Church of God News

COGwriter

Studies show the number of US children who have attention deficit hyperactive disorder is quite high:

• Researchers found 10.2 percent of children between the ages of 4 and 17 had diagnosed ADHD in the 2015-2016 survey, up from 6.1 percent in 1997 and 1998.
• ADHD was already considered one of the most common conditions among children, and the spike shows just how many young people are being diagnosed with it. …

“With the continuous increase of this condition, it is very common now. This is really, really common compared to other conditions,” said Dr. Wei Bao, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Iowa and one of the authors of the paper published Friday in JAMA Network Open. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/31/adhd-diagnosed-in-about-10-percent-of-us-children-study-finds.html

One in every 10 U.S. children has been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but the steady rise in cases has started to slow, a new government survey shows.

The 2011 poll of more than 95,000 parents showed that about 11 percent — or about 6.4 million — of children aged 4 to 17 had been diagnosed with ADHD. That’s up from a 2007 survey that found that 9.5 percent of youngsters in that age group had an ADHD diagnoses.

Nearly one in every five high-school age boys, and about one in every 11 high school age girls, was reported by their parents as being diagnosed with having ADHD, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report found. http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/11/22/1-in-10-us-children-now-has-adhd-cdc-says

Some of this, at least related to boys, is probably teacher bias, but there is a problem in the USA. Notice also:

A … study of health records from California suggests that rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have jumped by 24% since 2001.

“That is a very significant increase,” says Darios Getahun, a research scientist with the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Medical Group who conducted the study. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/01/21/adhd-diagnosis-kids-hyperactivity/1852083/

What is the cause?

Diet and environment do play a role. And since those reports came out, cellular telephones and other factors seem to shorten attention spans.

In the last century, the late Herbert W. Armstrong wrote:

And so man IS just what he eats. Some of the most famous physicians and surgeons have said that 90% to 95% of all sickness and disease comes from faulty diet!…

Most degenerative diseases are modern diseases—penalties for eating foods that have been demineralized in food factories—usually an excess of starch, sugar (the carbohydrates) and fats. Others are caused by a type of malnutrition—lack of needed minerals and vitamins in foods. Then people try to put the “vitamins” back into their systems by buying pills at the drugstore! (More on this can be found in the article HWA: Third Law of Success: Good Health.)

My clinical experience suggests that environmental toxins, genetics, and problems with the food supply are causes of increased ADHD and similar problems. Nutritional support has sometimes been found to be helpful for this (http://www.healthresearch.com/add.htm).

But caution is advised as nearly all multi-vitamins sold are synthetic. And, yes, I mean nearly all sold in health food stores and through multi-level marketing groups. Those that buy them are often deceived.

The Bible itself seems to warn of problems like ADHD as a curse for disobedience:

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…20 “The Lord will send on you cursing, confusion (Deuteronomy 28:15-18,20)

And I believe that changes, at least partially due to greed, to the environment and the food supply are likely factors in increasing problems such as ADHD, as well as autism (Air Pollution More Than Doubles Autism Risk).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Third Law of Success: Good Health A writing by Herbert W. Armstrong.
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).
Obesity, processed foods, health risks, and the Bible Does the Bible warn about the consequences of being obese? Is overeating dangerous? Is gluttony condemned? What diseases are associated with eating too much refined foods? A related video would be Eating Right, Eating Too Much, and Prophecy.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be: Are Chinese threats against Australia for real?
Will the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
British are the Covenant People What do ‘British’ and ‘Britain’ mean in Hebrew? Are the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons people of the covenant? Does the British royal family connect to the throne of David? What does the Bible teach? What does history show us? Is there any DNA evidence related to British-Israelism? When did Christianity make it to the British Isles? Could Jeremiah have made it to the British Isles? What type of Christians made it to the British Isles? Did the last King of England believe in British Israelism?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future. A sermon of related interest is also available: Canada in Prophecy.
Australia and New Zealand in Prophecy Do biblical prophecies help explain the wealth blessings for Australia and New Zealand? Might cursings from disobedience come in the 21st century? Here is a link to a related sermon: Australia and New Zealand: Origins and Prophecy.
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? If you would like to watch videos covering subjects of this article, you can click on the following links: Why YOU? Why Do YOU Suffer? and What is the meaning of your life?
The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You? This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have, including the biblical meaning of life. Here is a link to three related sermons: Mysteries of God’s Plan, Mysteries of Truth, Sin, Rest, Suffering, and God’s Plan, and The Mystery of YOU.
Does God Heal Today? What does the Bible teach? Herbert Armstrong tries to explain this.
UK Study Supports Daniel Diet Daniel and his companions looked better eating more vegetables and avoiding strange meats. Has modern science confirmed this?

Amazing scenes from Bangkok #Thailand today where tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters marched for change.

This is pure defiance of a heavier crackdown from Police the day before: pic.twitter.com/LE2GQXlgsg

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) October 17, 2020

COGwriter

Protests have been happening in Thailand:

18 October 2020

For days now, more and more Thais have been taking to the streets. They are demonstrating against the government, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a new constitution and a reform of the monarchy. Last Thursday, the government declared a state of emergency over Bangkok. Part of the state of emergency is the threat of two years in prison for posting protest selfies. This shows the importance the government attaches to social media.

In fact, the current protest movement began on the internet. …

When the protests against the government and monarchy first took off in the summer, banners with the “Royalist Marketplace” logo were on display in several places — the movement had made the leap from social media to the street. …

In early October, Twitter closed nearly 1,000 accounts that the company attributed to the Royal Thai Army and held it responsible for propaganda and misinformation. “These accounts distributed content in support of the army and the government and targeted prominent political opponents,” a Twitter blog said. https://www.dw.com/en/thailands-protests-and-their-digital-dimension/a-55315079

Thai protesters are continuing to take to the streets in defiance of a ban to assemble. They are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha — a former army general who first came to power in a 2014 coup . But demonstrators are also calling for the constitution to be amended and for the country’s powerful monarchy to be reformed.

