Church of God News

COGwriter

In his booklet, The Seven Laws of Success, the late Herbert W. Armstrong wrote the following related to the sixth law of success:

Importance of Law Number 6

Among the case histories recounted in the beginning pages was that of the president of a major automobile manufacturing corporation. He had utilized the first five of these laws—that is, except he had the usual goal that leads in the wrong direction. Yet in the flash depression of 1920, when he lost his personal fortune, he committed suicide.

This man had reached the point where he was, to all appearances, through! During life he had resourcefully solved emergencies and problems that arose. But now, suddenly, it seemed that everything had been swept from under his feet. Everything he had worked for. Everything he had accumulated. Everything he had set his heart on! There was NOTHING left! He was washed up—finished! So it seemed to him. I never knew his private life.

He gave up! He committed suicide. So near success, yet so far!

Yes, nine in ten, at least once or twice in a lifetime, come to the place where they appear to be totally defeated! All is lost!–`apparently, that is. They give up and quit, when just a little more faith and perseverance—just a little more STICK-TO IT-IVENESS would have turned apparent certain failure into glorious success.

Law number six, then, is PERSEVERANCE—stick-to-it-iveness!

I know! I have reached that point more than once! I, too, had everything swept out from under me in that flash depression of 1920.

I had been making an income, still in my twenties, equivalent to an executive’s salary in today’s dollar value. But some 90 percent of it came from five or six big Midwestern corporations. Most of these great corporations “went under”—that is, they went into “receivers’” hands.

Later, in 1926, an advertising business I had started on the west coast was wiped out from under me by an association decision made in the east. A million-dollar project was dashed to oblivion by the stock-market crash and depression of 1929. But I did not quit or give up living. That was when my life GOAL was changed!

Even the first two years of the operation of Ambassador College stared constant defeat in the face. Nearly everybody thought we were through—we had failed! WHY, they wondered, didn’t I realize it and QUIT? In those days I had to listen to associates around me talking constantly about “when this college folds up.”

But it didn’t fold up! By the year 1949 we got over our first financial hump. Later, the second. Today, I think we may be justified in saying that the college is, indeed, a glorious SUCCESS! And our other operations today are worldwide on a major scale.

Things do not always go as planned. Instead of giving up, Christians should pray and try to persevere when needed.

Perseverance is something the New Testament shows Christians are to develop:

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. (2 Peter 1:2-9)

Consider also Jesus’ words:

12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:12-14)

Many have had their love grow cold and will not properly support the work needed to fulfill Matthew 24:14. Philadelphia Christians need to persevere.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The Seven Laws of Success Herbert W. Armstrong had seven laws that he felt could help people become successful.
Christian Success Does the Bible teach that Christians are to be successful? Are there at least seven laws of success that Christians should follow? How does the Bible teach we are to become successfully spiritually? Does the Bible really teach that Christians should be successful physically? This video answers these questions and more from the Bible. An outline of some of the scriptures used is here: Christian Success Outline.
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?
Why Were You Born? Why did God make you? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject. You may also wish to read the article What is Your Destiny? or watch the video, also titled What is Your Destiny?
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally? There is also a video titled What is the meaning of your life?
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from lower level leaders? A related sermon is available titled Priority of the Philadelphia 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.
Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 teaches “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come ” will be fulfilled and RCG is not the group doing this. Who is leading the final phase of the work? What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets? Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set? What is the proof? What has the Continuing Church of God been doing? This is a sermonette length video.

COGwriter

A reader forwarded me a link to the following:

Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu will visit Moscow on Thursday, April 21 to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and to launch the most important battle of his political career, and one of Israel’s most decisive contests of the last 10 years: the battle over the future of the Golan Heights.
debkafile’s intelligence sources and its sources in Moscow report exclusively that Israel’s top political leaders and military commanders were stunned and shocked last weekend when they found out that US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to support the return of the Golan to Syria. The two presidents gave their top diplomats, Secretary of State John Kerry and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the green light to include such a clause in a proposal being drafted at the Geneva conference on ending the Syrian civil war. …
While Israel was preparing for a diplomatic battle over the future of Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, Obama and Putin decided to deal a diplomatic blow to Israel and Netanyahu’s government on an unexpected issue, the Golan.
It is part of an endeavor by the two powers to use their diplomatic and military cooperation regarding Syria to impose agreements on neighboring countries, such as Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. … The two presidents are also pressuring Riyadh and Amman to accept the continuation of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s rule, at least for the immediate future.
debkafile’s sources report that just like the other diplomatic or military steps initiated by Obama and Putin in Syria, such as those for Assad’s eventual removal from power, the two powers see a resolution of the Golan issue as a gradual process that may take a long time, perhaps even years. But as far as they are concerned, Israel will have to withdraw from the Golan at the end of that process.
It should be noted that Prime Minister Netanyahu is not traveling to Washington to discuss the Golan issue with Obama. The frequent trips by the prime minister, senior officials and top IDF brass to Moscow in recent months show where the winds are blowing in the Middle East. …
Amid these developments, three regional actors are very pleased by Washington and Moscow’s agreement to demand Israeli withdrawal from the Golan: Syrian President Assad, the Iranian leadership in Tehran and Hizballah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Now, they do not need to risk a military confrontation with Israel over the Golan because Obama and Putin have essentially agreed to do the dirty work for them. http://app.debka.com/n/article/25371/Netanyahu-to-battle-Obama-Putin-over-the-Golan

Israel’s President says he will not turn over the Golan Heights:

April 17, 2016

TEL AVIV—Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a cabinet meeting in the Golan Heights for the first time on Sunday, declaring that Israel would never return the territory to Syria.

As another round of peace talks aimed at resolving the five-year Syrian conflict continued in Geneva, Mr. Netanyahu said it was time the international community recognized the Golan as part of Israel.

“The time has come for the international community to recognize reality,” he said at the meeting’s opening. “Whatever is beyond the border, the boundary itself will not change.”

The international community doesn’t recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan, and like the Palestinian territories, considers settlement-building in these areas illegal. http://www.wsj.com/articles/israel-will-never-return-golan-heights-to-syria-says-netanyahu-1460900220

Many military experts have said over the years that Israel cannot turn over the Golan Heights and be able to protect itself.  Perhaps it should also be mentioned that Israel and Syria technically are still at war as Syria never agreed to end its state of war after the 1973 conflict.

