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Pope Francis says he will go to Sweden to celebrate the event that led to the Protestant Reformation and separation from the Church of Rome:

Pope to Go to Sweden for Joint Reformation Commemoration

Oct. 31 visit to Southern Swedish city of Lund Will Bring Together Leaders of Lutheran World Federation, Representatives of Other Christian Churches

January 25, 2016

This October, Pope Francis will travel to Sweden for a joint ecumenical commemoration of the start of the Reformation.

The news came this morning as the Holy See Press Office issued a statement about the Oct. 31 visit to the southern Swedish city of Lund, which will bring together leaders of the Lutheran World Federation and representatives of other Christian Churches. …

During the one-day event, there will be a common worship service in Lund cathedral, which will based on a Catholic-Lutheran “Common Prayer” liturgical guide, that was published earlier this month by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Lutheran World Federation. http://zenit.org/articles/pope-to-go-to-sweden-for-joint-reformation-commemoration/

The ecumenical movement keeps moving forward and the Vatican, Lutherans, and many others are moving down a slope they should not.

So, what happened nearly 500 years ago? On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther hammered his now famous 95 theses on the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany.

While the Church of Rome now agrees with many of the items on Martin Luther’s list, back then this caused tremendous dissension and was a key factor in the so-called Protestant Reformation and led to the formation of the Lutheran churches.

Pope Francis and others have been working on gaining ecumenical unity and using the upcoming 500th anniversary of Wittenberg as an opportunity for that (see Pope’s push for unity with Lutherans for 2017: Church of Sweden interest should prove to be a warning to all calling themselves Christian!).

The Catholics have an office called the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity that was mentioned in the announcement today. It is currently held by a former Swiss Bishop, now Cardinal, named Kurt Koch. He is supposed to have great insight with the “reformation” churches (meaning the Protestants) and also has held meetings with Eastern Orthodox leaders and others.

Over the past several decades, the Catholics have held a lot of ecumenical meetings. Other than important ones with the Eastern Orthodox and various Protestants, those involved with the Lutherans and Anglicans are more relevant to this article.

In terms of the Lutherans, two groundbreaking events of their ecumenical dialogue was a joint statement on the doctrine of Justification by Faith in 1983 and the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ) on October 31, 1999. Here is part of the Preamble to the JDDJ:

1.The doctrine of justification was of central importance for the Lutheran Reformation of the sixteenth century. It was held to be the “first and chief article”[1] and at the same time the “ruler and judge over all other Christian doctrines.”[2] The doctrine of justification was particularly asserted and defended in its Reformation shape and special valuation over against the Roman Catholic Church and theology of that time, which in turn asserted and defended a doctrine of justification of a different character. From the Reformation perspective, justification was the crux of all the disputes. Doctrinal condemnations were put forward both in the Lutheran Confessions[3] and by the Roman Catholic Church’s Council of Trent. These condemnations are still valid today and thus have a church-dividing effect.

2.For the Lutheran tradition, the doctrine of justification has retained its special status. Consequently it has also from the beginning occupied an important place in the official Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogue.

3.Special attention should be drawn to the following reports: “The Gospel and the Church” (1972)[4] and “Church and Justification” (1994)[5] by the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Joint Commission, “Justification by Faith” (1983)[6] of the Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogue in the USA and “The Condemnations of the Reformation Era – Do They Still Divide?” (1986)[7] by the Ecumenical Working Group of Protestant and Catholic theologians in Germany. Some of these dialogue reports have been officially received by the churches. An important example of such reception is the binding response of the United Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Germany to the “Condemnations” study, made in 1994 at the highest possible level of ecclesiastical recognition together with the other churches of the Evangelical Church in Germany.[8]

4.In their discussion of the doctrine of justification, all the dialogue reports as well as the responses show a high degree of agreement in their approaches and conclusions. The time has therefore come to take stock and to summarize the results of the dialogues on justification so that our churches may be informed about the overall results of this dialogue with the necessary accuracy and brevity, and thereby be enabled to make binding decisions.

5.The present Joint Declaration has this intention: namely, to show that on the basis of their dialogue the subscribing Lutheran churches and the Roman Catholic Church[9] are now able to articulate a common understanding of our justification by God’s grace through faith in Christ. It does not cover all that either church teaches about justification; it does encompass a consensus on basic truths of the doctrine of justification and shows that the remaining differences in its explication are no longer the occasion for doctrinal condemnations.

[1] The Smalcald Articles, II,1; Book of Concord, 292. [2] “Rector et judex super omnia genera doctrinarum” Weimar Edition of Luther’s Works (WA), 39,I,205. [3] It should be noted that some Lutheran churches include only the Augsburg Confession and Luther’s Small Catechism among their binding confessions. These texts contain no condemnations about justification in relation to the Roman Catholic Church. [4] Report of the Joint Lutheran-Roman Catholic Study Commission, published in Growth in Agreement (New York; Geneva, 1984), pp. 168-189. [5] Published by the Lutheran World Federation (Geneva, 1994). [6] Lutheran and Catholics in Dialogue VII (Minneapolis, 1985). [7] Minneapolis, 1990. [8] “Gemeinsame Stellungnahme der Arnoldshainer Konferenz, der Vereinigten Kirche und des Deutschen Nationalkomitees des Lutherischen Weltbundes zum Dokument ‘Lehrverurteilungen – kirchentrennend?’,” Ökumenische Rundschau 44 (1995): 99-102; See also the position papers which underlie this resolution, in Lehrverurteilungen im Gespräch, Die ersten offiziellen Stellungnahmen aus den evangelischen Kirchen in Deutschland (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1993). [9] The word “church” is used in this Declaration to reflect the self-understandings of the participating churches, without intending to resolve all the ecclesiological issues related to this term.
(JOINT DECLARATION ON THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION by the Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church. http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_31101999_cath-luth-joint-declaration_en.html viewed 02/27/14)

In the wake of the JDDJ of 1999, round XI, “The Hope for Eternal Life” is seen as a precursor leading up to a shared Lutheran/Roman Catholic commemoration of the October 31, 2017, 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s posting of his 95 Theses. It appears that the Church of Rome and many of the Lutherans wish to declare an end to much of the theological divides between the two groups on or by October 31, 2017.

Some feel that the above agreement has already effectively eliminated Protestantism and that Protestants and Catholics are now unified as the ‘justification doctrine’ is seen by many to have been amongst the most significantly theological differences between Roman Catholicism and Martin Luther’s movement.

In the 21st century, there were major strides towards moving towards acceptance of the Anglicans as well. On October 20, 2009, CNN reported that the Vatican announced that it would allow Anglicans (and American Episcopalians) to become part of the Church of Rome without having to change much of their practices and rituals (Messia H. and Hanna J. Vatican welcomes Anglicans into Catholic Church.  CNN, October 20, 2009.  http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/20/vatican.anglican.church/).

Yet this is in conflict with Catholic teachings. Pope Leo XIII declared in 1896, “ordinations carried out according to the Anglican rite have been, and are, absolutely null and utterly void” (Pope Leo XIII: On the Nullity of Anglican Orders, Apostolicae Curae, 1896. Modern History Sourcebook. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1896leo13-apost.html)–which means for the Vatican to now accept those baptized, etc. by Anglican priests as Roman Catholic shows that compromise has occurred.   The Vatican of the 21st century has since amended its constitution to accept the Anglicans.

On November 9, 2009, an Episcopal cleric explained how this would work and clearly stated that this allows for “the faculty to celebrate the Holy Eucharist and the other Sacraments … according to the liturgical books proper to the Anglican tradition” (Franklin. B. Vatican’s Apostolic Constitution explained.  Episcopal Life Online, November 9, 2009. http://www.episcopal-life.org/80050_116538_ENG_HTM.htm).

Notice something a Methodist leader stated in an interview with the pro-Vatican news agency Zenit:

January 25, 2016

Dr. Macquiban has been a minister in the British Methodist Church since 1987 …

ZENIT: This is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Why is praying for Christian unity important?

Reverend Macquiban:. After 50 years of dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church we pray because prayer changes things and when we pray together our attitudes, centred on the recognition of our common baptism and incorporation into the One Body inpels us to learn to love and respect each other whatever our differences.

ZENIT:  How is Pope Francis advancing ecumenical relations?

Reverend Macquiban: All that Pope Francis says and does, particularly now in this Year of Mercy, opens doors once shut and the wind of change blows through. His warmth for those who are other, whether Christian or not, is evidence of God’s love reaching out to all. http://zenit.org/articles/interview-all-pope-francis-says-does-opens-doors-once-shut-says-christian-leader-in-rome/

But the Bible says that God, not a human, opens and closes the doors:

6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”‘

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,

‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:  8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. (Revelation 3:6-8)

While being friendly is fine, what is being opened now by Pope Francis is not of God.  As far as Methodists go, their historical views on justification are incompatible with Roman Catholicism, but perhaps Dr. Macquiban does not care about such things.

Since the Lutherans, Methodists, and Catholic have resolved many of their differences and ignored some of their own histories, many of them are poised for greater unity. Such unity will happen, but it is not endorsed by the Bible. The Bible is clear that a group of churches, led by one from the city of seven hills, is to be avoided and will end in disaster (Revelation 17:1-10,18).

Notice what Jude wrote from the New Jerusalem Bible (a Roman Catholic approved translation into the English language):

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With all the ecumenical discussions going on these days, many Protestant leaders no longer seem to believe in the papal-antichrist position of many of their early leaders. But they should or they will not be able to tell Jesus Christ from the final Antichrist (watch also Will Jesus Christ be called the Antichrist?).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Bible itself warns against the type of ecumenical unity that Pope Francis and various Protestant leaders are working towards (e.g. Revelation 17). The Bible does not teach that Christians will have the type of unity that the Vatican claim to want UNTIL AFTER THE FALL OF BABYLON (Zechariah 2:10-13 NKJV; Zechariah 2:12-16 NJB).