“People want to really go to the roots of their grievances,” Janjira Sombatpoonsiri, political scientist and associate at the GIGA Institute for Asian Studies told DW. “When they look to the root causes of the problem, they see the regime composition as the cause of their problem, and I think the palace is one of these.”

In Thailand, the monarchy is revered almost as a divine force and has great influence within Thai society. The current king, Maha Vajiralongkorn, ascended to the throne in 2016 and has since sought to increase his direct control over the country’s institutions. He ordered two army units to be put under the authority of the palace and was given control of the crown’s multi-billion-dollar holdings by the legislative assembly.

But one thing that is also sparking the protesters’ anger is the king’s decision to spend most of his time not in Bangkok, but in Germany. …

The king’s presence in the region is often reported on in German tabloids, and photos of the monarch riding his bicycle in the area have surfaced online.

Thai protesters have criticized both his absence from Thailand and the cost of his stays in Germany. 10/16/20 https://www.dw.com/en/thailands-king-should-not-reign-from-german-soil-berlin-says/a-55304033

Belarus since continues to have regular protests:

Belarusian women took once again to the streets of Minsk protesting against President Alexander Lukashenko.

In what has now become a tradition on Saturdays in the Belarusian capital, hundreds marched carrying flowers and chanting “Long live Belarus”.

A number of protesters were detained by riot police, who have violently cracked down on the protests which have been raging since the disputed election in August.

The opposition leaders – who have all either fled the country or been arrested by the regime – accuse Lukashenko of rigging the election, which he claimed to have won in a landslide despite unprecedented opposition in the streets leading up to the vote.

The election result has been rejected by the EU among other western powers. https://www.euronews.com/2020/10/17/women-take-to-streets-of-belarus-once-again-calling-for-lukashenko-to-go

Some believe that the protests in Hong Kong have been factors for other protests:

Protesters who took to the streets of Hong Kong in great numbers in 2014 and 2019 failed to advance the democratization of the city’s government as they sought.

Yet looking at how demonstrators in places from Minsk to Minneapolis and from Beirut to Bangkok are now pressing their agendas, it is clear that Hong Kong’s struggles have emboldened and influenced activists around the globe in their own distinctive fights against autocratic forces even if the situation in Hong Kong now looks decidedly bleak. …

Most generally, Hong Kong protesters’ “be water” mantra of tactical flexibility has had a widespread impact and been cited by activists in places ranging from Bangkok to the American city of Portland. 10/17/20 https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Hong-Kong-s-protest-movement-has-made-a-difference-for-the-world

From an outside perspective, it appears that the protests in Hong Kong ended up hurting the situation there–though perhaps, if the protesters would have stopped earlier, they could have avoided the consequences their protests provoked.

Notice something about Nigeria:

ABUJA/LAGOS (Reuters) – The Nigerian army will begin a two-month national exercise, it said on Saturday, while denying the move was part of any security response to recent widespread demonstrations against alleged police brutality. …

The move comes just days after the army said it was ready to step in and restore order, but Musa said in a statement that the exercise “has no relationship with any lawful protest under any guise whatsoever”.

Nigerians demanding an end to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) police unit and pressing for reforms and accountability have been rallying across the country. 10/17/20 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-protests-police-army/nigerian-army-plans-nationwide-exercise-as-protests-rock-country-idUSKBN2720TC

And yes, we are also seeing protests and violence in the USA. Here are two reports:

“Still Think This Is An Idea?” – San Francisco Free-Speech Marchers, Police Violently Attacked By Antifa

October 18, 2020

A free speech rally organized by conservatives was overrun by several hundred counterprotesters – some holding Antifa flags – on Saturday in downtown San Francisco. As The Epoch Times reports, a number of individuals from the counterprotester group physically attacked conservatives, including event organizer Philip Anderson, who lost a front tooth after he was punched in the mouth.

One man wearing a Trump T-shirt had to be taken away in an ambulance after being attacked. …

Other scuffles broke out at the United Nations Plaza as well, with one video showing an alleged Antifa member hitting a person with something resembling a baseball bat. According to local media, at least one Trump supporter was taken away in an ambulance. …

San Francisco Police said several people, including three officers, were injured during the event. Officers suffered from pepper spray and “caustic chemicals,” according to a statement.

At the same time, RT reports that in Washington DC, a young Trump supporter claimed she was assaulted by Black Lives Matter activists for bringing a ‘Trump 2020’ flag to the Women’s March. Isabella DeLuca posted a photo of herself in a cervical collar with a bruised face and lip.

.@bellamaria1776 was hospitalized for supporting our President today at the Women’s March in D.C.

Assaulting a woman, in attendance at a march for women, is the epitome of hypocrisy. End violence NOW. pic.twitter.com/0Gh5zVPtiL

— Mike Yoder (@Yoder_Esqq) October 17, 2020

We give Anderson the last word…“I wanna ask you, do you still think, after seeing this, that they’re just an idea? Okay, I want you to answer that question, Joe Biden,” https://www.zerohedge.com/political/still-think-idea-san-francisco-free-speech-marchers-police-violently-attacked-antifa

Woman being harassed, assaulted and stolen from by Antifa
San Francisco, CA pic.twitter.com/qaRwCEwaHW

— Kitty Shackleford (@KittyLists) October 17, 2020

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Thousands marched to the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Saturday to commemorate the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and protest President Donald Trump’s rush to push through Amy Coney Barrett as her replacement. 10/17/20 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-barrett-protest/thousands-protest-trumps-supreme-court-pick-at-washington-womens-march-idUSKBN2720VR

Cities in various parts of the world are filled with protests and violence.