There are also economic reasons for Israel to keep the Golan Heights. Notice something from last Fall:

13 November 2015

Afek, an Israeli subsidiary of Genie Energy, a US oil company, announced that it had found considerable reserves of oil under the Golan. Genie’s chief geologist in Israel, Yuval Bartov, said the company believed the reservoir had the “potential of billions of barrels”.

International law experts say any proceeds from such a find in the Golan should revert to Syria, but Israel has so far indicated it will ignore its legal obligations.

The Israeli energy and water ministry has licensed Afek to drill 10 experimental wells over three years in a 400-square kilometre area, about a third of the Golan’s total territory.

Afek claims that the discoveries it has identified in its first year could make Israel energy independent, satisfying Israel’s consumption of 100 million barrels a year for the foreseeable future.

That would be on top of Israel’s recent finds of huge quantities of natural gas off its Mediterranean coast, offering it the chance to become a gas exporter. http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-stakes-claim-golan-after-oil-find-913890970#sthash.eq6ULGow.dpuf

Irrespective of economic issues, Bible prophecy indicates that Syrians and Palestinians (called Philistines below) will cause Israel problems in the end times::

11 Therefore the Lord shall set up The adversaries of Rezin against him, And spur his enemies on, 12 The Syrians before and the Philistines behind; And they shall devour Israel with an open mouth. (Isaiah 9:11-12)

While this would seem to include Israel’s descendants in Europe (like those in the UK, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, and Sweden; as well as those in lands like the USA and Canada), it would also be applicable to the tiny nation called Israel.

And certainly Israel has had problems with Syrians and Palestinians.

Israel has often felt betrayed by the Obama Administration–including on issues involving Syria and the Palestinians.  As, according to Debka, the Putin-Obama proposal to turn over the Golan Heights is supposed to take years to come to pass, Israel probably feels that since Barack Obama’s second term is up in about 9 months, that it will have a more reliable ally in the White House after him.

We will see.

But the Bible not only warns of problems to Israel by the Syrians and Palestinians (Isaiah 9:11-12), it also shows that certain lands now occupied by Israel will end up under Palestinian/Gazan control (see Gaza and the Palestinians in Bible Prophecy).

It should also be noted that the Bible predicts the destruction of Syria’s capital Damascus (Isaiah 17:1)–and since that has not yet happened, it is possible that it could be related to the Golan Heights.

But I want to add right now, that despite the views of various Protestant prophecy watchers, Russia is not about to fulfill Ezekiel 38. Ezekiel 38 is not fulfilled until well AFTER Jesus returns. Some have indicated that Russia will enter the Golan Heights to fulfill Ezekiel 38 soon–and even if Russia were to militarily enter the Golan Heights in a big way (not likely), we are nowhere near the time that Ezekiel 38 is about to be fulfilled.

(Choo photo)

COGwriter

Ecuador was hit by a massive earthquake:

April 17, 2016

The death toll from the powerful earthquake in Ecuador has risen to 77.  Hundreds are injured.

Vice President Jorge Glas said the toll is likely to rise as reports from around the country continue to come in. …

The U.S. Geological Survey said the shallow 7.8-magnitude quake struck late Saturday along the South American country’s coast.​

It was felt 170 kilometers away in Quito, the capital, where it knocked out electricity and cell phone coverage in several neighborhoods.

In Quito, buildings swayed for about 40 seconds, causing people to rush into the streets. http://www.voanews.com/content/at-least-seventy-seven-dead-in-ecuador-earthquake/3289207.html

Japan is still attempting to recover from its recent earthquakes:

April 17, 2016

TOKYO—

Four U.S. Marine Corps V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft took off from Okinawa Sunday as American forces in Japan joined the earthquake recovery effort in the southern part of the country.

“We are working closely with the government of Japan to provide assistance and support. To the people of Japan and the region affected by this tragedy we send our heartfelt sympathies,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. John Dolan, commander of U.S. Forces Japan, in a statement, which did not provide any further details on the scope of the military assistance being provided.

The United States had offered support for airlift operations and the Defense Ministry in Tokyo is coordinating with USFJ to implement as soon as ready, Kenko Sone, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s director of global communications, told VOA.

Aiding in rescue

Abe on Sunday boosted to 25,000 the number of Self Defense Force troops aiding in the rescue and recovery on the main southern island of Kyushu.

Strong aftershocks continue to rattle Kumamoto Prefecture (state) as rescuers confront harsh weather conditions in a race to rescue dozens of people believed still trapped or buried under collapsed buildings.

At least 41 people have died, 11 are reported missing – feared buried by landslides or trapped below rubble – and more than 800 have been injured since Thursday as a result of the strongest tremors, according to Japanese government officials and domestic media reports.

A magnitude-6.5 quake on Thursday, seen as a foreshock to the 7.3 tremor early Saturday, collapsed buildings and bridges, triggered fires and landslides and even derailed a bullet train.

Both quakes were at shallow depths, onshore and located under populated areas. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-forces-join-japan-quake-recover-effort/3289217.html

Jesus warned about a time earthquakes and troubles:

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

Earthquakes and other disasters should remind us that our lives can be changed quickly and that repentance is needed now. None should wait. Even Christians need to examine themselves and repent where needed (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:28-32).

While your life may seem ‘normal,’ consider that since the earthquake today, what was ‘normal’ for many in the Hindu Kush region is now gone. Sudden destruction can happen (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:3). Are you spiritually prepared?

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Earthquakes Today and Bible Prophecy Contains a cool up-to-the-hour update of earthquakes around the world from USGS. It also explains what did Jesus teach about earthquakes and how the Bible describes “the big one” (as well as when it is expected).
Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean in Prophecy [Español: México, América central, Suramérica, Brasil y el Caribe en la profecía] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What role might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? Where did the Japanese people come from? Have they had any witness?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan? Will God save the Japanese?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing.
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.
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.
Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done? Here is a related YouTube video Does God Use Weather?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2023 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 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?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?

COGwriter

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

20:10

London Mayor Boris Johnson

COGwriter

London’s Mayor Johnson made some statements today:

April 16, 2016

Boris Johnson has accused US President Barack Obama of “hypocrisy” over his support for the UK remaining in the EU.

The London mayor, who backs EU exit, told the BBC the Americans “wouldn’t dream of sharing [their] sovereignty” as the UK had done.

The US president is expected to repeat his support for Britain’s EU membership when he visits the UK next week. …

“I don’t know what he is going to say but, if that is the American argument then it is nakedly hypocritical. The Americans would never dream of it,” he told the BBC. …

“I just find it absolutely bizarre that we are being lectured by the Americans about giving up our sovereignty and giving up control when the Americans won’t even sign up to the international convention on the law of the seas, let alone the International Criminal Court.”

