defense Department inspector general in July alleging that the reports, some of which were briefed to President Obama, portrayed the terror groups as weaker than the analysts believe they are. The reports were changed by CENTCOM higher-ups to adhere to the administration’s public line that the U.S. is winning the battle against ISIS and al Nusra, al Qaeda’s branch in Syria, the analysts claim.

That complaint was supported by 50 other analysts, some of whom have complained about politicizing of intelligence reports for months. That’s according to 11 individuals who are knowledgeable about the details of the report and who spoke to The Daily Beast on condition of anonymity. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/09/09/exclusive-50-spies-say-isis-intelligence-was-cooked.html

This understating of the Islamic State seemingly has been the policy of the Obama Administration from the beginning.  President Obama himself dismissed the group as an issue a few months before it rose up in prominence.

But pretending that it is not a problem does not change the facts.

Notice also the following today from BBC:

September 11, 2015

There is a growing belief within the US government that the Islamic State militant group is making and using crude chemical weapons in Iraq and Syria, a US official has told the BBC.

The US has identified at least four occasions on both sides of the Iraq-Syria border where IS has used mustard agents, the official said.

The official said the chemical was being used in powder form.

A BBC team on the Turkey-Syria border has seen evidence backing these claims.

The US believes the group has a cell dedicated to building these weapons.

“They’re using mustard,” the individual said of IS. “We know they are.”  http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34211838

The Islamic State, formerly calling itself the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), has vowed to cause destruction and terrorism in the USA.  Russia warned of the chemical threat from the Islamic State earlier this month:

September 11, 2015

On September 3, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, said that Islamic State had obtained the necessary scientific documentation for chemical weapons production.

“In particular, there’s information about ISIS getting scientific and technical documentation for production of chemical weapons, capture of chemical plants, recruitment of foreign experts for activities aiming to set up synthesis of chemical warfare agents,” Zakharova told a media briefing.

The spokesperson warned of the possibility of these chemical agents spreading outside of the territory controlled by ISIS and even beyond of the Middle East. Zakharova called on to the UN Security Council to react to the threat of trans-boundary terrorist activities, implying the use of chemical warfare agents. http://www.rt.com/news/315025-islamic-state-chemical-weapons/

Russia warned for years that many of the opposition forces to Syria’s President Assad were terrorists and that they seemed to have used chemical weapons.  While the Obama Administration publicly took a different view, various facts support Russia on this.

Now, in addition to misunderstating the threat from this group, the Obama Administration announced that partially because of how the USA has handled/mishandled Syria and Iraq, that the USA would take thousands of refugees from Syria:

September 11, 2015

Since the start of Syria’s civil war more than four years ago, the U.S. has taken in just over 1,400 Syrian refugees — a barely detectable fraction of the four million who have fled the country.

On Thursday, White House officials signaled they were ready to do more: they announced the U.S. would make preparations to take in at least 10,000 Syrian refugees in the upcoming fiscal year.

“The president has directed our team to consider how we can further scale up our response,” said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. “And one thing the United States can do is to begin to admit more Syrian refugees.”  …

A proposal earlier this year by Democratic senators to allow 65,000 displaced Syrians to resettle in the U.S. was strongly criticized by many Republicans, with some opponents calling the group of senators the “jihadi caucus.”  http://www.voanews.com/content/us-urged-to-do-more-in-middle-east-refugee-crisis/2958644.html

So, the USA will take at least 10,000 people from Syria.  People who are not pleased with the situation in that country, and at least partially blamed on the USA.  Jihad is the Islamic term for holy war and jihadists have tended to use terrorism in the 21st century.

The USA , directly and indirectly, has taken steps which led to the rise of the Islamic State. The rise of that terrorist group was an ‘unintended consequence’ as far as the US government is concerned, but the reality is that is what happened.

Could the USA be more affected by terrorism?

Certainly.

In addition to various prophecies about terrorism (e.g. Leviticus 26:14-17; Deuteronomy 32:25; Ezekiel 21:12; Psalms 73:12,19; Proverbs 1:25-27; Ecclesiastes 12:5–quoted in article such as 9/11: Terrorism has been growing; Muslim arrested for plot against Kansas today), consider also the following:

Turn to the astounding prophecy found in Psalm 83:1-8. David, inspired of God, predicted the coming time when ALL of Israel’s enemies would join together in an effort to crush out even the name “Israel” from the face of the earth! (Verse 4) “For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee…” (verse 5). Notice the nations making up this confederation. “Edom [Turkey], and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; Moab [Jordan], and the Hagarenes [they anciently dwelt in the land known as Syria today]; Gebal {Lebanon}, and Ammon [Jordan] and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur [whose descendants migrated to Germany] is joined with them; they have helped the children of Lot” {Moab and Ammon in modern Jordan). Here we see that the Arab nations mentioned are allied with Germany (Assur) (Boraker R. SYRIA RAIDS ISRAEL – Where Is It Leading? Plain Truth. November 1966)

Many nations make no bones about their connections to terrorist groups. Syria, Libya, Iraq and South Yemen all see no objection in directly aiding terrorism. (Taylor D. TERRORISM the Worst Is Yet to Come! Plain Truth, May 1984)

The idea of terrorists coming from places like Syria and Iraq is not a new one.  What is new is that the USA has been letting many with that potential come to live in the USA and now will officially do more of it.

The USA is becoming at greater risk of terrorism.  The prophecies in the Bible are coming to pass and many are not positive as far as the USA is concerned.

United Airlines’ Flight 175 Hitting South Tower, 9/11/2001

COGwriter

A claimed Muslim was arrested for plotting a terrorist act for today:

September 11, 2015

A Florida man is charged with plotting to set off an explosion at a 9/11 event. The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested 20-year-old Joshua Ryne Goldberg Thursday in Florida. Prosecutors say he told an online informant how to make the bomb he wanted. …

According to court documents, he had set his sights on bombing a 9/11 memorial event — the Kansas City Stair Climb. …

According to investigators, Goldberg encouraged the informant to build a pressure cooker bomb similar to what was used in the Boston Marathon bombing.

He allegedly wrote, “Put as much sharp stuff as you can in there” and “use shards of metal and nails.”

It was enough for police to make the arrest.

If convicted, Goldberg could get up to 20 years behind bars.

According to court documents, online, Goldberg presented himself as a Muslim living in Australia who supported ISIS.  http://www.cbsnews.com/news/alleged-911-terror-plot-florida-man-joshua-goldberg-posed-as-muslim-in-australia/

Americans believe that the threat of terrorism is worsening. Notice the following that came out last year:

September 10, 2014

The nation is on edge in the wake of brutal beheadings of journalists by Islamic extremists, with more Americans saying the United States is less safe now than at any point since 9/11, a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll shows.

The exclusive poll reveals that 47% of Americans believe the country is less safe now than before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. That’s a significant increase from even a year after the twin towers fell when in September 2002 just 20% of the country said the nation was less safe. The level of fear across America also is up substantially from last year when 28% felt the same way.

