Church of God News

COGwriter

A reader sent me a link to an article from the Russian Times that linked to a study from Oxford University’s Future of Humanity Institute and the Global Challenges Foundation. The article was titled, 12 likely causes of the Apocalypse, as seen by scientists, whereas the 212 page report from Oxford was titled 12 Risks that threaten human civilisation.

Anyway, here was one (listed in the same order as in the 12 likely causes of the Apocalypse, as seen by scientists in that article):

Asteroid impact

…Large asteroid collisions happen about once every 20 million years, the report says. Probability: 0.00013% http://rt.com/news/232591-12-causes-apocalypses-scientists/

The actual probability of a major impact, if comets are considered, is 100%. Not that this will end human civilization, but the Book of the Apocalypse tells of something coming from the sky called Wormwood (Revelation 8:10-11; see also Wormwood and Planet Nibiru).

Here is the second listed one of the 12:

Super-volcano eruption

A volcano capable of causing an eruption with an ejecta volume greater than 1,000 km3 could cause a global catastrophe… Probability: 0.00003%

The USA is at risk should the supervolcano at Yellowstone erupt:

Yellowstone Supervolcano Eruption Would be Devastating For U.S.

If the Yellowstone supervolcano erupted, at least a meter of ash would cover parts of the Rocky Mountain range and a few millimeters of ash would reach cities on both coasts of the U.S., according to new estimates based on computer simulations on the event…
The Ash3D model simulated Yellowstone’s eruption and the study, “Modeling Ash Fall Distribution From a Yellowstone Supereruption,” was published in the Wiley Online Library.

Larry Mastin, lead author of the study and US Geological Survey hydrologist, said he helped develop the Ash3D model, said that there has been a recent rise in demand for models projecting the density of the ash driven by a ground-collapsing eruption from the Yellowstone volcano. …

Once they simulated a modern-day Yellowstone eruption, researchers were able to determine that a Yellowstone caldera eruption would release an “umbrella” of ash that would spread from the center of the US and cover both coasts.

“In essence, the eruption makes its own winds that can overcome the prevailing westerlies, which normally dominate weather patterns in the United States,” said Mastin. “This helps explain the distribution from large Yellowstone eruptions of the past, where considerable amounts of ash reached the west coast.”

The effects of the supervolcano’s ash cloud would have a significant impact on every part of the U.S. The whole continent would suffer drastic change, according to Mastin.

“Electronic communications and air transportation would likely be shut down throughout North America,” said the study. “There would also be major climate effects. Emission of sulfur aerosols during the 1991 Pinatubo eruption produced global cooling by an average of 1 degrees Celsius for a few years, while the 50 km 3 Tambora eruption of 1815 cooled the planet enough to produce the famed ‘year without a summer’ in 1816, during which snow fell in June in eastern North America and crop failures led to the worst famine of the 19th century.” http://www.autoworldnews.com/articles/8822/20140901/yellowstone-supervolcano-eruption-would-be-devastating-for-u-s.htm

The chance is probably much, much higher than the Oxford report indicates. Jesus warned about a time of earthquakes and troubles:

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

A supervolcanic eruption such as one at Yellowstone could cause major “troubles.” Watch also Are supervolcanoes a real threat?

Here is the third of the 12:

Global pandemic

A high impact epidemic is more probable than is widely believed, as all the features of an extremely devastating disease already exist in nature…Probability: 0.0001%

The probability of a major pandemic is actually 100% according to the Bible. Notice what Jesus said:

7…And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:7-8)

Notice also what the Book of the Apocalypse teaches:

7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” 8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth. (Revelation 6:7-8)

An article of related interest would be Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse.

Here is the fourth of the 12:

Nuclear war

The possibility of a deliberate or accidental nuclear conflict in the next century or so is estimated at 10%. The larger impact would depend on whether the conflict would trigger a “nuclear winter” – a climatic effect that would plunge temperatures below freezing, destroy most of the ozone layer, and start firestorms, which would likely lead to mass starvation and state collapse. Probability: 0.005%

North Korea has threatened the use of nuclear weapons (see North Korea threatens nuclear attack if USA acts; Donald Trump tweets ‘North Korea is looking for trouble’). Nuclear war or something similar has a probability of 100% in the next century. Jesus said:

7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom (Matthew 24:7)

The Book of Apocalypse teaches:

3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” 4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword. (Revelation 6:3-4)

Something that resembles nuclear devastation is one of the prophesied curses mentioned in the Bible:

23 ‘The whole land is brimstone, salt, and burning; it is not sown, nor does it bear, nor does any grass grow there, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in His anger and His wrath.’ 24 All nations would say, ‘Why has the Lord done so to this land? What does the heat of this great anger mean?’ 25 Then people would say: ‘Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord God of their fathers, which He made with them when He brought them out of the land of Egypt; 26 for they went and served other gods and worshiped them, gods that they did not know and that He had not given to them. 27 Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against this land, to bring on it every curse that is written in this book. (Deuteronomy 29:23-29).

6…He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 6-7)

19 Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts
The land is burned up,
And the people shall be as fuel for the fire; No man shall spare his brother.
20 And he shall snatch on the right hand
And be hungry;
He shall devour on the left hand
And not be satisfied; Every man shall eat the flesh of his own arm. 21 Manasseh shall devour Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; Together they shall be against Judah (Isaiah 9:19-21).

The above descriptions are consistent with a nuclear or similar attack. Manasseh represents the USA and Ephraim its British-descended allies. THIS HAS NOT YET HAPPENED IN HISTORY AND IS A PROPHECY FOR OUR TIME. While Israel was uprooted historically, the land did not burn up or become brimstone. Deuteronomy 29:29 provides one reason why most Protestants and most others that profess Christ do not understand these prophecies–they do not do the words of the law that God expects His people to do today.

Here is the fifth of the 12:

Extreme climate change

…Climate change could lead to mass deaths, famines, social collapse, and mass migration. Probability: 0.01%

The probability of severe climate change is 100%, though of itself, it will not eliminate humanity. The Book of the Apocalypse teaches:

9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory. (Revelation 16:9)

More on the Bible and weather can be found in the article Weather Blessings and Sorrows.

Here is the sixth of the 12:

Synthetic biology

The most damaging impact from synthetic biology to human civilization would come from an engineered pathogen targeting humans or a crucial component of the ecosystem, the report states. Such would emerge from military or commercial bio-warfare, bio-terrorism, or leaked pathogens. Probability: 0.01%

Synthetic biology is going on now. They may lead to famines and pestilences, which Jesus and the Book of the Apocalypse warn of. Articles of related interest would include GMOs and Bible Prophecy and Chimeras: Has Science Crossed the Line?; see also Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Here is the seventh of the 12:

Nanotechnology

Atomically precise manufacturing would create smart or extremely resilient materials, and allow many different groups to manufacture a wide range of things – including large arsenals of novel weapons, such as nuclear ones. Probability: 0.01%

The Bible tells of war, and I suspect that technology will be part of it (see European Technology and the Beast of Revelation). Perhaps it will involve nanotechnology.

The eighth of the 12 was:

Unknown consequences

These are all the unknowns that could lead to the end of the world, scientists say…”Probability: 0.1%

Sin leads to death and will be a factor in causing the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord. Most scientists do not consider sin a factor, so I will call it an “unknown consequence,” like the Apostle Paul referred to the “unknown God” (Acts 17:23).

The ninth of the 12 was:

Ecological collapse

In this scenario, the ecosystem would suffer a drastic change that would lead to mass extinction … Probability: N/A

The above is consistent with Wormwood (Revelation 8:10-11), high heat (Revelation 16:9), and other items that the Book of the Apocalypse foretells. Notice also:

7 The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.

8 Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9 And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. (Revelation 8:7-9)

There will be an ecological crisis, the Bible tells of it. Humans are not properly tending the Earth. They are destroying it. And they will be judged for it:

18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth. (Revelation 11:18)

An article of related interest would be The Bible, Christians, and the Environment.

The tenth of the 12 was:

Global system collapse

The world economic and political systems are interconnected, and are prone to system-wide failures caused by the structure of the network. Economic collapse is usually accompanied by social chaos, civil unrest, and a breakdown of law and order. Probability: N/A

The economic world order led by the USA will collapse. The USA is the largest debtor in the history of the world, and notice what will happen:

6 “Will not all these take up a proverb against him,
And a taunting riddle against him, and say,
‘Woe to him who increases
What is not his — how long?
And to him who loads himself with many pledges’?
7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly?
Will they not awaken who oppress you?
And you will become their booty.
8 Because you have plundered many nations,
All the remnant of the people shall plunder you,
Because of men’s blood
And the violence of the land and the city,
And of all who dwell in it. (Habakkuk 2:6-8)

The USA expects to continue to increase its debts (see CBO points to massive debt: Can the depth of a coming financial crisis be known?). There will be an economic collapse of the USA. See also Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel.

The eleventh of the 12 was:

Future bad governance

A disaster… – like constructing a global totalitarian state. Probability: N/A

Biblically, there is a 100% probability of a totalitarian state. Notice the following:

11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. (Revelation 13:11-18)

The whole world will fall for at least part of it:

8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8)

For more information check out Europa, the Beast, and Revelation and Who is the King of the North?