Mr Johnson also reiterated his view that Mr Cameron should stay on as prime minister even if voters backed leaving.

At a rally for the Leave campaign in Newcastle on Saturday, Mr Johnson said the referendum was “a massive opportunity to… burst out of the shackles of Brussels”.

The London mayor was applauded when he spoke of the EU being “deeply anti-democratic” and “sometimes borderline corrupt” in how it allocated its budget.

And he said Britain would “thrive and flourish as never before” if it left the EU and agreed its own free trade deals. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36057947

We now are seeing a real battle heating up in the UK related to a possible Brexit (also called a Brixit). Brexit is short for BRitish EXIT and Brixit is short for BRItish exIT from the European Union.

Prime Minister Cameron announced that the vote on staying or leaving the EU would take place on June 23, 2016.

Earlier, UK Prime Minister David Cameron came back with a deal he negotiated with leaders of the EU. Most in the UK did not find that enough to convince them to want to stay in the EU (see Most in the UK not convinced it should remain in the EU). So, David Cameron went back, and got a ‘better’ deal, granting the UK ‘special status’ within the EU (watch Will the UK’s ‘special status’ with the EU last?). He did this in the hopes that more in the UK would vote to remain in the EU.

Obviously, people like Boris Johnson are not convinced that this is a good deal and that the UK should leave the EU.

The official position of the USA is that it would prefer for the UK to remain in the EU.

Is that a bit hypocritical of the USA as Boris Johnson has stated?

Yes.

Interestingly, the Bible warns that punishment will come against “an hypocritical” nation from the heart of Europe:

5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.

6 I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few. (Isaiah 10:5-7, KJV)

Now, do I think that Barack Obama is himself hypocritical on this matter?

Well, based on Boris Johnson’s statements, no.

I believe that Barack Obama personally is willing to turn over, or otherwise reduce, USA sovereignty. International confederations that reduce national sovereignty are not opposed to by Barack Obama–to the contrary, Barack Obama has encouraged the USA to take steps that reduce its national sovereignty.

Yet, I do agree with the basic position of Boris Johnson that this is not the view of many Americans.

The prevailing view in the USA is that it should not have to put up with international restrictions and confederations if it does not want to.

We will see if those in the UK will vote to extract itself from an international confederation which ultimately will eliminate most national sovereignty (cf. Revelation 17:12-13).

Some items of related interest may include:

British are the Covenant People What do ‘British’ and ‘Britain’ mean in Hebrew? Are the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons people of the covenant? Does the British royal family connect to the throne of David? What does the Bible teach? What does history show us? Is there any DNA evidence related to British-Israelism? When did Christianity make it to the British Isles? Could Jeremiah have made it to the British Isles? What type of Christians made it to the British Isles? Did the last King of England believe in British Israelism?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the former German Defense Minister (who is also the former German Minister for Economics and Technology) one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people? Here are links to two sermon videos Germany in Bible Prophecy and The Rise of the Germanic Beast Power of Prophecy.
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.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. A video of possible interest may be Will Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power?.
Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
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?
Prophecy Obama: 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.

Bartholomew (by Pvasiliadis) , Ieronymos II  (Stylianidis) & Francis (Rosada)

COGwriter

Pope Francis and leaders of the Eastern Orthodox met today on the Greek Island of Lesbos:

April 16, 2016

LESBOS, GREECE

Three major leaders of long-separated Christian churches — Pope Francis, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and Greek Orthodox Archbishop Ieronymos II — converged on this small island Saturday, issuing a stark warning to Europe that the continent will be judged on how it treats the hundreds of thousands of refugees reaching these shores. …

In the declaration, signed at a center housing some 2,500 refugees — where the walls had been whitewashed and the barbed wire removed for the high-level visit — Francis, Bartholomew and Ieronymos say they had traveled together to demonstrate “profound concern” for the migrants’ treatment.

“The tragedy of forced migration and displacement affects millions, and is fundamentally a crisis of humanity, calling for a response of solidarity, compassion, generosity and an immediate practical commitment of resources,” they state.

“From Lesbos, we appeal to the international community to respond with courage,” they continue. “We call upon all political leaders to employ every means to ensure that individuals and communities … enjoy the fundamental right to live in peace and security.”

The three leaders’ joint trip to Europe’s outer periphery, while described by the Vatican as “strictly humanitarian and ecumenical,” …

The symbolism of the unified visit — with Francis traveling east, Bartholomew traveling west, and Ieronymos welcoming them to his home country — would have been nearly unimaginable even 15 years ago, when Pope John Paul II became the first pontiff to visit a Greek archbishop in more than a millennium. …

Francis’ visit to Lesbos is unprecedented also in the velocity with which the trip was organized. The Vatican only confirmed the pontiff was considering a visit last week, after an invitation from governing Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church. http://ncronline.org/news/global/lesbos-francis-and-patriarchs-warn-europe-eternal-judgment-based-refugee-treatment

April 16, 2016

The Vatican says the pope was invited to the island by the leader of the Christian Orthodox Church, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos. …

Bartholomew, as well as Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Jerome II,  joined Pope Francis in Lesbos.

Bernie Sanders

Earlier Saturday, Pope Francis met U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

The two men had a brief morning exchange at a Vatican guesthouse where the pope lives and where Sanders and his wife spent the night.

Sanders said he told the pope he admired the work the pope is doing on raising issues like “the need for morality in the global economy.” http://www.voanews.com/content/pope-visits-migrants-on-lesbos/3288526.html

April 16, 2016

Pope Francis traveled to Greece on Saturday for a brief but provocative visit to meet with refugees at a detention center as the European Union implements a controversial plan to deport them back to Turkey.

Francis’ Alitalia charter touched down at the airport on the Greek island of Lesbos shortly after 10 a.m., some 20 minutes ahead of schedule. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras met him on the tarmac, along with the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians and the archbishop of Athens, who is the head of the Church of Greece.

The three Christian leaders, officially divided over a 1,000-year schism . . .

Also ahead of the visit, municipal crews scrubbed the walls of Mytilene after graffiti reading “Papa Don’t Preach” was sprayed in black at several points on the seafront in Mytilene. A handful of senior Orthodox clergy in Greece have been highly critical of Francis’ trip . . .