In fact, just 26% of Americans now feel the nation is safer than before 9/11. http://www.inlandnewstoday.com/story.php?s=34800

The belief that the USA is at a greater terrorist threat is correct–it is NOT just the result of media coverage or personal perception.  Terrorist incidents, according to the US government, are increasing (see State Department: 35% increase in terrorist activities).  And that does not include many incidents involving police officers in the past year that are not considered to be terrorist acts.

It should be noted that, in many ways, ultimately, it will be worse than Americans believe possible.

I believe that the Bible shows that King of the North will invade (Daniel 11:39) and in conjunction with the terrorism from King of the South (Psalm 83:3-8) will cause the end of the USA and this is at least alluded to in Deuteronomy 32:25. The King of the South will be a type of confederation of states in North Africa and the Middle East according to Daniel 11:40-43.

Terrorism was 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).

What is going to happen to the USA relatively soon will be so much worse than 9/11/2001 ever was (cf. Psalm 83:4-8; Daniel 11:39). Do not wait until it is too late to respond spiritually, so that you may be protected physically.  Bringing in Syrian and certain other migrants, which the USA says it will do, sadly will likely result in some of them fulfilling some of the prophecies.

Without national repentance, the USA is doomed. Since the USA seems to be going more into sin nationally, that seems unlikely. Yet, personal repentance is still possible. Do you see the winds of change in the USA and elsewhere?

If so, what do you plan to do about it?

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
British are the Covenant People What do ‘British’ and ‘Britain’ mean in Hebrew? Are the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons people of the covenant? Does the British royal family connect to the throne of David? What does the Bible teach? What does history show us? Is there any DNA evidence related to British-Israelism? When did Christianity make it to the British Isles? Could Jeremiah have made it to the British Isles? What type of Christians made it to the British Isles? Did the last King of England believe in British Israelism?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
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.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally? There is also a video titled What is the meaning of your life?
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.
Do Christians Sin? This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong.
Overcoming Sin What is sin? How are Christians suppose to overcome it? Here is also a link to a video titled How to Overcome Sin.
How to Prevent Sin This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong.
Just What Do You Mean Conversion? Many think that they are converted Christians. But are they? Would you like to know more about conversion. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
False Conversion Have you really been converted? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this article on this important subject.
All About Water Baptism What is baptism? Would you like to know more about it. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject. As far as early history, see also Baptism and the Early Church.
God’s Grace is For All Is being Jewish a hindrance to salvation? What about not being a descendant of Israel? What does the Bible really teach?
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 Prophesied ‘Islamic’ Confederation Where is an Islamic caliphate prophesied? Will one happen? Should you be concerned about it? Here is a link to a related video video: Will an Arabic Calphiphate Destroy the West?
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.between these groups will put them in position to be part of the final end time Babylon that the Bible warns against as well as require improper compromise.
Gaza and the Palestinians in Bible Prophecy What does the Bible teach about Gaza and the fate of the Palestinians? Here is a link to a related video: Gaza and Palestine in Prophecy.
Libya, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia in Prophecy What is ahead for North Africa? What does the Bible teach?
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
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.
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.
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.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2015? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
Wars, rumors of wars, and the Apocalypse Jesus foretold a time before the end where there would be wars and rumors of wars. The Apocalypse (the Book of Revelation) warns of the red horseman of war. Now, even secular writers, like Larry Edelson, are worried that wars and rumors of war are the most menacing problem that now haunts the earth? Are they right? What is the solution? This is a sermonette-length video.
Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy? There is actually a 17th century Shiite prophecy that some believe that Barack Obama will fulfill that will lead to a rising up of Islam.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

COGwriter

Another movie allegedly based on someone going heaven is about to come out:

Curiosity about the afterlife seems stronger than ever in books, television, and the movies. Hollywood has taken notice after films like “Heaven is for Real” brought in more than $100 million at the box office.

Now a similar film, “90 Minutes in Heaven,” is poised to hit theaters. It tells the story of how Don Piper was miraculously brought back to life after a car accident in 1989.

Piper’s experience first came to the public’s attention in 2004 via his New York Times best-selling book of the same name. To date, it’s sold over 7 million copies and has been translated in 46 different languages. …

The film shows how the head-on collision changed Piper’s life forever. His body mangled, emergency workers declared him dead shortly after getting to the accident scene.

As Dick Onerecker, a pastor, passed the wreckage, he felt led by God to stop and pray for Piper. As Onerecker called out to God inside the car, Piper suddenly started singing and came back to life.

A total of 90 minutes had elapsed. During that time, Piper says he visited Heaven.

“I saw colors I have never seen before,” Piper told CBN News’ Angela Zatopek. “The gate stands very large, much like the inside of a pearl, but the entrance is clearly for one.”

“I heard music with many different songs playing at once and it was beautiful,” he recalled. “The song that stood out the most was holy, holy, holy… because he is.”

The film will be released nationwide Sept 11. http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2015/September/90-Minutes-in-Heaven-Has-Power-to-Change-Lives/

Don Piper may believe he went to heaven, but biblically that makes no sense.  While there is more to reality than just the physical world, the Bible does not teach that heaven is the reward of the saved, nor did early Christians teach ‘heaven’ the way that the Greco-Roman-Protestant churches currently teach it.

There was a book that came out a few years ago about another one who claimed to have gone to heaven.  Fortuneately

‘Boy Who Came Back From Heaven’ going back to publisher

Washington Post –

Tyndale House, a major Christian publisher, has announced that it will stop selling “The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven,” by Alex Malarkey and his father, Kevin Malarkey.

The best-selling book, first published in 2010, describes what Alex experienced while he lay in a coma after a car accident when he was 6 years old. The coma lasted two months, and his injuries left him paralyzed, but the subsequent spiritual memoir — with its assuring description of “Miracles, Angels, and Life beyond This World” — became part of a popular genre of “heavenly tourism,” which has been controversial among orthodox Christians.

Earlier this week, Alex recanted his testimony about the afterlife. In an open letter to Christian bookstores posted on the Pulpit and Pen Web site, Alex states flatly: “I did not die. I did not go to Heaven.”

Referring to the injuries that continue to make it difficult for him to express himself, Alex writes, “Please forgive the brevity, but because of my limitations I have to keep this short…. I said I went to heaven because I thought it would get me attention. When I made the claims that I did, I had never read the Bible. People have profited from lies, and continue to. They should read the Bible, which is enough. The Bible is the only source of truth. Anything written by man cannot be infallible.”

This evening, Todd Starowitz, public relations director of Tyndale House, told The Washington Post: “Tyndale has decided to take the book and related ancillary products out of print.”…

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2015/01/15/boy-who-came-back-from-heaven-going-back-to-publisher/

So Alex Malarkey’s ‘best selling’ ‘true story’ was admitted to be false. I would also add that a similar story to Malarkey’s, Heaven is for Real, which is about Colton Burpo allegedly going to heaven, is also false (see Heaven is for real, but the movie’ s premise is not), but Colton Burpo has not publicly admitted it (maybe Colton Burpo did have a dream or something, but he did not go to heaven).

