Church of God News

COGwriter

The latest issue (says #185, print date June 30 2016) of The Journal was sent out electronically and just received. This was another relatively short edition.

Items covered included UCG governance issues, information on LCG’s Karl Beyersdorfer, and the Brexit vote.

Here is the article on UCG governance matters:

Some elders of the United Church of God an International Association for years have favored a constitutional amendment that would make it easier for the elders to amend an official doctrine of the church.

The problem has been that, even if a clear majority is in favor of a doctrinal change, it is almost impossible to change it, because to do so requires a three-fourths majority of “the General Conference as it is constituted at the time of a duly called meeting of the General Conference.”

Would change the base the majority is based on

A proposed amendment voted on at the May 14-16, 2016, conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, would retain the three-fourths-majority requirement but base it on the number of “valid ballots cast by the General Conference in attendance at a duly called meeting of the General Conference” rather than on the entire general-conference membership, including elders who were not participating in the meeting.

The elders defeated the proposal, and several of them stated their reasoning, some for the amendment and some against it.

Would be vulnerable to false doctrine

Elder John Elliott wrote in the “Statements of Concern and Support” document that, “ “while I appreciate suggestions intended to make systems operate effectively, this has the potential to create an unanticipated vulnerability” to false doctrines that could stealthily lead astray the church.

Consensus more valid than votes

Elder Robert Dick likewise was not in favor of the proposal. He said he was “strongly opposed to the direction this amendment would take the Church.”

The UCG, he noted, was formed primarily to preserve the traditional doctrines taught by Herbert Armstrong at a time “when leadership in our former affiliation” (the Worldwide Church of God) “was abandoning our core beliefs and refusing to hear the pleas of the ministry not to do so.”

Mr. Dick said the amendment focuses ill-advisedly on “ballot percentages” when elders should rather be concerned about “spirit-led consensus.”

The proposed amendment, he said, “has the unintended effect of diminishing the value of our doctrines.”

As is, nearly impossible to make necessary changes

Nelson Arnold, one of the few elders supporting the amendment proposal, said he liked the wording of the proposal. It is something that I believe needs to be approved. “It’s only logical that the elders who care enough to vote should be included in the 3/4 majority of eligible voters, otherwise it would be nearly impossible to make any necessary changes at all.”

Another elder who expressed support, but without elaboration, was Grady Selph.

Current council configuration

Another item on the conference agenda was the election and/or reele tion of elders to sit on the council of elders.

The current list of council members is follows:

Scott Ashley, Bill Bradford, Jorge de Campos, Aaron Dean, Robert Dick, John Elliott, Mark Mickelson, Mario Seiglie, Rex Sexton, Don Ward, Anthony Wasilkoff and Robin Webber.

Dr. Ward is council chairman. Victor Kubik is church president.

Council members are elected by the elders of the general conference.

The president is selected by the council.

(Cartwright D. UCG elders vote down measure that would have made it easier to make important doctrine changes. The Journal: News of the Churches of God. June 30, 2016, pp. 1, 14)

There were certain errors in the old WCG literature and UCG also is in a difficult place to correct them. The work of God needs to be done in truth (Psalm 33:4). And the truth is that UCG’s governance structure is not optimal for that–and many in its leadership realize this. For more information on governance, check out the article The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government.  To this day, many in UCG do not trust its leadership to remain faithful to doctrine without highly restrictive rules.

The Journal had some articles about Karl Beyersdorfer, who was a minister in the Living Church of God, who committed suicide on May 27, 2016:

By Warren Zehrung (Pastor of the Sabbath Church of God in Little Rock)

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Karl Beyersdorfer died May 27, 2016, only days before his 50th wedding anniversary. Karl was planning an anniversary trip with his wife and friends to Arizona and New Mexico to see the Decalogue Stone and other artifacts that bear ancient inscriptions carved into rock . . .

Zest for life

Karl had a zest for life and living it that few possess. Somehow toward the end of his life he became disillu- sioned with where the church was headed. His life was spent in building the church, adding to the numbers, raising up new congregations. In the end it seemed to Karl that his best efforts were producing little or no growth. Karl came to the point where he felt he had become ineffective as a minister. He could not see God’s hand in the work he was trying to do. Karl began to question his past decisions, wondering if somehow God had become displeased with him, even thinking that perhaps he had committed the unpardonable sin.

By John Sash

JOPLIN, Mo.—Karl Beyersdorfer, age 73, a longtime pastor of the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) and later of the Living Church of God (LCG) of Joplin, took his life on May 27, 2016. Karl was a good friend for many years. I attended the funeral. I also obtained the CD of the sermon given in the Joplin Living Church the day after his death. I called Gene Hilgenberg, the Living pastor who gave the Sabbath sermon as well as the funeral sermon, for details of dates for this article. Gene did not return my call. I will give the dates the best I can recall. Who knows why? I don’t know why Karl took his life, and neither does anyone else. I have some ideas, or parts of ideas. Karl confided in me. He was always honest with me and always treated me kindly and as an equal. I knew what he was thinking. He was a friend and brother even when we had opposing views on theology. …

Karl’s independent streak Karl was a workaholic his whole life. We were both window washers. He would do more than I could do in a day before I ever got out of the house. In 1994 when Karl left the WCG he started his own window-washing business. He told me he never wanted to have to depend on a church for a paycheck again. He expanded his business and kept splitting it off to help dozens of other church members have their own businesses. …

I could see the stress in Karl’s life. Karl’s whole life was devoted to spreading the gospel as he knew it. Somehow he managed to visit prospective members, do more window washing than me, pastor several churches and take care of a hundred projects around his house. He started probably a dozen churches in the area.

Elusive source of Karl’s stress

Some months ago Gene took over as the pastor of the Joplin church and Karl was relieved as pastor. The Living Church sent Karl and Gene back to Oklahoma for a second evaluation.

The doctor again went through everything. He still said it was stress. He asked if Karl had postbattle stress from the military. Karl had never been in the military. The doctor asked if Karl grew up in an abusive home. Karl replied no. The doctor was perplexed. What possible stress could you possibly have, he asked. Both Karl and Gene could think of no possible cause for the stress.

The doctor gave up. He was convinced it was stress, yet he couldn’t pinpoint its source.

Passports to Petra

When Gene said these words in his sermon I was amazed. No stress? Duh. What about if you gave your entire life to a belief system, were a pastor teaching and believing it, and nothing turned out like it was supposed to.

By Jan A. Creusere

Help during litigation

My wife and I went through many years of suffering as a result of litigation I brought against a public-school system for religious discrimination and an unbelievable series of events caused by neighbors and a city that refused to allow us to keep the Sabbath in peace on our own property.

Without going into detail, I will say only that Mr. and Mrs. B. supported us in ways no one else ever has.

Not only did they give us tremendous support when we went to court, they also offered us an opportunity to move to Joplin, giving us a place to live and even offering me training for a new job. In effect, they gave us the opportunity to start our lives over.

Put the stone down

Eventually things worked out for us at home so we didn’t move to Joplin, but I wonder if anyone else has ever been given so much as they gave us. Mr. and Mrs. B. lived what they believed, and they put their money where their mouth was. No one else, including churches, helped us.

I reported a little about Karl Beyersdorfer at the News of those once affiliated with the Global Church of God last month. But I will add that I met Karl Beyersdorfer in person (he came to our house and office in California to see me) and sometimes spoke with him over the telephone. LCG has integrity issues and, in my opinion, this affected Karl Beyersdorfer.  As far as the unpardonable sin issue that he brought up with Warren Zehrung goes, check out the article What is the Unpardonable Sin?

The Journal had the following related to the Brexit vote:

By Brian Harris

OCEANSIDE, Calif.—On June 23, 2016, by a slim majority the British people voted in a national referendum to leave the European Union. The next day a jubilant Nigel Farage, leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party and a 17-year British representative to the 750- member European Parliament, proclaimed “Independence Day for Britain.”