“He is slightly provocative,” said George Demacopoulos, chair of Orthodox Christian studies at the Jesuit-run Fordham University in New York. …

The Vatican insists Saturday’s visit is purely humanitarian and religious in nature, not political or a “direct” criticism of the EU plan.

. . . spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi told reporters . . . the ecumenical significance of a meeting between Francis, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the head of the Church of Greece, Athens Archbishop Ieronymos II was “obvious.” http://www.cnbc.com/2016/04/16/pope-francis-makes-provocative-trip-to-greece-to-meet-migrants-at-detention-center.html

I did find it of some irony that the island of Lesbos was chosen as that is the birthplace of the word “Lesbian,” which is a sexual perversion. But that meeting itself is of ecumenical significance.

This meeting of the Orthodox leaders with the pontiff itself was extraordinary for several reasons, including the fact that it was basically arranged by the Archbishop of Athen’s office.  Notice the following:

April 7, 2016 . . . the ruling Holy Synod in Athens . . . explained, the pope had expressed a desire to make a brief visit to a Greek island in order to “mobilise world opinion for an immediate cessation of the hostilities in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern region which are severely afflicting Christian communities.”  The Synod had agreed, on the understanding that it would be a brief, informal visit of a “humanitarian and symbolic” character. It was at the Synod’s suggestion that the island of Lesbos was chosen, and it was the Synod’s initiative to include the Patriarch. Further announcements made clear that the pope would be received by Greece’s worldly authorities, namely President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who would greet him as a fellow political leader. (How informal is that, you might ask?) This element of secular diplomacy will help to protect the archbishop from theological hard-liners who might accuse him (as they accused his predecessor) of betraying Orthodoxy by hobnobbing with papists. http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2016/04/pope-and-refugees

The term ‘papists’ has long been used by certain Protestants and Eastern Orthodox as a derogatory term for Roman Catholics. Many in Greece, including at least two bishops, have severe concerns about Pope Francis, his office, and his agenda. Actually, a letter sent to him by two bishops was a scathing attack against the legitimacy of the papacy and his office (see Greek Orthodox Bishops denounce Pope Francis, Church of Rome, and Ecumenism as Antichrist Plan of Freemasons).

The fact that Greek Orthodox Archbishop Ieronymos II supported this meeting in Lesbos was clearly ecumenical in view of the opposition he faces.

Some in Greece are ecumenical.  And the Eastern Orthodox have an important meeting coming up in June:

April 6, 2016

As a champion of ecumenism in Greece, Gabriel Arnellos, recently said, “Europe has become insignificant in global terms because it has commodified Christianity”.

Prepared with great discretion in Rome and Constantinople with Athens’ participation, the meeting is another step towards a joint ecumenical path that is slowly but surely bringing in all the other Orthodox Churches, called to meet after almost 13 centuries, at the upcoming pan-Orthodox Synod in Crete, starting on 16 June.

This synod is not yet ecumenical since it does not involve all the Christian Churches, but it is already the expression of the will of the people of God to bring all Christians onto the joint path towards full sacramental unity, which Rome and Constantinople have been the first to herald. …

Bartholomew has repeatedly reiterated, in full harmony with Francis, that only an evangelically united Church can give an answer to the problems that have always disrupted the path of human existence.

The pan-Orthodox Synod will help to highlight this challenge and to reassess the Gospel message with the instrument of synodality, which is the evangelical expression of mutual respect and freedom, beyond any political pressures of the times. http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Francis,-Bartholomew,-and-Ieronymos:-Christian-unity-in-favour-of-refugees,-Europe%E2%20%20s-embarrassment-37148.html

That particular meeting in June originally was called ‘ecumenical,’ and was originally planned to be at the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, but it was changed.  Also, and perhaps this meeting today will be a factor, the top leadership of the Greek churches was not scheduled to attend.

Here is something reported earlier about that:

FIRST MEETING OF 14 CHURCHES

John Chryssavgis, an archdeacon and theological advisor to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, wrote, “The council of 2016, which has been on the table for discussion and preparation since at least 1961 (although there were earlier proposals for such a council in the 1920s and 1930s), will for the first time ever gather representatives from all 14 independent Orthodox Churches.

“The very conception, let alone the convocation of such a great or general council, is entirely unprecedented.

“It will be attended by patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops from the fourteen autocephalous Orthodox Churches, including those from all of the ancient patriarchates, with the exception of Rome,” …

The following primates attended the January meeting in Switzerland:

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
Patriarch Theodore of Alexandria
Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow
Patriarch Irinej of Serbia
Patriarch Daniel of Romania
Patriarch Neophyte of Bulgaria
Patriarch Ilia of Georgia
Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus
Archbishop Anastasios of Albania
Archbishop Rastislav of the Czech Lands and Slovakia http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/worlds-orthodox-patriarchs-prepare-for-june-gathering-of-great-and-holy-council-in-crete/37950.htm

If Rome had been invited, this could be possibly considered as the eighth ecumenical council by the Eastern Orthodox and is supposedly the first ecumenical council in about 1200 years. To put this into historical perspective, the first so-called ‘ecumenical council’ was the Council of Nicea convened by Emperor Constantine in 325, the second was the Council of Constantinople convened by Emperor Theodosius which came up with the modern ‘trinity‘ in 381, and the seventh was the Second Council of Nicaea, which the Orthodox claim had two parts, the first in 787 and the second in 843. Many of the Orthodox call the 843 agreement ‘the triumph of Orthodoxy’ as that is when they officially got idols and icons accepted by the Church of Rome (see also Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God). These councils defined much of the Greco-Roman faiths, and those in the Church of God were condemned for not agreeing with many of the results of the councils (see also Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes?).

Having an eighth ‘ecumenical council’ is significant, though this one is a bit different.

Why?

There are several reasons, other than the length of time between the last council and this upcoming one, that I wish to cover here.

The first reason to mention is that the Eastern Orthodox define themselves by the seven previous ecumenical councils. Actually, they refer to themselves as the ‘church of the seven councils’:

“Constantine summoned the first General or Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church at Nicea in 325… Orthodox often call themselves ‘the Church of the Seven Councils’…Nicea was the first of the seven general councils; and these…occupy a central position in the history of Orthodoxy…next to the Bible, it is the seven councils which the Orthodox Church takes as its standard and guide” (Ware T. The Orthodox Church. Penguin Books, London, 1997, pp.19,35).

“Why are the Seven Ecumenical Councils so important? Because they point out what the Church universally held to be the true teaching concerning the Person of of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Trinity” (Gillquist PE. Becoming Orthodox. Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Brentwood (TN), 1989, p. 102).