The twelfth of the 12 was:

Artificial Intelligence

The creation of human-level intelligence can result in the possibility that this intelligence will be driven to construct a world without humans…

On the other hand, the report also says it is probable that such intelligence could counter other apocalyptic causes presented in the study. Probability: 0-10%

The chances of computer problems causing other problems is high. The Bible, however, is clear that human-related intelligence (and that would include computers) will not solve the problems–only God will be able to. Notice:

21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:21-22)

More information on the Great Tribulation can be found in the article When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? A YouTube video of related interest may be Can the Great Tribulation begin in 2018?

The Great Tribulation will begin in this century and the events of the Book of the Apocalypse will come to pass.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

12 Apocalyptic Risks from Oxford University Oxford University’s Future of Humanity Institute and the Global Challenges Foundation issued a 212 page report titled “12 Risks that threaten human civilisation.” The Russian Times reported about it with an article titled The article was titled, “12 likely causes of the Apocalypse, as seen by scientists.” Risks included asteroid impact, supervolacanic explosion, global pandemic, nuclear war,climate change, synthetic biology, nanotechnology, unknown consequences, ecological collapse, economic global system collapse, bad governance, and artificial intelligence flaws. Are the risks greater than what Oxford scientists believe? What does the Bible say about these risks? This is a video.
Wormwood and Planet Nibiru Will the Earth be devastated by Planet X or Comet Encke? Here is a link to a related YouTube video Could Comet ISON be Wormwood of Bible Prophecy?
Earthquakes Today and Bible Prophecy Contains a cool up-to-the-hour update of earthquakes around the world from USGS. It also explains what did Jesus teach about earthquakes and how the Bible describes “the big one” (as well as when it is expected).
GMOs and Bible Prophecy What are GMOs? Since they were not in the food supply until 1994, how could they possibly relate to Bible prophecy? Do GMOs put the USA and others at risk? Here is a related YouTube video GMO Risks and the Bible.
Chimeras: Has Science Crossed the Line? What are chimeras? Has science crossed the line? Does the Bible give any clues?
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse What do each of the four horseman of the Apocalypse represent? Have they began their ride? Did Jesus discuss the any of this? Might their rides coincide with the “beginning of sorrows? Do they start their ride prior to the Great Tribulation? Did Nostradamus or any other ‘private prophets’ write predictions that may mislead people so that they may not understand the truth of one or more of the four horseman? There is also a related YouTube video titled The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
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.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse What is the pale horse of death and pestilences? What will it bring and when? Spanish: El cuarto jinete de Apocalipsis, el caballo pálido de muerte y pestilencia.
Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done? Here is a related YouTube video Does God Use Weather?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2018, 2019, or 2020? 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 2018 o 2019? ¿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 begin in 2018?
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? 2026 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something? Here is a version in the Spanish language Escrituras sobre Preparación física para los Cristianos. Here is a link to a related sermon: Physical preparedness for Christians.
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: Are Chinese threats against Australia for real?
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?

COGwriter

Suicides are up in the USA:

Prominent Gay Rights Lawyer and Environmental Advocate Burns Himself to Death in Ecology Protest

April 15, 2018 (NEW YORK) — A well-known gay rights lawyer and environmental advocate burned himself to death in New York City on Saturday in a grisly protest against ecological destruction.

The charred remains of 60-year-old David Buckel were found by passers-by in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. Police said he was pronounced dead at about 6:30 a.m.

The Daily News reports that Buckel left a suicide note in a shopping cart near his body that said he hoped his death was “honorable” and “might serve others.”

The New York Times said it received an emailed copy of the note, which also said, “Most humans on the planet now breathe air made unhealthy by fossil fuels, and many die early deaths as a result — my early death by fossil fuel reflects what we are doing to ourselves.” http://time.com/5240841/david-buckel-gay-rights-lawyer-burns-himself/

One should not cause air pollution when protesting against it.

One should also not kill oneself.

One should also not be homosexual either.

It is likely that it was more than a pollution protest that was a factor in David Buckel committing suicide.

And as it turns out, homosexuals have a higher suicide rate than the general public:

• LGB youth seriously contemplate suicide at almost three times the rate of heterosexual youth.²
• LGB youth are almost five times as likely to have attempted suicide compared to heterosexual youth.² https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/preventing-suicide/facts-about-suicide/#sm.0007h2gn7ated2n10vo2o6fcf4akv

In 2015 , the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study on the behavior of youth in the US in the past year. They observed the following:

o In the past 12 months , 60.4% of LGB youth felt hopele ss or sad every day for 2+ weeks , compared to 26.4% of heterosexual youth

o In the past 12 months , 42.8% of LGB youth seriously considered suicide, compared to 14.8% of heterosexual youth.

o In the past 12 months , 38.2% of LGB youth made a suicide plan, compared to 11.9% of heterosexual youth.

o In the past 12 months , 29.4% of LGB youth attempted suicide , compared to 6.4% of heterosexual youth.

o In the past 12 months , 9.4% of LGB youth made a suicide attempt that required the attention of a medical professional, compared to 2% of heterosexual youth.

Most LGB youth who attempt suicide demonstrate some symptoms of psychopathology , with mood and anxiety disorders being the most prevalent diagnoses. http://www.suicidology.org/Portals/14/Re-Formatted%20LGB%20Youth%202016%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf?ver=2016-11-16-105952-633

Greater Risk for Suicide.

·  A study of twins that examined the relationship between homosexuality and suicide, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry,found that homosexuals with same-sex partners were at greater risk for overall mental health problems, and were 6.5 times more likely than their twins to have attempted suicide. The higher rate was not attributable to mental health or substance abuse disorders. http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=Is01B1

People who claim to be ‘gay’ are not happier, even though that is what the word gay is supposed to imply.

The Bible teaches to ‘choose life’ and not the way of death (Deuteronomy 30:19).

The late Herbert W. Armstrong noted that some who seemed successful in this age, truly were not successful. Here is some of what he wrote decades ago:

Every two minutes someone in the United States attempts suicide. Each day nearly 70 persons succeed—but is that success? The World Health Organization estimates that some one thousand people commit suicide in the world—every day!

Suicides now outnumber murders. Now various organizations for the prevention of suicide are a reality! But the cause is individual failure!

Only a minority, of course, go to this extreme, but the overwhelming majority do end their lives in failure…

People will ignore all their lives any idea of divine guidance and help—yet if one should find himself on a foodless and waterless raft after a shipwreck in mid-ocean, it is remarkable how quickly he would begin to believe there really is a living God! In last-resort desperation most people will cry out to Him whom they have ignored, disobeyed, and set at naught all their lives.

Wouldn’t it seem axiomatic that, if there is a compassionate beneficent Creator standing ready and willing to give us emergency help as a last resort, it would have been more sensible to have sought His guidance and help all along? Yet some have acquired wealth, lived luxuriously, and then, suddenly losing all, turned finally to God in their economic distress. Others have committed suicide…

Is it possible that the living GOD might be a factor in determining the success or failure of one’s life? Few have thought so.

People will ignore all their lives any idea of divine guidance and help—yet if one should find himself on a foodless and waterless raft after a shipwreck in mid-ocean, it is remarkable how quickly he would begin to believe there really is a living God! In last-resort desperation most people will cry out to Him whom they have ignored, disobeyed, and set at naught all their lives.

Wouldn’t it seem axiomatic that, if there is a compassionate beneficent Creator standing ready and willing to give us emergency help as a last resort, it would have been more sensible to have sought His guidance and help all along? Yet some have acquired wealth, lived luxuriously, and then, suddenly losing all, turned finally to God in their economic distress. Others have committed suicide. Few, it seems, will ever rely on their Maker and life-Sustainer until they feel helpless and in desperate need. Even then the motive too often is selfish.

Yet, if we are to enjoy the good things of life—freedom from fears and worries, peace of mind, security, protection, happiness, abundant well-being—the very SOURCE of their supply is the Great God! Since all comes from Him anyway, why not tap the SOURCE from the very beginning?

But in our day of modern science, sophistication and vanity, it has not been fashionable to believe in a Maker. In this deceived world, knowledge of God has found little or no place in modern education.

The ALL-IMPORTANT seventh Law of Success, nevertheless, is having contact with, and the guidance and continuous help of GOD!

And the person who does put this all-important seventh law last is very probably dooming his life to failure at the end. (Armstrong HW. The Seven Laws of Success,)

The Bible teaches that one is not to murder (Exodus 20:13). And that includes murdering oneself. Notice also the following:

Is suicide a crime?…

God commands: “THOU SHALT NOT KILL” (the sixth commandment). Webster defines the word kill as “to deprive of life.” To commit suicide, then, is breaking one of the Ten Commandments -and is definitely condemned by God. Paul admonishes us saying, “Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

If any man DESTROY (KJV margin) the temple of God, him shall God DESTROY; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are” (1 Cor. 3 : 16, 17 ) . “What, know you not that your BODY is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?” (I Cor. 6: 19). No murderer-or suicide-has eternal life abiding in him (I John 3: 15). He has no hope unless and until in the general resurrection after the millennium he repents of his sin (Matthew 11 :20-24). (Plain Truth. January 1960, pp. 15-16)

It is sad and disturbing when people commit suicide or commit other forms of murder.