The Bible tells that the ecumenical/inter-faith movement will also end in destruction (Revelation 18 & 19). This is not something that Catholics nor the Lutherans should want.  But Pope Francis is planning on going to Sweden to push for it.  As far as the Swedes go, it appears that they are descendants of a son of Jacob named Napthali (for details see Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel), yet many now are irreligious.

Despite the claiming rallying cry of sola Scriptura, the reality is that the Catholics of Rome and the Lutherans will both have to ignore many scriptures for the type of reconciliation and unity that many are pushing for. The fact that there was bloody conflict between the Catholics and Lutherans hundreds of years ago helps demonstrate that they were not following the true , orginal Christian faith (see Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare or Encourage Violence? and Where is the True Christian Church Today?).

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

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! What is going on in the Protestant world? Are Protestants turning back to their ‘mother church’ in Rome? Does the Bible warn about this? What are Catholic plans and prophecies related to this? Is Protestantism doomed? watch the video Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware! and World Council of Churches Peace Plan.
Do Certain Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus? Will the final “Anti-Christ” be Jewish, insist on Saturday, be opposed to the trinity, and bring in the millennium? Certain Catholic writings indicate this, while others take a different view, but what does the Bible show? A related sermon is Will Jesus Christ be called the Antichrist?
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video sermon of related interest is: Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III? and a video sermon is also available: Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics Unity between these groups will put them in position to be part of the final end time Babylon that the Bible warns against as well as require improper compromise.
United Nations: Humankind’s Last Hope or New World Order? Is the UN the last hope for humanity? Or might its goals end up with sinister results? A related video would be United Nations and Vatican Are Planning the New World Order.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the genuine Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example? Here is a related sermon video: Martin Luther and Herbert Armstrong: Reformers with Differences.
Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, did Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority? Statements from him changing and/or discounting 18 books of the Bible are included. Do you really want to know the truth?
Could Pope Francis be the Last Pope and Antichrist? Former Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is now Pope Francis. According to some interpretations of the prophecies of the popes by the Catholic saint and Bishop Malachy, Pope Francis is in the position of “Peter the Roman,” the pontiff who reigns during tribulations until around the time of the destruction of Rome. Do biblical prophecies warn of someone that sounds like Peter the Roman? Could Francis be the heretical antipope of Catholic private prophecies and the final Antichrist of Bible prophecy? Could a Jesuit be “the black pope”?
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.
Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy? Pope Francis has taken many steps to turn people more towards his version of ‘Mary.’ Could this be consistent with biblical and Catholic prophecies? This article documents what has been happening. There is also a video version titled Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.

Oil Reserves (Gunnmap)

COGwriter

Dr. Martin Weiss of Money and Markets posted the following headline and interview comments:

Shocking Forecasts Coming True

January 25, 2016

Hah! A lot of so-called “experts” on Wall Street, trying to divine the next bottom for a barrel of oil, now say it will be $25, $20 or even as low as $15.

What’s ironic is that, among them, are some of the very same individuals who, near the peak of the oil market just 18 months ago, were telling you to expect ten times more — $150, $200 or even $250 per barrel. …

Before oil peaked in 2014, Weiss Research’s Larry Edelson mapped out exactly how oil prices would plunge to where they are today.  …

Similarly, before the recent rout in U.S. markets, Weiss Research’s Mike Larson warned repeatedly of the dangers . . .

What Next?

Martin: Mike, so far you’ve told us what’s happened. But the payoff for our readers is guidance on what’s going to happen next.

Mike: Whether oil prices bottom now, go lower or rally, what we’ve got here is plain as day. It’s global Deflation with a capital “D,” just like Larry said it would be before it all started.

Martin: Tell our readers exactly what that means to investors.

Mike: It means a dangerous cycle of declining commodity prices, disastrous corporate revenues, disappointing profits and, ultimately, a rash of debt defaults. http://www.moneyandmarkets.com/shocking-forecasts-coming-true-75599#.VqYw6VnD7UU

One thing to bring out is the fact that Iran, which is believed to have the fourth largest oil reserves in the world, is now re-entering the world oil market, plus when you add discoveries in Brazil and elsewhere, there has been an increase in available oil supplies.

That, for oil prices, has certainly been deflationary.  Much more shocking events are ahead.

For one, a side effect of deflation is that it can hide the building up of inflation caused by printing up (electronically mainly in this case) of money, which the USA has been doing at a feverish pace the past 8 or so years.

Now, Larry Edelson, like others at Money and Markets, believes that deflation is really the issue.  He also believes that Europe’s financial crisis will result in it being torn apart.  Notice something that was posted last month:

The Great Deflationary Collapse Continues

December 16, 2015

Everything I have been warning you about is unfolding, right on cue.

I’m talking about DEFLATION — the D-word no one wanted to hear more than four years ago when I first forecast it.

The D-word that had all the hyperinflationists up in arms. …

One, there’s simply way too much debt in the world. At more than $200 trillion of official total global debts — there is simply no way printing money could offset the deleveraging process that must occur.

Simply put, $3 trillion of Fed money printing, combined with another $2.4 trillion from other central banks over the past several years — a total of $5.4 trillion of printed money — is merely like throwing a coin in the middle of a lake and expecting a tsunami of inflation. It’s not going to happen.

Combined, all the central banks of the world would have to print far more than $200 trillion for hyperinflation to ever strike. …

Two, I also realized, way back in 2011, that the U.S. wasn’t the problem, as indebted as it was, and still is. Nor would it be China, who even today is wrongly cited as the biggest threat to the global economy.

I said way back then, and I warned you repeatedly, that the biggest threat to the global economy, and the biggest trigger to set off a deflationary spiral was none other than Europe.

I was right. Europe was, is and will be the biggest threat to global growth and the biggest force behind deflation. …

The single currency experiment in Europe is the most ill-conceived economic/social experiment of all time. I said it in 1998, and my words have come true. Europe is crashing and burning. …

Mark my words: By 2020, the year my war cycles peak, a short five years from now, you will see Europe torn apart at the seams, the euro fail as a currency, wars break out between member countries, and even secession movements succeed within countries. http://www.moneyandmarkets.com/great-deflationary-collapse-continues-74756#.VnGdz15aYZw

Larry Edelson is correct that by adding $5 trillion to its debt the USA did not cause hyperinflation in a down economy. Deflationary pressures, not only from oil but from Chinese manufacturing and technology, help prevent inflation, especially when many are afraid to spend.

He is also correct that all the financial problems in Europe have not been solved.

Larry Edelson is correct that Europe will reorganize. The Bible tells of it.

But will that be the end of Europe?

No.

Europe will arise and be the top financial force in the world for several years (cf. Revelation 13; Daniel 7:25). But it will reorganize as stated in Revelation 17:12-13; see also Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?).

The Bible also tells of problems with European unity:

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

One difference between the USA and Europe’s is that Europe is a net exporter, but the USA is not. Here are two reports I found online today:

The Euro Area current account surplus increased to a non-seasonally adjusted €33.1 billion in September of 2015 compared to an upwardly revised €14.6 billion surplus in August. Both the goods and services surpluses increased to €29.1 billion and €6.8 billion, respectively, from €15.9 billion and €3.9 billion in the previous month. Also, primary income surplus went up to €4.8 billion, from €4 billion in August. http://www.tradingeconomics.com/euro-area/current-account

The U.S. current-account deficit—a net measure of transactions between the United States
and the rest of the world in goods, services, primary income (investment income and
compensation), and secondary income (current transfers)—decreased to $109.7 billion
(preliminary) in the second quarter of 2015 from $118.3 billion (revised) in the first
quarter. http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/international/transactions/transnewsrelease.htm

The USA is a net importer, Europe is a net exporter. This means that the USA keeps being subsidized by foreigners. The Bible says that this will stop.

The deflationary pressures have made it easier for the USA to increase its debt.

Around 605-625 B.C. Habakkuk wrote a short book of the Bible that has a lot of implications for the time that we are now in.  Notice something that God said in it:

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. (Habakkuk 1:5).

Many, including a COG I was once part of, claim that Habakkuk was prophesying only something for the past that has already been fulfilled (and that group included Habakkuk 2 in its assessment).  And if you only look at verse 5 that looks reasonable.  Yet, notice that the above is also repeated in the New Testament:

40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:

41 ‘Behold, you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.'” (Acts 13:40-41)

So, there is certainly a duality in some of what Habakkuk wrote.  (More on the work for these times can be found in the articles Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word and The Final Phase of the Work.)

Getting back to Habakkuk, here is some of the shocking things God had him write down specifically related to the end times:

2 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. 4 “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.( Habakkuk 2:2-4)

This prophecy is so shocking that God is warning people to run who read it.

Notice that the prophecy that is being discussed is specifically for the appointed time of the end. It is a prophecy for our time–and will affect the proud.  What will happen is so bad “That he may run who reads it.” What is so bad?  Habakkuk continues with the following:

5 “Indeed, because he transgresses by wine,He is a proud man,And he does not stay at home. Because he enlarges his desire as hell, And he is like death, and cannot be satisfied, He gathers to himself all nations And heaps up for himself all peoples. 6 “Will not all these take up a proverb against him, And a taunting riddle against him, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases What is not his — how long? And to him who loads himself with many pledges’? 7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. 8 Because you have plundered many nations, All the remnant of the people shall plunder you, Because of men’s blood And the violence of the land and the city, And of all who dwell in it. ( Habakkuk 2:5-8)

Actually, with an admitted debt of nearly $19 trillion dollars and plans to increase that much further, the USA has increased pledges more than any nation in the history of the planet, especially considering that it keeps running trade deficits. And on a per capita basis, the United Kingdom is one of the most indebted nations on the earth itself.