Though Protestants and others have been misled by Malarkey, Piper, and Burpo, they should not have as they should have paid closer attention to what the Bible shows.

Notice what Jesus taught:

12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. (John 3:12-13)

Notice what the Apostle Peter taught:

29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
‘Sit at My right hand,
35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” (Acts 2:29-35)

Humans do not go to heaven upon death. They await the resurrection.

Notice also what the Old Testament teaches:

5 For the living know that they will die;
But the dead know nothing, (Ecclesiastes 9:5)

14 If a man dies, shall he live again?
All the days of my hard service I will wait,
Till my change comes. (Job 14:14)

Early Christians absolutely did not believe that when they died they immediately went to heaven (see Did Early Christians Teach Going to Heaven?). Early Christians taught that they were in the grave awaiting the resurrection.

As far as ‘near death experiences’ go (and Don Piper may have had one of those), they were covered in a sermon titled Questions and Continuing Church of God Answers that is available to watch online.

Some items of related interest may include:

Did Early Christians Teach They Were Going to Heaven? What do the Bible and scholars teach? What about ‘near-death experiences’? Here is a link to a related sermon: Heaven and Christianity.
What Is the Place that Jesus Is Preparing? Dr. Herman Hoeh wrote this and answered whether the saints go to heaven upon death.
What Did Early Christians Understand About the Resurrection? Is there more than one future resurrection? Did early Christians teach a physical resurrection? Did early Christians teach three resurrections?
Did Early Christians Believe that Humans Possessed Immortality? What does John 3:16, and other writings, tell us? Did a doctrine kept adopted from paganism? Here is a YouTube video titled Are humans immortal?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
COGwriter Position on Other Churches and Religions What is the fate of those who do not know Christ? What about those who profess Christ outside the Church 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?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from c. 31 A.D. to 2014. Two related sermon links would include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries. In Spanish: Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios.

COGwriter

Newsweek is asking if Pope Francis is Catholic.  Here is a report related to that:

September 10, 2015

The near-universal adulation Francis enjoys today was anything but instantaneous. To some observers, the election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio to the papacy in the late winter of 2013 was a signal that the Vatican would continue on the conservative course set by John Paul II (who does surprisingly well on the T-shirt front) and Benedict XVI (very few T-shirts). “A conventional choice,” The New York Times branded the 76-year-old Jesuit,” a theological conservative of Italian ancestry who vigorously backs Vatican positions on abortion, gay marriage, the ordination of women and other major issues.” Others worried that the newly elected pope had been far too timid during the “dirty war” of his native Argentina, questioning his role in the kidnapping of two Jesuit priests. The New Yorker called him “an Argentine with a cloudy past.”
Francis has not offered a counterargument…he has made entreaties to divorced Catholics and even suggested that it was not his place to judge gay ones; he has lamented global warming and income inequality, at times sounding like Bernie Sanders’s running mate.  http://www.newsweek.com/2015/09/18/whos-better-catholic-pope-francis-archdiocese-cordileon-370451.html

While Newsweek’s cover concludes that Pope Francis is Catholic, many have their doubts, based on his actions and inactions.

Within 24 hours of his election to become Pope, the following was published in my book The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis?:

3. Do Catholic Prophecies Warn About an Antipope?

Could Pope Francis I be an “antipope”?

Is an “antipope” coming? …

Technically, the final Antichrist could also be construed as an “antipope” in that he will accept changes to the current Roman Catholic religion that the “King of the North” (Daniel 11:37-40) prefers and promote emperor worship (Revelation 13:14). …

Although some Roman Catholic scholars seem to ignore or discount the idea of a future King of the North in Daniel 11 (Kurz, p. 68), quite a few Catholic writers expect that an ecumenical pope and a conquering emperor will come on the scene.

What is an antipope/anti-pope? Here is a short definition from The Catholic Encyclopedia:

Antipope

A false claimant of the Holy See in  opposition to a pontiff canonically elected. (“Antipope.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907.  Nihil Obstat. March 1, 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York. 25 Feb. 2013 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01582a.htm> )

While historically most have considered that antipopes falsely claimed the Roman Bishopric when others had it, I would contend that it is reasonable to conclude that one who was elected under false pretenses would also be a false claimant and hence antipope. Or if a pope changed and became demonically-possessed, such as the situation involving the False Prophet of Revelation 16:13, would that not make him an antipope? Most Catholics, at least now, would tend to agree that such a one would be a false claimant to the papal role. If so, that would seem to make him an antipope.

Although there have not been any recognized antipopes for several centuries, The Catholic Encyclopedia shows a list of thirty individuals that have been considered antipopes (Ibid) .This is roughly one for every ten claimed “Bishops of Rome.” …

Is the Pope Catholic or Will He Betray Rome?

In some households, the expression, “Is the Pope Catholic?,” is asked with the intent of suggesting a “yes” or “obviously yes” response to a question. Since the fourth century, the popes have all claimed to be Catholic (they were not called “pontifex maximus” prior to then) and the vast majority have been Roman Catholic in their faith. Some were more hypocritical, etc. and thus this author would be hesitant to claim that all the Bishops of Rome have truly held to the faith of that church.

But is it possible that the last pope, who could be Pope Francis I, will not be Roman Catholic? On the surface this seems absurd.

As discussed in chapter 2, prior to becoming Pope Francis I, Jorge Mario Bergoglio went to Catholic seminary, became a Catholic priest, then a bishop, then a cardinal, and then on March 13, 2013, the Bishop of Rome. So, to most he clearly is a Catholic. And Pope Francis I may well truly be.

But if he is the last and final pope, then the Bible shows that he will allow compromise mightily and allow the Catholic Church of Rome to be betrayed, hence suggesting that he would not then be true to the Catholic faith.

Connecting the Dots

As cited earlier, the Bible tells of a religious leader who will rise up and support the final European Beast power to the point of attempting to force people to worship that Beast (Revelation 13:11-17).

Although some have suggested that the ten-horned Beast of the Sea (Revelation 13:1-4) will turn against and burn the two-horned Beast of the Earth (Revelation 13:11), based upon the teachings of Revelation 17:16-17, since this two-horned Beast is the False Prophet of Revelation 16:13 and he gets burnt by Jesus and His angels (Revelation 19:15-21, someone or something else must get destroyed in Revelation 17.

The Bible specifies that the someone/something is a city that rules over the world. Since the time of Jesus, what are the only organizations that ruled over much of the old Roman Empire from a seven-hilled city?

They would include the old Roman Empire, the Church of Rome, and to a lessor degree, the Eastern Orthodox Church (Constantinople/ Istanbul is on seven-hills, similar to Rome and had a certain prominence for about 1,000 years). They have had relations with world rulers that have not always lived up to New Testament ideals and actually are the only ones that could possibly fit the historical record.

Now since parts of both Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophecy show that Rome wins out between the two in the end in terms of final top leader, this is consistent with the historical understanding within the Church of God that Rome is the unfaithful woman in Revelation 17. Presuming that is the case, then if one connects-the-dots, it is the Church of Rome that gets betrayed by supporters of the ten-horned Beast in Revelation 17. And since the two-horned Beast is a major supporter of the ten-horned Beast, he then has at least some responsibility in this end time destruction of the Church of Rome (for more dots to connect, see also chapters 5 and 12).