Jesus prophesied:

4 “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:4-8)

7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:7-8)

We are in the ‘beginning of sorrows,’ a time of troubles. The first horseman of the Apocalypse spreading a false interfaith and ecumenical gospel has been becoming more and more prominent on the world scene the past several years–and we also have seen a certain taking of peace from the earth within the past year (watch also Sorrows and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse).

Here is number 7 from my article 20 items to prophetically watch in 2020:

7. Strife and the Red Horse of War

Notice the following:

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)

Somewhat paralleling the ride of the second horseman of Revelation 6:3-4, Jesus warned about wars and disturbances:

6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. (Matthew 24:6-7a)

“Nation … against nation” is literally “ethnos … against ethnos” in the original Greek. Notice how the Orthodox Jewish Bible translates the first half of Matthew 24:7:

For there will be an intifada of ethnic group against ethnic group, …

We expect to see more wars, rumors of war, and civil unrest.

It should be noted that the opening of this second seal for the red horseman’s ride IS NOT the Great Tribulation, as that does not begin until the 5th seal of Revelation is opened (Revelation 6:9). But more and more it looks like peace is being taken away from the earth (watch also Sorrows and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse).

Jesus said that before the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21), that we are to expect wars, rumors of wars, and various sorrows (Matthew 24:4-8).

Yet, currently we see a lot of violent unrest and posturing–that ultimately will fail. The Kingdom of God is the Solution.

But violence has long been prophesied to occur before the Kingdom comes. Notice:

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)

Peace seems to have been taken from the earth related to Hong Kong, COVID, and various protests. Related to that, we put out the following sermon video on the ContinuingCOG channel:

1:15

Sorrows and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Revelation 6:1-8 shows the opening of four seals and discusses the rides of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Each of which appears to be associated with aspects of the “beginning of sorrows” that Jesus mentions in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. What do each of the horsemen represent? Did the old Worldwide Church of God teach that these rides were still in the future in the late 21st century? Could any have began in the 21st century? Does the rider of the white horse represent Jesus or false religion? Are there ties to the interfaith and ecumenical movements? What might the bow the horseman has represent? Could this be a tie to Satan the Devil? What about the Beast and False Prophet? Has the “beginning of sorrows” started? Could the first seal be opened? Could COVID-19 have anything to do with the second seal? Has “the peace” been taken from the earth? Could the rider of the red horse have begun with an opening of the second seal? What about riots, looting wars, and rumors of war? Are food inflation, food shortages, and famines associated with the opening of the third seal and rider of the black horse of famine? Could human actions such as evolution teachings, genetically-modified crops, and viral research be factors in the rides of the four horsemen? Is more than death related to pestilences associated with the rider of the pale horse, the fourth seal? Why might this be a factor in 666? Will most people fail to recognize the rides of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse until it is too late to take action? What about the fifth seal and the start of the Great Tribulation? Are there problems with Roman and Eastern Orthodox prophecies concerning the end and the Great Monarch? What about prophecies related to Noah, the King of the North, Armageddon, and Antichrist? Dr. Thiel covers these issues and also includes some speculation and analysis.

Here is a link to the sermon video: Sorrows and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Furthermore, consider the following prophecies:

5 They have corrupted themselves; They are not His children, Because of their blemish: A perverse and crooked generation. … 25 The sword shall destroy outside; There shall be terror within (Deuteronomy 32:5,25)

12 “Cry and wail, son of man; For it will be against My people, Against all the princes of Israel. Terrors including the sword will be against My people; … (Ezekiel 21:12)

5 Also they are afraid of height, And of terrors in the way (Ecclesiastes 12:5).

6 You have forsaken Me,” says the Lord,
“You have gone backward.
Therefore I will stretch out My hand against you and destroy you;
I am weary of relenting!
7 And I will winnow them with a winnowing fan in the gates of the land;
I will bereave them of children;
I will destroy My people,
Since they do not return from their ways.
8 Their widows will be increased to Me more than the sand of the seas;
I will bring against them,
Against the mother of the young men,
A plunderer at noonday;
I will cause anguish and terror to fall on them suddenly. (Jeremiah 15:6-8)

Terror will hit not only the USA and its Anglo-Saxon descended allies, but also many in Europe and elsewhere. Police strikes seem intended to get people to realize that this world is not safe.

The Bible shows that we should expect more protests, including violent protests:

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

23 ‘Make a chain,
For the land is filled with crimes of blood,
And the city is full of violence.
24 Therefore I will bring the worst of the Gentiles,
And they will possess their houses;
I will cause the pomp of the strong to cease,
And their holy places shall be defiled. (Ezekiel 7:23-24)

Related to some of the violent protests, we put out a video:

14:10

Riots and the Red Horse of the Apocalypse

We are seeing riots and protests across the USA, protests and skirmishes in Hong Kong, and another potential intifada with the Palestinians over Israel’s annexation plans. Could any of this be related to the beginning of sorrows Jesus mentioned in Matthew 24? What about rider of the red horse of war of the apocalypse? Is ethic group prophesied to be against ethnic group according to the Orthodox Jewish Bible? Did the red horse begin the ride in the 20th century? What is the relationship of the seals of Revelation 6 and the start of the Great Tribulation? Will a warring ‘Beast’ leader arise in Europe? Might he quell civil unrest? Might he militarily destroy the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada? What about the Islamic nations of the Middle East and North Africa? Will Jesus have the King of the North Beast defeated? After Jesus returns will this be the time when people will not learn war? What about the other seals in the Book of Revelation? Dr. Thiel address these and more in this video.

Here is a link to the video: Riots and the Red Horse of the Apocalypse.

Biblically more violence is expected.