Since the above prophecy in Habakkuk will be fulfilled at the time of the end (cf. “The message was true, but the appointed time was long…in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come”, Daniel 10:1,14). Daniel 8:19, 11:27,29,35 uses the same Hebrew term for “appointed time” as Habakkuk 2:3, while Daniel 10, using a different term, ties the latter days to the time in Daniel 8:19. Habakkuk 2 was not fulfilled in its entirety anciently. Also, it makes little sense that Habakkuk would be directed towards the modern nation of Israel as it does not have enemy creditors. It must be a nation or group of nations with some prominence at the appointed time of the end. As far as “violence of the land” as a contributing factor, this would seem to include crime, military missions, and perhaps riots/civil unrest, but might it also include promotion of violent sports?

Deflationary pressures have allowed many in the US government to improperly conclude that increasing debt has minimal consequences.  They are wrong.

As far Europe goes, Europe does not have to be debt-free, but only perceived as less risky than the USA for the situation to change for Europe.

While deflation tends to increase the value of currencies, inflation has the opposite affect. In time, the USA will face massive devaluation of its dollar and there will be hyperinflation that will rival other major ones in history.

Does the USA have any hope?

Yes, national repentance:

14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14)

The Bible points out that the descendants of Jacob and Joseph are God’s people (Psalm 77:15; see also Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel). But, instead of repenting, the USA has been pushing a pro-homosexual, pro-abortion, pro-violence, and pro-debt message.  The shock that will come to the USA and the rest of the world (Revelation 13:4) will not just be the end of the USA’s financial dominance, but the end of it militarily (Daniel 11:39).

While the Bible shows that Europe will also eventually be punished for what it will do to the USA (e.g. Isaiah 10:12), the Bible shows that the USA will be punished first (Isaiah 10:5-11; see also Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel).

Another thing that Money and Markets has seemingly overlooked is that the USA will be hit by more of the ‘sorrows’ that Jesus prophesied in Matthew 24:4-8 (cf. Jeremiah 30:5-7) BEFORE the start of the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21).

This will weaken the USA economically enough, that sorrows (Matthew 24:4-8) plus debt (Habakkuk 2:6-8) plus the rise of European military technology (Revelation 13:4; see also European Technology and the Beast of Revelation) will lead to the end of the USA (Daniel 11:39) and lead to world economic dominance by the Europeans for a time (Revelation 13:16-18; 18:15).

This is a much more severe shock than most believe is possible.

The solution to the problems in the USA and Europe is not investments in the dollar of the USA–which will one day fail–but the Kingdom of God.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Collapse of the Euro and Dollar? War in 2020? Larry Edelson of Money and Markets described aspects of current economic difficulties and explained why he felt matters would get a lot worse. He said war, like World War III, could break out as early as 2020. What did he call the ‘granddaddy of all cycles”? Will matters go as he said? What does the Bible teach? Dr. Thiel provides biblical insights that secular sources often miss. This is a video.
Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word What is the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work.
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2016, 2017, or 2018? 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 2016 o 2017? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives. A shorter video is: Can the Great Tribulation Start in 2016?
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 Who is 666? This article explains how the COG views this, and compares this to Ellen White. Here is a link to a prophetic video Six Financial Steps Leading to 666?
The Mark of Antichrist What is the mark of Antichrist? What have various ones claimed? Here is a link to a related sermon What is the ‘Mark of Antichrist’?
Mark of the Beast What is the mark of the Beast? Who is the Beast? What have various ones claimed the mark is? What is the ‘Mark of the Beast’?
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? What about WWIV? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2023 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up?
The Snowden Leaks are Leading to the Destruction of the USA Can what happened with the leaks of what the NSA has done help the USA to be taken over? What does the Bible teach that seems to be related to this? Here is a related YouTube video titled Are the Snowden NSA leaks leading to the destruction of the USA?
Project Prophecy: Economic Collapse Starting in 2015? Jim Rickards once worked for the CIA and also was once part of a a USA government program called called ‘Project Prophecy.’ He has a video were he claims that starting in 2015, the USA may have economic collapse resulting in a 25-Year Great Depression. He mainly cites debt figures and claims advises alternatives to the USA dollar which he says will collapse? What did Rand Paul state? Can the USA dollar collapse?
Market Collapse then New World Order in 2015? A long-time financial adviser named Harvey Organ claims that claims that because of insufficient gold in the central banks of USA and UK, that Shanghai would bring about exposing this and that this would lead to a massive, overnight, rise in the price of gold and silver, diminished value of their currencies. He states a market collapse will occur before the end of 2014, that the petroyuan will replace the petrodollar, and that a Chinese led New World Order will be in place for 2015. Is this possible? Where does the leader of the ‘New World Order’ come from? What does the Bible teach?
The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? What do economists and the Bible teach about gold? Gold and silver may drop in value. Inflation/deflation? What do Christians need to know about gold?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
When You Sin: Do You Really Repent? This is an article by Charles F. Hunting. A related sermon is Confess to God and truly repent.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near? A related sermon is titled The Millennium.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

Valentine Postcard (1910)

COGwriter

Some time back, a reader sent the following, which I would like to post again:

February 10, 2014

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend and I have been together for 2 1/2 years, living together for two. He says Valentine’s Day is a made-up holiday to get people to spend money. I told him every holiday is geared toward people spending money.I find myself feeling angry and hurt that I’m not receiving anything for Valentine’s Day. He never buys cards or flowers for me. How do I communicate to him that this is important to me without making things worse? — CRAVING A LITTLE ROMANCEDEAR CRAVING: Your boyfriend may be cheap, but he also has a point. According to a report on npr.org, the celebration of Valentine’s Day started in ancient Rome and contains elements of both Christian and pre-Christian religions. In the third century A.D., two men named Valentine were executed by the emperor Claudius II in different years on Feb. 14, and a few hundred years later, a pope (Gelasius I) combined St. Valentine’s Day with Lupercalia — a fertility feast — to replace the pagan ritual. (Research this online if you wish, because I found it fascinating.) The holiday didn’t become romanticized until the Renaissance.

That said, allow me to point out that there are few things more unpleasant than feeling forced to give someone a gift.

‘Abby’ had several helpful points that all should consider. The woman that wrote her the question, should also consider the following scripture:

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

Her lust for the things of the world is not Christian.

Valentine’s Day has pagan origins with direct ties to idolatry. All who profess Christ should consider what the Bible teaches about such practices:

29 When the LORD your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, 30 take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ 31 “You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. 32 Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it (Deuteronomy 12:29-32, NKJV).

2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe (Jeremiah 10:2-3, KJV).

Notice also want the New Testament teaches:

…abstain from things offered to idols (Acts 15:29, NKJV).

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. (2 Corinthians 6:14-16)

9 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. (1 Corinthians 10:19-21)

But because most who profess Christianity do not heed these warnings, they are disobeying God’s instructions. You can also watch a short YouTube video about this titled Should Christians Observe Valentine’s Day? or a longer, more complete sermon titled Valentine’s Day, Christianity, and Islam.

None who profess Christ should observe this February 14th “holiday”–it simply is not a Christian holiday.

For more information, please consider studying the following:

Valentine’s Day: Its Real Origins Christianity Today suggests that Valentine’s Day is good for Christians to observe. Is this true? There is also a YouTube titled Should Christians Observe Valentine’s Day? and a longer, more complete sermon titled Valentine’s Day, Christianity, and Islam.
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
Are the Ten Commandment Still in Effect? This article quotes the ten commandments and combines some of the previous articles into one article about the ten commandments. The commandments are shown at Mount Sinai, before Mount Sinai, in the teachings of Jesus, after the crucifixion, and in the teachings of Paul. It addresses the most common “traditions of men” regarding them as well.
Were the Pharisees Condemned for Keeping the Law or Reasoning Around it? Many believe that the Pharisees were condemned for keeping the law, but what does your Bible say? If they were not condemned for that, what were they condemned for?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.
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?
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.

COGwriter

Today, US President Barack Obama gave some comments about his views on him being president:

January 24, 2016

Eight years ago, candidate Barack Obama was campaigning for President, and our Lee Cowan was covering him. PRESIDENT Barack Obama has just under a year to go before leaving office, and he was in a reflective mood when Lee spoke with him in Detroit last Wednesday:

“It is such an extraordinary privilege to have this job,” said President Barack Obama, who added, “Look, there are times where you get tired. There are times where you’re frustrated.”

“That you wonder why you did this?” asked Cowan.

“Absolutely. And yet, there has not been a day that I have not walked into the Oval Office and understood that at no point in my life will I ever have the chance to do as much good and make as much of a difference in the lives of people as I do right now.

“And that’s precious. And so I’m going to try to squeeze every last little bit of good work that I can while I still have the chance.” http://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-looks-back-upon-his-presidency-and-beyond/

In a sermon I gave yesterday (watch Proverbs 16-17: Accept God’s Instructions), I noted that the Book of Proverbs teaches:

2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits. (Proverbs 16:2)

Barack Obama believes he is trying to do every “good work” that he can.  Like nearly everyone, in his own mind he is doing right. But he really does not understand the ramifications of several of his actions and policies.

Consider that the Book of Proverbs also teaches:

25 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 16:25)

Barack Obama and his Administration have pushed the LGBT agenda on the USA and other nations. This will not end well (cf. Romans 1:18-32).

The Bible teaches “be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).

The amount of admitted USA debt has nearly doubled during Barack Obama’s term of office and is expected to by the time his second term ends.

As far as international matters go, perhaps all should consider that it would seem that many in Libya, Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq believe their lives have dramatically worsened because of his policies of the last seven years. Many do not believe he has done a good work (watch also 2016: The State of the Apocalypse).

Regular readers of this page are aware that since his election in November 2008, I have written that Barack Obama was apocalyptic.  At risk of repeat, here are some of the items I later listed in my book Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term:

17 Reasons Why Barack Obama is Apocalyptic

The last book of the Bible is referred to as “Revelation” or the Apocalypse (the Greek term which means revealing, and this was given to the Apostle John on the island of Patmos, per Revelation 1:9). For purposes of this section, we will use the term “apocalyptic” to mean related to events that lead to the end-time events prophesied in the Bible.