Since it should be almost inconceivable that a pope that was truly Roman Catholic in the sense of the Catechism of the Catholic Church would totally betray his church, this is why I am suggesting that the last pope will not truly be Catholic.

This destruction of Rome is consistent with various Catholic private prophecies that suggest that a top Roman clergy member (like a pope) would betray their church and oversee the destruction of Rome…

For years I have believed that the last pope would not truly be Catholic. He would be a different type of “antipope” (most antipopes occurred because of disputed elections, but I have suggested that a pontiff who does not hold too many of the core beliefs of the Church of Rome would also seem to fit the definition of an antipope).

Will Pope Francis I end up being that pontiff?

(Thiel B. The Last Pope: Do Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Francis? Nazarene Books, 2013, pp. 22-24, 86-89)

Pope Francis has taken steps that many Catholics do not believe are appropriate for the Bishop of Rome.

Notice something I posted on March 31, 2013 (see Is Pope Francis Catholic?):

Some have started to raise concerns about the new Pope Francis:

OH, WE ARE IN DEEP, DEEP TROUBLE.

POSTED BY ANN BARNHARDT…

I cannot believe I am about to type these words.

The Pope DID NOT GENUFLECT after either consecration. He did a weird bow thing, but didn’t feel the need to bend his knee to God Almighty, physically present in his hands upon the altar.

HE. DID. NOT. GENUFLECT.

This is absolutely stunning. And unprecedented.

Oh yeah, we’re in deep, deep trouble.

But hey, all of you guys who are sending me emails whining about how I’m not nice, or something, go ahead and explain this one. He is perfectly physically sound. He FREELY CHOOSES to not reverence Our Lord in the Eucharist upon the altar.  http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2997653/posts

More Objective Reality

Posted by Ann Barnhardt

From 2011, Pope Francis, then Cardinal Bergoglio, celebrating a “youth Mass” complete with puppets. This is just about as bad as it gets, folks.

The consecrations are at the 5:30 and 6:15 marks. No genuflection. In fact not a single person there on the altar, such as it is, genuflects, much less kneels, except the young server in the front with the incense, who is on his knees. All of the rest of the concelebrating priests remain standing throughout, and of course, the two kid “cantors” just stand there between their performance opportunities.

I GUESS THEY MUST ALL BE CRIPPLED OLD MEN, TOO, HUH?

This is the state of the Church in Buenos Aires, and all of Argentina, as I have been told repeatedly by Argentinians who have emailed me, both laity and clergy. Banality, insipidity, sacrilege. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Calvary made present, is treated as a bad joke…

ON FRANCIS

POSTED BY ANN BARNHARDT…

Francis, like his homeland of Argentina, is a total disaster. He has overseen the near-total destruction of the Church in Argentina. He hates and despises the Tridentine Mass, which is to say that he hates the Mass – let’s not mince words, and is a rabid persecutor of anyone in Argentina who shows ANY signs of tradition.  http://barnhardt.biz/

Based upon comments Ann Barnhardt made about Fatima and other subjects, she appears to be some type of Roman Catholic.  And she has concerns about this pope.

While those of us not part of the Church of Rome do not do many of the same things, we also do not claim to stand for that religion and its practices.  Yet, Francis supposedly does. …

Why Pope Francis May Be a Catholic Nightmare

He may seem like a humble reformer, but Cardinal Bergoglio is the last thing the Vatican needs.

By Michael Brendan Dougherty…

He is the first Latin American pope, the first Jesuit to be pope, and the first to take the name Francis. And so he falls in line with the larger era of the church in the past 50 years which has been defined by ill-considered experimentation: a “pastoral” ecumenical council at Vatican II, a new synthetic vernacular liturgy, the hasty revision of the rules for almost all religious orders within the church, the dramatic gestures and “saint factory” of Pope John Paul II’s papacy, along with the surprise resignation of Benedict XVI…

Liturgical traditionalists (myself included) can only be depressed by this election–it is almost the worst result possible for those of us who think the new liturgy lost the theological profundity and ritual beauty of the Tridentine Mass. Benedict’s liberation of the traditional Latin Mass and revisions to the new vernacular Mass have not been implemented at all in Cardinal Bergoglio’s own diocese. Already some of the small breaks with liturgical tradition at the announcement of his election are being interpreted as a move toward the grand, unruly, and improvisational style of John Paul II; an implicit rebuke of Benedict…

Pope Francis is now the man at the head of a Church impaired by immoral clergy, negligent bishops, and a moribund intellectual and spiritual life. http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2013/03/pope_francis_to_lead_the_catholic_church_cardinal_bergoglio_s_election_as.html

The Horror!
A Buenos Aires journalist describes Bergoglio

We have many friends around the world, including in the dear Argentine Republic. And we asked a cherished friend Marcelo González, of Panorama Católico Internacional, who knows the Church of Argentina as well as the palm of his hand to send us a report on the new pope. Here it goes:

Of all the unthinkable candidates, Jorge Mario Bergoglio is perhaps the worst. Not because he openly professes doctrines against the faith and morals, but because, judging from his work as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, faith and moral seem to have been irrelevant to him…http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-horror-buenos-aires-journalist.html

Francis has taken some unique, apparently, ecumenical steps as well.  Notice the following report:

Unlike his predecessors, he doesn’t sign his name “Pope Francis,” ending his official correspondence simply “Francis.”…

Even on Day One, Francis didn’t acknowledge he was pope…And bishop of Rome is the title he has emphasized repeatedly ever since — not vicar of Christ, or any of his other official titles.

“I do think there is something about trying to reduce the awesomeness, the grandeur and majesty of the papacy,” said John Allen Jr., Vatican columnist for the National Catholic Reporter…

In his March 20 audience with religious leaders, Francis sent an important signal about his view of the papacy and its relationship with other Christians. He addressed the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, as “my brother” — a fraternal nod to a church that split from Rome 1,000 years ago and has remained separated in part over disputes about the primacy of the pope.

To make that message abundantly clear, Francis’ chair was on the ground — the same level as all the other religious leaders — and not on a raised platform. (Winfield N. Pope Francis seems reluctant to be pope, preferring title bishop of Rome in hint of priorities. Fox/AP, March 27, 2013. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/03/27/pope-francis-seems-reluctant-to-be-pope-preferring-title-bishop-rome-in-hint/#ixzz2OmmdsDae)

This is the type of behavior I believe that the Orthodox wanted to see. And while humility is a good thing, this may have other ramifications.

If Pope Francis is truly the last pope, and that is not clear yet, he would not truly be Catholic.  …

On March 16, 2013, Pope Francis stated:

“Oh, how I would like a poor Church, and for the poor.”  http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/16/us-pope-poor-idUSBRE92F05P20130316

If Pope Francis carries out with his statement that could mean that he may sell off some of the vast treasures (such as jewels) and/or give significant amounts of money away to the poor.  If he does that, this will likely greatly enhance the pedophile-damaged image of the Church of Rome for the media and many others around the world.  This will enhance the appeal of the religion that Rome will promote.