But the good news is that Jesus really will return and establish the Kingdom of God.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Why Terrorism? Is Terrorism Prophesied? What does the Bible teach? Which nations may be affected? Here is a link to a related sermon: Terrorism, Christianity, and Islam.
20 items to prophetically watch in 2020 Much is happening. Dr. Thiel points to 20 items to watch (cf. Mark 13:37) in this article. Here is a link to a related sermon: 20 Prophetic Items to Watch in 2020.
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 Sorrows and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
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?
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? Here is a link to a related sermon: Fourth Horseman, COVID, and the Rise of the Beast of Revelation. Some shorter related videos may include Amphibian Apocalypse: Threat to Humans? and Zombie Deer Disease is Here! Are the 10 Plagues on Egypt Coming? Here is a version of the article in Spanish: El cuarto jinete de Apocalipsis, el caballo pálido de muerte y pestilencia.
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. A related sermon is titled: Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West.
COVID 19 is NOT the End, but could it be TEOTWAWKI? The novel coronavirus called COVID-19 is wreaking havoc around the world. Many states of the USA as well as countries in Europe are on lockdown with shelter in place /shelter in residence requirements. In France, a form is required when you are not at your house. In Spain, drones are being used to warn people who are outside to got back to their homes–does that bring up feelings of ‘Big Brother’? Italy, France, and other areas are using police and/or military force to encourage people to stay inside. According to the Bible could this be the end? If not, what has to happen first? Have the second and third of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse started their ride? Could COVID-19 be the fourth horseman? Why or why not? Could we be seeing The End of the World as We Know It (TEOTWAWKI) like the R.E.M.’s 1987 single song discussed? Do Christians need to fear? What did Jesus teach? What did the Psalmist teach? This is a video. Here is a link to a version in the Spanish language: Corona 19 no es el final PERO es el TEOTWAWKI.
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.
The Great Tribulation: What Happens First? What events have happened? What are some events that are now happening? And what events need to happen for the Great Tribulation to start? Here is a link to a related sermon video: Counting Down to the Great Tribulation.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2020, 2021, or 2022? 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 la Gran Tribulación comenzar en el 2020 o 2021? ¿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 and newer video is: Could the Great Tribulation Begin in 2020? Here is a link to the Spanish version of that video: ¿Podría la Gran Tribulación comenzar en 2020?
The Times of the Gentiles Has there been more than one time of the Gentiles? Are we in it now or in the time of Anglo-America? What will the final time of the Gentiles be like? A related sermon is available and is titled: The Times of the Gentiles.
Armageddon Who is involved and when will this gathering happen? Here is also a video from Dr. Thiel, from Tel Megiddo in Israel: Armageddon. Other videos include: Armageddon Will it come on Trump’s watch?, Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy, Freemasonry, Armageddon, and Rome, Is China paving roads to Armageddon?, and Jordan, Petra, and Armageddon.
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-Celtic Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
British are the Covenant People What do ‘British’ and ‘Britain’ mean in Hebrew? Are the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons people of the covenant? Does the British royal family connect to the throne of David? What does the Bible teach? What does history show us? Is there any DNA evidence related to British-Israelism? When did Christianity make it to the British Isles? Could Jeremiah have made it to the British Isles? What type of Christians made it to the British Isles? Did the last King of England believe in British Israelism?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future. A sermon of related interest is also available: Canada in Prophecy.
Australia and New Zealand in Prophecy Do biblical prophecies help explain the wealth blessings for Australia and New Zealand? Might cursings from disobedience come in the 21st century? Here is a link to a related sermon: Australia and New Zealand: Origins and Prophecy.
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory. There is also a video on the subject: Might Petra be the Place of Safety?
Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill? Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill? Is a Donald Trump presidency proving to be apocalyptic? Two related videos are available: Donald: ‘Trump of God’ or Apocalyptic? and Donald Trump’s Prophetic Presidency.
Trump Presidency Magic 8 Ball or Bible Prophecy? BBC reported that one might as well use a ‘Magic Eight-Ball’ to try to predict what will happen in the remaining time of Donald Trump’s presidency. What is a ‘Magic Eight-Ball’? Dr. Thiel not only explains that, but also briefly goes over 10 biblically-based warnings he wrote would happen if Donald Trump were elected that have already began to come to pass. He also goes over something he wrote back in 2008 that the Trump presidency is also helping lead to fulfillment. Should you trust Bible prophecy or not? Dr. Thiel says that Bible prophecy can be trusted, despite the view of skeptics and others that either overlook or despise the Bible. This is a video.
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? What about the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?

(Unsplash blued moon)

COGwriter

IsraelNews365 (I365) reported the following:

‘Blue Moon’ to appear on Halloween Signaling End of Paganism on Eve of Election

October 18, 2020

As children dress up and wander the streets begging for candy on Halloween, an extra “blue moon” will be shining overhead. At face value, it seems that the additional moon symbolizes the rise of evil in the world three days before the presidential election but one rabbi explains that an “extra” appearance of the moon accompanied the destruction of Sodom.

Halloween Blue Moon

As usual,  the full Harvest Moon, the full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox, will appear on Friday, October 1, but another full moon will appear on Saturday, October 31, investing the month of October with an extra moon, referred to in American folklore as a blue moon. The phrase in modern usage has nothing to do with the actual color of the moon. A blue moon is an additional full moon that appears in a subdivision of a year: either the third of four full moons in a season or a second full moon in a month of the common calendar resulting in a calendar year with 13 full moons. The phenomenon is relatively rare, occurring once every 2.5-3 years, hence the idiom, “Once in a blue moon.”

But the blue moon this year taking place on Halloween is even rarer, appearing every 19 years in some time zones. …

Not only does the blue moon rise over Halloween but it will be three days before the US Presidential election. Rabbi Yosef Berger, the rabbi King David’s Tomb on Mount Zion, emphasized that the proximity of the two events is significant. …

Rabbi Berger noted that this Halloween will be seen by idolators as a major time of rejoicing as the moon is a symbol of idolatry.