The second reason to mention is that Patriarch Bartholomew has said that a synod/ecumenical council would be necessary before the Eastern Orthodox could come into a more full communion, ecumenical unity, with the Church of Rome. Notice something I reported here years ago:

Patriarch of Constantinople’s new encyclical defends Catholic-Orthodox dialogue

Istanbul, Turkey, Feb 20, 2010 / 06:14 pm (CNA).- Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople’s newest encyclical encourages dialogue between the Orthodox Church and other Christian churches and laments those who are “unacceptably fanatical” in challenging such dialogue…“They disseminate false rumors that union between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches is imminent, while they know well that the differences discussed in these theological dialogues remain numerous and require lengthy debate; moreover, union is not decided by theological commissions but by Church Synods,” Bartholomew wrotehttp://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/patriarch_of_constantinoples_new_encyclical_defends_catholic-orthodox_dialogue/

COGwriter has been one of the few non-Roman, non-Orthodox sites to warn against the coming unity for years. However, since the Bishop of Rome is not listed as coming to this particular council in June 2016, it may mainly set the stage for what could be really called the “eighth ecumenical council.”

Notice something from March 10, 2014:

ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Patriarchs of the world’s 250 million Orthodox Christians ended a rare summit in Istanbul on Sunday…

Twelve heads of autonomous Orthodox churches, the second-largest family of Christian churches, also agreed to hold a summit of bishops, or ecumenical council, in 2016, which will be the first in over 1,200 years…

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who will meet Roman Catholicism’s Pope Francis in Jerusalem in May, is the senior-most Orthodox leader, but his Istanbul-based church is tiny, with none of the resources the large Russian church enjoys.

Despite the prestige of his post, he has no authority over other churches, unlike the power the pope has in Catholicism, the world’s largest church with 1.2 billion members.

The communique stressed that all decisions at the council would be taken by consensus, a position the Russians strongly defended in preparations for the meeting.

The 2016 council will be held in Hagia Irene, a Byzantine church building in the outer courtyard of the Ottoman sultans’ Topkapi Palace. Now a museum, it has not been used as a church since the Muslim conquest of Constantinople in 1453.

Orthodox Christianity links 14 independent churches, based in Eastern Europe, Russia and the Middle East. (Afanasieva D, Heneghan T. Orthodox Patriarchs urge peace in Ukraine, agree on council! Ecumenical News, March 10, 2014. http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/orthodox-patriarchs-urge-peace-in-ukraine-agree-on-council-22801)

The fact that the Greeks are not clearly represented, Rome was not officially invited, and that it is not to be at the Hagia Sophia, but instead in Crete, suggests that this council will mainly be used to unify more of the Eastern Orthodox, so that they may pursue other unity later. The meeting today in Lesbos was a step I believe is related to all of this.

Pope Francis is an ecumenically-oriented pontiff, and Bartholomew is perhaps the most ecumenically-oriented top Eastern Orthodox patriarch in centuries. They get along well and seem to have similar objectives.

The Bible and Roman Catholic writings warn against the type of Babylonian ecumenical unity that Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis want. Yet, some of the Orthodox actually look forward to a time of a new Babylon:

Monk Leontios (died 543): Rejoice, oh most unhappy one, oh New Babylon!…You, who are the New Babylon rejoice now on behalf of Zion! New Babylon, dance, bounce and leap greatly, make known even those in Haydes what a Grace you have received. Because that peace which was yours to enjoy in times past, and which God has deprived you of in course of battles, receive it once more from the hand of an Angel…oh, the City of Seven Hills the dominion will be yours. (Tzima Otto, H. The Great Monarch and WWIII in Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Scriptural Prophecies. Verenikia Press, Rock Hill (SC), 2000, pp. 82-83).

This is something that the Bible and at least one Catholic priest have warned against:

2…Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” 4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. (Revelation 18:2-5)

6 “Up, up! Flee from the land of the north,” says the Lord; “for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven,” says the Lord. 7 “Up, Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.” (Zechariah 2:6-7)

Priest H. Kramer (20th century): In the vision of the Seer now appears a second beast rising out of the earth, having two horns like a lamb but speaking like a dragon…In other places he is called the false prophet…This prophet may re-establish the pagan Roman Empire and build the “Great Harlot”, Babylon… The False Prophet…will persuade all infidels, apostates and apostate nations to worship and adore him…Antichrist “sitteth in the temple of God” (I Thes. II. 4). This is not the ancient Temple in Jerusalem…this temple is shown to be a Catholic Church…The False Prophet will proclaim the resurrection of the Roman Empire. (Kramer H., p. 318,320-323)

Despite biblical and other warnings, Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew seem determined to help fulfill prophecies that warn against what they are trying to do. Such unity will be dangerous for both the Church of Rome and the Eastern Orthodox. Signs and lying wonders may be a deceptive factor in this occurrence (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:9).

As I alluded to before, certain Eastern Orthodox leaders, especially in Greece (which was conspicuously absent from the list reported at the beginning of this article), oppose all the attempts at unity with Rome (see Greek Orthodox Bishops denounce Pope Francis, Church of Rome, and Ecumenism as Antichrist Plan of Freemasons as well as Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox?). That is probably why they were not listed as supporters.

The reality is that the drive towards ecumenical unity between the Catholics of Rome, the Greek/Eastern Orthodox, and various Protestants is happening. The pace seems to be picking up.

Many can claim that today’s meeting was mainly about refugees, but it was much more than that–it was an ecumenical step.

Take time to examine yourself

COGwriter

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

Are you really supposed to examine yourself before Passover? What about discerning the Lord’s body? What does the New Testament teach? Should you physically ‘deleaven’? Are there some questions that might help you change? What are some of the consequences for not examining oneself? Does faith require works to be alive? What are some of the promises for those who examine themselves and overcome?