How wealthy is the Church of Rome?  Well, no one seems to know for sure, but it has accumulated assets for a long time, and owns a lot of land:

It is impossible to calculate the wealth of the Roman Catholic Church. In truth, the church itself likely could not answer that question, even if it wished to.

Its investments and spending are kept secret. Its real estate and art have not been properly evaluated, since the church would never sell them.

There is no doubt, however, that between the church’s priceless art, land, gold and investments across the globe, it is one of the wealthiest institutions on Earth.

Since 313 A.D., when Catholicism became the official religion of the Roman Empire, its power has been in near-constant growth.

The church was able to acquire land, most notably the Papal States surrounding Rome, convert pagan temples and claim relics for itself. Over 300 years, it became one of Europe’s largest landowners…

The Vatican’s portfolio includes property in London, including the building housing Bulgari Jewelers, and apartment buildings in Paris and Switzerland.

716,290 The amount of Church-owned land, in square kilometres, across the globe — an area slightly bigger than Alberta. Properties include Vatican embassies, churches, cathedrals, monasteries, some schools and convents.  http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/03/08/wealth-of-roman-catholic-church-impossible-to-calculate/?utm_source=April+2013&utm_campaign=April&utm_medium=email

The last pope will, at least initially, claim to be Roman Catholic.  The last pope will use the Church of Rome for his own purposes and then betray it.  The Bible warns about a wealthy and unfaithful church based in Rome (Revelation 17:3-6;9,18).

Is Pope Francis the last pope?  If he is, he seems to be taking steps consistent with that.  But if he is not, if he does distribute assets of the Church of Rome to the poor, this will help the pope who would follow him.  The last pope will not truly be Catholic.

Pope Francis has taken a lot of steps that suggest he may not truly believe the Roman Catholic faith.  This differs from his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI who did believe it.

It is not that Pope Francis does not hold to many Catholic positions, but he himself seems to be an ‘a la carte Catholic.’  Which means that he selectively accepts certain Roman Catholic teachings while not accepting various ones he does not feel fit him or the times.

As I have mentioned before, some Catholic leaders have wondered if Pope Francis has actions of an antipope (watch Anti-Pope Francis?). Last year, Pope Francis’ views on homosexuality, marriage, and divorce caused concerns from two Catholic cardinals suggesting that he acted like one (Australian Cardinal hints Francis could be an antipope; US Cardinal also expresses doubts about Pope Francis).

As far as the more conservative Catholics go, they tend to act like, other than protest, they cannot go anywhere else as they improperly believe that the Church of Rome is the original church that Jesus founded through His apostles. Those interested in learning which church actually is faithful and has proper succession from the original church that Jesus founded, should carefully study the article Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God?

Both biblical and Catholic prophecy warn about a religious leader, who sounds like a pope, who will betray the Church of Rome (cf. Revelation 17) and mislead the world.

If Pope Francis is truly the last pope, he would not truly be Catholic and could be an antipope. But, as I have mentioned before, his age would seem to be a factor against that.

It has been my view since his election, that even if he is not the last pope, Pope Francis is setting the stage for the last pope.  Since various ones have questioned whether Pope Francis is Catholic, yet his popularity has increased, we may very well see that happen with the last pope.

The Bible warns that a false religious leader who looks like a lamb, but has the words of a dragon will encourage this to happen in Revelation 13:11. He will lead people to an ecumenical/interfaith religion.  Whether or not Pope Francis is the ‘beast of the earth’ of Revelation 13:11, he most certainly has advocated an ecumenical/interfaith agenda. The Bible also warns that God’s people need to not be part of that system (Revelation 14:9-12; 16:2; 18:4). Jesus warned that most people would be deceived (Matthew 24:24).

Pope Francis is planning on coming to the USA this month to speak before the US Congress and the United Nations.  His latest encyclical, Laudato Si, often reads like the United Nations ‘New Universal Agenda’ which is to be formally-approved this month (watch UN’s ‘New Universal Agenda’ is a False Gospel!).  Pope Francis is trying to support an agenda that is not consistent with the Bible (see also United Nations: Humankind’s Last Hope or New World Order?).

How ‘Catholic’ is Pope Francis?

Apparently enough to hold the job, and little enough to make himself popular with the United Nations and others.  His possible replacement would be expected to follow a similar path, yet with miracles as well (Revelation 13:11-17)–and he would not truly be Roman Catholic as he will ultimately allow that church to be betrayed (cf. Revelation 17:15-17). Pope Francis seems to be setting that stage.

Some items of related interest may include:

Neo-Hittite Chimera  

COGwriter

A reader tipped me off to the following:

September 10, 2015

It is “essential” that the genetic modification of human embryos is allowed, says a group of scientists, ethicists and policy experts.

A Hinxton Group report says editing the genetic code of early stage embryos is of “tremendous value” to research.

It adds although GM babies should not be allowed to be born at the moment, it may be “morally acceptable” under some circumstances in the future… disease-free children or “designer babies” may be on the horizon…

There have been calls for a moratorium on such research, which has left many asking where to draw the line – should any embryo research be banned, should it be allowed but only for research, or should GM babies be permitted?

A meeting of the influential Hinxton Group, in Manchester, acknowledged that the rate of progress meant there was a “pressure to make decisions” and argued embryo editing should be allowed.  http://www.bbc.com/news/health-34200029

Genetic modification of plants and animals sometimes involves placing genes from one species into another.  In ancient times, the combination of humans and animals were called ‘chimeras.’

What are chimeras?:

Chimeras are animals composed of cells that originate from two (or more) different species. In the research lab, chimeras are created by introducing cells from one species into the developing embryo or fetus of another. Now, researchers are developing human-animal chimeras to study disease processes, test new drugs, and develop organs for future transplant patients. The chimeras are produced by introducing human stem cells into developing animal embryos…Hybrids and chimeras are biologically different. A cell from a chimera contains the genetic material of either one parent species or the other. While each cell from a hybrid animal,such as a mule, contains genetic material from both parent species…Because human-animal chimeras contain human cells—or even tissues or organs that are primarilyhuman—ethical concerns surround the question of just what or who chimeras are. Because they were created under laboratory conditions for research purposes, are chimeras lab animals? Or, will chimeras eventually be developed that are too human to be considered otherwise? http://www.ahc.umn.edu/img/assets/25857/chimeras.pdf

So, chimeras are a combination of genes from two species which somewhat make a new species.  Scientists now wish to create their own human chimeras.

Some might consider this to be a step in the creation of Frankenstein-like creatures.  Some might also recall the 1973 science-fiction movie Solyent Green where humans ended up in the food supply.  Now, scientists keep working to somehow get human embryos modified to be part of medical supplies (some have claimed that already has happened with vaccines, see Human Fetal Tissue Being Used for Vaccines?).  Do not be surprised if some combination human-animal product ends up in the food supply–scientists have already been working on putting human genes in cows to make special milk–so this is not far-fetched.