“Idolators will see the extra moon as a sign that their horrible beliefs are on the rise,” Rabbi Berger said. “But Jewish commentaries explain that on the day that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, God placed both the sun and the moon that they worshipped in the heavens. If destruction had come upon them by day, they would have said that the moon would have helped them; if by night, they would have declared that the sun would have been their aid. So God brought down destruction on the cities destroyed early in the morning when both the sun and the moon were shining.”

As dawn broke, the angels urged Lot on, saying, “Up, take your wife and your two remaining daughters, lest you be swept away because of the iniquity of the city.” Genesis 19:15

“This year, we see the same message,” Rabbi Berger said. “Even though they pray to the moon, even though they are celebrating their disgusting pagan holiday and enticing children with candy to worship the devil, it is inevitable that in the end, they will fall and people who praise God will be the only ones remaining.”

Halloween’s Pagan Roots

Halloween began as Samhain (pronounced Sow-in), one of the four main pagan holidays celebrated by the Celtics, who lived in areas of Ireland, northern England, and France before Romans conquered the region in the first century CE. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the “darker half” of the year.

Similar to modern Halloween, Celtic pagans dressed up in costumes on Samhain and lit bonfires. Samhain was seen as a liminal time when the boundary between this world and the spirit world could more easily be crossed. As such, it was an auspicious time for summoning dark spirits to aid in necromancy, communicating with the dead to foretell the future, a practice explicitly prohibited in the Bible.

Let no one be found among you who consigns his son or daughter to the fire, or who is an augur, a soothsayer, a diviner, a sorcerer, one who casts spells, or one who consults ghosts or familiar spirits, or one who inquires of the dead. Deuteronomy 18:10-11

Samhain was celebrated from sundown October 31 to sundown November 1, as the Celtic day began and ended at sunset. People believed that on Samhain, spirits roamed the world, and gifts of food and wine would be left out to appease the spirits. When people left their houses at night, they wore masks so they would be mistaken for fellow ghosts.  …

While many Americans insist that Halloween is a secular, family-oriented holiday, because of its clear origins in paganism and its connection with forbidden necromancy, most halachic (Torah law) authorities prohibit observant Jews from participating in Halloween.

Paganism: A Growing Phenomenon

Studies show that paganism in the U.S. has been growing by leaps and bounds in recent years, accompanied by an increasing mainstream interest in occult-related activities like astrology, tarot, and spellcasting. … The Church of Satan, the first organized church in modern times to be devoted to the figure of Satan, perceives Halloween as an opportunity for the average American to indulge in secret Satanist fantasies. https://www.israel365news.com/159677/blue-moon-to-appear-on-halloween-signaling-end-of-paganism-on-eve-of-election/

Yes, Halloween is pagan. Yes, paganism is growing.

But the fact that there are two full moons in the calendar month of October in 2020 is of no particular significance.

The truth is that those who really obey and believe the God of the Bible do not celebrate Halloween. Yesterday, the Continuing Church of God put together the following sermon on its ContinuingCOG channel:

1:11:52

Let’s Get Real About Halloween

Is Halloween an actual Christian holiday? Is it listed among the ‘Feast of the Lord’ in Leviticus 23? Where did the date October 31 come from? What about All Saints Day and the Mexican Day of the Dead? Did Celtic Druid observations of Samhain (pronounced sah-vah) occur then? Any similarities to Japanese, Chinese, or Scottish traditions? Is Halloween an important holiday to Satanists and those involved with Wicca? What is the origin of bonfires, costumes, and going door to door? Should Christians dress up as ghosts, witches, harlots, or ‘sexy nurses’ to celebrate it? What are reasons that Protestant pastors and publications like ‘Christianity Today’ say Halloween should be observed? What are the arguments that celebrities such as Kirk Cameron and Hailey Bieber promoted? Do they agree with the Bible? Did early Christians observe anything like Halloween? Are there Roman Catholic leaders for and against the observation of Halloween? How is Halloween claimed to be similar to Christmas and Easter? Does Halloween promote the gospel of the Kingdom of God? Was Halloween part of the original faith that the Apostles Paul and Jude said should be continued/contended for? When did Halloween begin to be observed? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.

Here is a link to our sermon: Let’s Get Real About Halloween.

Some items of related interest may include:

Is Halloween Holy Time for Christians? Here are some historical and biblical insight on this question. There are many cultures that have celebrations and observances that are similar to some associated with Halloween. What did the Druids do? Is Halloween one of the most important holidays for Satanists? Do the Japanese, Indians, and Chinese have any practices that are similar to some associated with Halloween? Does the Bible endorse or condemn practices that are associated with Halloween? Here is a link to a related sermon titled: Let’s Get Real About Halloween. Here are links to three related sermonette length videos: Debunking 17 reasons to celebrate Halloween, Halloween: Are there 7 reasons for Christians to celebrate it?, and International ‘Halloween’ Should Christians observe Halloween?
All Saints’ Day, the Day of the Dead, and All Souls’ Day When did “All Saints Day” and the “Day of the Dead” begin? “What about All Soul’s Day”? Here is a link to a related sermon: All Hallowed Saints’ Day of the Dead.
Should You Keep God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays? This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history shows about God’s Holy Days and popular holidays. Two related sermon would be Which Spring Days should Christians observe? and Fall Holy Days for Christians.

COGwriter

The Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

10:28

Here is a link to the video: Amy Coney Barrett and Prophecy?

CNBC

COGwriter

UK Prime Minister hopeful, Boris Johnson made a Brexit pledge:

Deal or no deal, we leave EU on October 31 – PM candidate Johnson

17 October 2020

Talks between the UK and EU over a post-Brexit trade agreement are “over”, Downing Street has said.