Although Barack Obama is not, and will not, be the final Antichrist (see chapter 3), there are reasons to believe that the rising of the prophesied final ten-horned beast power (Revelation 13:1) and the destruction of the United States will take place under the Obama administration if it lasts two full terms (eight years). And this destruction is likely to include terrorism and partial nuclear devastation.

Catholic Cardinal Stafford (while head of the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See [i]) claimed that Barack Obama was “aggressive, disruptive, and apocalyptic.“ Notice what he reported in November 2008:

Barack Obama… asserted, “We are not only going to win this election but also we are going to transform this nation………The first thing I will do as President is to sign The Freedom of Choice Act……..I put Roe at the center of my lesson plan on reproductive freedom when I taught Constitutional Law………..On this issue I will not yield..”… The content and rhetoric of Obama and Biden have elements similar to those described earlier: aggressive, disruptive and apocalyptic…My use of the word “apocalyptic” would be emphatically biblical, rooted in the understanding of the Book of the Apocalypse.[ii]

Here are seventeen specific reasons indicating that President Barack Obama is “apocalyptic”:

1. The timing of his election. It may be that only two or so presidential terms are left before the start of the Great Tribulation and the fulfillment of related prophecies in the Book of Revelation (called the Apocalypse by some Catholics). Barack Obama’s very presence (as well as his planned and unplanned actions) should be enough to enable the fulfillment of various end-time prophecies.
2. As one with a Luo Kenyan father, Barack Obama may be part of the fulfillment of Deuteronomy 28:43.
3. Since the Roe vs. Wade decision in 1973, the U.S.A. switched from being a creditor nation and instead has become the greatest debtor nation in the history of humankind—perhaps this is resulting in a biblical curse? Because the U.S.A. owes alien nations trillions of dollars, it appears that the curse in Deuteronomy 28:44 of having to borrow from aliens is happening now. President Barack Obama has put forth economic policies that will (for at least several years) greatly increase that debt and ultimately interest rates—this is something that the U.S.A. will not truly be able to afford. Increasing national debt will lead to destruction at the appointed time of the end (Habakkuk 2:3–8). Others will not be able to reverse enough of the debt to stop Habakkuk 2:3-8 from being fulfilled.
4. Barack Obama has often pledged increased cooperation with the Europeans. And while cooperation is normally a good thing, this particular cooperation is leading to the rise of the prophesied King of the North, who is to be the final leader of the Beast of Revelation (Revelation 13:1). Unlike previous U.S. administrations, President Obama’s administration has declared that it will encourage and support increases in Europe’s own military, far beyond what Presidents Bush or Clinton were willing to consider.[iii] These policies are helping enable the rise of the King of the North/Beast power who will be in league with the final Antichrist.
5. Barack Obama has called for increased dialogue with those considered enemies of the U.S.A. As mentioned earlier, even some Shi’ite Muslims believe that his presidency may lead to the rise of their Mahdi who seems to be the same person that the Bible calls the King of the South. An Egyptian magazine (Rose El-Youssef) claims that several members of the Muslim Brotherhood have infiltrated the Obama Administration.[iv] Even if that is not the case, Barack Obama’s political support of groups associated with the mainly Sunni Muslim Brotherhood will help lead to the formation of the final King of the South of Bible prophecy, even if he takes steps that many in the Islamic world disagree with.
6. Because of domestic economic concerns and international pressures, Barack Obama is shifting priorities away from defense spending,[v] while encouraging the Europeans to increase their military might.[vi] This trend is expected to continue, and will help lead to the destruction of the United States, when the Europeans are ready and the U.S.A. is not (more on the reduction in relative U.S. nuclear power under Barack Obama is shown in Appendix A).
7. Instead of completely strengthening the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS), Barack Obama’s Administration instead decided to rely on Europe’s upcoming Galileo “GPS” for part of the U.S.A.’s military defense.[vii] This would appear to give the rising European power a unique offensive and defensive capability against the U.S.A. (cf. Daniel 11:39; Revelation 13:3-4). It is dangerous to have a potential enemy control portions of one’s military communications systems.
8. Instead of increasing the U.S.A.’s role in particle collider technology, similar to some previous administrations, Barack Obama’s Administration has greatly weakened that. So much so, there is only one remaining U.S. particle accelerator and it is at risk of being gutted or shut down.[viii] This is an area where Europe has clearly gained the lead over the U.S.A. since Barack Obama became president.
9. Barack Obama’s debt and other economic policies are setting the United States up for food inflation and eventual food shortages. Food inflation is prophesied to occur in the Bible in Revelation 6:5-6.
10. Barack Obama broke a campaign pledge about requiring that genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) in foods be labeled.[ix] And while he at some point in time may change on this, the fact is that he has taken steps to encourage the production and use of GMO “foods” (cf. Isaiah 55:2).[x] Increased reliance on GMOs by the United States puts the nation at major risk for nearly complete crop failures. The Bible warns that famines (Matthew 24:7) and food shortages (Revelation 6:5-6) are coming and Barack Obama has further helped set the stage for this.
11. Barack Obama has made a variety of “class warfare” comments.[xi] Increased civil unrest is coming to the U.S.A. and Barack Obama has helped fan the flames for this—even if he is not re-elected. And although his Administration has sometimes encouraged and/or accommodated the Occupy movement,[xii] it and/or groups like it have and likely will turn against him and future administrations.
12. In 2009, President Obama actually claimed, “the only measure of my success as president when people look back five years from now or nine years from now is going to be, did I get this economy fixed?…I’m going to be judged on, have we pulled ourselves out of recession?”[xiii] The God of the Bible expects leaders to encourage repentance and moral behaviors when they are subject to destructive punishment (cf. Jonah 3:6-9). Barack Obama, like many other U.S. presidents before him, does not seem to believe that the U.S.A. needs to repent for its sins against God, his policies seem to be focused on not relying on God. Yet, without national repentance, the U.S.A. is doomed for destruction (Isaiah 30:12-13; Daniel 11:39). Of course, people are supposed to pray for political leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-3), and that should be done irrespective if one agrees with the leader. Sometimes, leaders and/or their policies change.
13. The Bible tells of having the gates of enemies as a blessing (Genesis 24:60). Losing sea gates would be consistent with being an end time curse. Barack Obama seems to be the first president in U.S. history to significantly back giving the “sea gate” of the Falkland Islands to Argentina, which is a position in dramatic opposition to the residents of the Falklands.[xiv]
14. By focusing too much on threats from China and almost always considering the Europeans as allies, Barack Obama has helped put Australia at risk from China[xv] and the U.S.A. from Europe.
15. Various regulations from the Obama Administration are contributing to an environment of self-censorship and government censorship. A “famine” of the word is prophesied (Amos 8:11) and the Obama Administration may impose broadcast, print, Internet, and/or restrictions.
16. By encouraging and not discouraging aspects of immorality (such as abortion and homosexual unions), Barack Obama is setting the U.S.A. up for punishment (Isaiah 30:12-13; Romans 1:18-32) that has and will include troubles, violence, weather problems, earthquakes, food shortages, and pestilences (Mark 13:7-8; Luke 21:10-11). Despite some changes, these problems will worsen.
17. On May 23 2012, Barack Obama claimed to see an end to the wars of the past decade and then said ”Now, we can see the light of a new day on the horizon.”[xvi] This sounds a lot like New-Age double-speak for declaring being at the dawn of an age of peace. The Bible warns repeatedly that false declarations of peace will lead to end time destruction (1 Thessalonians 5:3; Jeremiah 6:14-15).

Habakkuk 2 makes clear that at the appointed time of the end, a great borrowing people will be destroyed (Habakkuk 2:3-8). Something similar is in Deuteronomy 28:42-51. No nation in the history of humankind has ever accumulated as much debt as the United States of America (because the U.K. may have close to the highest amount of per capita debt,[xvii] its fate would seem to be similar). Yet, the relationship between debt accumulation and prophesied destruction remains unapparent to many.

And although President Obama inherited a debt-laden nation, his policies, according to his own public pronouncements, have lead and will continue to lead to greatly increased U.S.A. debt. These increases of debt are likely to continue past the point of no return and become one of the final factors that will cause creditors to rise up and destroy the U.S.A.

It seems clear that during his presidency, Barack Obama has been an apocalyptic enabler in the sense that his policies are helping lead to the rise of the prophesied final Kings of the North and South that Daniel 11 discusses, while weakening the U.S.A. militarily, morally, economically, and agriculturally. Nothing from his administration thus far suggests that he will call for meaningful massive repentance and turning back to God.

Therefore, President Obama (who is now U.S.A. President and perhaps will be until 2017) is apocalyptic.

Of course, it is not only the United States that needs repentance as God “now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30).