Decades ago, a Worldwide Church of God minister told of experiences he had with three successive would-be suicides. Each time he said to them, “Well, go right ahead — but first you’d better learn what happens at the moment you die. So far as your consciousness goes, the next fraction of a second you will wake up in the resurrection — and if you commit this self-murder, you’ll still be facing all your problems, and the guilt of this SELF-MURDER crime in addition. Why not solve the problems NOW, before you commit this murder?” Not one of the three went on through with his intended suicide!

While that may not work for everyone, the truth is that there’s nothing to gain by “ending it all,” thinking that is the easy way out. Death only brings instant awakening in the resurrection. You will know absolutely NOTHING from the second you die, till the second you awake in the resurrection. These men, the minister explained, had supposed that suicide would END IT ALL — and they’d be out of their troubles, but when they learned they would still have their troubles plus a MURDER charge against them in THAT JUDGMENT, it no longer seemed that suicide was the “quick way out of it all.”

No, death is not a friend to solve problems. Burning oneself does not reduce air pollution.

Jesus came to DESTROY DEATH — to make a happy, peaceful, abundant life possible for all — for each in his/her own due time. He came that we might have LIFE, “and have it more abundantly.”

In today’s society, hopefully more of the depressed and disappointed will not turn to suicide. There is hope for those, however, who will turn to God.

Some items of possibly related concerns may include:

What Happens After Death? Is death like sleep, or is that a cultic idea? Can you speak to the dead? Here is a link to a related sermon: What really happens after death?
Are The Wicked Tormented Forever or Burned Up? How does one explain Revelation 14:11 in light of Malachi 4:3? What happens to the incorrigibly wicked?
The Seven Laws of Success Herbert W. Armstrong had seven laws that he felt could help people become successful.
How to Overcome Depression and Discouragement This is an article by Paul Krautmann & John Siston.
Cross-dressing and other assaults against your children.  What should you do? Is there an agenda to turn your children and/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on?  There are also three YouTube videos related to this, titled Transgender ‘Woe to those who call evil good’ and Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children and USA pushing gender confusion.
The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality?  Can homosexuals change? A related video sermon is titled: What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?
Why so much mental illness? Article by E.M. Walter goes into several of the causes of this.
ADHD diagnoses increasing Is diet a possible contributing factor in the increasing number of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder?
The Bible, Christians, and the Environment How should Christians view the environment? Does the Bible give any clues? What are some of the effects of air, water, and land pollution? Is environmental pollution a factor in autism and death? Do pollutants seem to double the autism risk? What will Jesus do? Here is a link to a related sermon:  Christians and the Environment (there is also YouTube video available titled Air Pollution, Autism, and Prophecy).
Marijuana: Should a Christian Get High? There is increasing acceptance of the use of marijuana. How should Christians view this? Here is a related video titled How Should a Christian View Marijuana?
Alcohol: Blessing or Curse? This is an article from the old Good News magazine that attempts to answer this question.
Binge Drinking, Health, and the Bible Many college students and others overindulge in alcohol. Are there health risks? What does the Bible teach?
Christian Success Does the Bible teach that Christians are to be successful? Are there at least seven laws of success that Christians should follow? How does the Bible teach we are to become successfully spiritually? Does the Bible really teach that Christians should be successful physically? This video answers these questions and more from the Bible. An outline of some of the scriptures used is here: Christian Success Outline.
Living as a Christian: How and Why? In what ways do Christians live differently than others. What about praying, fasting, tithing, holy days, and the world? There is also a YouTube video related to that also called: Living as a Christian: How and Why?
Why Were You Born? Why did God make you? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject. You may also wish to read the article What is Your Destiny? or watch the video, also titled What is Your Destiny?
Building Character: Going on to Perfection Once you have accepted Jesus, do you need to strive for perfection and build character? A related video sermon is available: Going on to perfection and building character.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally? There is also a video titled What is the meaning of your life?
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
When You Sin: Do You Really Repent? This is an article by Charles F. Hunting. A related sermon is Confess to God and truly repent.
Do Christians Sin? This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong.
Overcoming Sin What is sin? How are Christians suppose to overcome it? Here is a link to a version in Mandarin Chinese: 克服是重要的. Here is also a link to a video in English titled How to Overcome Sin.
How to Prevent Sin This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong. Here is a version in Mandarin: 如何不犯罪
Real Conversion Many think that they are converted Christians. But are they? Would you like to know more about conversion.
False Conversion Have you really been converted? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this article on this important subject.
All About Water Baptism What is baptism? Would you like to know more about it. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject. As far as early history, see also Baptism, the Early Church, and the Continuing Church.
God’s Grace is For All Is being Jewish a hindrance to salvation? What about not being a descendant of Israel? What does the Bible really teach? Here is a link to a related sermon titled Race and Grace; Do you view race as God does?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught? For a more detailed discussion of the first four commandments, please see the video The Ten Commandments: Loving God. For a more detailed discussion of the last six commandments, please see: The Ten Commandments: Loving Your Neighbor. Here is a link to a related article in Mandarin Chinese 十条诫命显示爱，违反诫命的就是邪恶的
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings. A related sermon is titled: Christians and the Ten Commandments.
The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast This is a free draft/unedited pdf book explaining the what the Ten Commandments are, where they came from, how early professors of Christ viewed them, and how various ones, including the Beast of Revelation, will oppose them. A related sermon is titled: The Ten Commandments and the Beast of Revelation.

Building destroyed by 04/14/18 missile strike into Syria
(Tasnim News Agency)

COGwriter

Deutsche Welle (DW) had the following on the situation with the Syrian bombing:

The good news is that World War III has not started. But the bad news is that nothing in Syria will be improved by Western powers’ airstrikes, writes Christian F. Trippe.

15 April 2018

We won’t know for some time how close the world has come to the brink of war between the two nuclear superpowers, the US and Russia, in mid-April 2018. For now, it seems clear that the US, the UK and France have held back and that their attacks have been limited to targets in Syria related to the production and storage of chemical warfare agents.  While it is difficult to get a clear picture of anything that is going on in Syria and caution is necessary in dealing with any reports, it seems, according to available information, that there have been practically no civilian casualties. …
Syria is perhaps the most complex theater of war in history. Again and again, troops whose countries are either nominally still allied or politically deeply hostile have come into confrontation on Syrian soil. Russia’s intervention on Assad’s side and Syria’s alliance with Iran have decided the ultimate outcome of the Syrian civil war. The so-called retaliatory strikes by the three Western powers will do nothing to change this. http://www.dw.com/en/opinion-syrian-airstrikes-send-a-clear-message/a-43387041

The good news is that there do not appear to have been civilian causalities and WWIII did not immediately commence.

US President Trump made some comments:

15 April 2018

President Donald Trump has defended the use of the term “mission accomplished” amid criticism following US, UK and French strikes on targets in Syria.

He accused the “fake news media” of seizing on the term to demean the strikes, carried out in response to an alleged Syrian chemical weapons attack. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43776291

A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 14, 2018

The Syrian raid was so perfectly carried out, with such precision, that the only way the Fake News Media could demean was by my use of the term “Mission Accomplished.” I knew they would seize on this but felt it is such a great Military term, it should be brought back. Use often!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2018

Despite the US President’s optimism, the situation is still similar in Syria:

15 April 2018

Syrians who spoke to BuzzFeed News said they felt the strikes had targeted only empty facilities, already cleared out by the regime, and therefore were ultimately worthless. They also all pointed out that chemical attacks were hardly the only weapon used by Syrian, Russian, or pro-government forces against civilians in rebel held areas.

“Much tweeting about nothing,” Wissam Zarqa, a former teacher from Aleppo, told BuzzFeed News via WhatsApp. He said he was disappointed, “but not surprised” over the limited strikes.

“Destroying some empty buildings can’t help people suffering here in Syria,” Zarqa, who did not give his current location to BuzzFeed News, said. “The biggest weapon Assad has had against Syrians wasn’t barrel bombs or the other stupid weapons he used. It was recognition from Western nations.”  …

“I was a little bit optimistic before the strikes, but now I am pessimistic, frankly speaking – and it is not only me, most people are disappointed,” Syrian activist Adulkafi Alhamdo, 32, told BuzzFeed News. “The future is darker.”

Syrian rebel leaders were also unconvinced that the airstrikes had much of an effect. “I think that the strike will not change anything on the ground because it targeted sites that were known in advance, so it did not cause such massive destruction or weaken the regime’s power,” Col. Ahmad Othman, commander of the Sultan Murad brigade of the Free Syrian Army, told BuzzFeed News.

“They said they targeted chemical weapons manufacturing sites, but there are hundreds of military sites where they can manufacture chemical weapons, […] nor have they targeted airports or air forces that are bombing civilians and mass destruction,” Othman said. “I think this strike is to save face.”