No 10 argued there was “no point” in discussions continuing next week unless the EU was prepared to discuss the detailed legal text of a partnership.

UK chief negotiator Lord Frost said he had told EU counterpart Michel Barnier there was now no “basis” for planned talks on Monday.

Number 10 said the two sides had agreed to talk again next week – by phone.

Earlier, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted that the Brussels negotiating team would go to London after the weekend to “intensify” discussions.

France’s Europe minister Clément Beaune told BBC Newsnight that, while the EU would not pursue a deal at any cost, “we will listen to what the UK side wants to say to us”. …

And the UK government hardened up its message to the EU over the course of Friday.

In the morning, Boris Johnson said the country had to “get ready” to trade next year without an agreement, although he did not say the talks were over.

He suggested the EU was unwilling to consider seriously the UK’s preferred option of a comprehensive free trade agreement based on the bloc’s existing arrangement with Canada.

The UK, he added, must look at the “alternative” – which he suggested was Australia’s much-more limited set of agreements with the EU.

The prime minister’s official spokesman took a tougher line with Brussels later in the day.

“There is only any point in Michel Barnier coming to London next week if he’s prepared to address all the issues on the basis of a legal text in an accelerated way, without the UK required to make all the moves or to discuss the practicalities of travel and haulage,” he said.

“If not, there is no point in coming.”

He added: “Trade talks are over. The EU have effectively ended them by saying they do not want to change their negotiating position.”

The UK and EU had been hoping for a “zero-tariff” agreement to govern their trading relationship once the UK’s post-Brexit transition period ends on 31 December.

If no deal is reached, they will operate on World Trade Organization rules, meaning tariffs are imposed. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-54566897

So, it looks like a no deal Brexit is getting more feasible.

“Deal or No Deal” was the name of a television game show that was popular in the USA and UK for a time. It was essentially a high risk game that was based upon luck. Brexit is more complicated and serious.

The Europeans are not pleased:

Opinion: Sometimes you just have to let go

First, Boris Johnson issued the EU with an ultimatum. Then he threatened to pull out of trade negotiations. DW’s Barbara Wesel believes EU leaders should keep their cool and avoid stooping to Johnson’s level.

The best way to react to Boris Johnson is to let him stew in his own juice. …

Boris Johnson has been complaining that the EU has not compromised sufficiently during negotiations on a post-Brexit trade deal and is refusing to give the British what they want. As a result, he said the country would possibly have to prepare for a hard Brexit, a no-deal departure from the EU that would bring the transition period to an abrupt end at the end of the year. …

Johnson’s behavior reeks of playacting, a swaggering display to win over a home crowd. But there he can only impress those people already determined to believe their own propaganda. But that, unfortunately, lies at the heart of populism. It is a show for those Britons who are completely devoid of irony and blessed with very short memories. …

What is happening on the other side of the Channel is a sorry sight, indeed. The country is governed by a politician whose political program consists of vacuous slogans. Boris Johnson very recently insisted that the UK could “prosper mightily” even in the event of a no-deal Brexit. …

Perhaps all the theatrics in London are just part of a negotiation drama that requires Act Three to be full of commotion and shooting so that necessary and reasonable compromises can be agreed in the final moments before the curtain falls. But the British prime minister is unpredictable. It could all go horribly wrong. And Johnson’s remarks that the EU had refused to negotiate seriously are just embarrassingly provocative.

The EU would be wise to avoid stooping to this level. It cannot give the UK the same access to markets as EU member states. Of course, things won’t be as good as they were before. And legal restrictions will also inevitably be part and parcel of the deal — just as with all other trade agreements.

There are only two options left: Boris Johnson makes another U-turn and signs a deal in two weeks’ time. Or he adopts a hard course and accepts the consequences — from rising food prices to endless lines of trucks queuing at the ferry port in Dover. Then the Europeans will just have to accept that they have to let go, to accept that they are unable to make the UK government happy — at least not at all costs. 10/16/20 https://www.dw.com/en/opinion-sometimes-you-just-have-to-let-go/a-55306238

The EU, itself, has long opposed Brexit and will not be pleased with what is considered to be a no-deal, or otherwise somewhat negotiated, Brexit.

As far as the EU’s real feelings go, BBC’s Kevin Connolly reported a while back (see EU states that UK must pay a price for Brexit and be worse off than EU member states):

The 27 EU Remainer states are adamant that Britain will pay a price for leaving and will be worse off outside than the union than it is on the inside.

The EU does not want other nations thinking that they can, should, or might leave.

US President Trump has been supportive of Brexit (e,g, see Donald Trump pushing Brexit, pushing Mexico, and pushing against India)–and the EU has not liked that either.

Both Donald Trump and the UK hope to make a trade deal with each other for political and economic reasons.

These acts do not endear the UK or USA to the EU.

The Bible tells of a time when the strongest military will be defeated and the fortresses of Ephraim will be no more:

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

3 The fortress also will cease from Ephraim, (Isaiah 17:3)

The strongest fortresses in the world currently belong to the USA (see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses). Ephraim is a reference to the UK and its British-descended allies of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (see Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel).

The “he” in Daniel 11:39 is a reference to the coming European (Daniel 9:26-27) King of the North (cf. Daniel 11:40).

The late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong, wrote the following in 1979 about his views of what Europe will one day do:

What is this abomination? This refers to Daniel 11:31 and Matthew 24:15…That will be a time when the UNITED Europe shall appear–the revival of the medieval “Holy Roman Empire.” We shall then be warned, and readied to be taken to a place of refuge and safety from the Great Tribulation. Forty-five days later “the beasts armies” will surround Jerusalem. Thirty days later the Great Tribulation will probably start with a nuclear attack on London and Britain–and possibly the same day or immediately after, on the United States and Canadian cities. The GREAT TRIBULATION, we shall fully then realize, is the time of “Jacob’s Trouble,” spoken of in Jeremiah 30:7. And Jacob’s name was named on Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (Gen. 48:16). At that time a third of the people in our nations will die, or shall have died, by famine and disease epidemics; another third will dies of the war–our cities being destroyed (Ezek. 6:6), and the remaining third will be carried to the land of our enemies as slaves (Ezek. 5:12). (Armstrong HW. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General’s Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979, Page 2).