Let me state here as a scientist, that there are other ways to deal with health research that do not involve human-genetic modification nor the destruction of human embryos.

The world, including the British, are losing normal sensibilities, and moving into areas that are wrong.

Notice something that was prophesied:

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  (2 Timothy 3:1-7, KJV)

Those who wish to destroy human embryos with this type of research LACK NATURAL AFFECTION.  They are appealing to people’s love of their own selves for support.  They are hoping to appeal to selfish lusts to get others to support their horrific agenda.  They claim to be learning, but they are failing to come to the knowledge of the truth.

And what is the truth?

First, much research could be done with animal tissues, rendering the so-called need for human embryo destruction unnecessary.  I have personally worked with animal tissues to improve the lives of humans for decades.  It is much more cost-effective, much safer, and not immoral.  However, since much of what I have worked on is NOT patent-able, pharmaceutical companies, with their financial-focus, does not pursue many treatments along that line.

Second, much disease is the result of sin.  Sin in the form of greed that affects the food supply and environment.  Sin in the form of sexual immorality, which harms the body (1 Corinthians 6:18).  There are also other sins.

Third, while national repentance would go a long way to reducing many diseases, the only real solution is the return of Jesus and the establishment of the Kingdom of God.

Genetic manipulation of human embryos is not what humanity needs.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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.
Chimeras: Has Science Crossed the Line? What are chimeras? Has science crossed the line? Does the Bible give any clues?
Jesus: The Son of God and Saviour Who was Jesus? Why did He come to earth? What message did He bring? Is there evidence outside the Bible that He existed? Here is a YouTube sermon titled Jesus: Son of God and Saviour.
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? A booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
British are the Covenant People What do ‘British’ and ‘Britain’ mean in Hebrew? Are the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons people of the covenant? Does the British royal family connect to the throne of David? What does the Bible teach? What does history show us? Is there any DNA evidence related to British-Israelism? When did Christianity make it to the British Isles? Could Jeremiah have made it to the British Isles? What type of Christians made it to the British Isles? Did the last King of England believe in British Israelism?

COGwriter

Later today, the National Football League (NFL) is scheduled to begin its official season for this violent sport. Many do not wish to seriously consider that American football is harmful, despite the facts, and would prefer that I not post about it.

The Bible suggests otherwise:

1 Cry aloud, spare not;
Lift up your voice like a trumpet;
Tell My people their transgression,
And the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)

The reality is that American tackle football is dangerous–the players get harmed.  This really is not debatable as it is an established fact.  Notice the following:

September 5, 2015

Though ligament tears and broken bones are well-known, all of those violent hits football players take could be leading to hypertension and potentially chronic and traumatic brain injuries, researchers at Georgia Regents University say. …

The GRU team focused its attention on what are called damage-associated molecular patterns, which would be released during violent hits. The NFL estimates that linemen receive 100 to 130 hits per game, Webb said. The damage to cells releases those factors, which then activate other factors and receptors well known for being involved in inflammation.

Those receptors are on blood vessel cells and immune cells as well, according to the GRU study. They have been shown to be involved in inflammation in the brain, where concussions and their long-term consequences are already a concern for football players. One devastating outcome could be chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, which leads to widespread brain damage and for many
former players memory loss, confusion, behavioral changes and dementia.

“I definitely think, related to the concussions, that hypertension during the season could make their CTE prognosis worse,” McCarthy said. Or those factors might contribute to conditions that would lead to that chronic traumatic damage on their own, he said. …

Earlier this year, the NFL agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by former players that would pay for those who had incurred certain conditions, including “certain cases of chronic traumatic encephalopathy … diagnosed after death,” http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/health/2015-09-05/football-hits-could-lead-hypertension-worsening-concussions-gru-researchers

September 3, 2014

The NFL reported 228 cases of diagnosed concussions in the 2013 season. Research has revealed prolonged head injuries suffered playing football have lead to dementia, cognitive decline, ALS and Parkinson’s among its players. http://keranews.org/post/study-think-football-brain-health-and-ethical-uncertainty

Football Players At All Levels At Concussion Risk

September 3, 2014

Concussions and traumatic brain injury don’t just affect former NFL players, they strike high school players and college players as well. …

More than a dozen former NFL players have filed concussion injury lawsuits against the NFLPA. These players claim the Players Association was aware of concussion dangers for decades, but ignored and hid the risks from players.

According to the Complaints filed against the NFLPA, the players association “had unparalleled access to and knowledge of data relating to the relationship between head impacts on football players and cognitive decline. This access to and knowledge of data [came] from the NFLPA’s awareness of the growing body of scientific literature on the subject, its own medical consultants, its own requested and commissioned studies on the subject, its participation in the Retirement Board of the Bert Bell/Peter Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan (“Retirement Plan”), and its participation in the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee (the “MTBI Committee”).”

The claims brought against the NFLPA are different from those alleged against the NFL itself in other litigation. Players with claims against the NFL are not precluded from bringing claims against the NFLPA and may participate in both cases. …

Florio, writing for NBC Sports, went on to note that “ammunition for attacking the NFLPA has existed from the moment the notion of suing over concussions first gained traction…. Indeed, NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith admitted during testimony to Congress in 2009 that the union had a role in alleged resistance to efforts of doctors and others to wake football up to the perils of head injuries.”

“Sadly, the players association knew for years about the medical science behind the dangers of the game, and in spite of their promises to do what was in the best interest of their members, they joined the league in hiding those dangers from everyone. These former pro players should be proud of themselves for stepping up, because they’re standing up and saying that they would have behaved differently if the players association hadn’t been complicit with the league in hiding their full knowledge from them. If this action through the court system would have been available to me when I was just out of the league, I would have been alongside them as part of the lawsuit.”

– Jim Kearney, starting safety for the Super Bowl IV Champion Kansas City Chiefs

http://www.legalexaminer.com/head-brain-injuries/football-players-at-all-levels-at-concussion-risk/

There is no doubt that American tackle football is dangerous to health. While some in the world consider watching it to be an ‘ethical uncertainty,’ true Philadelphia Christians (as well many who are not) realize that something about this sport is physically harmful and should not be encouraged.

On a ‘Here’s Lucy’ show from 1972, Joe Namath told Lucille Ball that although football was tough, the physical damage was temporary and was nothing to worry about as the body heals.  But he was in the news related to what happened to him:

The picture of Joe Namath forgetting why he had just walked into a particular room or losing his keys is a sad one, but one we’ve come to expect for retired NFL players. That’s how an ESPN.com feature about the 72-year-old Hall of Fame quarterback starts, detailing how he also struggled with depression and fears he has brain damage from the many blows he’s taken in his career.  …

There’s also this detail about how Namath used to take his painkillers with liquor:

“Doctors routinely treated his pain with Percocet and Butazolidin, an anti-inflammatory typically used on horses. They told him to take the medications on a full stomach; concerned about staying in shape, Namath washed them down with Johnnie Walker Red instead. [Later, he switched to vodka.]”  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2015/07/14/joe-namath-thinks-he-has-brain-damage-but-is-sold-on-unconventional-treatment/

Joe Namath is the latest former NFL player who has admitted the concussions he suffered during his career have had negative, long-lasting effects.