Brig. Gen. Ahmad Rahal, a former rebel commander and one-time advisor to the Syrian defense minister, agreed that the strikes would not change the situation on the ground, …

Najm Khaled, a 31-year-old Syrian activist who fled the country over fears of his safety, likewise told BuzzFeed News that the low number of targets “encourages” Assad to launch another chemical attack.

“At first everyone believed that the strike could hurt the regime, but after the military action ended 50 minutes later people started wishing it did not happen, because the strike that does not kill your enemy, would give him more power,” al-Sayyed, the freelance photographer, said, “Now there is a fear in the ranks of the people that the regime will retaliate against civilians.”

“The message that Assad understood from this strike is that they do not mind if Assad continues to kill his people with all kinds of weapons, but he is not allowed to use chemical weapons,” al-Sayyed continued.

“I personally would like to send a message to the world through your website: if I can choose between death under explosive barrels or missiles, or when floors house falls on me and on my family, or die suffocating from chemical gas, I prefer death by chemicals. Because I may die while I am asleep. It’s euthanasia.” https://www.buzzfeed.com/munzeralawad/syrians-are-worried-trumps-airstrikes-may-actually-cause?utm_term=.irVDVl7Ep#.faKz7y9j1

15 April 2018

Thousands of rebels and civilians have been bussed out of the town under a Russian-brokered deal. Syrian internal security forces entered Douma on Saturday and later said the town had been fully retaken.

Jaish al-Islam, the group that held Douma, said it only abandoned the town because of the chemical attack.

Ahmad, a 25-year-old mechanic who had been displaced from Douma, told AFP the Western strikes were nevertheless too little, too late.

“Assad won’t collapse. They’ll bomb for a day or two and then the regime will take it out on us,” he said. https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-france-britain-launch-strikes-syria-064012636.html

Twice as many bombs were dropped this year (about 120) than last year (about 59) (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43764344), when the USA did something similar (for last year, see Trump bombed Syria: How might this align with biblical prophecy?).

What happened in this weekend’s bombing will NOT stop the prophesied coming destruction of Syria’s capital Damascus (Isaiah 17:1), nor prevent WWIII from starting (watch also Syria and the start of World War 3).

Russia is not pleased:

15 April 2018

Russian politicians met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday, one day after joint airstrikes by the US, UK and France targeted centers related to suspected chemical weapons use by the Syrian government. Russia, an ally of al-Assad, condemned the strikes.

Al-Assad praised the Soviet era-air defense system that Syria had reportedly used to shoot down around 70 of the 100 missiles fired during the strikes, Russian news agencies said. He also described the airstrikes as an act of Western aggression, a view which the visiting lawmakers shared.

“From the point of view of the president, this was aggression and we share this position,” Russian lawmaker Sergei Zheleznyak said after his meeting with al-Assad, according to Russia’s TASS news agency. http://www.dw.com/en/russian-politicians-meet-with-al-assad-in-syria-as-opcw-probe-gets-set-to-start/a-43393478

Russia and Syria have said there was no evidence of a chemical weapons attack.

The United States, France and Britain defended their military action as legal during the Security Council meeting.

“We are confident that we have crippled Syria’s chemical weapons program. We are prepared to sustain this pressure, if the Syrian regime is foolish enough to test our will,” US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said.

“If the Syrian regime uses this poison gas again, the United States is locked and loaded,” she added. …

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the US actions in Syria made the humanitarian catastrophe worse and caused pain for civilians.

“Russia in the most serious way condemns the attack on Syria where Russian military servicemen help the legitimate government to fight terrorism,” Mr Putin said.

Moscow may consider supplying S-300 surface to-air missile systems to Syria and “other countries”, Colonel-General Sergei Rudskoi told a televised briefing.

Russia had “refused” supplying those missiles to Syria a few years ago, he added, “taking into account the pressing request of some of our Western partners”.

Following the US-led strikes however, “we consider it possible to return to examination of this issue not only in regard to Syria but to other countries as well,” Mr Rudskoi said. https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2018/0414/954466-kremlin-syria-attack/

The bombing has upset Russia.

What might Russia do?

Well, the Russians have stated that they are looking to provide more advanced military hardware to Syria. Plus, I suspect, Russia will look into how to be able to better stop/prevent Western nations from being able to take such steps militarily. Russia is prophesied to be a successful military power against the coming Beast of Revelation 13 in the future (cf. Jeremiah 50:41-43; see also Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future) and the bombing in Syria may provide additional incentive to strengthen aspects of its military.

The latest bombing by the USA, UK, and France is helping set the stage for change to come and various prophecies to be fulfilled.

We just uploaded a new video related to this bombing in Syria and prophecy:

15:58

Syria and the start of World War 3

On April 14, 2018, Syrians were awakened by the sounds of about 120 missiles/bombs sent against areas of their country. The United States of America, United Kingdom, and France launched this attack related to claims of chemical weapons use earlier that week. Will Syria’s capital one day be destroyed as prophesied in Isaiah chapter 17? If so, could this be before the start of the Great Tribulation? Are there prophecies about Syrians and the UK and USA? Is this attack against Syria leading to WWIII between the USA/UK/France and Russia/Syria/Iran? Is there an Arabic power that will rise up and be destroyed before the Great Tribulation as Tim McHyde has written related to Psalm 83? Is Ezekiel 38/39 about to be fulfilled? Who is the biblical King of the North and the biblical King of the South? Will the Beast power destroy the USA and its Anglo-Saxon descended allies (like the UK, Canada, Australia, & New Zealand)? Could this be WWIII and the start of the Great Tribulation? What is the prophetic sequence of events according to Jesus and Daniel the prophet? Dr. Thiel addresses all of these matters and more.

Here is a link: Syria and the start of World War 3.

COGwriter

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

Here is a link to our video: Could the Shroud of Turin Be Real? 12 Reasons to Consider.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Clear Proof that the Shroud of Turin is Fake: Debunking the ‘reasons’ that the Shroud of Turin is real There is NO proof that the Shroud of Turin has Jesus’ image and those who are willing to believe the Bible can prove it is fake. Here is a link to a related video: Could the Shroud of Turin Be Real? 12 Reasons to Consider.
Jesus: The Son of God and Saviour Who was Jesus? Why did He come to earth? What message did He bring? Is there evidence outside the Bible that He existed? Here is a YouTube sermon titled Jesus: Son of God and Saviour.
What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? Did the early Church use icons? What was the position of Christians about such things? A related sermon is available: The Second Commandment, Idols, and Icons.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. [Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja do deus?]
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?
The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 Do they matter? Most say they must, but act like they do not. This article contains some history about the Church of God (sometimes referred to as the continuation of Primitive Christianity) over the past 2000 years.
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. 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.
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Who were the Nazarene Christians? What did they believe? Should 21st century Christians be modern Nazarenes? Is there a group that exists now that traces its history through the Nazarenes and holds the same beliefs today? Here is a link to a related video sermon Nazarene Christians: Were the early Christians “Nazarenes”?
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
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.
Famine of the Word? God inspired the Prophet Amos to write that the time would come when there would be a famine of hearing the words of the Lord (Amos 8:11-12). Are we seeing anything that is leading up to this? Is the Christian message already too ‘politically incorrect’?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
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, French: L’Histoire Continue de l’Église de Dieu 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?
Congregations of the Continuing Church of God This is a listing of congregations and groups of the Continuing Church of God around the world.
Continuing Church of God Facebook page This has news and prophetic information.
Continuing Church of God, Africa, Facebook page This has news and prophetic information.
Continuing Church of God, Canada, Facebook page This has news and prophetic information.
Continuing Church of God, Europe, Facebook page This has news and prophetic information.
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.
CCOGAFRICA.ORG This is a website targeted towards those in Africa.
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.
CCOG Animations channel. The Continuing Church of God has some animations to teach aspects of Christian beliefs.
Bible News Prophecy channel. Dr. Thiel has produced many YouTube videos for the BibleNewsProphecy channel. And you can find them there.
ContinuingCOG channel. Dr. Thiel has produced YouTube video sermons for this channel. Note: Since these are sermon-length, they can take a little longer to load than other YouTube videos. Here is a link to a short intro: ContinuingCOG Channel.
CCOGAfrica channel. This has messages from African pastors in African languages such as Kalenjin, Kiswahili, Embu, and Dholuo.
BibleNewsProphecy Podcast. This has audio-visual podcasts of the Bible News Prophecy channgel. It plays on i-Phones, i-Pads, and Windows devices that can play i-Tunes.
Bible News Prophecy online radio. This is an audio version of the Bible News Prophecy videos. It is also available as a mobile app.

Benjamin Netanyahu holding claimed piece of Iranian drone (Preiss/ MSC)

COGwriter

Iran and Israel have been escalating tensions in Syria.

Iran reportedly sent an attack drone:

April 14, 2018

An unmanned Iranian aircraft shot down in February in Israeli airspace was armed with explosives and on a mission to attack the Jewish state, Israel’s military has claimed.

“The Iranian aircraft was armed with explosives and was tasked to attack Israeli territory,” the Israeli army said on April 14, adding that its conclusion was based on an “operational and intelligence-based investigation” of the drone incident.