Irrespective of which nation is attacked first, both the USA and UK will lose their respective sovereignties.

Europe will not forgive or forget Brexit nor the USA’s support of it.

But eventually, even the USA and its British-descended allies will tend to turn on each other:

21 Manasseh shall devour Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh;
Together they shall be against Judah.

For all this His anger is not turned away,
But His hand is stretched out still. (Isaiah 9:21)

Manasseh represents the USA (see also Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel). Alliances will not hold as many seem to think that they will.

Europe is not happy related to Brexit.

A ‘no deal’ or ‘hard Brexit’ will only tend to speed-up European resolve against the UK.

Related to Brexit, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following video for our Bible News Prophecy program:

18:31

Brexit Happened: Now What?

At 11:00 pm January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom formally left the European Union. Many celebrated, while many mourned. Nigel Farage stated, “This is the greatest moment in modern British history.” What will happen to the United Kingdom? Will the UK be involved in trade deals with the United States of America and the Europeans? Will the UK regret the BRitish Exit (Brexit) from the EU? What will happen with the European Union? Is Europe prophesied to have a great army and many ships? Does the Bible prophesy a reorganization of Europe? Does it prophesy that the Europeans will become a conquering military power? Is the United Kingdom prophesied to be conquered? How does the Bible name the British-descended peoples? Was the British Empire the largest in world history? Was Brexit predicted by Church of God leaders in 1970 and the early 1990s? Will the European Union be negatively affected financially by the departure of the UK? Will this turn out well for the UK or the Europeans? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more in this video.

Here is a link to our video: Brexit Happened: Now What?

Ultimately we will see the end of the UK at the hands of the coming European Beast in the long run (cf. Isaiah 17:3a; Daniel 8:24-25).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Post Brexit Prophecy On June 23, 2016, the voters of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) chose to leave the European Union. Now with this BRitish EXIT (Brexit) vote, what is prophesied to happen to the UK? Will the UK do well or be taken over and made slaves? Dr. Thiel explains from biblical prophecies what is ahead for the UK, Europe, and even the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This is a video.
Why Prophecy? Why is so much of the Bible devoted to prophecy? Some question or downplay the role of prophecy. This article gives some of the biblical reasons why prophecy should be important to Christians. Here is a link to a related video: Christians, Why Prophecy?
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: Alemania en la profecía bíblic. Here are links to two English language sermon videos Germany in Bible Prophecy and The Rise of the Germanic Beast Power of Prophecy.
Trade Disputes: CCOG Warnings Are Coming to Pass Trade tensions and talks of trade wars have escalated. US President Donald Trump has put Europe, China, Mexico, and other lands on notice that he wants to change how international trade with the USA has been going. Tariffs, retaliatory tariffs, and even more tariffs are being implemented. Is this all just happenstance? Are we yet in a trade war? What will Europe do? Has the Church of God been warning about trade disputes and a coming trade war for decades? What about the Continuing Church of God (CCOG)? What has been warned, what has been happening, and what will happen? Will trade disputes be a factor in World War III (WW3)? Dr. Thiel explains what has been taught and what to expect.
Trade Wars: Are COG warnings coming to pass? Trade issues, tariffs, and talk of trade wars are in the news. Can trade wars lead to World War III like they did to World War II? Are the events going on with the USA, UK, Asia, and Europe consistent with warnings published by the true Church of God (COG) over the past several years and decades? Do Germany and China hope to take advantage of trade frictions involving the Trump Administration and the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement? What about Mexico and South America? Does the Bible teach that Europe will become a major trading power? Will the final European Babylonian trading power be destroyed? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more in this video.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be: Are Chinese threats against Australia for real?
Will the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
British are the Covenant People What do ‘British’ and ‘Britain’ mean in Hebrew? Are the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons people of the covenant? Does the British royal family connect to the throne of David? What does the Bible teach? What does history show us? Is there any DNA evidence related to British-Israelism? When did Christianity make it to the British Isles? Could Jeremiah have made it to the British Isles? What type of Christians made it to the British Isles? Did the last King of England believe in British Israelism?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future. A sermon of related interest is also available: Canada in Prophecy.
Australia and New Zealand in Prophecy Do biblical prophecies help explain the wealth blessings for Australia and New Zealand? Might cursings from disobedience come in the 21st century? Here is a link to a related sermon: Australia and New Zealand: Origins and Prophecy.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West.
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?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here are links to two related videos: The King of the North is Alive: What to Look Out For and The Future King of the North.
The Great Monarch: Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Is the ‘Great Monarch’ of Catholic prophecies endorsed or condemned by the Bible? Two sermons of related interest are also available: Great Monarch: Messiah or False Christ? and Great Monarch in 50+ Beast Prophecies.
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? 2027 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? 2020, 2021, or 2022? 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 la Gran Tribulación comenzar en el 2020 o 2021? ¿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 and newer video is: Could the Great Tribulation Begin in 2020?
The Times of the Gentiles Has there been more than one time of the Gentiles? Are we in it now or in the time of Anglo-America? What will the final time of the Gentiles be like? A related sermon is available and is titled: The Times of the Gentiles.
Armageddon Who is involved and when will this gathering happen? Here is also a video from Dr. Thiel, from Tel Megiddo in Israel: Armageddon. Other videos include: Armageddon Will it come on Trump’s watch?, Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy, Freemasonry, Armageddon, and Rome, Is China paving roads to Armageddon?, and Jordan, Petra, and Armageddon.
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
WTO/TTIP and the Babylonian Beast Will international trade agreements like WTO/TTIP/CETA lead to the fulfillment of end time prophecies concerning the Babylonian Beast power that the Book of Revelation warns against? What does the Bible teach? A related video would be WTO Trade Deal and the Rise of the European Beast Power.
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.
Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill?  Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill?  Is a Donald Trump presidency proving to be apocalyptic?  Two related videos are available: Donald: ‘Trump of God’ or Apocalyptic? and Donald Trump’s Prophetic Presidency.
Trump Presidency Magic 8 Ball or Bible Prophecy? BBC reported that one might as well use a ‘Magic Eight-Ball’ to try to predict what will happen in the remaining time of Donald Trump’s presidency. What is a ‘Magic Eight-Ball’? Dr. Thiel not only explains that, but also briefly goes over 10 biblically-based warnings he wrote would happen if Donald Trump were elected that have already began to come to pass. He also goes over something he wrote back in 2008 that the Trump presidency is also helping lead to fulfillment. Should you trust Bible prophecy or not? Dr. Thiel says that Bible prophecy can be trusted, despite the view of skeptics and others that either overlook or despise the Bible. This is a video.