Immediately world markets began to slide, down by 600 points in one day in the United States. The British pound fell to a 28- year low, and within days the ratings agency Standard & Poor’s had reduced Britain’s triple-A credit rating to AA, which will cost the British government more than the standard 2 percent to borrow the money needed to pay the interest on the huge British national debt. Three months’ delay Prime Minister David Cameron immediately announced his resignation and announced that his successor would be chosen at a party conference in three months, rather than immediately as is normal after a prime minister’s resignation. …

Overly dependent on Europe Little is understood of how much the nation relies on Europe for mil- lions of jobs and much more as its leaders for the first time in British history have made the economic col- lapse of Britain possible by over- dependence on European trade. British industry and economy depend on the EU to accept a massive 44 percent of British manufactured goods, and, even more shockingly, Britain is dependent on the EU nations to ship 50 percent of the British people’s daily food supply to the British Isles. Duality in prophecy, which continues its relevance to German and British history, warns the British leadership it is faced with a situation where it must go to Germany cap in hand to ask the German chancellor, who controls the decision-making process, to please save the British economy by convincing the EU Parliament not to cut off British trade.

While there is duality in certain prophecies, it is my view that the ultimate fulfillment of those indicating that Britain will go “cap in hand” to Germany, will get fulfilled AFTER the United States has been destroyed.

The Bible shows after problems happen, the UK peoples will try to make another deal with the Europeans, prophetically sometimes referred to as the Assyrians (cf. Isaiah 10).  Notice that in Hosea 12:1, Ephraim tries to make a deal with the Assyrians:

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

And in Hosea 7:11-12 Ephraim also tries to make a deal with Egypt and Assyria. This deal seems to be made after the USA has been eliminated or is on its way out.

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

There is nothing that I am aware of in world history that shows that Ephraim calls to Egypt after Hosea was written in a manner to fulfill that prophecy. Since this is a prophecy that must come to pass (this is one more reason why I believe the Bible supports the concept that the King of the North invades the U.S.A. and its English-speaking allies before it invades the King of the South).

Notice that Ephraim will eat unclean things in Assyria:

3 They shall not dwell in the Lord’s land, But Ephraim shall return to Egypt, And shall eat unclean things in Assyria. (Hosea 9:3)

These verses in Hosea suggest that the Ephraimites (United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand; see Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel) and the Jews (modern Israel) think they should get some protection from Assyria (Germany), probably because the U.S.A. (Manasseh, Israel?) was the primary reason the King of the North attacked the strongest fortresses and/or because they have made various treaties.

Furthermore, it shows that one of the reasons that Israel, including Ephraim, is swallowed up is because they trusted Assyria. Assyria is a people who Isaiah 10 shows will destroy nations.

In the Bible, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Judah are also prophesied to turn on each other to some degree (Isaiah 9:21).

Hosea 10:9-11 suggests that Ephraim and Judah will be forced into hard labor, perhaps around this time as well; while 11:1-8 says that Assyria will be the king of Ephraim and Israel, because they refused to repent, and that the sword will devour their cities.

The last verse in Hosea (14:9) begins with:

9 Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them.

Note that the word translated as “prudent” above is the same Hebrew biyn that is in Daniel 11:33/35 as understanding. Since I believe that the Philadelphian portion of the Church is to have the wise and prudent, I believe that Hosea is giving more insight as to why it may be tied into Daniel 11.

Amos makes it clear that a sinful nation will be destroyed and its people scattered:

8 “Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are on the sinful kingdom, And I will destroy it from the face of the earth; Yet I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,” Says the Lord. 9 “For surely I will command, And will sift the house of Israel among all nations, As grain is sifted in a sieve; Yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground. (Amos 9:8-9)

Amos 9:10 makes it clear that those who overlook these prophecies will suffer:

10 All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword, Who say, ‘The calamity shall not overtake nor confront us.’ (Amos 9:10)

But although many will be killed, this scattering and captivity will end:

47 Save us, O Lord our God, And gather us from among the Gentiles…(Psalms 106:47)

11 For I am with you,’ says the Lord, ‘to save you; Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, Yet I will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct you in justice, And will not let you go altogether unpunished.’ (Jeremiah 30:11)

10 “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, And declare it in the isles afar off, and say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, And keep him as a shepherd does his flock.’ 11 For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, And ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he. (Jeremiah 31:10-11)

16 Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Although I have cast them far off among the Gentiles, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet I shall be a little sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.”‘ 17 Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.”‘ 18 And they will go there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there. 19 Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God. (Ezekiel 11:16-21)

33 “As I live,” says the Lord God, “surely with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out, I will rule over you. 34 I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you are scattered, with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out. 35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will plead My case with you face to face. 36 Just as I pleaded My case with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will plead My case with you,” says the Lord God. (Ezekiel 20:33-36)

25 “I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. 26 I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. 27 Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them. 28 And they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make them afraid. 29 I will raise up for them a garden of renown, and they shall no longer be consumed with hunger in the land, nor bear the shame of the Gentiles anymore. 30 Thus they shall know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and they, the house of Israel, are My people,” says the Lord God.’” (Ezekiel 34:13-30)

21 “Then say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; 22 and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again. 23 They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. Then they shall be My people, and I will be their God. 24 “David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them. (Ezekiel 37:21-24)

22 The punishment of your iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; He will no longer send you into captivity. (Lamentations 4:22)

The passages from Ezekiel were never fulfilled by the Jews returning to the Middle East. It is a prophecy for the future. And it will come to pass.

The time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), also known as the Great Tribulation, is coming.  The UK will be affected by it.

The UK will one day be taken over by a European power and its peoples made slaves.

But God will end that captivity when He establishes His kingdom. That last part is the good news of the Kingdom of God.

Here are links to two videos related to the Brext: Post Brexit Prophecy and Forbes’ Brexit Monster is the Beast of Revelation.

The following was on the front page of The Journal:

THE JOURNAL is listing contact information, locations and dates of Feast of Tabernacles observances for 2016 in several issues this year.

Those associated with the Continuing Church of God, and we submitted them to The Journal can be found in the article Feast of Tabernacles’ Sites for 2016.

As far as The Journal goes, it also had the usual letters to the editor and other advertisements, various comments, and opinion articles. The advertisements mainly seem to be from possibly Laodicean groups and/or individuals (not all seem to be COG) who seem to think that the ads are somehow doing the work. More of the real work the COGs should be doing are in the article The Final Phase of the Work.

The Journal itself is available by paid subscription (though Dixon Cartwright says some subscriptions are free to those who cannot afford it). It tends to have a non-Philadelphian approach to many matters.

COGwriter

July 8th is observed in honor of Priscilla and Aquila by some associated with the Greco-Roman churches.

Priscilla and Aquila were apparently early converts to Christianity, and must have worked together. I have listed Priscilla (also called Prisca) first, as the Bible twice lists her first. This is not to say that she was necessarily superior to her husband Aquila, but since the Bible gives her that honor as often as it gives it to her husband, I thought I would also list her first.

Luke records that Priscilla and her husband Aquila were from Rome and shared the same occupation as the Apostle Paul:

After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers (Acts 18:1-3, NKJV throughout).

So when Paul met Priscilla and Aquila, they were living in Corinth as it was unsafe for them to have stayed in Rome at that time.

Priscilla and Aquila were quite well versed in early Christian doctrine as God used them to help Apollo:

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately (Acts 18:24-26).

Apparently, after being with Paul for a while, they returned to Rome. They were also apparently quite brave and also had church services in their home in Rome:

Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house (Romans 16:3-5).

When Paul was imprisoned in Rome, they still had church services in their home, and they apparently continued to support Paul, as he wrote:

The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house (1 Corinthians 16:19).

Later, they apparently moved again. In his letter to Timothy, who was then in Ephesus, Paul wrote:

Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 4:19).

So, near the end of Paul’s life, they became part of the true church in Ephesus.

Priscilla and Aquila were a married couple who were also tentmakers. They knew and supported Paul, knew and taught Apollo, and also knew Timothy.

Although originally from Rome, they traveled extensively. The fact that they had church services in their house in Rome when Paul wrote two of his letters seems to suggest that the early church in Rome was not particularly large.