By downing the craft, Israeli “combat helicopters prevented the attack Iran had hoped to carry out,” the army said.

The military said the February 10 incident over the northern town of Beit Shean marked the first time Iran has tried to directly strike Israel, rather than working through its close ally, the Lebanese Hizballah militia, or other proxies.

The Israeli statement came after the leader of Hizballah on April 13 called an alleged Israeli air strike in Syria that killed seven Iranians on April 9 a “historic mistake” that will lead to open conflict for the first time between the two Middle Eastern powers. https://www.rferl.org/a/israel-claims-iranian-drone-shot-down-armed-ready-strike-hizballah-nasrullah/29166945.html

The situation between Israel and Iran remains tense.

Israel is concerned the Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran want it to cease to exist, and they are all allies.

Notice something else related to them in the news:

Syria attack: ‘Huge blast’ at Iranian military base in Aleppo after ‘fighter jet attack’

A HUGE blast was heard near an Iranian military base in Syria this evening, amid unconfirmed reports it was attacked by unidentified aircraft.

14 April 2018

The base was in the Jabal Azzan region south of Aleppo, a Syrian government-controlled rural region.

People claimed to have seen explosions at the site and there are unconfirmed reports of casualties.

Syrian media reported it was attacked by Israeli aircraft this evening. …

Media linked to Hezbollah later claimed there had been no airstrike, blaming explosives detonating in a warehouse. https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/946211/Syria-attack-Aleppo-explosion-fighter-jets-Iranian-base-Jabal-Azzan

April 14, 2018

Summary:

• Pro-syrian govt media: no attack on Jabal Azzan in the Aleppo Province
• All other media: attack on Jabal Azzan in the Aleppo Province
• Explosion happened near location where pro-Iranian Afghani Fatemiyoun located.
• Unclear if explosion result of airstrike or explosives detonating within the warehouse.
• At least 20 dead including Iranian officers. …

The alleged Iranian airbase was first disclosed in late February, when Fox News published images showing a military base northeast of Syria’s capital. According to the report, Iran’s Al Quds force is operating the post.

For more information, please see “Israeli Satellite Images Reveal: Iran Builds Military Base Near Damascus.”

While it is too early to determine who launched the attack, since none of the western forces have claimed responsibility, the most likely party is Israel which as a reminder, was also the first to strike Syria last Monday, almost a week before the US-coalition forces also unloaded on Syria. https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-04-14/unidentified-warplanes-strike-iranian-military-base-southern-syria-skynews-arabia

While the cause of this explosion is not clearly reported, consider also the following:

Why Israel Needs to Escalate Its Threats Against Iran – Right Now

April 14, 2018

Israel faces two severe threats today that may soon require some very difficult decisions, possibly leading to war. The Iranian-Hezbollah-Syrian axis in the north is growing stronger, under Russian auspices, with Iran reportedly trying to establish permanent bases and rocket factories in Syria and Lebanon. Iran appears to have temporarily ceased its efforts in response to attacks that Israel allegedly conducted in Syria, but may have renewed them recently. …

If we establish that Iran is indeed trying to establish a permanent military presence in Syria, Israel should adopt a clear and firm deterrent posture designed to prevent Iran from doing so. To this end, it should adopt an approach of “coercive diplomacy” – that is, the credible threat to use military force precisely to avoid conflict and achieve the desired diplomatic outcome.

As part of this approach, and to induce the Syrians to put an end to Iran’s activities in their territory, Damascus must be made to understand that it is truly playing with fire this time, and that Israel will respond by launching graduated attacks against Syrian-regime targets, to the point of threatening its very existence. Iran, too, should be made to understand that if it persists in its efforts it will no longer have the immunity from attacks it has hitherto enjoyed due to geographic distance, and that Iranian regime targets will also be fair game. https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-israel-must-escalate-its-threats-against-iran-now-1.5995289

Some in Israel think that if Iran is trying to have a permanent military presence in Syria, military action by Israel would be an action to take. Perhaps that happened today–we will see.

Jesus said that there would be wars and rumors of war (Matthew 24:6).

Despite Israeli confidence in its military strength, it will have problems.

The Bible shows that God will allow the nation of Israel to be hit, by what looks like an Iranian-Syrian confederation (which could also involve Hezbollah):

1 The burden against the Valley of Vision.

What ails you now, that you have all gone up to the housetops, 2 You who are full of noise, A tumultuous city, a joyous city? Your slain men are not slain with the sword, Nor dead in battle. 3 All your rulers have fled together; They are captured by the archers. All who are found in you are bound together; They have fled from afar. 4 Therefore I said, “Look away from me, I will weep bitterly; Do not labor to comfort me Because of the plundering of the daughter of my people.”

5 For it is a day of trouble and treading down and perplexity By the Lord God of hosts In the Valley of Vision — Breaking down the walls And of crying to the mountain. 6 Elam bore the quiver With chariots of men and horsemen, And Kir uncovered the shield. 7 It shall come to pass that your choicest valleys Shall be full of chariots,And the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.

8 He removed the protection of Judah. You looked in that day to the armor of the House of the Forest; 9 You also saw the damage to the city of David, That it was great; And you gathered together the waters of the lower pool. 10 You numbered the houses of Jerusalem, And the houses you broke down To fortify the wall. 11 You also made a reservoir between the two walls For the water of the old pool. But you did not look to its Maker, Nor did you have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago.

12 And in that day the Lord God of hosts Called for weeping and for mourning,For baldness and for girding with sackcloth. 13 But instead, joy and gladness, Slaying oxen and killing sheep, Eating meat and drinking wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

14 Then it was revealed in my hearing by the Lord of hosts,”Surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you, Even to your death,” says the Lord God of hosts. (Isaiah 22:1-14 NKJV)

Elam seems to be a reference to at least some in Iran. Kir is of interest as it has several possibilities. One is that the Bible tells that after Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria took over Damascus, he moved Syrians to Kir. While this does not mean that Kir must (or must only) be a reference to Syria, the fact that Syria is an ally of Iran is interesting. Some believe Kir is an area in the south of Iran, while others suggest closer to the Black Sea. The Bible tells of a time when Kir will be destroyed (Isaiah 15:1b) and also says that Syria’s capital Damascus will be destroyed (Isaiah 17:1).

In Isaiah 22: 8, “Judah” is a reference to those in the land commonly called Israel–God will allow Israel to be attacked! In Isaiah 22:9, consider that “the damage to the city of David” is a reference to at least part of Jerusalem–and notice that the damage will be great.

The message that Israel is sending to Iran is to back-off or else!

But Israel needs to realize that Iran’s view is that it is willing to engage with Israel militarily.

Instead of pushing Iran back, Israel’s latest actions and statements will likely further the resolve of Iran to plan to destroy Israel.

We in the Continuing Church of God do not believe that Iran will be the final King of the South of Bible prophecy (cf. Daniel 11:40-43). Because of that, I have tended to believe that Iran may somehow get “neutralized” before this final king rises up.

The following shows that Iran is subject to being damaged:

24 “There is Elam and all her multitude,
All around her grave,
All of them slain, fallen by the sword,
Who have gone down uncircumcised to the lower parts of the earth,
Who caused their terror in the land of the living;
Now they bear their shame with those who go down to the Pit. (Ezekiel 32:24)

But that does not mean that Iran will not strike militarily before this. Iran is capable of much more than words. Iran can also cause damage to the USA. Plus, Iran is also particularly upset with the Trump Administration.

One day Israel will lose lands it now controls.

Israel and the Trump Administration will not be able to prevent that.

Both Israel and Iran are prophesied to suffer military devastation (so, too, is the USA–cf. Daniel 11:39).

Missile heading into Syria (AP photo via VOA)

COGwriter

US President Donald Trump ordered bombing against Syria and France and the UK also participated:

April 14, 2018

PENTAGON — World reaction ranged from support to sharp criticism for air strikes carried out early Saturday by United States, French and British forces against government targets in Syria.

Western warplanes and naval vessels fired a barrage of missiles at three Syrian chemical weapons sites, the opening salvo in what could be a sustained campaign against the government of President Bashar al-Assad and his supporters.

In a televised news conference in London Saturday, British Prime Minister Theresa May said the purpose of the coordinated strike was not to bring about “regime change,” but rather “to degrade and deter” the Assad government from using chemical weapons. She added the international community cannot standby and “merely watch” as the Syrian regime uses chemical weapons on its people.

In Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron issued a statement saying, “We cannot tolerate the normalization of the use of chemical weapons,” adding that “the facts and the responsibility of the Syrian regime are not in doubt.”

U.S. military officials said the bombardment, a coordinated effort involving both Britain and France, began at 9 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (Washington time) Friday and rained down more than 100 cruise missiles on Syrian facilities in the capital, Damascus, and the city of Homs.

“Right now, this is a one-time shot,” U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told Pentagon reporters late Friday, cautioning more strikes could be in the works. …

“The purpose of our actions tonight is to establish a strong deterrent against the production, spread and use of chemical weapons…a vital national security interest,” Trump said.