Namath, famous for guaranteeing the Jets’ Super Bowl victory in 1969 and then going out and backing up his words with a shocking takedown of the heavily favored Colts, told “CBS Sunday Morning” in an upcoming interview head injuries sustained during his playing career have adversely affected his health.  http://nypost.com/2014/01/31/broadway-joe-namath-i-have-brain-damage/

Joe Namath indicated that the alternative therapy known as hyperbaric oxygen has helped him.  But he still was damaged by playing tackle football.

Those who claim that encouraging American tackle football is fine are NOT Philadelphian Christians.  American tackle football causes real damage.  Damage that should not be encouraged.

After a post I made before about American football (see Should Christians watch American football?), a reader sent me an email, that in part stated:

Hello Dr. Thiel,

It took a while, but your recent article “Should Americans Watch Football?” finally convinced me the answer is “NO”. I can see why I stubbornly held out. I think it is ADDICTION that causes football lovers to cover their eyes from the truth. Who can deny the thrill and ectasy of cheering on our super talented sports heroes and winning teams. Who can give up the hamburgers, hot dogs , potato chips, soda and beer along with it? I admit I have been a big sports addict especially to American football!

Well, what turned me off the most was the Super Bowl ads on t.v. years ago. I started refusing to watch the Super Bowl with my family (it was too embarrassing) or with church friends.

From the violence on the field, to the under-clothed cheerleaders, to some of the half-time antics, there is a lot wrong with American football.

Jesus taught not to intentionally hurt others, as it taught:

39… ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:39, NKJV)

The Apostle Paul also wrote:

29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it (Ephesians 5:29, NKJV)

Also, notice what John the Baptist taught soldiers:

14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. (Luke 3:14, KJV)

I could not reconcile loving my neighbor as myself and cherishing my flesh and not doing violence to any man by watching others do it in a football game. Nor the following:

9…You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:9-10)

Jesus also said:

20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God. (John 3:20-21, NKJV).

Is watching American football a deed that would be pleasing to God?

The Apostle Paul wrote:

12… they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.(2 Thessalonians 2:12)

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:28-32, NKJV)

Is not football violent and often unmerciful?

So, if playing football is evil, should Christians approve of it?

Additionally, twice the New Testament refers to the good news message as “the gospel of peace”:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15)

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (Ephesians 6:14-15)

Is not taking a stand against encouraging sports violence consistent with the gospel of peace and love? Or should ministers tell people that violent sports like American tackle football are not “inherently evil” as at least one minister has done?

Traditionally, early Christians (as well as some apostates who professed Christ) were opposed to watching violent sports.

While “love does no harm to a neighbor” (Romans 13:9), what do sports like American football and boxing do? Should Bible believers encourage this?

Unlike stories of violence in books or movies, American football involves actual violence and often physical injury–including brain damaging ones that are often not obvious for years.

The Bible forbids harming others or encouraging sin. Early professors of Christ would not watch violent games as they felt that watching was encouraging and participating in sin. Herbert W. Armstrong categorized American football as evil.

You may be telling yourself, well since my church does not (presuming you do not support a group like the Continuing Church of God which does) condemn football (and/or possibly encourages it) the Bible really does not apply here. If so, be careful about accepting that that type of tradition. Jesus Himself taught:

7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying:

8 “These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
9 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:7-9)

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 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 3:14-19)

I do not watch American football. I consider that it is evil (also, no Christian can really defend how professional football cheerleading females are often publicly dressed and displayed). Others want to falsely act like there is nothing wrong with watching it.

Some may not wish to hear about any of the evils of violent sports, and instead prefer smooth things, but hopefully I have tried to follow the Apostle Paul who declared:

26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:26-27)

The bodies and blood of those who engage in violent sports is important. It does not show Philadelphia love.

Regarding American football, do you believe that Jesus or the Apostle Paul would endorse it? This is something that Christians, and those that claim to be, should think and pray about.

Those Laodicean Christians who are fans of American tackle football are NOT Philadelphians and will be subject to violence themselves as they will have to go through the Great Tribulation if they do not repent (Revelation 3:14-22).

Encouraging violence in sports does not show brotherly/philadelphian love.

For more scriptures, as well as the position of early Christians and others, please see the following:

Is American Football Evil? Is the most popular spectator sport in the USA something that Christians should watch? What do the Bible and early writings show? There is also a YouTube video available titled Should Christians watch American football?
Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare or Encourage Violence? Here are current and historical perspectives on a matter which show the beliefs of the true church on military participation. Is war proper for Christians? A related sermon would be: Christians, Violence, and Military Service.
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?
British and American Moral Decay Public nudity is becoming more prevalent in the Anglo-lands. What are some of the consequences?
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.

US Secretary of State John Kerry

COGwriter

In the past few weeks the migrant crisis in Europe has accelerated.  Today, the USA pledged to take more migrants:

September 9, 2015

The United States pledged Wednesday to accept more refugees fleeing from wars in Syria and elsewhere, even as Europe unveiled a mandatory country-by-country quota plan to resettle 160,000 migrants.

After meeting with lawmakers in Congress, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said, “We are looking hard at the number that we can specifically manage with respect to the crisis in Syria and Europe. That’s being vetted fully right now.”

Meanwhile, European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker called Wednesday for EU member states to resettle 160,000 refugees escaping from war in Syria and elsewhere — but is running into opposition from countries objecting to mandatory quotas.

“The Europe I want to live in is illustrated by those who are helping,” Juncker told the European Parliament. “The Europe I don’t want to live in is a Europe refusing those who are in need.”

“We can build walls, we can build fences. But imagine for a second it were you, your child in your arms, the world you knew torn apart around you,” he added. “There is no price you would not pay, there is no wall you would not climb, no sea you would not sail, no border you would not cross if it is war or the barbarism of the so-called Islamic State that you are fleeing.”

But the Czech and Slovak governments held firm in their opposition to the country-by-country quotas Juncker said are needed to cope with Europe’s worst migration crisis since World War II.

“I refused the quotas,” Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said this week as details of the quota plan emerged, “because I don’t consider quotas to be the real solution to the migration crisis.”

Security concerns

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed concern that terrorists might slip into Europe with the refugees massing on the continent’s doorstep. Most of the migrants are looking to settle in more prosperous Western European countries, especially Germany and Sweden.

“When terrorists are grouping in Syria,” Fico said, “how can we distinguish these people from the other migrants who are crossing the borders of the European Union without any controls?”

Juncker said Europe could not leave Greece, Italy, and Hungary alone to handle the vast influx of migrants.

“We Europeans should never forget why giving refuge and complying with fundamental right of asylum is so important,” he said.

He urged EU interior ministers to endorse the resettlement plan next week. …

Chancellor Angela Merkel in Germany, where refugees have been welcomed with food, water and toys for children, has called Juncker’s plan “a first important step.” In remarks Wednesday, she said if Europe fails on the refugee issue, then it has lost one of the founding impulses for a united Europe: universal human rights.