Some items of possibly-related interest may include:

Priscilla and Aquila An early Christian married couple from Rome who moved to Asia Minor.
Women and the New Testament Church What roles did women play in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles? Did Jesus and the Apostle Paul violate Jewish traditions regarding their dealings with women? Do women have any biblical limitations on their role in the Church? Were there female prophets? Do women have any special responsibilities in terms of how they dress? What does the New Testament really teach about women? Here is a related sermon titled: New Testament Women.
True Womanhood: A Lost Cause? Is there still a place for being feminine? Here is an article from Herbert Armstrong about his thoughts relating to women and womanhood.
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?
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. Is telling the truth about the early church citing Catholic accepted sources anti-Catholic? This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church. There is also a YouTube sermon on the subject titled Church of God or Church of Rome: What Do Catholic Scholars Admit About Early Church History?
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Should Christians be Nazarenes today? What were the practices of the Nazarenes.
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
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.

Early Church History: Who Were the Two Major Groups Professed Christ in the Second and Third Centuries? Did you know that many in the second and third centuries felt that there were two major, and separate, professing Christian groups in the second century, but that those in the majority churches tend to now blend the groups together and claim “saints” from both? “Saints” that condemn some of their current beliefs. Who are the two groups?

Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom

COGwriter

Preliminary voting has narrowed down the next potential Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to two women:

July 7, 2016

Andrea Leadsom and Theresa May are vying to be the next Conservative leader – and the second female prime minister in British history. …

Theresa May: “We have immediate work to do to restore political stability and economic certainty, to bring together the Party and the country, and to negotiate a sensible and orderly departure from the European Union. But more than that, we have a mission to make Britain a country that works not for the privileged and not for the few but for every one of our citizens.”

Andrea Leadsom: “I want to spread prosperity to every corner of our country. I want to help create more jobs, because we need to hear and heed those millions of our fellow citizens who feel and fear that their country’s leaders are not worrying about them enough.”

Where they stand on Brexit

Theresa May: Officially a Remainer, but she kept a low profile during the campaign and has now accepted the verdict of the people, saying “Brexit is Brexit”.

Andrea Leadsom: A star performer for the Leave campaign during the referendum, although she appears, from comments made in 2013, to have been a recent convert to the cause.  http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-36735469

As far as the Brexit goes, Theresa May supported remain, while Andrea Leadsom campaigned for the leave (Brexit) side.  According to another news report I saw today, 2/3 of the Conservative party voters voted to leave the European Union.

We will see which of the two ladies will be voted to be the next Prime Minister.

As far as two females being up for that post, the following scripture comes to mind:

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

Margaret Thatcher was the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Now it looks like there will be a second.

Actually, since the time of Margaret Thatcher, I have felt that it is likely that the USA would end up with a female president or at least a highly influential woman in a top level federal government job. As it turns out, the four remaining predominantly British-descended nations (the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) all have had not only queens (they shared the same ones), but all have already had a woman in the office of prime minister. The prime minister is the chief executive official in a parliamentary system of governance.

Irrespective of which of the two ladies gets elected in the UK, expect that, in time, there will be problems with Europe.

Ark from Ark Encounter

COGwriter

CBS reported the following:

July 7, 2016

The replica of Noah’s Ark that opens Thursday in Williamstown, Kentucky … will certainly accommodate lots of paying visitors.

Answers in Genesis, the ministry behind the Christian-themed attraction, hopes interest in Ark Encounter, as the park is called, will eventually wash away the controversy that has surrounded the $100 million project virtually since planning started nearly a decade ago. …  — this is one big ark. The replica of the world’s most famous lifeboat, which sits on 800 acres in Northern Kentucky’s scenic river region some 30 miles south of Cincinnati, measures 510 feet in length, or 300 cubits, as specified in the Bible. That makes it nearly as long as three Space Shuttles laid end to end. Ark Encounter covers some 120,000 square feet, or more than twice as large as the White House.

Described by its builders at the biggest timber-frame structure in the U.S., the ark comes stocked with hundreds of sculpted creatures. The park also features a petting zoo, daily animal shows, zip lines, live entertainment and a 1,500-seat restaurant. Future phases of the project call for building the kind of antediluvian city Noah’s family might have lived in, as well as the Tower of Babel. …

Ham, perhaps best known for his 2014 debate with TV personality Bill “the Science Guy” Nye about human evolution, told CBS MoneyWatch he hopes Ark Encounter will encourage “people to actually talk about the Bible and the message of Christianity.” …

Ark Encounter may well draw a torrent of visitors, but it won’t be able to do one thing: float. The ark will be anchored to three cement columns designed to accommodate bathrooms and emergency exits. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ark-park-teaches-creationism-but-will-it-create-jobs/

The Bible tells of a massive worldwide flood that occurred c. 2325 B.C. (see Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?).  Here is some of what the Bible teaches about it:

6:13 And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. 15 And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. 16 You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks.  17 And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. 18 But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark — you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19 And of every living thing of all flesh you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. 20 Of the birds after their kind, of animals after their kind, and of every creeping thing of the earth after its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. 21 And you shall take for yourself of all food that is eaten, and you shall gather it to yourself; and it shall be food for you and for them.”

22 Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.

7:1 Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation. 2 You shall take with you seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; 3 also seven each of birds of the air, male and female, to keep the species alive on the face of all the earth. 4 For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made.” 5 And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him. 6 Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters were on the earth.

7 So Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives, went into the ark because of the waters of the flood. 8 Of clean animals, of animals that are unclean, of birds, and of everything that creeps on the earth, 9 two by two they went into the ark to Noah, male and female, as God had commanded Noah. 10 And it came to pass after seven days that the waters of the flood were on the earth. 11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. 12 And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights.

13 On the very same day Noah and Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark —  14 they and every beast after its kind, all cattle after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort. 15 And they went into the ark to Noah, two by two, of all flesh in which is the breath of life. 16 So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in.

17 Now the flood was on the earth forty days. The waters increased and lifted up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. 18 The waters prevailed and greatly increased on the earth, and the ark moved about on the surface of the waters. 19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth, and all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered. 20 The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered. 21 And all flesh died that moved on the earth: birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man. 22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, all that was on the dry land, died. 23 So He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground: both man and cattle, creeping thing and bird of the air. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive.  24 And the waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days. (Genesis 6:13-7:24)

The idea of a worldwide flood is in the literature of many ancient cultures as the following confirms:

Gods, floods – and global warming

By Steve Jones

The new science of geomythology sets out to tie such tales to ancient disasters. Often, geology and legend fit remarkably well…

The greatest tale of all is that of the Flood. Noah finds his roots in older legends. Three hundred Flood narratives are known, from the Americas to Australia (from whence comes the tale of the frog that swallowed the world’s water only to spew it out when the other animals made him laugh). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/steve-jones/7887202/Gods-floods-and-global-warming.html

While I have long known that there were many accounts of the great flood in Noah’s time, the above piece mentions a few details that seem interesting.

Of course, the account that we in the Continuing Church of God rely on is the biblical account.

But the fact that there are hundreds of flood accounts all across the world should demonstrate to any who are willing to think that a worldwide flood did occur.  There is also even evidence in ancient Chinese characters (see China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters).

This new Ark Encounter may stimulate additional interest in finding Noah’s ark.

I have long suspected that some will claim that Noah’s ark will be found in the last days. And some have claimed that it in the past (see Have the Turks and Chinese Just Found Noah’s Ark?). If it is truly found and widely believed, this will rock the view many of the less religious, and likely strengthen the faith of those that are religious.

Hollywood has made several movies about Noah and the flood – and while several associated with those films likely did not believe in it, if the ark has truly been found, then they and others are likely to change their views.

And while most Catholics, Protestants, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Latter Day Saints (Mormons), Seventh-day Adventists, and Eastern Orthodox probably think that this particular “find” would be a great recruiting tool, there are reasons to be cautious, if it ever was truly accepted as being found.

Both biblical (Revelation 13) and non-biblical prophecy warn of a time when an ecumenical religion will take over the world. If Noah’s ark is ever truly accepted as having been found, this will likely represent part of a major turning point in getting more of humanity to accept a coming world religion that claims to be Christian.

Since many cultures have a tale of the flood, this will make the coming ecumenical religion acceptable even to certain cultures that do not normally refer to the Bible for their beliefs. Thus, a real “find” of Noah’s ark could be important for that unity.

The end of this age is fast approaching, so more information on the flood and possibly even an identification of the Ark certainly seems possible.