References

[i] Cardinal Stafford criticizes Obama as ‘aggressive, disruptive and apocalyptic’. Catholic News Agency. Nov 17, 2008. http://catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=14355 viewed 03/01/09

[ii] Stafford, Cardinal James Francis. Cardinal’s Address to Catholic University of America, November 13, 2008. Catholic News Agency. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/document.php?n=780 viewed 03/01/09

[iii] Gardiner N. Barack Obama will back a federal Europe. Telegraph, March 18, 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/5005351/Barack-Obama-will-back-a-federal-Europe.html viewed 03/20/09; O’Donnel J. U.S. ready to back bigger EU stability fund-source. Reuters, December 1, 2010; DJW. Media Roundup: Barack gives Angie a push. The Local, June 8, 2011

[iv] Moore A. Egyptian mag affirms Brotherhood infiltration of White House

Claims 6 American Muslims have strong influence on U.S. policy. World News Daily, January 3, 2013

[v] Bender B. Gates readies big cuts in weapons. Boston Globe, March 17, 2009 http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/03/17/gates_readies_big_cuts_in_weapons/ viewed 03/18/09

[vi] Carmichael L. Europe Needs to Invest in Defense Too: U.S. Defense News, February 4, 2012

[vii] U.S. and the EU to collaborate on the usage of Global Navigation Satellite Systems. Wire Update, BNO News, July 31, 2010

[viii] Matson J. Nuclear Decelerator: Last U.S. Particle Collider is on Chopping Block. Scientific American, August 24, 2012

[ix] Philpott T. Obama’s broken promise on GMO Food Labeling. Mother Jones, October 6, 2011

[x] Anderman RH. Obama Deregulates GMO Crops Despite Supreme Court Injunction. Tikkun, June 2, 2011; Huff EA. The Obama administration love affair with GMOs is selling America down the river for agricultural ruin. Natural News, August 21, 2011

[xi] e.g. Obama B. Transcript: President Obama delivers State of the Union speech. CNN, January 24, 2012

[xii] Chiaramonte P. White House told authorities not to crack down on ‘Occupy’ protesters, documents show. FoxNews.com, August 8, 2012

[xiii] Obama discusses Daschle, the economy. CNN, AC 360, February 3, 2009. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/03/obama.qanda/?iref=hpmostpop viewed 03/01/09

[xiv] Berger J. Obama Administration Backs Argentina Over U.K. in Falklands Dispute. FoxNews.com, June 10, 2011

[xv] Obama addresses troops at final stop in Australia. New York Times, November 17, 2011; Wen P. Chinese Official: its us or America. National Times, May 16, 2012

[xvi] Nakamura D. Obama touts American exceptionalism, end of wars in Air Force graduation speech. Washington Post, May 23, 2012

[xvii] Conway E. Britain showing signs of heading towards 1930s-style depression, says Bank. Telegraph, March 16, 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/recession/4996994/Britain-showing-signs-of-heading-towards-1930s-style-depression-says-Bank.html viewed 03/31/09

Because of USA debt and government policies under Barrack Obama, the USA has been shifting its spending priorities away from various aspects of its military and more towards social programs. Additionally, because of social views, the US government is more and more focused on ‘gender’ and sexual issues in the military, as opposed to the mission of defending the USA.

Beliefs in the Islamic world, combined with US policies under Barack Obama in the Middle East and North Africa made it possible for the group calling itself the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) to rise up. The USA has been directly involved in Iraq for decades and Syria for years, and the result we now see is an internationally-active terrorist organization controlling large amounts of territory in both of those countries. Additionally, the Islamic State has made terrorist attacks in the USA, Europe, Libya, Turkey, and elsewhere.

Because of terrorist concerns, US policy is also encouraging the rise of the biblical King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43). We are getting closer to this time. And while the Bible shows that the King of the South will be defeated, it also shows someone else gets defeated first:

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

Since the USA (and to a lessor degree its Anglo-Saxon descended allies) possesses the ‘strongest fortresses’ in the 21st century, we are getting closer to a time when the USA will be defeated militarily and taken over.

Because of matters involving Russia and Ukraine, as well as the threat from terrorists, the Europeans are taking steps to develop their technologies and military (see European Technology and the Beast of Revelation). While they are NOT there yet, a lot of terrorist actions within the past year or so is starting to galvanize more in Europe to decide that it cannot rely on the USA for many of its defense concerns. The Bible tells that the world will marvel once a militarily successful Europe rises up (Revelation 13:1-4). This is getting closer.

Increased debt as well as public acceptance of sexual immorality, pornography, and the LGBT agenda will end in destruction:

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

7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 7)

Even though we saw that the abortion-providing group Planned Parenthood getting caught selling baby parts last year, instead of being shut down, it was defended by people like Barack Obama, and received further Congressional funding. Ever since the USA moved to allow abortion, it went from being the world’s largest creditor nation to the world’s largest debtor nation. That is not coincidental in my view (see also Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose).

We have seen odd and severe weather the past several years. This, too, is consistent with end time biblical prophecies related to the end. Specifically, the time called the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:4-8), which is followed by the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21). While many, like the Vatican (see Laudato Si: Pope’s Agenda or Kingdom of God?) and the United Nations (see United Nations: Humankind’s Last Hope or New World Order?) look at economic reasons for climate change, they fail to see that it is rejection of many of God’s laws that are the cause and that what they are doing would lead to destruction of the planet if Jesus did not intervene.

Many, like Barack Obama, seem to feel that condoning various sins is not a problem.

But the Bible teaches otherwise.

The State of the Apocalypse is that we are getting to the time that Jesus called the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21).

The world needs the return of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God . Yet, since relatively few really believe that (and Barack Obama certainly does not), we will have to go through the apocalyptic times the Bible warns about.

Some items of possibly related interest include:

2016: The State of the Apocalypse What is the current ‘State of the Apocalypse’?  Have things gotten better in the USA over the past seven or eight years? The Barack Obama Administration says it has improved.  The presidential candidates for both major political parties say they will improve the USA–but can they?  Are we getting closer to the Great Tribulation of the Apocalypse and Matthew 24?  What are we seeing that aligns with that? Does increasing USA debt matter? This is a video.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
The 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 sermons Why Teach the Kingdom of God? and The Gospel of the Kingdom.
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught? For a more detailed discussion of the first four commandments, please see the video The Ten Commandments: Loving God. For a more detailed discussion of the last six commandments, please see: The Ten Commandments: Loving Your Neighbor. Here is a link to a related article in Mandarin Chinese 十条诫命显示爱，违反诫命的就是邪恶的
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
When You Sin: Do You Really Repent? This is an article by Charles F. Hunting. A related sermon is Confess to God and truly repent.
Living as a Christian: How and Why? In what ways do Christians live differently than others. What about praying, fasting, tithing, holy days, and the world? There is also a YouTube video related to that also called: Living as a Christian: How and Why?
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.
Can you see the ‘Handwriting on the Wall’? Thousands of years ago, King Belshazzar saw a hand appear at a big party he was hosting. The hand wrote Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin. Shortly after the Prophet Daniel explained it, his empire was taken over and King Belshazzar died. Is this applicable today? Are there signs right before our eyes that show that the end is coming to the United States and its Anglo-descended allies. Do abortions, sexual immorality, celebrity pornography, and increased debt mean anything? What does the Bible show?
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?
Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? Has the Roman Catholic Church allowed abortions? What about the real Church of God? Some may also, or instead, wish to view the YouTube video Abortion, the Bible, and US Debt.
Cross-dressing and other assaults against your children. What should you do? Is there an agenda to turn your children and/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on? There is also a YouTube video on this, titled Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children.
The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality? Can homosexuals change?
Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? Has the Roman Catholic Church allowed abortions? What about the real Church of God? Some may also, or instead, wish to view the YouTube video Abortion, the Bible, and US Debt.
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?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-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.

Snowfall in Watertown, Massachusetts (Aria1561)

COGwriter

The BBC has referred to it as “#snowmageddon2016” (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35392022).  Here is information from USA sources:

January 24, 2016

Millions of people in the eastern United States are digging out their cars and homes on Sunday after two relentless days of snow that will enter the history books as one of the largest snowstorms on record.

The snow tapered off overnight around Washington, D.C., where many areas near the capital received more than 60 centimeters of snow. Blizzard conditions meant visibility was extremely low on the area’s nearly deserted streets for much of Saturday. Authorities closed roads, including major highways, as well as the subway system and airports.

Further up the coast, the National Weather Service said New York City’s Central Park recorded at least 64 centimeters of snow. Authorities there lifted a travel ban early Sunday morning that had limited the movement of the area’s 8.4 million residents since Saturday. All public transportation was suspended as Broadway canceled performances, museums closed and shops were shuttered.

Up to 85 million people were in the storm’s path, and hundreds of thousands were without power while thousands more were stranded after the storm paralyzed street, rail and airline traffic along the U.S. East Coast. …

With snow forecast to continue until the early hours of Sunday, weather services predicted the storm could bring snowfall to rival the biggest blizzards on record. Residents were warned to stay indoors as winds intensified to 80 kilometers per hour, and higher, creating near whiteout conditions and making travel even more hazardous.

At least 17 people have already died from Georgia to New England. States of emergency were declared in at least 10 states. In Kentucky, authorities opened emergency shelters along a major interstate highway, where motorists had been stranded for at least 10 hours.

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake urged residents to stay indoors, saying roads were very dangerous. She told CNN that the steady snow plus heavy winds were a problem.

Flooding on Jersey shore 

High tides from the Atlantic washed through the streets of towns along the New Jersey Shore, mixing with snow and pooling in driveways Saturday, though a bigger concern was snowfall at a rate of 7 centimeters an hour in some places and very low visibility, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said.

Some southern areas of the state saw significant flooding. Christie said 90,000 power outages had been reported, but there were shelters for people affected. He urged residents to say inside. …

States of emergency

At least nine people have already died from Georgia to New England, with six reported dead in car crashes due to icy roads in North Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee. States of emergency were declared in at least 10 states. In Kentucky, authorities opened emergency shelters along a major interstate highway, where motorists had been stranded for at least 10 hours.

Jonas could be one of Washington’s 10 worst storms in recorded history, according to forecasters. Ahead of the storm, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a state of emergency and closed local schools Friday. “This has life-and-death implications, and all the residents of the District of Columbia should treat it that way,” said Bowser.

Federal government offices in the city shut down. Authorities even took the rare step of closing the entire D.C. Metro public transit system. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-east-coast-prepares-for-major-snow-storm/3157372.html

The storm was named “Jonas” and World News Daily reported that some thought that the name was significant:

WASHINGTON – It’s being called Snow-pocalypse here in the nation’s capital.

And some biblical prophecy watchers think the name may be apt.

It’s not so much that it signals the end of the world or will create such havoc for central Atlantic states that residents think it is doomsday.

But many see megastorm Jonas as a kind of signal from God, part of a long-standing pattern of corrections from the Creator of the universe for the U.S. whenever it seeks to divide the land of Israel or hurt the nation the Bible says is “the apple of His eye.” …

Bill Koenig, author of the 2004 book, “Eye to Eye: Facing the Consequences of Dividing Israel,” sees biblical significance in both the name of the blizzard and the timing.

“The name Jonas means ‘gift of God,’” Koenig points out.