Here is a link to the video sermon: Passover Examination.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Examine Yourself before Passover This article goes into some of why real Christians are to do this.  A related sermon is titled Passover Examination.
Preparing for Passover The Apostle Paul taught that Christians should examine themselves prior to taking Passover. This YouTube video sermon gives suggestions on how to prepare.
Keeping Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread How should Christians keep Passover, especially if they are by themselves. Why does the Church of God not require lambs for Passover? How does one keep the Days of Unleavened Bread? For a step-by-step video for Christians to keep it, check out CCOG Passover Service. Here is a link to a related article in the Spanish language: Guardando la Pascua y los Días de los Panes sin Levadura.
Passover and the Early Church Did the early Christians observe Passover? What did Jesus and Paul teach? Why did Jesus die for our sins? There is also a detailed YouTube video available titled History of the Christian Passover.
The Passover Plot What was the first Passover plot? Which plots have Islam and the Greco-Roman faiths perpetuated about Passover? A sermon video of related interest is The Passover Plots, Including Easter.
Melito’s Homily on the Passover This is one of the earliest Christian writings about the Passover. This also includes what Apollinaris wrote on the Passover as well. Here is a related sermon, also titled Melito’s Homily on the Passover.
TPM: Passover on the 14th or 15th? While the real COG observes Passover on the 14th, some observe it on the 15th. Why is the 14th correct? A related sermon is titled Is Passover on the 14th or 15th for Christians?
Unleavened Bread recipes A Serbian COG member sent these recipes for those who would like more ways to prepare unleavened bread.
The Night to Be Observed What is the night to be much observed? When is it? Why do Jews keep Passover twice and emphasize the wrong date? A related video is available and is titled The Night to Be Much Observed.
Should Christians Keep the Days of Unleavened Bread? Do they have any use or meaning now? What is leaven? This article supplies some biblical answers. Here is a YouTube video intended to be viewed for the first day of unleavened bread: Christians and the Days of Unleavened Bread.
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. 我们在继续神的教会也提供此网址 www.ccog.asia, 关注于亚洲并且有各种各样的中英文文章，其中一些用菲律宾语翻译的文章也正在进行中，准备添加到这个网站中。 Here is a link to our Statement of Beliefs in Mandarin Chinese 继续神的教会的信仰声明.
CCOG.IN This is a website targeted towards those of Indian heritage. It has a link to an edited Hindi translation of The Mystery of the Ages and is expected to have more non-English language materials in the future.
CCOG.EU This is a website targeted toward Europe. It has materials in more than one language (currently it has English, Dutch, and Serbian, with links also to Spanish) and it is intended to have additional language materials added.
CCOG.NZ This is a website targeted towards New Zealand and others with a British-descended background.
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.
Bible News Prophecy channel. Dr. Thiel has produced many YouTube videos for the BibleNewsProphecy channel. And you can find them at that channel.
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.

The Islands of Sanifir and Tiran

COGwriter

Egypt just gave two islands to Saudi Arabia:

April 15, 2016

CAIRO—Tensions flared in Egypt on Friday as protests over the handover of two islands to Saudi Arabia were dispersed or prevented by security forces with tear gas and military blockades.

Outside the Journalist Syndicate, one of the few places where protesting is still legal in Cairo, police held their ground for most of the day while hundreds of people chanted anti-government slogans.

Protesting the handover of the islands Tiran and Sanafir, activists shouted, “The people demand the end of the regime” and “Awad sold his land!”

The latter chant is an Egyptian proverb expressing shamefulness in giving up land. For many locals, it is considered an undignified denial of identity.

The Egyptian government says Saudi Arabia has legal and historical sovereignty over the islands, and it is simply returning the kingdom’s own land.

“We didn’t relinquish even a grain of sand,” said Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on Wednesday.

Protesters said that neither the public nor the newly-elected parliament was consulted about the arrangement in advance. Tiran and Sanafir are not only strategically located, they are also part of an Egyptian national park in the Red Sea, famous for world-class scuba diving and snorkeling. http://www.voanews.com/content/tensions-flare-egypt-red-sea-islands-protest/3287728.html

While many in Egypt are upset with this, this is one of several major developments bringing the governments of Egypt and Saudi Arabia together.  Notice one of those developments related to these islands:

April 15, 2016

Saudi-Egypt bridge

The transfer of the islands clears the way for Saudi Arabia to build a bridge linking Egypt and the kingdom by land, according to analysts.

On a recent state visit to Cairo intended to boost relations between the two Arab nations as Iran grows in geopolitical strength, Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud pledged $24 billion in loans and investments to Egypt.

Saudi bids to build the bridge, which would be nearly 15 kilometers long, were part of the deal.

“This is going to be a huge economic boost in the region,” wrote Hussein Shobokshi, a commentator for the Saudi Gazette. “It will not only benefit the two countries, but will also help in improving economic ties between the African and Asian continents.”

Some officials insist that the transfer of power over the islands is not a prize given to the Saudis in exchange for aid, but a legal obligation.

Saudi Arabia passed its authority over the islands to Cairo in 1950, saying Egypt was better equipped militarily to secure the Straits of Tiran. In 1967, Israel grabbed them after war broke out when Egypt announced plans to ban Israeli ships from passing through the straits.

After the 1979 peace deal between Egypt and Israel, the islands were returned to Egyptian control, along with other lands.

The recent announcement that they will be returned to Saudi Arabia immediately provoked criticism from Egyptian commentators.

Officials said the critique was unfair and could damage relations between Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

“I think that all of these poisonous media outlets should stay silent until all the documents related to this deal come to parliament for discussion,” said Alaa Abed, a member of parliament, according to local media. http://www.voanews.com/content/tensions-flare-egypt-red-sea-islands-protest/3287728.html

Building a bridge between Egypt and Saudi Arabia would tend to help cement ties between those nations and could be beneficial to the final King of the South of biblical prophecy (cf. Daniel 11:40). Notice also the following:

April 12, 2016

With a flourish at the end of a whirlwind visit to Cairo, Saudi King Salman and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi signed close to thirty agreements worth billions of dollars.

But one stands out—a treaty through which Saudi Arabia will pay Egypt $2 billion for the reclaimed use of two tiny islands at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba.

Why do they matter? Because the uninhabited specks known as Tiran and Sanafir rise over the waters that give access to the Gulf of Aqaba, a crucial waterway and the only point of entry to the Jordanian city of Aqaba and the Israeli city of Eilat.

The Red Sea is bounded by Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Israel, which are all declared or undeclared allies against the common enemy, Iran. http://www.themedialine.org/news/saudi-egyptian-island-treaty-suggests-new-diplomatic-front-iran/

April 11, 2016

The two countries are engaging in a far-reaching alliance, in which the Saudis assign a very distinct role for Egypt; to be a protector of their regime and Kingdom. Egypt is weak economically, but much stronger militarily, and the Saudis may already now, very probably in the foreseeable future want and need Egyptian boots on the ground . . . http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-josef-olmert/the-saudiegyptian-axisit-_b_9659254.html

About four months ago, Saudi Arabia announced the formation of a predominantly Islamic 34 nation military coalition (see ‘Saudi Arabia Announces 34-Nation Islamic Alliance Against Terrorism’ to Protect the ‘Islamic Nation’: Is the King of the South starting to form?). And this included Egypt.