Some items of potentially related interest may include:

Have the Turks and Chinese Just Found Noah’s Ark? Some have so claimed. If true, this could change how much of the world views events from the Bible.
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? See also World Council of Churches Peace Plan.
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? (And the Protestants) Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video sermon of related interest is: Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III? and a video sermon is also available: Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?
Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true? Here is a link to a YouTube sermon titled Is it logical to believe in God?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge. Here is a link to a YouTube video titled Is There Another View of Evolution? and another titled Quickly Disprove Evolution as the Origin of Life.
How Old is the Earth and How Long Were the Days of Creation? Does the Bible allow for the creation of the universe and earth billions of years ago? Why do some believe they are no older than 6,000 years old? What is the gap theory? Were the days of creation in Genesis 1:3 through 2:3 24 hours long? Here is a link to a sermon: Genesis, ‘Prehistoric man,’ and the Gap theory. Here is a link to a related article in Spanish: ¿Cuán vieja es la Tierra? ¿Cuán largos fueron los Días de la Creación? ¿Teoría de la brecha?
Study the Bible Course Want to learn more about the Bible? This new course is for you! It is also available in French (Leçon 1 En francés), Kiswahili (Somo 1 Katika Kiswahili), Mandarin Chinese (首页 › 中国), Tagalog (KURSO SA PAG-ARAL NG BIBLYA), and Spanish (Lección 1 En castellano).
Read the Bible Christians should read and study the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading. Here is a link in Mandarin Chinese: 读圣经 Here is a link in the Spanish language: Lea la Biblia.
Bible: Superstition or Authority? Should you rely on the Bible? Is it reliable? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
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? 2024 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up?

Beast Portrayal

COGwriter

When is the earliest year that the Great Tribulation can?

Various ones seem to feel that it can begin in 2016 or 2017 or that it already started some time ago.

Those who believe and understand what the Bible actually teaches realize that the Great Tribulation cannot begin before 2020.

Jesus gave a variety of signs/events that had to happen prior to the start of the Great Tribulation in Matthew 24. Not only have many not happened, a preceding event in Daniel 9:27 involving the confirmation of a seven-year deal still has not happened. Since it did not happen as of July 7, 2016, this means that it is not possible for the Great Tribulation to begin for at least 3 1/2 years (half of a biblically-prophetic week).

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

At this instant, unless we see more major conflict in the Middle East between now and the end of the Summer, it is unlikely that the Great Tribulation can begin prior to 2021.

People who claim to be COG, like James Malm and Ronald Weinland, are in error as to timing as they have looked to their own understanding instead of what the Bible teaches.

The Great Tribulation is coming, but it will not begin in 2016. And, as I announced within days after Barack Obama was re-elected, I did not believe that it would can begin until after his second term ended.

That being said, please understand that the COGs associated with the Sardis and Laodicean churches cannot possibly know when the Great Tribulation will begin unless they change..

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

Here is a listing of some of the wrong prophetic views of real and claimed COG groups:

1. Many COG groups (ICG, CGI, UCG, COGaIC, CG7, CBCG, CGG, CEM, etc.) do not officially teach and/or do not believe in the idea of Church eras (The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3), though they sometimes teach about the churches of Revelation.  They tend to take more of a preterist (past) view of those churches, despite the fact that many statements made to them had to have future prophetic ramifications (e.g. Revelation 1:19; 3:3; 3:10). Because of they do not teach certain prophetic aspects of this, most do not see their own problems and will have to go through the Great Tribulation.
2. Many COG groups do not believe that the Gospel of the Kingdom still needs to be preached to the world as a witness per Matthew 24:14 (e.g. GCW, PCG), do not really make that a high priority (e.g. COGWA, CGG), or do so in less than truly loving the truth (cf. Jeremiah 48:10; see Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God), hence do not have the real Philadelphian work. As only the Philadelphians are promised to be protected from the hour of trial that will come on the whole world, they will not understand when Matthew 24:14 is fulfilled or when to flee per Matthew 24:15. Hence they do not have or lead the Philadelphian work.  Only the Philadelphians are promised to be protected from the hour of trial that will come on the whole world (see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra ).  See also 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?
3. At least three groups misunderstand the Gospel and COG doctrines so much (PCG, CGPfK, and RCG) that I question if their top leaders are actually converted members of the COG. Two of those leaders have had major predictions be proven false (CGPFK and RCG).
4. Many, if not most, COG groups do not realize that the Great Tribulation begins with the King of the North invading the USA. UK, and/or their Anglo-Saxon descended allies (Daniel 11:39) (see Who is the King of the North?).
5. Many COG groups misunderstand the identity of the King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43), and some have the wrong prophetic sequence regarding the King of the South (see PCG and LCG do not understand the end-time King of the South sequence–do you?). This is not the order that Daniel 11 teaches (see Who is the King of the North?). This view overlooks the fact that since the Great Tribulation is the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), that it begins with the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies like the United Kingdom getting invaded (cf. Daniel 11:39).  Some of the groups cling to this sequential error, because it was once held by the late Herbert W. Armstrong, who changed his view by 1979 (Armstrong, Herbert W. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General’s Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979).  Since the King of the North will eliminate those of the strongest fortresses (the USA, Canada, etc.) in Daniel 11:39, prior to invading the King of the South in Daniel 11:40, those who hold to this view will not know when the Great Tribulation will begin until after it has started.
6. Some (CEG, GCG-UK) teach that there is no biblically-required King of the South, while at least one group is unsure (CGF-NW)–but this is an error (see also Is the Future King of the South Rising Up?).  This error contributes to other prophetic errors that those groups have.
7. Some have insisted that the final King of the South will be from the nation of Ethiopia. This is partially based upon a mistranslation in the KJV version of the Bible as well as a position that the late Herbert Armstrong held. However, he changed his position in the 1960s and 1970s to an Arabic-Muslim confederation. Those who insist that the final King of the South must be Ethiopia will not possibly realize that the Great Tribulation will begin until it is too late (RCG once held that position, but later changed it).
8. Several COG groups (like CGG, RCG, PCG, COGWA) clearly misunderstand Daniel 9:27, the second half of which ties in with Daniel 11:31 and Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:15. Those who misunderstand it will not have a proper pre-warning of what is happening nor likely know when the Great Tribulation will begin. (see also The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27).
9. Various COG groups (UCG, COGWA, COGaIC, RCG, and CGOM, come to immediate mind, but they are not the only ones) have so many areas of undefined prophecy that they will not know what certain events will mean.  And groups who define matters wrong will have problems that way as well (PCG and LCG come to immediate mind, but so do nearly all other COG claimed groups).
10. A couple of groups, such as  Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God and Triumph Prophetic Ministries, have been repeatedly proven wrong about their dates for the start of the Great Tribulation and the return of Jesus Christ.  Those who rely on the leaders of those groups really do not understand biblical prophecy.
11. Certain groups teach improper interpretations of the 1335, 1290, and 1260 days of Daniel 12 (CGPFK is one) or have other problems with that (most other COG groups) that they will not understand when the Great Tribulation will start. Herbert Armstrong changed his view on this by 1979 and many never understood the change.
12. Most COG groups fail to understand Habakkuk 2:2-8 and hence are not properly getting the warning out to the USA and UK (see Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel).  PCG totally misses it, and LCG, while it once would teach it, has backed off because of what appears to be internal politics. The rising ‘time bomb’ of USA debt is something that needs to be pointed out and Habakkuk 2:2-8 points out the biblical threat that this poses. It should be proclaimed and we in CCOG are doing it. Many do not realize that Habakkuk 2:2-8 is related to fleeing and the start of the Great Tribulation, that the time will come when those Philadelphians who understand it in its proper timeframe will flee (see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra), and is one of the reasons for the attack against the indebted descendants of the tribes of Joseph.
13. At least one group (LCG) is not longer certain that France or certain other Israelitish nations will support the Beast power (see Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?). This differs from the position specifically taught by the late Dibar Apartian (see The ‘Lost Tribe’ of Reuben: France in Prophecy?) as well as what the Bible teaches (see Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?). Those who misunderstand this are likely to not possibly realize when the final Beast power has formed.
14. Many COG groups have various ‘Elijah heresies.’ Because of this, they will not be able to recognize the final Elijah.  Some think it must have been Herbert Armstrong, despite the fact that he has been dead since 1986 and that death disqualifies him according to his writing about that (Mystery of the Ages. 1985, p. 349).  Some think that either there is no Elijah to come or that is the church and not an individual, which goes against Jesus’ teachings on the subject in Mark 9:12-13 (for more details, see The Elijah Heresies).
15. Many groups do not understand the differing persecutions (and other matters) to come in Daniel 7:25, 11:30-39, Matthew 24:9-22, and Revelation 12:14-17, hence when the prophesied wave of persecution initially hits the Philadelphians primarily (and not them), they will not see this persecution as evidence that the Great Tribulation is about to begin. The old Radio Church of God specifically applied the persecuting scriptures of Daniel 11:32-35 to the end time Philadelphian church (see also Persecutions by Church and State).
16. Most groups that came out of groups once led by the late Garner Ted Armstrong (ICG, CGI, CEM, etc.) do not seem to teach that there is a physical place of safety (despite what Revelation 12:14-16 teaches), hence they will not be inclined to flee towards one just prior to the start of the Great Tribulation (see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra).
17. Most ‘independents’ do not believe that they need to ‘gather together’ prior to the time to flee despite what Zephaniah 2:1-3 teaches, hence it is not likely they will be inclined to flee together when a group they are not part of does just prior to the start of the Great Tribulation (cf. Revelation 12:14-17; see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra).
18. At least one group (PCG) misunderstands the final Prince of Rosh.  Those who insist on a pre-return of Jesus Christ for the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 will be disappointed as that is in scriptural error.
19. At least on COG group (CG7) basically teaches that most of the events of Revelation have already taken place and no one needs to worry about coming persecution.  Jesus warned those of Sardis to be careful about losing the doctrinal understandings they had (Revelation 3:1-6), and this loss of prophetic knowledge proves that those in Sardis will not know when the Great Tribulation will begin.
20. At least one COG group (LCG) erroneously believes that the abomination of desolation of Daniel 11:31 occurs after the King of the North invades the King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43; see PCG and LCG do not understand the end-time King of the South sequence–do you?). Since this will not happen that way, those who hold to that position will not understand when the Great Tribulation will begin.
21. At least one group (RCG) totally misunderstands various prophecies in Haggai and Zechariah and expect a type of reunification that is not prophesied.  Those who rely on this and other misinterpretations will not know when the Great Tribulation will begin.
22. At least one group (LCG) erroneously teaches that the ‘Falling Away’ warned about in 2 Thessalonians 2 has mainly to do with the world and Protestants and not the Church of God (see The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings).  This improper emphasis seems to be leading to a falling away of certain prophetic understandings for those who hold to it.
23. Some groups teach (RCG, UCG, COGWA, LCG) that the man of sin who sits in the temple of God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) is the Antichrist, not the Beast of the Sea. Yet, it is this Beast of the Sea, the final King of the North (Daniel 11:35-36; see also Who is the Man of Sin?). So, when this happens, those who hold to the wrong position will not understand its prophetic ramifications.  The identity of the ‘son of perdition’ is important to understand in the end times.
24. At least one group teaches that the ‘man of sin’ is Joseph Tkach, Jr. (PCG).  This absurd position also partially leads to many other misunderstandings.
25. A few teach that a Jewish temple in Jerusalem temple will be rebuilt before Jesus returns (CBCG, RCG, COGFF, CEG, and TPM teach this, as do some in LCG). While this is remotely possible it is not required (the “temple of God” in the New Testament has to do with a Christian, not a modern Jewish, location; see Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required?). Since this will not happen as a few sometimes teach, those who hold to that position will not understand when the Great Tribulation will begin.
26. At least two groups (PCG and LCG) teach that the Beast power will consist of 10 or 11 current nations in the European Union (see Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?). The European Union has 28 nation members (with the UK planning on leaving) with several others hoping to join it. And while it may lose other nations, the reality is that if the Beast power rises up when there are more than 11 nations in it, those who hold to that position will not understand when the Great Tribulation will begin. Under Herbert Armstrong, the old WCG taught in at least a dozen documents (Plain Truth, Good News, Tomorrow’s World, booklets, Co-worker letter, Bible Correspondence Course) that this passage referred to 10 nations or GROUPS OF NATIONS. Presuming it will be another number of nations, those who insist on 10 or 11 will not realize when the Great Tribulation will begin.
27. At least one group (CBCG) teaches that the ten kings are to be in charge of ten regions around the world as opposed to being a primarily European power.  Insistence upon this would mean that such a group could not possibly understand when the Great Tribulation would begin.
28. At least one or two groups (LCG is one) teach that the first verse in the Daniel 11 sequence relating to the beginning of the Great Tribulation is Daniel 11:40. Instead they should teach that it begins with Daniel 11:39, which is shortly after Daniel 11:31, which is also consistent with the start of the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7; see also Who is the King of the North?). Those who hold to the Daniel 11:40 position will not understand when the Great Tribulation will begin.
29. The leader of at least one group (GOI, James Malm) has claimed that the Great Tribulation could begin in within a year for the last 7 or so years.  Since it does not recognize why this is in error, it will not truly know when the Great Tribulation will begin.
30. Some independents and some groups (PCG comes to mind) insist that the late Herbert W. Armstrong was the final ‘Elijah to come’ even though that contradicts scripture and his own writings (see The Elijah Heresies).
31. Leaders of at least two groups (CGPFK and RCG), who once insisted publicly that Herbert Armstrong must be the final Elijah, now falsely claim that they hold that role.
32. Some groups either do not believe there is an Elijah to come (CGI comes to mind) or do not believe he needs to be a person (LCG comes to mind).
33. At least one group has confused the final Elijah with the return of Jesus (LCG comes to mind).
34. At least one group has publicly claimed that God has no prophets today and will not have any until the two witnesses are empowered (LCG comes to mind). This downplays how God works (cf. Ephesians 2:20) and that the Bible teaches, ” Surely the Lord God does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7) (see also How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God).
35. At least one group (CGG) teaches that the Beast power is not European.  Since the Beast power will arise in Europe, those who do not understand this will not realize when the Great Tribulation is about to begin (see also Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation).
36. At least one group (LCG) teaches that the European Union will collapse like the old Roman Empire. But the lessons of history and the Bible contradict that (details are in the article Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?).

Some will come up with their preferred rational as why not to agree with the position of the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) on these matters. Yet, on most of those points, the old WCG taught what I believe that the Bible teaches on them (on the few that it did not, one is consistent with a November 1979 HWA writing and on the others, a former adviser to HWA told me that HWA would have agreed with me on those as well, as one he had not investigated and some others were not issues when he was alive).

It should be noted that leaders in the Living Church of God and/or the United Church of God confirmed to me personally that I was biblically correct on all the above points, despite the fact that their respective churches hold to several of the errors pointed out above. Those who rely too much on a compromised ministry (Ezekiel 34:7-10) to teach them prophecy that is not truly in accordance with scripture need to realize that according to Jesus’ words in Revelation 2 & 3 and Luke 21, only relatively few Christians will be protected from the hour of trial that will come upon the whole world.

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

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

Here is a link to our latest sermon: Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020?

Large Hadron Collider CMS Particle Detector (Tighef)

COGwriter

CERN’s Large Hadron Collider is in the news:

July 6, 2016

Physics researchers at CERN are preparing to sift through the latest batch of data from the Large Hadron Collider, an opportunity that some say happens only once in a lifetime.

This batch of data is unusually large. Between April last year, when the collider was switched on, and the end of the year, scientists at CERN collected about 2.6 “inverse femtobarns” (a unit of measurement for particle collision events) of data. Thus far this year, they have already collected 8 fb⁻¹ , giving them a monster treasure trove of information to explore.

“This is the time when the probability of finding something new is highest,” Tiziano Camporesi, head of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment at CERN, told Reuters. …

There are currently seven particle detection experiments at the LHC. Two of them, Atlas and CMS, were involved in the discovery of the Higgs boson particle.

Now, scientists are excited by a “bump” detected by both Atlas and CMS in December. In the half year that has transpired since the bump was detected at an energy of 750 gigaelectronvolts, 450 papers have been written about the “bump,” leading some to urge caution against leaping to conclusions. …

According to the BBC, there are a few possibilities where the identity of the “bump” is concerned. Depending on its spin, the particle could be a long lost cousin of the Higgs boson, or it could be a graviton, a thus far purely theoretical particle associated with the force of gravity.