“We are prepared to sustain this response until the Syrian regime stops its use of prohibited chemical agents,” he added. https://www.voanews.com/a/us-britain-france-syria-chemical-weapons/4347934.html

14 April 2018

What we know so far:

• US, UK and French launch air strikes on Syria in revenge for what Trump dubs as ‘evil’ chemical attack
• Tomahawk missiles fired from US Navy guided missile destroyers in the Mediterranean in a strike twice the size of 2017 raid
• French military launches cruise missiles from warship 
• RAF Tornado jets bomb Syria chemical weapons factory with Storm Shadow missiles
• A chemical research facility in Damascus and storage facilities near Homs were struck
• Syrian media says three civilians were injured in “a flagrant violation of international law”
• PM Theresa May says the attack was “absolutely in Britain’s national interest’ because chemical attacks must not go unpunished
• Jeremy Corbyn, called the strikes “legally questionable” and said May should have recalled parliament from a holiday
• Putin warns of ‘consequences’ for an “act of aggression” which had ‘destructive influence on the entire system of international relations’
• Nato members will be briefed on the outcome of the strikes later today

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Theresa May said there was ‘no practicable alternative to the use of force’ after Donald Trump announced the retaliation to reports of chemical attacks which killed 75 men, women and children.

Russian ambassador Anatoly Antonov said on Twitter: “A pre-designed scenario is being implemented. Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences.

“Insulting the President of Russia is unacceptable and inadmissable. The US – the possessor of the biggest arsenal of chemical weapons – has no moral right to blame other countries.”

Theresa May has today defended her decision to launch the Syrian airstrikes – and insisted it sent a message to the world’s tyrants that they cannot use chemical weapons. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/6050462/russia-syria-bombings-response-chemical-attack-vladimir-putin/

Twice as many bombs were dropped this year (about 120) than last year (about 59) (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43764344), when the USA did something similar (for last year, see Trump bombed Syria: How might this align with biblical prophecy?).

Russia is not pleased:

April 14, 2018

MOSCOW, April 14 (Reuters) – Russia on Saturday called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council as Moscow said it would consider supplying S-300 missile systems to Syria following U.S.-led strikes.

“Russia convenes an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss aggressive actions of the U.S. and its allies,” President Vladimir Putin said in a statement published on the Kremlin website. …

Moscow may consider supplying S-300 surface to-air missile systems to Syria and “other countries,” Colonel-General Sergei Rudskoi told a televised briefing on Saturday.

Russia had “refused” supplying those missiles to Syria a few years ago, he added, “taking into account the pressing request of some of our Western partners.”

Following the U.S.-led strikes, however, “we consider it possible to return to examination of this issue not only in regard to Syria but to other countries as well,” Rudskoi said.

Syria’s air defense system, which mostly consists of systems made in the Soviet Union, has intercepted 71 of the missiles fired on Saturday by the U.S., British and French forces, he added. https://www.aol.com/article/news/2018/04/14/russian-president-vladimir-putin-condemns-trumps-syria-attack-calls-for-emergency-un-meeting/23411152/

April 14, 2018

Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, says: “None of our aircraft or missiles involved in this operation were successfully engaged by Syrian air defenses.” He says there also is no indication that Russian air defense systems were employed early Saturday in Syria.

The Russian military had previously said Syria’s Soviet-made air defense systems downed 71 out of 103 cruise missiles launched by the United States and its allies. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/latest-israel-syria-brought-airstrikes-54464243

Consider the following:

April 14, 2018

A third world war may be coming and it’s starting from Syria

Yonden Lhatoo warns the threat of a wider global conflict has become alarmingly real, now that US President Donald Trump and his allies are taking unilateral action against Syria and risking retaliation by Russia …

Tucker Carlson’s rant this week against bombing Syria and potentially starting a third world war made total sense. … far more informed commentators than me, as well as senior officials involved, are warning of the real threat of a third world war. http://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2141717/third-world-war-may-be-coming-and-its-starting-syria

Russia doesn’t have the conventional military strength to stand up to the US and its allies, so if attacked, it may feel the need to respond asymmetrically or even brandish its nuclear force in a way that could bring about World War III. …

For the US, the path to punishing Syrian President Bashar Assad for what it sees as repeated gas attacks against civilians could easily veer into a massive conflict with Russia. …

In Syria, all the makings of World War III are there, http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-syria-caution-may-avert-war-2018-4 …

The strike on Syria is not the start of World War III.

WWIII is not a USA, UK, France war against Russia, Syria, and Iran (see also World War III: Steps in Progress).

Russia does not care for what happened, but it is not seriously considering a nuclear war because of this.

But there are prophetic ramifications of this.

Consider that it is possible that operatives of the Syrian government (and there are thousands of Syrian refugees in the USA, Canada, UK, and France, and various parts of Europe) will take some type of terrorist actions consistent with the following:

8 The Lord sent a word against Jacob, And it has fallen on Israel. 9 All the people will know — Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria — … 11 Therefore the Lord shall set up The adversaries of Rezin against him, And spur his enemies on, 12 The Syrians before and the Philistines behind; And they shall devour Israel with an open mouth. (Isaiah 9:8-9, 11-12)

As far as other prophecies, Daniel 11:40-43 and Psalm 83:4-8 apply–which means that Syria will have to change. Notice something I posted about that back in 2012:

Syria will change, now or later. The King of the South will rise up (Daniel 11:40), it will not be Iran, and thus Syria (directly or indirectly) is likely to play a role in that occurrence. Syria will end up being a supporter of that king–thus the situation in Syria must change.

Various former COG writers have tied Syria in with an end time confederation and/or the King of the South.

Daniel 11 also mentions some of the Mideast peoples who will be involved in that struggle among the nations at the close of this age. The belligerents will include the “King of the North,” the leader of the European Union (or its final outgrowth, called the “Beast”). The “King of the South” (an Islamic leader—apparently from Egypt {or} some other Muslim state) is also referred to. The following lands/peoples are specifically mentioned: Egypt, the Holy Land (Israel/Palestine), the Ethiopians (modern Cushites, south of Egypt), Libya, Edom, Moab and Ammon. Many descendants of the ancient peoples known as Edomites or Idumeans now live in the West Bank, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Arabia, Yemen, the Persian Gulf states, etc. (McNair R. Solving the Arab-Israeli Impasse! Copyright Raymond F. McNair 2005, Church of God—21st Century).

King David of ancient Israel in a prophetic psalm (Psalm 83) provides additional insight into the Mideast picture. Germany (Assyria in Bible prophecy) and perhaps the rest of Europe will be in league in the future with a union of Arab nations–a vast confederacy bound together in an effort to crush out the name “Israel” from the face of the earth! This Arab-Moslem confederacy may very well be the previously mentioned “king of the south”–a sphere of power encompassing vast portions of the Islamic world.

“They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom [Esau or modern-day Turkey, a non-Arab but Islamic nation], and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; of Moab [part of Jordan], and the Hagarenes [anciently these peoples dwelt in the area known as Syria today]; Gebal [Lebanon], and Ammon [modern Jordan], and Amalek [part of the Turks]; the Philistines [the modern Palestinians] with the inhabitants of Tyre [Lebanon]; Assur [whose descendants, the Assyrians, migrated to Germany] also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot [Jordan and Western Iraq]” (Psalm 83:4-8)…(Stump K. The Arab World in Prophecy. The Plain Truth, December 1979) …

The Bible shows that Syria’s capital city Damascus will be destroyed:

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

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

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

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

As Jesus said in Mark 13:37, we all should watch. There will be changes in Syria and Damascus will be destroyed. The continuing violence there is likely to play a role in that. (Thiel B. ‘Damascus Volcano’ and CP: ‘Damascus a Ruinous Heap?’ COGwriter, July 21, 2012)

Egypt will be part of an end-time confederation according to the Bible (Ezekiel 30:1-9).

A confederation that will include Syria. Even though Syria’s current President Bashar Assad is a Shi’ite Muslim, he will not be able to stop this from happening. …

An Islamic confederation that will include the land of Syria and Egypt is coming (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:1-9; Psalm 83:4-8) is coming.

A worsening situation in Syria and dictatorial situation in Egypt would seem to be factors in speeding up this occurrence. (Thiel B. Leaders issue warnings about Damascus, Israel, and Egypt. COGwriter, December 17, 2012)

And notice something from 2013:

Syria’s Assad can make claims, but making them happen is another matter. …

Since the Bible suggests that Syria will support the coming final King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:1-8) and a change in or from the Assad regime will be necessary for this to happen–and it will come to pass.

An Islamic confederation that will include the land of Syria is coming (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:1-8; Psalm 83:4-8) is coming. A worsening situation in Syria would seem to be a factor in speeding up this occurrence. (Thiel B. Syria’s Assad says his side is going to win, but the Bible indicates otherwise. COGwriter, January 6, 2013)

The bombing of Syria is a weakening blow against the Assad regime.