He sees an extremely strained relationship between Israel and Barack Obama’s administration as relevant to the timing and magnitude of the storm.

“Obama heralded the Iran deal Saturday, Jan. 16, from the White House as a major foreign policy achievement, which now releases billions of dollars to the number one state sponsor of terror in the world and Israel’s greatest threat,” Koenig told WND. http://www.wnd.com/2016/01/is-d-c-megastorm-jonas-a-gift-of-god/#AfubyIdiE0I8dK2p.99

I would suggest that if this particular storm “Jonas” was a punishment for a recent action, it was more likely a punishment for US Vice President Biden’s promotion of the LGBT agenda at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday (see World Economic Forum: Concerned about economic panic, information technology, and Brexit, while VP Biden pushes the LGBT agenda) as opposed to the lifting of sanctions related to the Iranian deal.

Why?

Because the Bible does ties aspects of the LGBT agenda in with weather punishments (cf. Amos 4:7-12).  Plus the Bible teaches that God will remove “the protection from Judah” (the nation currently called Israel) and perhaps allow the Iranians to damage it (cf. Isaiah 22:6-8; see also Iran in Prophecy).

Scripture is clear that God controls the weather and sometimes provides extreme weather for correction. And that includes snowy weather. Notice the following:

5 God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. 6 For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’;… 9 From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind, And cold from the scattering winds of the north. 10 By the breath of God ice is given, And the broad waters are frozen. 11 Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds; He scatters His bright clouds. 12 And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance, That they may do whatever He commands them On the face of the whole earth. 13 He causes it to come, Whether for correction, Or for His land, Or for mercy. (Job 37:5-6, 9-13)

22 “Have you entered the treasury of snow, Or have you seen the treasury of hail, 23 Which I have reserved for the time of trouble, For the day of battle and war? (Job 38:22-23)

The Bible repeatedly warns, especially in the Hebrew scriptures, that various sins will result in destructive weather (see Weather Blessings and Sorrows). Weather is not as random as most seem to want to believe.

Back in 2009, in a book, I mentioned the following was about to happen:

Considering all of the natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, food shortages, and economic problems in the past few years, perhaps this would be a good time to explain that the Bible shows that these problems were expected to occur prior to the great tribulation. Those outside the Bible have sometimes referred to a time such as this as a time of transition or chaos. …

There will be a generation that will experience end-time events, beginning with “sorrows,” including the Great Tribulation, heavenly signs, and finally the return of Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:5-34). …

Mark recorded the same account of this time from his perspective:

³ Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, ⁴ “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” ⁵ And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. ⁶ For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. ⁷ But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. ⁸ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. ⁹ But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. ¹⁰ And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. ¹¹ But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit…” (Mark 13:3–11).

Thus, in both Matthew and Mark it is clear that a time called “the beginning of sorrows” precedes the Great Tribulation.

Notice that in Mark’s account he uses the term troubles. Troubles would seem to include economic and political problems, in addition to those specifically mentioned, such as wars, famines, natural disasters, and pestilences. …

Odd weather patterns result in food shortages and natural disasters.	Matthew 24:7
The world is actually in a berserk transition, as the real age of peace is not yet here. It may be a period of chaos. It is the beginning of sorrows.	Matthew 24:8

(Thiel B. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. Nazarene Books, 2009)

The above was published because it was consistent with Bible prophecy. We have been seeing odd weather patterns and the United Nations and others are concerned about related food shortages.

The Bible ties in practices of Sodom and Gomorrah with weather problems (e.g. Jeremiah 50:38-40). The USA more and more is adopting the homosexual agenda.

God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah for their pride and acceptance of homosexuality.  If the Anglo-nations do not repent of the direction that they are going, they will be overthrown relatively soon (see also Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel).  People who profess to believe the Bible need to take a stand against those who advocate homosexuality and other behaviors that the Bible condemns.

What will happen to the Anglo-lands actually will be worse that what happened to Sodom:

6 The punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people
Is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom,
Which was overthrown in a moment,
With no hand to help her! (Lamentations 4:6)

Why is is worse? Notice:

9 Those slain by the sword are better off Than those who die of hunger; For these pine away, Stricken for lack of the fruits of the field. 10 The hands of the compassionate women Have cooked their own children; They became food for them In the destruction of the daughter of my people. 11 The Lord has fulfilled His fury, He has poured out His fierce anger. He kindled a fire in Zion, And it has devoured its foundations. 12 The kings of the earth,And all inhabitants of the world, Would not have believed That the adversary and the enemy Could enter the gates of Jerusalem — 13 Because of the sins of her prophets And the iniquities of her priests,Who shed in her midst The blood of the just. 14 They wandered blind in the streets; They have defiled themselves with blood, So that no one would touch their garments. 15 They cried out to them,”Go away, unclean!Go away, go away, Do not touch us!”When they fled and wandered, Those among the nations said, “They shall no longer dwell here.” 16 The face of the Lord scattered them; He no longer regards them. The people do not respect the priests Nor show favor to the elders. 17 Still our eyes failed us, Watching vainly for our help; In our watching we watched For a nation that could not save us. 18 They tracked our steps So that we could not walk in our streets. Our end was near; Our days were over, For our end had come. 19 Our pursuers were swifter Than the eagles of the heavens. They pursued us on the mountains And lay in wait for us in the wilderness. 20 The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the Lord, Was caught in their pits, Of whom we said, “Under his shadow We shall live among the nations.” (Lamentations 4:9-20)

The reason that it is worse is that many of the people who survive starve and those that do not will be pursued and forced to become slaves (for more details see Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves?).

Extreme weather, like “snowmageddon” should be a wake-up call to repent.

The warnings from the Bible are going out, but many will ignore them. Will you?

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done? What does the Bible teach about weather? What about floods, droughts, heat, earthquakes, tornadoes, and solar storms? Here is a related YouTube video Does God Use Weather? A related item in the Spanish language would be Bendiciones y maldiciones del clima.
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 related YouTube video titled Iran In Prophecy.
The Bible, Christians, and the Environment How should Christians view the environment? Does the Bible give any clues? What are some of the effects of air, water, and land pollution? Is environmental pollution a factor in autism and death? Do pollutants seem to double the autism risk? What will Jesus do? A YouTube video is available titled Air Pollution, Autism, and Prophecy.
Cross-dressing and other assaults against your children.  What should you do? Is there an agenda to turn your children and/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on?  There are also two YouTube videos related to this, titled Transgender ‘Woe to those who call evil good’ and Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children.
The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality?  Can homosexuals change? A related video sermon is titled: What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?
Pornography: A scourge on society Is pornography harmless fun? Does the Bible teach anything about it? What are the views of some involved with it? Here is a link to a YouTube video Pornography: Harmless Fun or a Scourge on Society?
When You Sin: Do You Really Repent? This is an article by Charles F. Hunting. A related sermon is Confess to God and truly repent.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2016, 2017, or 2018? 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 2016 o 2017? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives. A shorter video is: Can the Great Tribulation Start in 2016?
Can those in the USA/UK see the Handwriting on the Wall? Is everything fine in the USA/UK or is it like the days of Noah? Can we learn from the handwriting that appeared on a wall thousands of years ago? Here is a link to a related YouTube video Can you see the ‘Handwriting on the Wall’?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin?

COGwriter

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

21:46

DNB Norway logo

COGwriter

Norway’s largest bank wants Norway to go cashless:

January 23, 2106

Norway’s largest bank has called for the country to go totally cashless over fears of illegal activity.

DNB has said 60 per cent of Norwegian cash usage is out of government control and is being used in money laundering schemes and black market deals.

Executive vice president Trond Bentestuen told VG there is approximately 50 billion kroner in circulation with the central Norges Bank only being able to account for 40 per cent of its use.

He added:”That means that 60 per cent of money usage is outside of any control.

“We think much of it revolves around the black economy and money laundering.

“There are so many dangers and disadvantages associated with cash, we have concluded that it should be phased out.” http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/noways-biggest-bank-dnb-calls-for-the-end-of-cash-a6828796.html

January 22, 2106

DNB and Norway’s second largest bank, Nordea, have already stopped using cash in their branch offices. And the movement toward a goal of no cash has been going on for a while. The Norwegian Hospitality Association pushed to eliminate consumers’ rightto pay cash at all stores and restaurants in 2013, The Local reported.

Other countries including Denmark and Sweden have made similar pushes as their populations also rely largely on electronic money. http://www.ibtimes.com/norways-biggest-bank-calls-country-stop-using-cash-2276140

Notice that DNB’s executive vice president says this is ABOUT CONTROL. The idea that some people are interested in privacy as well as the reality that there are often problems with electronic forms of payment (credit card errors, power outages, lack of electronic accepting merchants, etc.) seems to be something not being seriously considered.

Are governments around the world moving towards eliminating cash to have ‘cashless’ societies? Notice also something that came out last month:

Are You Safe from the War on Cash?

Governments are waging a war on cash… Although you won’t hear it in the mainstream media, many world governments want to eliminate paper cash. Governments hate paper cash because it’s hard to track. Electronic payments through banks are much easier to monitor and record. Nick Giambruno, editor of Crisis Speculator, has been following this trend closely. The War on Cash is a favorite pet project of the economic central planners. They want to eliminate hand-to-hand currency so that governments can document, control, and tax everything. In just the last few years… Italy made cash transactions over €1,000 illegal; Switzerland proposed banning cash payments in excess of 100,000 francs; Russia banned cash transactions over $10,000; Spain banned cash transactions over €2,500; Mexico made cash payments of more than 200,000 pesos illegal; Uruguay banned cash transactions over $5,000; and France made cash transactions over €1,000 illegal, down from the previous limit of €3,000. Nick went on to explain that the U.S. government imposes restrictions on withdrawing your own cash from the bank. In the U.S., central planners ratchet up the War on Cash every time the government declares a made-up war on something else…a war on crime, a war on drugs, a war on poverty, a war on terror… They all end with more government intrusion into your financial affairs. Thanks to these made-up wars, the U.S. government is imposing an increasing number of regulations on cash transactions. Try withdrawing more than $10,000 in cash from your bank. They’ll treat you like a criminal or terrorist. • We just got the clearest sign yet that paper cash is disappearing… The world’s largest printer of banknotes (paper currency) is cutting production and firing employees. Yesterday, De La Rue (LON: DLAR) announced it will cut its banknote production capacity by 25%. The company is closing half of its production lines and eliminating 300 jobs. De La Rue prints more banknotes than any other company in the world. It produces banknotes for over 150 national currencies, including the British pound sterling. Its stock price is down 20% since mid-April. The company’s CEO said the decision was made to keep the company “in line with the future needs of our global customers.” https://www.caseyresearch.com/articles/are-you-safe-from-the-war-on-cash

I have reported on this move towards cashlessness before from other sources (see, for example, M&M & CNN: European and other governments pushing towards cashless society where 666 can operate).  I also made a video about it: Cashless society in 2016?