It could also be the first supersymmetric particle, confirming a theory that every Standard Model particle has an unseen partner – the Higgs boson’s would be termed the Higgsino. http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0706/Has-the-Large-Hadron-Collider-detected-a-new-particle

This project has made a lot of physics-related discoveries, and the ramifications of those it has already made have not been fully implemented yet.  But this is a project that is giving Europe technologies that it expects to exploit in the future.

A reader sent me a link to the following related to CERN today:

July 6, 2016

There are some “major concerns” about what the scientists at CERN are doing these days.  The European Organization for Nuclear Research, more commonly known by the acronym “CERN”, is purposely smashing particles into one another at astonishingly high speeds.

Just last month, the researchers working at the facility began a new experiment called “Awake” that uses “plasma wakefields driven by a proton beam” to accelerate charged particles.

On June 24th, pictures of some extremely bizarre “portal-shaped cloud formations” were taken in the area just above the Large Hadron Collider at CERN.

This is what the official CERN website has to say about the “Awake” experiment that has just begun…

AWAKE (the Advanced Proton Driven Plasma Wakefield Acceleration Experiment) will be the first accelerator of its kind in the world. It is currently under construction, but hopes to test the concept that plasma wakefields driven by a proton beam could accelerate charged particles.

The reason why there is such a focus on this experiment is because of the images that were taken of the sky just above the Large Hadron Collider on June 24th. …

In addition, there are those that have pointed out that “CERN” is the first four letters of the name of the horned pagan god named Cernunnos…

‘Is it just a coincidence that CERN is short for the horned God Cernunnos? Is it also a coincidence that CERN has to go deep underground to do their “god” harnessing experiments? Cernunnos was the god of the underworld.’

Also, there appears to be a very curious parallel between the geographic location of CERN and a passage in the book of Revelation…

Now on top of all the speculation as to what CERN scientists are really attempting to do with their Large Hadron Collider, many observers could not help but notice that the town in France where CERN is partially situated is called “Saint-Genus-Poilly.”

The name Pouilly comes from the Latin “Appolliacum” and it is believed that in Roman times a temple existed in honor of Apollo, and the people who lived there believed that it is a gateway to the underworld. It is interesting to note that CERN is built on the same spot.

Religious leaders – always suspicious of the aims of the scientific world – drew a connection to a verse straight out of Revelations (9:1-2, 11), which makes reference to the name ‘Apollyon.’ The verse states: “To him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit… And they had a kind over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.”

On top of everything else, the people running CERN decided to choose a logo that seems to contain “666”…

And they also decided to erect a statue of the Hindu god Shiva (“the destroyer”) right outside CERN headquarters…

image: http://endoftheamericandream.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/CERN-Shiva.jpg

What does all of this ultimately mean?

I don’t know, but I can certainly understand why so many people are raising questions. http://www.prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=470#xqaMxR6H0BHTH4LX.99

As far as what all this means, let me mainly state that I have warned since last decade that CERN’s Large Hadron Collider has the potential to put the Europeans ahead of the Americans in terms of physics as well as military spinoffs of new technologies.

As far as 666 goes, while I do not believe that CERN is the 666 that the Bible warns about, I expect it to be on the same side that 666 is on. I first pointed out the 666 connection to CERN when I posted about it on November 1, 2010 (see CERN logo is 666?).

It is interesting, to me at least, that the Shiva statue is outside of CERN’s headquarters. Here is some information about Shiva:

Lord Shiva is the destroyer of the world, following Brahma the creator and Vishnu the preserver, after which Brahma again creates the world and so on. Shiva is responsible for change both in the form of death and destruction and in the positive sense of destroying the ego, the false identification with the form. (Shiva. http://www.sanatansociety.org/hindu_gods_and_goddesses/shiva.htm#.V30-8qK2eLE accessed 07/06/16)

It may well be that the Large Hadron Collider will produce destructive technology.

Some were worried when the Large Hadron Collider was originally started up that the start-up could destroy the world–but on September 9, 2008 I wrote that was not possible (see September 10th is Not the End of the World).

But I also wrote on that date:

On the other hand, while it is touted as simply a scientific (and not a military) device, the LHC will likely give the Europeans some techological advantages that they will eventually be able to use as they seek to strength their military.  And that is likely to help them when they decide it is time to launch a surprise attack on the USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Since the Bible is clear that the Beast power will have unique military advantage and the Europeans have the largest “super collider” in existence, it just may be that it will somehow lead the Europeans to get the type of military power that they are prophesied to have (cf. Revelation 13:4)

But again, the destruction of the Anglo-American powers cannot happen until at least 3 1/2 years from now, which would be no earlier than 2012.  It will not be September 10, 2008. (Thiel B. September 10th is Not the End of the World, September 9, 2008).

The Large Hadron Collider is helping Europe get to the point it will have the technology it will need to temporarily ‘rule’ the world.  There have been interesting developments from it so far and more are expected.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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.
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?
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?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
Large Hadron Collider may result in military applications The Europeans have the largest physics project on the planet. Some scoff, but might it result in military applications? May the Large Hadron Collider help fulfill Revelation 13:4?
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 videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter video is: Can the Great Tribulation Start in 2016?
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States This is a 200 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, 2nd edition: Is Hillary Clinton Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Hopi, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Donald Trump? $11.99.
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon 2nd Kindle edition This electronic version of the 200 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 2nd 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.

COGwriter

The Catholic Herald reported the following:

July 5, 2016

Cardinal Robert Sarah, the Vatican’s liturgy chief, has asked priests to begin celebrating Mass ad orientem, that is, facing east rather than towards the congregation.

The proposed reform is arguably the biggest liturgical announcement since Benedict XVI’s 2007 motu proprio Summorum Pontificum gave greater freedom for priests to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass.

Speaking at the Sacra Liturgia conference in London on Tuesday, the Guinean cardinal, who is Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, addressed priests who were present, saying: “It is very important that we return as soon as possible to a common orientation, of priests and the faithful turned together in the same direction – eastwards or at least towards the apse – to the Lord who comes”.

The cardinal continued: “I ask you to implement this practice wherever possible.”

He said that “prudence” and catechesis would be necessary, but told pastors to have “confidence that this is something good for the Church, something good for our people”.

“Your own pastoral judgement will determine how and when this is possible, but perhaps beginning this on the first Sunday of Advent this year, when we attend ‘the Lord who will come’ and ‘who will not delay’.”

These words were met with prolonged applause in the conference hall.

Cardinal Sarah had spoken on previous occasions about the merits of ad orientem worship, saying that from the Offertory onwards it was “essential that the priest and faithful look together towards the east”. http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2016/07/05/cardinal-sarah-asks-priests-to-start-celebrating-mass-facing-east-this-advent/

So, the Vatican’s ‘liturgy chief’ says it is good for its priests to pray to the east.

Perhaps he and others may wish to read that the Bible objects to this. Here are quotes from the New Jerusalem Bible, which is a Roman Catholic translation of the scriptures into the English language:

¹⁵ He said, ‘Son of man, do you see that? You will see even more loathsome things than that.’

¹⁶ He then led me to the inner court of the Temple of Yahweh. And there, at the entrance to Yahweh’s sanctuary, between the portico and the altar, there were about twenty-five men, with their backs to Yahweh’s sanctuary and their faces turned towards the east, before the rising sun. (Ezekiel 8:15-16)

So, although the Bible warns against worship towards the east and associates with sun-god worship, the Church of Rome is encouraging this.

Why might the Church of Rome be encouraging something in conflict with the Bible here?

Well, sadly, many practices associated with sun-god worship, specifically Mithraism were adopted by the Church of Rome. Mithraism had priests pray towards the sun, which in the morning meant towards the east.  Notice the following report from the Catholic scholar F. Cumont (bolding mine):

The priest was the intermediary between God and man. His functions evidently included the administration of the sacraments and the celebration of the services. The inscriptions tell us that in addition he presided at the formal dedications, or at least represented the faithful one on such an occasion along with the Fathers; but this was the least portion only of the duties he had to perform; the religious service which fell to his lot appears to have been very exacting. He doubtless was compelled to see that a perpetual fire burned upon the altars. Three times a day, at dawn, at noon, and at dusk, he addressed a prayer to the Sun, turning in the morning toward the East, at noon toward the South, at evening toward the West. The daily liturgy frequently embraced special sacrifices.