A reader sent me a link to an article by Tim McHyde that contained the following:

Many prophecy pundits who expect this prophesied Middle East war often think that it will lead next to the Ezekiel 38-39 Gog Magog war. The reason for this is Ezekiel also talks about an attack on Israel. The attacker named as Gog of Magog is popularly thought of to be Russia, or lately, even Arab or Islamic hoards. But if you put the Magog identity question aside and focus on the timing of this war through linking it up with two parallel prophecies, you’ll see that it has nothing to do with any pretrib war. https://escapeallthesethings.com/damascus-israel-isaiah-nuke/

The above writer is correct that Ezekiel 38-39 is not talking about a pre-tribulation war. Many who point to Ezekiel 38 overlook aspects which make that impossible, such as the following verses:

8 After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. 9 You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.” (Ezekiel 38:8-9)

The tiny nation of Israel is NOT dwelling safely–that will NOT happen until a time AFTER Jesus returns.

Now getting back to Tim McHyde’s writings, he has errors in  his teachings:

What has to happen first is revealed in another prophecy. In Psalm 83 … This describes a massive Arab attack on Israel by a confederacy of nations that has never happened in history (Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq and probably Syria). Like Isaiah 17 it predicts a devastating defeat for Israel’s attackers …

Instead of the Gog Magog war, the effects of this war sets up for something much worse. The Great Tribulation cannot commence until the Arabs are taken out of the picture.  …  this war must come next is that this Middle War prophecy spoken of in so many OT passages cannot fit any other time. 04/13/18 https://escapeallthesethings.com/damascus-israel-isaiah-nuke/

He, like many others (including those in many COGs), misunderstands the prophetic sequence. Psalm 83 is related to the start of WWIII, the start of the Great Tribulation. While the Arabs will be defeated, they are not defeated until AFTER the start of the Great Tribulation.

First, they are involved in a deal with the Europeans:

15 So the king of the North … 25 … And the king of the South …  27 Both these kings’ hearts shall be bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end will still be at the appointed time. (Daniel 11:15,25,27)

The King of the North is a European power and the King of the South is a power from the Middle East and North Africa (Daniel 11:40-43). Psalm 83 may well be part of the lying discussion we see in Daniel 11:27.

Now, related to the sequence of events, notice something that Jesus taught:

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be (Matthew 24:15-21).

That abomination is mentioned in Daniel 11:

31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. (Daniel 11:31)

This is what Jesus referred to in Matthew 24:15. Of course, that prophecy about the sacrifices stopping will not be fulfilled until after the sacrifices are resumed, which having a Jewish nation could (and at some point in time will) do (see also Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required?).

Now seeing that, let’s look at the sequence in Daniel 11:

36 “Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done.

37 He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all.

38 But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things.

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

40 “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through.

41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon.

42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape.

43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. (Daniel 11:36-43)

So, after the abomination, a militaristic leader destroys the strongest fortresses and then an Arab-related coalition called the King of the South.

Daniel 11:39 is the start of WWIII. Since it is the USA that has the strongest fortresses in the 21st century, this is a reference to the destruction of the USA (see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses)–and that is by a European power as Daniel 9:26-27 and Revelation 13 help make clear (for additional details, watch the video Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?).

At some point in time, likely prior to the start of the Great Tribulation, Damascus will be destroyed as Isaiah 17:1 clearly states.

Syria will change and support the coming King of the South.

But, that King of the South power will also one day be defeated–but that will be AFTER the start of the Great Tribulation.

The latest bombing by the USA, UK, and France is helping set the stage for change to come and various prophecies to be fulfilled.

UPDATE 04/15/18: We just uploaded a new video related to this:

15:58

Syria and the start of World War 3

On April 14, 2018, Syrians were awakened by the sounds of about 120 missiles/bombs sent against areas of their country. The United States of America, United Kingdom, and France launched this attack related to claims of chemical weapons use earlier that week. Will Syria’s capital one day be destroyed as prophesied in Isaiah chapter 17? If so, could this be before the start of the Great Tribulation? Are there prophecies about Syrians and the UK and USA? Is this attack against Syria leading to WWIII between the USA/UK/France and Russia/Syria/Iran? Is there an Arabic power that will rise up and be destroyed before the Great Tribulation as Tim McHyde has written related to Psalm 83? Is Ezekiel 38/39 about to be fulfilled? Who is the biblical King of the North and the biblical King of the South? Will the Beast power destroy the USA and its Anglo-Saxon descended allies (like the UK, Canada, Australia, & New Zealand)? Could this be WWIII and the start of the Great Tribulation? What is the prophetic sequence of events according to Jesus and Daniel the prophet? Dr. Thiel addresses all of these matters and more.

Here is a link: Syria and the start of World War 3.

COGwriter

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

Cuyama Valley (photo by Basil D Soufi)

COGwriter

We are seeing drought conditions for California, Utah, Oklahoma, and parts of Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Here is some information related to California:

April 13, 2018

Few people choose to live in Cuyama Valley.

With a population of less than 1,000 residents, according to the 2010 U.S. Census, the 300-square mile area is home to large, empty expanses of ranch and agricultural land. Less than a foot of water graces the parched earth of Cuyama each year, making the region one of the driest regions of Central California. …

Cuyama Valley, along with 20 other basins, has earned the classification “critically overdrafted.” This means that, over multiple years, more water is withdrawn from the basin than is replenished, and the depletion could have significant adverse impacts. For basins in critical overdraft, the timeline is accelerated and the sustainability plan must be implemented by Jan. 2020. http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2018/4/13/water-harvard-vineyards/

The Cuyama Valley is about a one hour drive from where I am writing this from. And yes, it is almost always dry. And yes, it is pumping out more water than it gets. But it is not the only area doing so. You cannot indefinitely give more water than you get if many other areas are also doing the same thing.

The State of California has more issues than Cuyama:

California is likely facing another year of water woes. The Sierra Nevada snowpack, which supplies up to a third of California’s water, is exceptionally meager this year. Experts found around half as much snow on the mountains as they typically would in early April, when the snowpack is historically most voluminous.

Not only does the dwindling snowpack put California’s water supply at risk, it also portends more floods, wildfires, and mudslides over the coming year. …

Blame it on climate change

The root cause of all this mayhem is climate change. 04/10/18 https://www.popsci.com/california-snow-drought-climate-change#page-5

The actual root cause is SIN, but the mainstream media does not wish to acknowledge the fact that behaviors it condones are sinful and have consequences. Before getting to scripture about that, notice the following:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Drought is tightening its grip across the Southwest as extreme conditions spread from Oklahoma to Utah, according to a new federal data released Thursday.

On the southern high plains, Oklahoma remains ground zero for the worst drought conditions in the United States. About 20 percent of the state is facing exceptional drought conditions — the worst possible classification.

Most of Colorado also is under severe drought and almost all of the Texas Panhandle is seeing extreme drought or worse conditions.

The federal drought map shows dry conditions have intensified across northern New Mexico and expanded in Arizona.

Nearly half of New Mexico and Arizona are facing extreme drought or worse conditions while about 60 percent of Utah is under severe drought. according to the National Drought Mitigation Center.

Along the Rio Grande in New Mexico, the irrigation allotment will be less than half of what farmers received last year due to subpar snowmelt from the mountains. https://www.news-journal.com/ap/state/drought-continues-to-expands-across-american-southwest/article_f38f6431-af8b-51cc-875a-1b4f92ed16e0.html

Of course, there are also droughts in parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and elsewhere.

The Bible warns of food shortages and pestilences. Nearly 2000 years ago, Jesus taught:

7…And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:7-8)

We seem to be in the time Jesus called “the beginning of sorrows.”

Notice also the following end time prophecies related to food shortages and price fluctuations:

5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.” (Revelation 6:5-6)

The above prophecy will come to pass (see also Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and/or watch the video The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse). Those predictions have NOT yet been completely fulfilled. Food shortages and price fluctuations for food are still going to happen.

The actual root cause?

Sin.

The Bible connects sin and drought. Scripture shows that water/rain/drought will become a problem for various disobedient peoples:

13 ‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, 14 then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil. 15 And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled.’ 16 Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, 17 lest the Lord’s anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the Lord is giving you. (Deuteronomy 11:13-17)

6 “Also I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities. And lack of bread in all your places; Yet you have not returned to Me,” Says the Lord. 7 “I also withheld rain from you, When there were still three months to the harvest. I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city. One part was rained upon, And where it did not rain the part withered. 8 So two or three cities wandered to another city to drink water, But they were not satisfied; Yet you have not returned to Me,” Says the Lord. (Amos 4:6-8)

10 “Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace — and one builds a wall, and they plaster it with untempered mortar — 11 say to those who plaster it with untempered mortar, that it will fall. There will be flooding rain, and you, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall tear it down. 12 Surely, when the wall has fallen, will it not be said to you, ‘Where is the mortar with which you plastered it?'” 13 Therefore thus says the Lord God: “I will cause a stormy wind to break forth in My fury; and there shall be a flooding rain in My anger, and great hailstones in fury to consume it. 14 So I will break down the wall you have plastered with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered; it will fall, and you shall be consumed in the midst of it. Then you shall know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 13:10-14)