The reality is that electronic currency is easier for countries to control and even confiscate.

And it is not only a few governments that want this. Notice that CNN reported that the United Nations is trying to get the world to go cashless:

Even the United Nations, alongside the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, wants societies to forego cash for more virtual transacting. It wants to cut costs and improve transparency, and is working with governments and the private sector to encourage more use of electronic payments. (http://money.cnn.com/2015/06/02/technology/cashless-society-denmark/)

But what about the USA? Well, in California, there already is an electronic welfare card that replaced what are called ‘food stamps.’

For decades the USA has been pushing first to pay its employees, then those who receive various government payments (like social security) electronically.

While the USA does allow cash transactions, it has certain restrictions and reporting requirements related to cash–and it requires banks to report those who might use cash suspiciously. In addition, the USA is getting many banks around the world to comply with its FATCA regulations, which are designed to eliminate any financial privacy around the world (for USA residents and citizens). The pushing of these rules is helping set up a banking monitoring system that the Europeans will also likely use (see also ‘The Coming Death of the Dollar’). The USA, though NOT 666, is helping set the stage for 666.

Notice something about a meeting in Europe a couple of months ago:

20 June 2015

One of the main topics at the Bilderberg Group meeting held last week in Telfs-Buchen, Austria was the idea of promoting a cashless society. It seems like governments in Africa think that a cashless society is a good idea, which is good news for the Bilderberg elite, but really bad news for the rest of us. http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-bilderbergs-cashless-society-proposal-and-rwandas-us-supported-cashless-payment-system/5457032

Might Europe go completely cashless?

It very well might.

Why do I conclude that?

Basically for three reasons.

First, as technology advances, more and more financial transactions are electronic. it makes the idea of eliminating cash feasible.

Second, because of the above people are becoming less tied to cash. Governments will likely also claim that mugging related crimes will be reduced if no one carries cash–governments tend to tell people that their rules help provide them with security, without dwelling on the loss of freedom and privacy.

Third, because of Bible prophecy and the tendency for governments to want to control and monitor more and more, the elimination of cash would assist. In a cashless society where all purchases are made electronically, governments can know everything that everybody buys.

Regular readers of this Church of God News page are aware of the following prophecy:

16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. (Revelation 13:16-18)

It will be a European power that will fulfill the above prophecy of 666. As various ones have reported, we are seeing governments in Europe attempting to force people to no longer use cash. I will also add that even an Deutsch Bank executive is working on a system called to get small vendors in India to take electronic payments (http://yourstory.com/2015/08/ftcash-cashless-transactions/).

We are nearing the time of great distress and more massive financial monitoring. More are publicly calling for it.

The Great Tribulation is coming and actions by the Europeans, the USA, and others are leading to it. It will not be completely in place this year, but steps are being taken.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Cashless society in 2016? Is the world moving towards a cashless society? What are some of the advantages and some of the problems associated with a cashless society? Are there governments planning on implementing steps in 2016 that are encouraging a cashless society? Is the United Nations pushing for this? What about the Bilderberg Group? Are there steps in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Latin America, and North America being taken to move towards cashlessness? Does the Bible tell of a European power that intends to control buying and selling? This is a video.
Alternative to the US Dollar in the Fall of 2015? Is the US dollar about to lose its dominance as the world’s reserve currency? Does the Bible teach anything about that? Could Porter Stansberry be correct that the International Monetary Fund will announce an alternative to the US dollar in the Fall of 2015? Do Does the IMF, European Union, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), and other groups want the US dollar dethroned? Are China and other nations doing something to try to make this happen? A written article of related interest is titled: Stansberry: US dollar replacement to be revealed October 20, 2015? What about 2016?
The ‘Harbinger’ and September 2015 Are you aware of many events that are to happen in 2015? These expected events include the end of military operation Jade Helm, a claimed end to a Shemitah year, Pope Francis speaking before US Congress, Pope Francis speaking before the United Nations, a planned UN proposal to recognize the State of Palestine, and the fourth of four ‘blood moons’ of 2014 & 2015. A written article of related interest is titled: September ‘convergence’: a harbinger of potential disaster?
Project Prophecy: Economic Collapse Starting in 2015? Jim Rickards once worked for the CIA and also was once part of a a USA government program called called ‘Project Prophecy.’ He has a video were he claims that starting in 2015, the USA may have economic collapse resulting in a 25-Year Great Depression. He mainly cites debt figures and claims advises alternatives to the USA dollar which he says will collapse? What did Rand Paul state? Can the USA dollar collapse? This is a video.
Market Collapse then New World Order in 2015? A long-time financial adviser named Harvey Organ claims that claims that because of insufficient gold in the central banks of USA and UK, that Shanghai would bring about exposing this and that this would lead to a massive, overnight, rise in the price of gold and silver, diminished value of their currencies. He states a market collapse will occur before the end of 2014, that the petroyuan will replace the petrodollar, and that a Chinese led New World Order will be in place for 2015. Is this possible? Where does the leader of the ‘New World Order’ come from? What does the Bible teach? This is a video.
The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? What do economists and the Bible teach about gold? Gold and silver may drop in value. Inflation/deflation? What do Christians need to know about gold?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2016, 2017, or 2018? 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 2016 o 2017? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives. A shorter video is: Can the Great Tribulation Start in 2016?
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 Who is 666? This article explains how the COG views this, and compares this to Ellen White. Here is a link to a prophetic video Six Financial Steps Leading to 666?
The Mark of Antichrist What is the mark of Antichrist? What have various ones claimed? Here is a link to a related sermon What is the ‘Mark of Antichrist’?
Mark of the Beast What is the mark of the Beast? Who is the Beast? What have various ones claimed the mark is? What is the ‘Mark of the Beast’?
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?
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? What about WWIV? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2023 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up?
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.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near? A related sermon is titled The Millennium.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.

COGwriter

Dixon Cartwright of The Journal just sent me the following related to CEM’s Ronald Dart:

Hi, Bob.

Ronald L. Dart died this morning, Jan. 23, 2016. Official cause of death was a “prolonged battle with cutaneous T cell lymphoma,” announced CEM office manager Linda Benton. She said he “died peacefully in his sleep.” Mr. Dart had never fully recovered from an injury to his head caused by a fall in 2010.

Ron Dart has had a lot of health issues in the past several years.

Prayers for his wife Allie are requested. Here is another email I received:

Saturday Jan. 23-16

From Allie Dart: Ronald L. Dart died peacefully in his sleep early this Sabbath morning, January 23rd, from a prolonged battle with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. His remarkable gift of clarity and love and understanding of the Bible were devoted to teaching others. Christian Educational Ministries, founded by Ron Dart in 1995, will continue to promote his timeless insights into God’s Word through the Born to Win program, his books, essays and audio messages. He was a gifted speaker and teacher who leaves a legacy of knowledge and understanding of the precious Word of God.

Cards maybe sent to ..

Mrs. Allie Dart

% Christian Educational Ministries
P.O. Box 560
Whitehouse, TX

75791   USA

Ronald Dart was once with WCG, then left with the Garner Ted Armstrong, and later left him and went out on his own (see Teachings of Christian Educational Ministries).

He used to have a fairly large radio presence with his “Born to Win” broadcast.

When I was part of the Global Church of God, I actually contacted his group in order to get some Bible lessons to partially use with our children.  He also used to follow some of what I wrote and posted on the internet.

Unborn baby vs. Lamborghini Miura SVJ Spider

COGwriter

Several videos were released within the last year indicating that people working at Planned Parenthood had been engaged in the harvesting and ultimately selling of human tissues from aborted babies. That is something that is supposed to be a crime in the USA.

US President Obama and his former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both backed Planned Parenthood after the videos came out, the US Congress still continued to fund Planned Parenthood, and Planned Parenthood has remained in the baby-killing business, though it apparently made some changes in its selling of baby-parts business.

Another report has come out demonstrating that another Planned Parenthood facility has been engaged in selling baby parts:

January 22, 2016

A stunning series of undercover videos revealed Planned Parenthood executives negotiating the price of the body parts of unborn babies, with one saying her goal was to buy a Lamborghini.

The executives disclosed they would be willing to alter abortion procedures to obtain specific body parts, even full cadavers.

The problem was that accepting anything more than the cost of processing tissue, as well as changing abortion procedures to obtain organs, is illegal.

The fallout was predictable: Planned Parenthood denied any wrongdoing, and the tissue researchers in the videos denied any involvement in the abortion business.

Newly released public records, however, tell a different story.

The Alliance Defending Freedom said Friday that records show Planned Parenthood’s Wisconsin affiliate “provided researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with the hearts and brains of unborn babies up to 18 weeks old and within five minutes of being aborted.”

That’s “despite the fact that both UW and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin have denied any such exchange.”