…the orthodox and heretical liturgies of Christianity, which gradually sprang up during the first centuries of our era, could find abundant inspiration in the Mithraic Mysteries… it appears certain that the commemoration of the Nativity was set for the 25th of December, because it was at the winter solstice that the rebirth of the invincible god,* the Natalis invicti, was celebrated. In adopting this date, which was universally distinguished by sacred festivities, the ecclesiastical authority purified in some measure the profane usages which it could not suppress. The only domain in which we can ascertain in detail the extent to which Christianity imitated Mithraism is that of art. The Mithraic sculpture, which had been first developed, furnished the ancient Christian marble-cutters with a large number of models, which they adopted or adapted…(Cumont, pp. 166, 193,196-197).

Many of the doctrines and practices mentioned above were NOT held by the original Christians. For articles related to them, please see Do You Practice Mithraism?, Sunday and Christianity, What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days?, Did Early Christians Believe that Humans Possessed Immortality?, and What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons?

Even Wikipedia realizes that worship towards the east does not come from Christianity:

The practice of praying towards the East is older than Christianity (East. Wikipedia, accessed 07/06/16)

Eastern worship is condemned in the Continuing Church of God booklet Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach?:

Notice what Jesus Himself taught:

²³ But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. ²⁴ God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:23-24)

Many think that it does not matter what or how they worship, only that they make some attempt.  That is not what Jesus said that the Father wants.

Jesus also taught:

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

People may pray out loud or silently, but notice that they can be worshiping God in vain if they are following the imaginations of their own mind or ‘traditions’ of human beings which are contrary to God’s ways. Intentionally praying to the east (Ezekiel 8:16) and certain holidays that many who claim Christianity observe, do not come from the Bible, but from compromises with pagan “traditions of men” (see also our booklet Should You Observe God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays?). …

While some have said that having icons around reminds them to pray, the Apostle John wrote:

²¹ Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (1 John 5:21).

He did not say that idols/icons should be around to encourage prayer.  The pagans did that.  And the Bible teaches that the true God does not want to be worshiped as other gods have been (Leviticus 18:24-30; Deuteronomy 12:29-31).

The Bible points to God’s throne being in the far north (Psalm 48:1,2; Job 37:22; Isaiah 14:13; Ezekiel 1:4) and when I pray, I tend to look towards the heavens to the north, presuming God’s throne is above that (cf. Isaiah 40:22).  This helps remind me that God rules the expanses of the universe (Thiel B. Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach? Nazarene Books, 2015).

To learn more about what the Bible teach about prayer, check out our freeonline  booklet Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach?

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach? This contains 28 biblically-based tips on improving the effectiveness of your prayers. This is a pdf. A related sermon is available and titled: What Does the Bible Teach About Prayer?
What Should I Pray About? An old article by Lynn Torrance on prayer. Here is a link to it in Mandarin Chinese 我应该祷告什么？
Importance of Fasting An old article by Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject. Here is a link to it in Mandarin Chinese 禁食的重要性.
Should You Observe God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays? This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history shows about God’s Holy Days and popular holidays.
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. December 25th was celebrated as his birthday. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity? A sermon video from Vatican City is titled Church of Rome, Mithras, and Isis?
Faith for those God has Called and Chosen What is faith? Can faith be increased? Are you saved by faith? What about works? Do Christians need to keep the Ten Commandments? What is the ‘faith chapter’? How do the just live by faith? Is faith one of the weightier matters of the law? How does faith come? Here is a link to a pdf. booklet titled Faith for Those God has Called and Chosen. Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Fe para aquellos que Dios ha llamado y escogido.Here is a link to a related sermon titled: Faith for the Called and Chosen. Here is a link to shorter version of the written article in Mandarin Chinese 一篇关于信仰的小文章
Were the Early Duties of Elders/Pastors Mainly Sacramental? What was their Dress? Were the duties of the clergy primarily pastoral or sacramental? Did the clergy dress with special liturgical vestments? Can “bishops” be disqualified as ministers of Christ based on their head coverings?
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 and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th 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.
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.

COGwriter

COGwriter

In what is probably the last official government report about Hillary Clinton’s scandals before the Democratic convention, the FBI has seemingly decided that she gets a pass:

July 5, 2016

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation says it is recommending no criminal charges be brought against Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state, lifting a major political and legal hurdle for the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate.

FBI Director James Comey sharply condemned Clinton, who served as the country’s top diplomat from 2009 to 2013, and her colleagues at the State Department for what he said Tuesday was their “extremely careless” handling of classified material they sent to each other via a private email server she established at her home in New York.

But Comey said FBI investigators in an extensive probe of thousands of Clinton’s emails could not find evidence that she “clearly, willfully” sought to violate U.S. laws and that “no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case” against her based on the evidence uncovered in the weeks-long investigation. http://www.voanews.com/content/article/3404736.html

July 5, 2016

Comey revealed Clinton actually used several different servers and multiple devices.

He said 110 emails in 52 email chains contained classified information at the time they were sent or received. That directly contradicted Clinton’s claim that nothing was marked classified when she sent or received it.

The FBI director did appear extremely concerned that Clinton had exposed state secrets to hackers, including those working for foreign governments.

Increasing his concern, Comey said, “We do assess that hostile actors gained access to the private commercial email accounts of people with whom secretary Clinton was in regular contact from her personal account.”

Comey also said the bureau discovered several thousand emails that Clinton had not turned over.

Additionally, the director revealed that before Clinton deleted the 30,000 emails she claimed were personal, her attorneys deleted emails that were actually official business. He said that was because they used search words rather than reading the emails to attempt to determine which to delete. http://www.wnd.com/2016/07/fbi-wont-recommend-email-charges-against-hillary/#2xQjDYxDMGE0Mbyh.99

Though this lack of calling for an indictment is not a surprise, it remains disappointing.  Hillary Clinton clearly and intentionally did have a private email server, did send classified information over it, endangered US national security through her actions, and clearly and intentionally had her emails deleted.

And this one who is EXTREMELY CARELESS with the national security of the USA is currently favored to become the next President of the United States.

Notice that various ones are convinced that she violated the law and is getting special treatment:

July 5, 2016

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.: “Today Comey & Obama’s DOJ made it clear to the American people there’s no accountability no justice & the Clintons live by different rules.”

Former U.S. Ambassador John Bolton: “The #FBI recommends no charges & yet there is evidence of potential violations regarding the handling of classified info. Unbelievable.”

Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer: “If Hillary were still Sec State, Pres O would have to fire her. But instead, he travels with her and seeks to promote her. Disgusting.”

More Fleischer: “Bottom line: Hillary is reckless, careless and has poor judgement, but she’s not a criminal. Which means she’s likely to be our next POTUS.”

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif.: “The FBI decision shows once again how the Clintons and others at the top get to live by a different set of rules from everyone else.” http://www.wnd.com/2016/07/trump-unloads-on-fbi-clearing-clinton-system-rigged/#27EF66D93tExWQFq.99

July 5, 2016

FBI Director Jim Comey may not think Hillary Clinton is guilty of how she handled e-mails with classified information but former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani says he’s “disappointed” in his former employee for the “no brainer” violation of statute 18 United States Code Section 793.

“It’s a felony, 10 years in prison [to violate the statute] and the words that he said he was ill-advised to say, was that she was extremely negligent. This statute requires gross negligence in the handling of information relating to the national defense. The definition that a judge gives a jury in a charge on gross negligence includes the words ‘extremely negligent.’ They are one in the same thing. So, he has found that she violated 18 United States Code Section 793 except he can’t somehow bring himself to the conclusion that she should be indicted for it – which says to me he’s putting her above the law,” he told Charles Payne and Liz Claman on the FOX Business Network’s Cavuto: Coast to Coast. http://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2016/07/05/giuliani-fbis-comey-putting-hillary-clinton-above-law.html

Rudy Giuliani, who is a former U.S. attorney who worked with Comey, said that Clinton violated federal statute 18 U.S.C., section 793-F by mishandling classified information on her unsecured server. She is guilty, but looks like she is getting off.