And then about two months ago, what was billed as the world’s largest military exercise was conducted in Saudi Arabia, and it included Egyptian and other troops (see World’s largest military exercise taking place in Saudi Arabia–a prelude to the King of the South?).

Here is a Protestant and a Catholic translation of some of the passages in Daniel related to the King of the South:

40 “In the end times the southern king will attack him. The northern king will rush at him like a storm with chariots, horses, and many ships. He will invade countries, overwhelm them, and pass through their land. 41 He will invade the beautiful land, and tens of thousands will be defeated. But Edom, Moab, and the leaders of the Ammonites will escape from his power. 42 He will use his power against many countries. Even Egypt will not escape. 43 He will control gold and silver treasures and all Egypt’s treasuries. Libya and Sudan will surrender to him. (GOD’S WORD Translation)

40 ‘When the time comes for the End, the king of the south will try conclusions with him; but the king of the north will come storming down on him with chariots, cavalry, and a large fleet. He will invade countries, overrun them and drive on. 41 He will invade the Land of Splendour, and many will fall; but Edom, Moab, and what remains of the sons of Ammon will escape him. 42 ‘He will reach out to attack countries: Egypt will not escape him. 43 The gold and silver treasures and all the valuables of Egypt will lie in his power. Libyans and Cushites will be at his feet: (Daniel 11:40-43, New Jerusalem Bible)

Notice that the time will come when the King of the South will lead a major military force against the final King of the North. While the final King of the South has not yet formed, and will one day fail, steps to form the biblically-prophesied confederation are taking place.

Also notice that the Bible shows, in another place, that a time is coming when the confederation of Arabs and Egypt will be destroyed and it is in the FUTURE as it is near the day of the LORD:

1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says:

“‘Wail and say, “Alas for that day!” 3 For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near- a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. 4 A sword will come against Egypt, and anguish will come upon Cush. When the slain fall in Egypt, her wealth will be carried away and her foundations torn down.

5 Cush and Put, Lydia and all Arabia, Libya and the people of the covenant land will fall by the sword along with Egypt.

6 “‘This is what the LORD says:

“‘The allies of Egypt will fall and her proud strength will fail. From Migdol to Aswan they will fall by the sword within her, declares the Sovereign LORD. 7 “‘They will be desolate among desolate lands, and their cities will lie among ruined cities. 8 Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I set fire to Egypt and all her helpers are crushed.

9 “‘On that day messengers will go out from me in ships to frighten Cush out of her complacency. Anguish will take hold of them on the day of Egypt’s doom, for it is sure to come (Ezekiel 30:1-9, NIV).

And this seems to be the destruction of the King of the South by the King of the North in Daniel 11:40-43 as Ezekiel 30:4-5 sound very much like Daniel 11:42-43.

Prophesied events are moving ahead.  Deals between Egypt and Saudi Arabia may well be setting the stage for the rise of the King of the South.

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders

COGwriter

The two Democratic presidential candidates, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, debated last night:

Clinton and Sanders clash over presidential qualifications

April 15, 2016

Democratic presidential candidates Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held a contentious debate Thursday night in familiar territory — Brooklyn, New York ahead of next Tuesday’s very important New York primary.

The two had a sharp exchange in which they questioned each other’s judgment. Sanders, who in recent weeks said he does not believe Clinton is qualified to be president, Thursday said that he accepts that Clinton has the qualifications, but questioned her judgment. He pointed to her support for the war in Iraq and her acceptance of campaign funding from banks and firms on Wall Street.

Clinton accused the Sanders camp of churning out lies about her. Clinton said the people of New York voted her for the Senate twice and President Barack Obama named her secretary of state. She has the judgement, she says, but stressed what she says is Sanders’ weakness on foreign policy issues.

She called Sanders’ concentration on her accepting large contributions from Wall Street a “phony attack.” http://www.voanews.com/content/sanders-clinton-battle-in-new-york-democratic-debate/3286870.html

April 14, 2016

Bernie Sanders slammed his rival’s 1996 use of the term “super predators” Thursday evening, calling it “racist” on stage at the Democratic debate in Brooklyn.

Asked why Sanders had criticized Bill Clinton’s defense of his wife use of the phrase “super predators,” Sanders responded: “Because it was a racist term and everybody knew it was a racist term.” http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bernie-sanders-slams-clintons-racist-1996-super-predators-comment/

This remains the strangest, and probably most vicious, presidential primary cycle I have ever seen.

After the debate, Bernie Sanders flew off to go to the Vatican:

April 15, 2016

ROME (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders arrived in Rome on Friday to attend a Vatican conference steeped in his lifelong passions of economic and social justice, briefly departing New York just days before its critical primary to show solidarity with the teachings of Pope Francis.

Sanders made the trip hours after Thursday night’s Brooklyn debate with rival Hillary Clinton and said the opportunity to address the Vatican conference was too meaningful to pass up. The roughly 24-hour visit will precede a crucial New York primary against the former secretary of state on Tuesday.

Sanders said in an interview with The Associated Press that he was “appreciative and proud” to be invited to the conference organized by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.

He will join several speakers commemorating the 25th anniversary of “Centesimus Annus,” a high-level teaching document by Pope John Paul II on the economy and social justice at the end of the Cold War. …

Sanders, the first Jewish candidate to win a presidential primary, called the trip “an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime.”

Sanders and his campaign had held out hope that he might meet with the pope during his visit. Francis will be in Rome on Friday, but the Vatican said he had no plans to either address the conference or meet with Sanders.

The Vatican has been loath to get involved in electoral campaigns and usually tries to avoid any perception of partisanship involving the pope. Popes rarely travel to countries during the thick of political campaigns, knowing a papal photo opportunity with a sitting head of state could be exploited for political ends.

As a result, the invitation to Sanders to address the Vatican conference raised eyebrows and allegations that the senator lobbied for the invitation.

The chancellor for the pontifical academy, Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, has said he invited Sanders because he was the only U.S. presidential candidate who showed deep interest in the teachings of Francis. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DEM_2016_SANDERS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-04-15-09-12-34

Now notice something related to Bernie Sanders and Pope Francis from Newsweek some months ago:

September 10, 2015

Francis … has made entreaties to divorced Catholics and even suggested that it was not his place to judge gay ones; he has lamented global warming and income inequality, at times sounding like Bernie Sanders’s running mate.  http://www.newsweek.com/2015/09/18/whos-better-catholic-pope-francis-archdiocese-cordileon-370451.html

Bernie Sanders is Jewish and the Pope claims to be Catholic (the cover story in Newsweek was actually titled Is the Pope Catholic?).