“Planned Parenthood has once again demonstrated its willingness to cover up its role in the gruesome baby parts trade,” said ADF Senior Counsel Matt Bowman. “Both Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and UW-Madison publicly denied they had any arrangement to supply baby parts from women undergoing abortion to researchers conducting gruesome experiments, but the documents we obtained prove they were not telling the truth.” http://www.wnd.com/2016/01/baby-body-parts-researchers-lied-about-planned-parenthood-supplies/#cOP8DsOs8ZIjI7Xy.99

January 22, 2016

A shocking new report reveals the Planned parenthood abortion business in Wisconsin lied about and attempted to cover up its sales of body parts of aborted babies. The new report reveals Planned Parenthood sold the hearts and brains of 18-week-old aborted babies to the University of Wisconsin and harvested the body parts just minutes after aborting the babies.

An Alliance Defending Freedom public records request has revealed that Planned Parenthood’s Wisconsin affiliate provided researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison with those body parts despite the fact that both UW and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin have denied any such exchange. The University of Wisconsin was caught last year buying aborted baby body parts from a middleman who purchased them from Planned Parenthood.

The documents ADF obtained through its state records request include forms and letters from the university and its researchers clearly indicating their arrangement with Planned Parenthood to obtain the baby parts, which were used in medical research that resulted in published studies on fetal hearts and fetal brains in 2014.

The revelation comes just days after the Wisconsin state Senate approved two bills that will help further de-fund the Planned Parenthood abortion business in the Badger State. http://www.lifenews.com/2016/01/22/planned-parenthood-sold-hearts-and-brains-of-18-week-old-babies-minutes-after-aborting-them/

Last July, Planned Parenthood basically pushed for a media blackout as it had concerns that politicians and others could turn against it:

July 28, 2015

How bad is the baby organ trafficking story for Planned Parenthood? So bad that the nation’s largest abortion provider has hired a pricey PR firm to bully media outlets into not covering the scandal.

According to Politico, Planned Parenthood hired Democratic megafirm SKDKnickerbocker to handle its public relations effort surrounding the widening organ trafficking scandal. In a series of undercover videos released by the Center for Medical Progress, multiple top Planned Parenthood executives are captured haggling over the prices of aborted baby body parts and discussing ways to maximize money earned through the harvesting and sale of human organs.

Unsurprisingly, preventing coverage of the videos is apparently key to Planned Parenthood’s survival strategy:

Planned Parenthood has hired high-profile Washington public relations firm SKDKnickerbocker as it scrambles to deal with the ongoing scandal and release of a third undercover video Tuesday showing a clinic’s staff handling fetal tissue after an abortion.

The group circulated a memo to reporters and producers late Monday that discouraged them from airing the undercover videos, arguing that they were obtained under false identification and violated patient privacy.

So there’s a concerted effort from Planned Parenthood and it’s allies to “discourage[] [media outlets] from airing the undercover videos”? The deuce, you say? That would certainly go a long way towards explaining why so many left-leaning media outlets refused to cover the second video, which captured a senior Planned Parenthood executive noting that she needed a good deal on aborted baby organs because, “I want a Lamborghini.” http://thefederalist.com/2015/07/28/planned-parenthood-tells-reporters-to-suppress-coverage-reporters-happily-agree/

July 28, 2015

Planned Parenthood has enlisted high-profile Washington public relations firm SKDKnickerbocker as it scrambles to deal with the ongoing scandal and release of a third undercover video Tuesday showing a clinic’s staff handling fetal tissue after an abortion.

The additional PR firepower reflects the growing pressure on the women’s health organization amid building GOP calls to cut its $540 million in government funding. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) earlier this week called to halt Planned Parenthood’s federal funding while Congress investigates whether the organization broke a federal ban on profiting from fetal tissue donation. The Senate plans to hold a vote on a defunding amendment from Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and others that is likely to fail.

SKDKnickerbocker is no newbie to working on Planned Parenthood issues. The Democratically aligned firm is run by well-connected operatives, including Anita Dunn and Hilary Rosen. It also worked with the group during the 2012 election cycle, according to SKDKnickerbocker’s website.

“Planned Parenthood is a longtime client, and we are proud to help them push back against these extremist attacks from people who want to end reproductive health care for women in this country,” a SKDKnickerbocker spokesman said in a statement. http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/planned-parenthood-crisis-communications-firm-video-120725.html#ixzz3hHww6fOx

While there is some media coverage of this, it is getting more limited (this Wisconsin matter did not get a major amount of coverage). Many in the media are either not covering it much or are emphasizing Planned Parenthood’s position.  Something I saw today claimed that only two Planned Parenthood facilities were ever involved in anything like this–but that is not consistent with the videos, and even if it were only two, Planned Parenthood broke at least the intent of US laws.

The time is coming when the truth about many more things will be very hard to find (cf. Amos 8:11-12).

Planned Parenthood insists that it had not broken any laws (despite the fact that they regularly break God’s laws) and that the videos released have been ‘highly edited’ and other claims are exaggerated or rogue employees violating the rules. Regarding that edited video claim, I saw one of the members of the Center for Medical Progress on the news state that the unedited videos were available at their website.

Planned Parenthood has long been in the baby murdering baby business.  It celebrated yesterday’s 43rd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade abortion decision (Planned Parenthood Celebrates 43rd Anniversary Of Roe V. Wade).  It celebrates that millions of unborn babies in the USA have been aborted the past 43 years.

There are terrible consequences for sin, and instead of properly discouraging sexual immorality, encouraging abortion, which Planned Parenthood does, increases the tendency towards sin. This does not bode well for the United States.

The USA, whose founders all had at least some respect for the Bible, should know better.

While Europe, China, and certain other areas also have abortion and other issues, the reality is that the Bible shows that, for a time, they will do much better than the USA. So much so, because the time is coming before their end, when the USA will be no more.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? Has the Roman Catholic Church allowed abortions? What about the real Church of God? Some may also, or instead, wish to view the YouTube video Abortion, the Bible, and US Debt.
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
When You Sin: Do You Really Repent? This is an article by Charles F. Hunting.
Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word What is the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work.
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?  Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests?  Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies. Watch also the YouTube Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Hillary Clinton in Prophecy  Prophecy, Hillary Clinton? Are there prophecies that Hillary Clinton may fulfill?  Are there any prophecies that she has already helped fulfill?  Could Hillary Clinton be apocalyptic?  Could Hillary Clinton be the final Antichrist? A video of related interest is titled Hillary Clinton and Bible Prophecy.
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?

Military cemetery in Estonia

COGwriter

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

1:15:06

Here is a link to the sermon: What really happens after death?

Some items of related interest may include:

What Happens After Death? Is death like sleep, or is that a cultic idea? Can you speak to the dead? A related sermon is titled What really happens after death?
Are The Wicked Tormented Forever or Burned Up? How does one explain Revelation 14:11 in light of Malachi 4:3? What happens to the incorrigibly wicked?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 Rich Man and Lazarus What was Jesus teaching in Luke 16?
Where are Enoch and Elijah? Booklet by the late Dr. Herman Hoeh.
Did Early Christians Teach They Were Going to Heaven? What do the Bible and scholars teach? What about ‘near-death experiences’? Here are links to a related sermons: Heaven and Christianity and It’s not heaven.
What Is the Place that Jesus Is Preparing? Dr. Herman Hoeh wrote this and answered whether the saints go to heaven upon death.
Did the “Thief on the Cross” enter PARADISE immediately? Dr. Herman Hoeh wrote this and answered whether one killed with Jesus entered Paradise before Jesus could have.
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?
Born-Again originally meant being born at the resurrection, not at the time of conversion.
What Did Early Christians Understand About the Resurrections? Is there more than one future resurrection? Did early Christians teach a physical resurrection? Did early Christians teach three resurrections?
Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Will God call everyone? Will everyone have an opportunity for salvation? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account? Related sermon videos include Universal Offer of Salvation I: God is love  and Universal Offer of Salvation II: The Age to Come and the ‘Little Flock’ and Universal Offer of Salvation III: All Are to Know Jesus, But When? and Universal Offer of Salvation IV: Will the Guilty be Pardoned? and Universal Offer of Salvation V: All Israel Will be Saved? A version of the main article was also translated in the Spanish language: Oferta universal de salvación: Hay cientos de versículos en la Biblia que apoyan la verdadera doctrina de la Apocatastasis.
Did the Early Church Teach Purgatory? Is there a place called purgatory? Does God have a plan to help those who did not become saints in this life?
What is Limbo? Is There Such a Place as Limbo? What Happens to Babies When They Die? When did Limbo start being taught? What is the truth about dead babies?
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
CCOG.ORG Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God. To see how CCOG has done so far, here are links to two sermons Continuing Church of God (CCOG) first year anniversary: What has been accomplished? and The Continuing Church of God: Two Years of Proclamation. Here is a written link to a version of that sermon in the Spanish language: Aniversario del primer año de la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios: ¿Qué se ha cumplido?
CCOG.ASIA We in the Continuing Church of God also have the url www.ccog.asia which has a focus on Asia and has various articles in Mandarin Chinese as well as some in English, plus some items in other Asian languages. Here is a link to our Statement of Beliefs in Mandarin Chinese 继续神的教会的信仰声明.
CCOG.IN This is a website targeted towards those of Indian heritage. It has a link to an edited Hindi translation of The Mystery of the Ages and is expected to have more non-English language materials in the future.
CCOG.EU This is a website targeted toward Europe. It has materials in more than one language (currently it has English, Dutch, and Serbian, with links also to Spanish) and it is intended to have additional language materials added.
CCOG.NZ This is a website targeted towards New Zealand and others with a British-descended background.
CCOGCANADA.CA This is a website targeted towards those in Canada.
CDLIDD.ES La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. This is the Spanish language website for the Continuing Church of God.
PNIND.PH Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos. This is the Philippines website Continuing Church of God. It has information in English and Tagalog.
Bible News Prophecy online radio. This is an audio version of the Bible News Prophecy videos as well as some ContinuingCOG channel sermons. It is also available as a mobile app.
ContinuingCOG channel. Dr. Thiel has produced scores of YouTube video sermons for this channel. Note: Since these are sermon-length, they can take a little longer to load than other YouTube videos.