This does NOT mean that her political opponents are necessarily better, but she has a long history of problems. The USA needs the return of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God.

As a former member of the US military, and one who worked for two defense contractors decades ago, let me state that it is my personal opinion that the email situation with Hillary Clinton was criminal and if others did something like this (let’s say an under-Secretary of State) that person would have been criminally prosecuted. Hillary Clinton’s endorsement and promotion of abortion and the LGBT agenda is dear to many in the mainstream media and they seem to wish to act like the emailgate scandal is just political talk or some minor thing, and not indicative that Hillary Clinton should not become the next USA President.

Both she and her presumed Republican rival, in my view, are fulfilling the following:

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

We are in the last days and these are perilous times.

Time is running out for the USA. We are getting closer to the end of the 6,000 years that God is allowing humans to rule themselves, prior to the return of Jesus Christ and the beginning of the millennial reign (see Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? and Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism?).

And the end of the USA will come (cf. Daniel 11:39; Habakkuk 2:6-8) whether Americans believe it or not.

Pray (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

Symbol of European “Babylon”

COGwriter

German Chancellor Angela Merkel claims that the UK vote to leave the European Union (EU) will not stop the EU from continuing to expand:

Merkel: Brexit won’t stop EU expansion

4 July 2016

Germany’s Angela Merkel has said that the European Union will continue to grow with or without the UK. Her comments came on the sidelines of a summit to discuss West Balkan EU membership. …

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced that the British vote to leave the European Union will play no role in whether several West Balkan nations are admitted to the bloc. The third annual meeting to discuss the possible future of countries such as Albania, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the bloc was held in Paris on Monday.

“Nothing has changed with Britain’s decision. This is what these countries were afraid of,” Merkel told the press. She said the only thing that mattered in their bids, some of which have been ongoing since 2000, was that the nations fulfill a list of previously agreed requirements.

Merkel was hosted by French President Francois Hollande, and the pair were joined by EU Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini as well as Balkan leaders.

“We have a lot of work and efforts before us, and obligations. But it seems to me that we have clear and unequivocal prospects in Europe,” said Serbian Prime Minister Aleksander Vucic, while making it clear that his country would never be “subservient” to Europe. http://www.dw.com/en/merkel-brexit-wont-stop-eu-expansion/a-19377700

Despite comments from the Serbian Prime Minister, presuming Serbia does actually become part of the European Union, it, at least for a time, would become subservient to it.

What about the idea of European expansion.

Well, there is a scripture about that that I and others have sometimes pointed to.  Notice something from a book I wrote in 2009 titled 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect:

Millennia ago, Daniel wrote a prophecy that discussed a little horn that would mainly expand to the south and east:

8 And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land. 10 And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. 11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. 12 Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered (Daniel 8:9-12).

And while the above has had a past fulfillment, this prophecy seems to be dual (compare with Daniel 11:27-–39)—and seems to be for our time.

What is now the EU began as a small organization involving three small countries located in the northern and western regions of Europe (Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, called the Benelux nations)—they then helped form the European Economic Community. This European Economic Community expanded mainly south and east of the Benelux nations, into what had become the expanded European Union. Now, about 500 million people are under a new (though not completely united) government headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. (Thiel B. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. Nazarene Books, 2009)

In the old Radio Church of God, the late Dr. Hoeh, under Herbert Armstrong’s direction, taught that this little horn of Daniel 8 was the power that would become the final King of the North:

Turn in your Bible to verse 9: “And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.” …

The King of the North

The little horn in Daniel 8 is none other than the LAST KING of one of the four divisions of Alexander’s Empire. He is, in fact, the final “King of the North” described in Daniel 11. (Hoeh H. The 2300 Days. Plain Truth, August 1965)

Europe has mainly grown south and east since the formation of Benelux.  Here is a little history of Benelux:

A Benelux Parliament (originally referred to as an “Interparliamentary Consultative Council”) was created in 1955. This parliamentary assembly is composed of 21 members of the Dutch parliament, 21 members of the Belgian national and regional parliaments, and 7 members of the Luxembourg parliament.

In 1944, exiled representatives of the three countries signed the London Customs Convention, the treaty that established the Benelux Customs Union. Ratified in 1947, the treaty was in force from 1948 until it was superseded by the Benelux Economic Union. The treaty establishing the Benelux Economic Union (Benelux Economische Unie/Union Économique Benelux) was signed on 3 February 1958 in The Hague and came into force on 1 November 1960 to promote the free movement of workers, capital, services, and goods in the region. Under the Treaty the Union implies the co-operation of economic, financial and social policies. (Benelux, Wikipedia, accessed 07/05/16)

Benelux then essentially morphed into the European Economic Community:

The European Economic Community (EEC) was a regional organisation which aimed to bring about economic integration among its member states. It was created by the Treaty of Rome of 1957. Upon the formation of the European Union (EU) in 1993, the EEC was incorporated and renamed as the European Community (EC). In 2009 the EC’s institutions were absorbed into the EU’s wider framework and the community ceased to exist.

The Community’s initial aim was to bring about economic integration, including a common market and customs union, among its six founding members: Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany. (European Economic Community, Wiipedia, accessed 07/05/16)

The European Economic Community ended up being the European Union.

In addition to expansion, the Bible shows that Europe will not adhere well to itself and will have to undergo reorganizations:

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)

12 The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. (Revelation 17:12-13)

Those passages show a fragile coalition that will have to likely reorganize at least two more times according to the Bible. Europe ultimately will have ten major leaders who will then turn their power over to a single leader. And there seem to be a lot of reorganization steps on the way before those two reorganizations take place.

Eventually, Europe will end up with a dictatorial leader (Revelation 13)–and one with militaristic objectives.

While now is not quite yet the dictator’s time, despite expected unification problems (Daniel 2:40-43), a major dictator in Europe will rise up (Revelation 13:1-8), Europe will reorganize (Revelation 17:12-13), and become the final King of the North, European Beast power of Bible prophecy (Daniel 11:21-44).

And this will not be good for the United States of America nor the British (not their Anglo-allies like Canada, Australia, or New Zealand), and ultimately not the Europeans (Revelation 18:1-8).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
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.
Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? The Book of Revelation tells of a beast power that will rise up. Some think that this must be Russia or could be Islamic, while others say that this power is European. The Book of Daniel tells of the rise of an end time King of the North that some think must be referring to a Russian leader, while others say that this power is European. How can you be sure? This YouTube video has all the scriptural proofs that you should need to prove that this power must be a European one.
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?
Forbes’ Brexit Monster is the Beast of Revelation Various ones have been properly convinced that there is a plan for a European superstate. Forbes’ writer Tom Worstall wrote that the Brexit vote was about the United Kingdom “not joining the monster of the European Union to come.” The Bible tells of a Beast monster that will arise in the end times in Europe. Dr. Thiel cites news reports, as well as the Old and New Testaments, to show that the monster many fear will arise in Europe, despite the vote by the British to exit the European Union.
Post Brexit Prophecy On June 23, 2016, the voters of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) chose to leave the European Union. Now with this BRitish EXIT (Brexit) vote, what is prophesied to happen to the UK? Will the UK do well or be taken over and made slaves? Dr. Thiel explains from biblical prophecies what is ahead for the UK, Europe, and even the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This is a video.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
British are the Covenant People What do ‘British’ and ‘Britain’ mean in Hebrew? Are the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons people of the covenant? Does the British royal family connect to the throne of David? What does the Bible teach? What does history show us? Is there any DNA evidence related to British-Israelism? When did Christianity make it to the British Isles? Could Jeremiah have made it to the British Isles? What type of Christians made it to the British Isles? Did the last King of England believe in British Israelism?
The ‘Lost Tribe’ of Reuben: France in Prophecy? What is the origin of this in France? What is prophesied to happen to them? A two-part sermon related to history and prophecy is available online: The ‘Lost Tribe’ of Reuben and France and Prophecy.
Ten clues tying Belgium and Luxembourg with the tribe of Asher Who did some in Belgium and Luxembourg descend from?
Ten clues tying Zebulun with the Dutch Who did some in the Netherlands descend from?
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States This is a 200 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, 2nd edition: Is Hillary Clinton Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Hopi, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Donald Trump? $11.99.
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon 2nd Kindle edition This electronic version of the 200 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 2nd 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.