But she cautioned that migrants coming to Germany out of economic need, rather than fleeing war or political persecution, must be turned away.

Germany said it expects 800,000 refugees this year. Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said his country could accommodate a half-million refugees annually for several years.

Polls show many Europeans are opposed to the quota plan. Speaking before the parliament after Juncker, French far-right leader Marine Le Pen said giving migrants the right to work in France was like spitting in the face of the country’s seven million jobless citizens. http://www.voanews.com/content/european-commission-proposes-quota-plan-for-refugee-crisis/2953512.html

Queen Elizabeth II (Ministry of Defence photo)

COGwriter

Queen Elizabeth II is believed to have broken the record for being the UK’s longest reigning monarch:

Queen Elizabeth II becomes longest-reigning UK monarch

September 9, 2015

The Queen has thanked well-wishers at home and overseas for their “touching messages of kindness” as she becomes Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.

Speaking in the Scottish Borders, the 89-year-old monarch said the title was “not one to which I have ever aspired”.

The Queen will have reigned for 63 years and seven months – calculated at 23,226 days, 16 hours and approximately 30 minutes at about 17:30 BST.

David Cameron said the service she had given was “truly humbling”. …

• Victoria became queen at 18, while Elizabeth was 25
• Elizabeth II rides in the same coach as Victoria did for the annual State Opening of Parliament
• Both queens were shot at by a lone gunman while out riding near Buckingham Palace
• Elizabeth loves the private royal estate at Balmoral, which was bought by Victoria
• Victoria ruled over an empire of 400 million people. Elizabeth is head of state for 138 million people

Queen Victoria became queen at the age of 18 and ruled for 63 years, seven months and two days.

Queen Elizabeth’s reign has included 12 prime ministers, two more than served under Victoria. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-34177107

Of course, in Queen Victoria’s day, the monarch reigned as a monarch.  Queen Elizabeth II has mainly reigned ceremonially, with little actual reigning.  But perhaps I should mention that Queen Elizabeth II, like the late Queen Victoria, holds the titled of ‘Supreme Governor’ of the Church of England.

As far as being humbled for the length of her reign, she has lived over a time when the British Empire basically dissolved (much of which happened after she was born, but before she took office).  There are nations still in the Commonwealth, however, that she has some limited influence in.

Yet, when Queen Elizabeth had an opportunity to take a moral stand against aspects of the homosexual agenda, she refused (see Queen allegedly ready to allow “gay rights”).  Instead she endorsed something that essentially was interpreted as condoning homosexual marriage and the lifting of the bans on homosexuality when she signed the new Charter of the Commonwealth on March 11, 2013.  Instead of going along with these moves, she should have exercised moral leadership and opposed them.

Here is something else about that:

March 11, 2013

And according to a Palace spokesman, the charter’s words are not even the monarch’s: “In this charter, the Queen is endorsing a decision taken by the Commonwealth… The Queen does not take a personal view on these issues. The Queen’s position is apolitical.” http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/11/queen-gay-rights-commonwealth

The Queen should have refused to sign.

The Bible teaches:

7 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so. (Proverbs 3:27)

10 If you faint in the day of adversity,  Your strength is small.  11 Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. (Proverbs 24:10-11)

Queen Elizabeth II failed to do that when she had a chance as Head of the Commonwealth.

That will not end well for the UK, Australia, Canada, and even New Zealand (which has a more distant relationship to the Commonwealth, but took the wrong position about homosexual marriage).

The Bible warns the following related to females:

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

Just because Queen Elizabeth has a generally positive public persona, this does not mean that she lead properly when she had a chance.

The Bible warns against those that support homosexuality and other forms of sexual immorality:

22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:22-32)

While Queen Elizabeth II has tended to act as a dignified monarch, she has not been properly discerning concerning the homosexual agenda.  Furthermore, and sadly, many in her Royal Family have been involved in a variety of sexual and other scandals (e.g. British and American Moral Decay).

Notice also the following:

35 Thus every one of you shall say to his neighbor, and every one to his brother, ‘What has the Lord answered?’ and, ‘What has the Lord spoken?’ 36 And the oracle of the Lord you shall mention no more. For every man’s word will be his oracle, for you have perverted the words of the living God, the Lord of hosts, our God. 37 Thus you shall say to the prophet, ‘What has the Lord answered you?’ and, ‘What has the Lord spoken?’ 38 But since you say, ‘The oracle of the Lord!’ therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Because you say this word, “The oracle of the Lord!” and I have sent to you, saying, “Do not say, ‘The oracle of the Lord!'” 39 therefore behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you and forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and will cast you out of My presence. 40 And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.'”  (Jeremiah 23:35-40)

Because many will not heed the clear prophetic word, it will lead to shame.  That will be one of the results of the Queen’s support of the homosexual agenda.

The UK needs national repentance, otherwise it is doomed–Bible prophecy shows that it will have trouble (Jeremiah 30:7).  It will also be taken over because of its immorality (Jude 6-7; Hosea 4:6-9; 2 Chronicles 28:19) and debts (Ezekiel 22:13-15; Habakkuk 2:6-8).

The Bible also says that most people will NOT believe that even if it were told to them:

5 “Look among the nations and watch —
Be utterly astounded!
For I will work a work in your days
Which you would not believe, though it were told you.
6 For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans,
A bitter and hasty nation
Which marches through the breadth of the earth,
To possess dwelling places that are not theirs. (Habakkuk 1:5-6)

While people will not believe it, the UK (along with the USA and its Anglo-Saxon descended allies) will be destroyed. Habakkuk also warned that the time will come when people should run as the prophecies for what will happen are so severe (Habakkuk 2:2-3). While we are NOT yet at that time (cf. Matthew 24:6), we are getting closer.

It is almost impossible to believe that the next UK monarch would call for meaningful repentance before the UK is hit with more massive problems. The USA needs the return of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God.

I have long wondered if a member of the British Royal family survives part of the Great Tribulation, that he/she might partially fulfill the following verses in the Bible in trying to get help from the Assyrians (modern Germany with its allies) after they have destroyed the U.S.A. and its Anglo-Allies:

1 “Ephraim also is like a silly dove, without sense–They call to Egypt, They go to Assyria. 12 Wherever they go, I will spread My net on them; I will bring them down like birds of the air;  I will chastise them According to what their congregation has heard (Hosea 7:11-12).

8 Israel is swallowed up; Now they are among the Gentiles  Like a vessel in which is no pleasure. 9 For they have gone up to Assyria, Like a wild donkey alone by itself; Ephraim has hired lovers (Hosea 8:8-9).

1 Ephraim feeds on the wind, And pursues the east wind; He daily increases lies and desolation. Also they make a covenant with the Assyrians, And oil is carried to Egypt (Hosea 12:1).

We will see if the Royal Family is involved in fulling any of those prophecies.

Irrespective of those, I do believe that there remain prophetic ramifications related to the ‘British’ Royal Family.

Notice something from two late Church of God leaders:

Jesus is to return to become King of Kings (Revelation 17:14).  The British Royal Family should strive to stand for biblical morality, not endorse the wrong direction the world is heading in.