15 “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: 16 “Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country. 17 “Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. 18 “Cursed shall be the fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. 19 “Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out. 20 “The Lord will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doings in which you have forsaken Me. 21 The Lord will make the plague cling to you until He has consumed you from the land which you are going to possess. 22 The Lord will strike you with consumption, with fever, with inflammation, with severe burning fever, with the sword, with scorching, and with mildew; they shall pursue you until you perish. 23 And your heavens which are over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you shall be iron. 24 The Lord will change the rain of your land to powder and dust; from the heaven it shall come down on you until you are destroyed. (Deuteronomy 28:15-24)

6 I will lay it waste; It shall not be pruned or dug, But there shall come up briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds That they rain no rain on it. (Isaiah 5:6)

1 The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the droughts. 2 “Judah mourns, And her gates languish; They mourn for the land, And the cry of Jerusalem has gone up. 3 Their nobles have sent their lads for water; They went to the cisterns and found no water. They returned with their vessels empty; They were ashamed and confounded And covered their heads. 4 Because the ground is parched, For there was no rain in the land, The plowmen were ashamed; They covered their heads. 5 Yes, the deer also gave birth in the field, But left because there was no grass. 6 And the wild donkeys stood in the desolate heights; They sniffed at the wind like jackals; Their eyes failed because there was no grass.” 7 O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, Do it for Your name’s sake; For our backslidings are many, We have sinned against You. (Jeremiah 14:1-7)

5 “A sword is against the Chaldeans,” says the Lord, “Against the inhabitants of Babylon, And against her princes and her wise men. 36 A sword is against the soothsayers, and they will be fools. A sword is against her mighty men, and they will be dismayed. 37 A sword is against their horses, Against their chariots, And against all the mixed peoples who are in her midst; And they will become like women. A sword is against her treasures, and they will be robbed. 38 A drought is against her waters, and they will be dried up. For it is the land of carved images, And they are insane with their idols. (Jeremiah 50:35-38)

4 We pay for the water we drink, And our wood comes at a price. 5 They pursue at our heels; We labor and have no rest. (Lamentations 5:4-5)

16 Moreover He said to me, “Son of man, surely I will cut off the supply of bread in Jerusalem; they shall eat bread by weight and with anxiety, and shall drink water by measure and with dread, 17 that they may lack bread and water, and be dismayed with one another, and waste away because of their iniquity. (Ezekiel 4:16-17)

7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! 8 Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord. 9 “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the Lord of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. 10 Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit. 11 For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.” (Haggai 1:7-11)

10 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter. (Revelation 8:10-11)

8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory. (Revelation 16:8-9)

Droughts and weather problems, including floods and high heat, can contribute to food shortages, higher food prices, and sometimes famines.

Notice that God uses weather to warn people to turn to Him, but many ignore this:

17 I struck you with blight and mildew and hail in all the labors of your hands; yet you did not turn to Me,’ says the Lord. (Haggai 2:17)

21 And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great. (Revelation 16:21)

The Bible shows:

30 God … commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30)

And weather-problems are one way that God uses to urge people to repent (cf. Haggai 2:17).

Now, does this mean that those most affected by weather are necessarily worse sinners than those less affected?

The biblical answer is no.

Notice the words of Jesus:

45…He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:45)

4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13:4-5)

God uses weather and other events to warn people.

There is a cost to sin and we are seeing some of that in the weather patterns.

Some items of related interest may include:

Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done? What does the Bible teach about weather? What about floods, droughts, heat, earthquakes, tornadoes, and solar storms? Here is a related YouTube video Does God Use Weather? A related item in the Spanish language would be Bendiciones y maldiciones del clima.
The Bible, Christians, and the Environment How should Christians view the environment? Does the Bible give any clues? What are some of the effects of air, water, and land pollution? Is environmental pollution a factor in autism and death? Do pollutants seem to double the autism risk? What will Jesus do? Here is a link to a related sermon:  Christians and the Environment (there is also YouTube video available titled Air Pollution, Autism, and Prophecy).
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2026 or 20xx? There is also a video titled 6000 Years: When will God’s Kingdom Come? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2018, 2019, or 2020? 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 2018 o 2019? ¿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 begin in 2018?
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.
Are You Being Called by God? Norman Shoaf wrote various points to consider.
Is God Calling You? Alfred E Carrozzo wrote this.
What Did Christ Mean  Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen? This article was by Raymond McNair.
Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? A related sermon is also available titled: Real Christian Repentance.

Jews Who Barely Survived the Holocaust in WWII

COGwriter

Yesterday was Holocaust Day in Israel–a memorial to remind people of the terrible persecution of Jews and others during WWII. Yet, a new study shows that many young people have not even heard of it:

NEW YORK — More than one-fifth of millennials in the U.S. — 22 percent — haven’t heard of, or aren’t sure if they’ve heard of, the Holocaust, according to a study published Thursday, on Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day. The study, which was commissioned by The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany and conducted by Schoen Consulting, also found that 11 percent of U.S. adults overall haven’t heard of the Holocaust or aren’t sure if they did.

Additionally, 41 percent of millennials believe two million Jews or fewer were killed during the Holocaust, the study found. Six million Jews were killed in World War II by Nazi Germany and its accomplices.

Two-thirds of millennials could not identify in the survey what Auschwitz was.

“The survey found there are critical gaps both in awareness of basic facts as well as detailed knowledge of the Holocaust,” said a news release on the findings.

A majority of American adults surveyed — 70 percent — agreed with a statement reading: “Fewer people seem to care about the Holocaust as much as they used to.” And 58 percent of Americans believe that something like the Holocaust could happen again, the survey found.

The study on Holocaust awareness and knowledge in the U.S. was conducted between February 23 and 27 and involved 1,350 interviews with American adults 18 and older. 04/12/18 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/holocaust-study-millennials/

It is astounding that many do not know about the Holocaust–but it is not something that many in the mainstream want remembered. The above story brought the following scripture to mind:

6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. (Hosea 4:6)

Though most sane people never wish to see this type of holocaust again, a worse time is coming (Daniel 7:25; Matthew 24:21; Lamentations).

I would like to add that it was not only Jews that were killed in the Holocaust. Hitler’s plans apparently included the killing of most of the Ukrainians. Notice the following:

The Holocaust in Ukraine took place during the occupation of Ukraine by Nazi Germany. Between 1941 and 1945, approximately 3,000,000 Ukrainian and other non-Jewish victims were killed as part of Nazi extermination policies, along with between 850,000 – 900,000 Jews who lived in the territory of modern Ukraine. More Ukrainians were killed fighting the Wehrmacht than American, British, and French soldiers combined. Original plans of genocide called for the extermination of 65% of the nation’s 23.2 million Ukrainians, with the remainder of inhabitants to be treated as slaves. Over 2,000,000 Ukrainians were deported to Germany for slave labor. In ten years’ time, the plan effectively called for the extermination, expulsion, Germanization or enslavement of most or all Ukrainians.

One of Hitler’s ambitions at the start of the war was to exterminate, expel, or enslave most or all Slavs from their native lands so as to make living space for German settlers…

The most notorious massacre of Jews in Ukraine was at the Babi Yar ravine outside Kiev, where 33,771 Jews were killed in a single operation on September 29–30, 1941. (An amalgamation of 100,000 to 150,000 Ukrainian and other Soviet citizens were also killed in the following weeks). (The Holocaust in Ukraine. Wikipedia, viewed 04/28/14)

Thus, people in Ukraine have had historical reasons to be concerned about a German-dominated Europe.

Despite the horrors of the Holocaust, Jesus said that a worse time will come:

21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Matthew 24:21-22)

19 For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. (Mark 13:19-20)

The Great Tribulation will be a time of horror and death.

The USA (Daniel 11:39) and its Anglo-Saxon descended allies will be conquered (cf. Daniel 8:24-25,; Jeremiah 30:7).

Persecution will be bad and Christians will be affected:

3 And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” 5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them (Revelation 13:3-7).

23 “And in the latter time of their kingdom,
When the transgressors have reached their fullness,
A king shall arise,
Having fierce features,
Who understands sinister schemes.
24 His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power;
He shall destroy fearfully,
And shall prosper and thrive;
He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people. (Daniel 8:23-24)

Though some Christians will end up being protected (see There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Near Petra), many will be killed (watch The Coming Persecution of the Church).

Death will reign until after Jesus eliminates it (cf. Romans 5:17-20; Revelation 21:4) and the Kingdom of God is set up.

That is the worldwide solution. Individually, people can repent and live their lives in preparation for that Kingdom.

Do not delay (cf. Zephaniah’s ‘Gather Together’ Prophecy).

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

COGwriter

April 15th is when some in the Church of Rome will honor one of their “saints” and bishops named Victorinus. Here is some of what The Catholic Encyclopedia reports about him:

St. Victorinus

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

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

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

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

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

FROM THE TWENTIETH CHAPTER.

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

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

He also wrote:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near? A related sermon is titled The Millennium.
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2026 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2018, 2019, or 2020? 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 2018 o 2019? ¿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 begin in 2018?
The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church? Here is a related sermon video The Christian Sabbath and How and Why to Keep It.
Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”. Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy. You can also watch a video titled What Does the Bible teach about the Antichrist?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.
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, French: L’Histoire Continue de l’Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.