Both Bernie Sanders and Pope Francis have a political agenda that trumps whatever their respective religions teach on various matters of theology (I would say the same about Hillary Clinton, but her professed religion, United Methodism, has evolved to be more political that it is less clear what it stands for).

Although the election of Bernie Sanders as the next President of the United States is a long-shot, the ecumenical and interfaith agenda that he seems to be supporting is more or less a sure thing.  I say ‘more or less’ as it will not end as Bernie Sanders would like, but the result will be there.

The Bible tells of a type of world religion as it teaches that all the world will worship a particular power in Europe:

3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”

5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:3-8)

As it turns out, most of the above happens after the USA is destroyed (cf. Daniel 11:39; Revelation 13:4). The Bible shows that the power in Revelation 13 is supported, for a time, by the city of seven hills (Revelation 17:1-9, 18)–Rome, though eventually the Church of Rome will be betrayed (Revelation 17:16-17). Certain Roman Catholic writers have understood aspects of that.

The Bible also shows that the power that will rise up will have major economic controls (Revelation 13:6-18).

As far as Bernie Sanders goes, in my view he does not realize what he is actually trying to support with his trip to the Vatican. The interfaith, economic control, agenda will take place, but will not bring the type of society that people like Bernie Sanders are pushing for.

True justice will not be restored until after Jesus returns and the millennial Kingdom of God is established. Human efforts, such as what the Vatican and Bernie Sanders are working on, will lead to disaster, not peace (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:3).

“Orthodox” 16th Century Representation of the “Apocalypse”

COGwriter

Today, some in the Church of Rome will honor one of their “saints” and bishops named Victorinus. Here is some of what The Catholic Encyclopedia reports about him:

St. Victorinus

An ecclesiastical writer who flourished about 270, and who suffered martyrdom probably in 303, under Diocletian.

He was bishop of the City of Pettau (Petabium, Poetovio), on the Drave, in Styria (Austria); hence his surname of Petravionensis or sometimes Pictaviensis, e.g. in the Roman Martyrology, where he is registered under 2 November, which long caused it to be thought that he belonged to the Diocese of Poitiers (France). Until the seventeenth century he was likewise confounded with the Latin rhetorician, Victorinus After. According to St. Jerome, who gives him an honourable place in his catalogue of ecclesiastical writers, Victorinus composed commentaries on various books of Holy Scripture, such as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Isaias, Ezechiel, Habacuc, Ecclesiastes, the Canticle of Canticles, St. Matthew, and the Apocalypse, besides treatises against the heresies of his time…

Like many of his contemporaries he shared the errors of the Millenarians, and for this reason his works were ranked with the apocrypha by Pope Gelasius. (Clugnet, L. (1912). St. Victorinus. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved April 1, 2013 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15414a.htm)

Notice that like MANY GRECO-ROMAN LEADERS just prior to Constantine, Victorinus taught the millennium. That was both a biblical doctrine as well as the teaching of most professing Christians prior to Emperor Constantine. The millennium was certainly part of the apostolic tradition (the Apostle John, after all, wrote about it in Revelation 20), thus any who challenge or dismiss it are not being faithful to biblical doctrine nor apostolic tradition.

Victorinus wrote the following about the Book of Revelation, in likely the late 3rd century:

FROM THE TWENTIETH CHAPTER.

1–3. “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the abyss, and a chain in his hand. And he held the dragon, that old serpent, which is called the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and cast him into the abyss, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be finished: after this he must be loosed a little season.”]…

For we know not of those who seem to stand whether they shall not fall, and of those who are down it is uncertain whether they may rise. Moreover, that he says that he is bound and shut up, that he may not seduce the nations, the nations signify the Church, seeing that of them it itself is formed, and which being seduced, he previously held until, he says, the thousand years should be completed, that is, what is left of the sixth day, to wit, of the sixth age, which subsists for a thousand years; after this he must be loosed for a little season. The little season signifies three years and six months, in which with all his power the devil will avenge himself under Antichrist against the Church. Finally, he says, after that the devil shall be loosed, and will seduce the nations in the whole world, and will entice war against the Church, the number of whose foes shall be as the sand of the sea. (Victorinus. On the Apocalypse. Translated by Robert Ernest Wallis. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 7. Edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe. [Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1886.], p. 359. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf07.vi.ii.xviii.html).

He also wrote:

…that true and just Sabbath should be observed in the seventh millenary of years. Wherefore to those seven days the Lord attributed to each a thousand years; for thus went the warning: “In Your eyes, O Lord, a thousand years are as one day.” Therefore in the eyes of the Lord each thousand of years is ordained, for I find that the Lord’s eyes are seven. Wherefore, as I have narrated, that true Sabbath will be in the seventh millenary of years, when Christ with His elect shall reign. (Victorinus. Commentary on the Creation. Translated by Robert Ernest Wallis. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 7. Edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1886.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight).

The Roman Catholic Church, in spite of the fact that it admits that many of its early saints taught the millennium, now strongly condemns this belief. Notice:

676 The Antichrist’s deception already begins to take shape in the world every time the claim is made to realize within history that messianic hope which can only be realized beyond history through the eschatological judgment. The Church has rejected even modified forms of this falsification of the kingdom to come under the name of millenarianism, especially the “intrinsically perverse” political form of a secular messianism. (Catechism of the Catholic Church. Imprimatur Potest +Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. Doubleday, NY 1995, p. 194).

It should be noted that the millennial teaching appears to be the only doctrine associated with Antichrist that is condemned in the current official Catechism of the Catholic Church (which is the first new one in hundreds of years). The one that has the imprimatur of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger who is now called Pope Emeritus and formerly Benedict XVI.

It tends to amaze me that some associated with the Church of Rome do not realize that many of their “saints” held positions that are so strongly condemned by the current Roman Catholic Church.

Some articles of related interest, which contain many scriptures to search to verify what I am saying, include the following:

Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near? A related sermon is titled The Millennium.
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2023 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 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?
The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church? Here is a related sermon video The Christian Sabbath and How and Why to Keep It.
Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”. Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy. You can also watch a video titled What Does the Bible teach about the Antichrist?
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.