COGwriter

Jesus taught:

43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God. (John 8:43-47)

Well, some of Satan’s allies at Banned by HWA and the Painful Truth continue to post lies about me and others in the Continuing Church of God (CCOG). Here is some of what was posted yesterday by Gary Leonard at Banned:

Bob Thiel Getting Played By His African Leaders

This just in from Africa…

What we all have known for several years now is that Bob Thiel, the Great Bwana to Africa, has been a useful tool for some of his African leaders who have been using him along with other COG groups. They have a long history of doing this in addition to getting what they can from the Seventh Day Adventists.

Ochieng is supposedly Thiel’s top “evangelist”. If he is Thiel’s official evangelist, does that make him an evangelist for the other COG groups too? But, since Thiel claims his group is the ONLY true church doing a work today, how does he justify Ochieng spending his valuable evangelistic time with the other groups?

Thought you would find this of interest. Bob Thiel’s man in Africa, Evans Ochieng, works for any church he can. Currently, he works for these:

1. Midnight Ministries- Malcolm B Heap

2. Church of God In Truth and Peace- James Russel

3. A Voice In The Wilderness Church of God- Bill Goff

4. Continuing Church of God- Bob Thiel

First, before going further, let it be pointed out that I have NEVER said, written, nor posted that CCOG is the only church doing a work. I have written that we of the CCOG are the only Philadelphian organization, other COGs do various types of works, there are Philadelphians in other COGs, and just being in CCOG does not, of itself, make one a Philadelphian. Yet, Banned cannot seem to even get that right.

Second, back in 2013/2014 I communicated with the leaders of the first three listed groups that Banned posted and know the insinuation that Evans Ochieng is part of the other groups is false.

Evans Ochieng

Third, while it is true that he once was part of Church of God in Truth than A Voice In The Wilderness Church of God (and part of the Living and Global Church of God before that), in November 2013, Evans Ochieng contacted me. The day that happened I called Bill Goff and discussed the situation. So, there was no duplicity as Bill Goff knew from November 2013 that Evans Ochieng was coming with CCOG–and I told Evans Ochieng the same day that I told Bill Goff all of this. Evans  Ochieng was with CCOG longer than any of the groups listed here.

Fourth, Banned posted something immediately after the above list that contradicted its item 3. as it showed that Bill Goff has known for over 6 years that Evans Ochieng came with CCOG and was not with his A Voice In The Wilderness Church of God.

Fifth, I forwarded these two Banned posts to Evangelist Evans Ochieng last night and told him:

You do not need to respond, but I thought I would let you know. They lie all the time there.

Sixth, he did respond to me with the following today

Pastor Dr Bob,

Greetings from Kenya.

Thank you very much for forwarding to me all this lies. Those are dying horses. They do all these because they fear the speed with which the continuing church of God is growing in Africa. And the speed of the continuing church of God is doing the work worldwide. And how God is using you in the end time move of preaching the gospel. The doors are open for CONTINUING CHURCH OF GOD to preach and reach many nations and to open the eyes of blinded nations so that they can be called in the truth and to be in the first resurrection. PRAISE THE ALMIGHTY FOR A WONDERFUL WORK. be a blessed pastor and continue to do good work. Those people fear me  because they know that I’m a true evangelist. and they know the kind of work God has done through my hands. I do pray for such people to repent and be humble to God so that we all meet our saviour and king Jesus Christ.

Evans.

Seventh, Banned also posted the following in its latest post:

A source in Kenya confirms that the attendees don’t consider Bob to be a prophet, but only attend for the money.

That is another lie–it is not that no one may have told Banned that lie, but the statement just is not true. Consider that groups such as LCG spend more money in Kenya than CCOG does. Yet, we have probably over 10 x the number of congregants in Africa Kenya than they do. If people wanted money there are other groups who spend more money in Africa than CCOG does. One thing that CCOG does that most other COG groups have not done is produce literature in local languages, such as Luo, Kiswahili, and Ekegusii. People in places like Kenya appreciate having the truth available in languages other than English–yes it is helpful for the the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to be preached throughout the world (Matthew 24:14) in numerous languages (we have done so in over 100 languages which are listed at the www.ccog.org page). But the idea that people in Kenya could have interest in the truths that the CCOG teaches is something that then anti-COG types do not wish to accept–instead they prefer to promote lies.

Jesus prophesied:

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:10-12)

Those at Banned, the Painful Truth, and various other places have regularly been fulfilling that prophecy and saying all kinds of things falsely against me and CCOG.

What people at Banned and the other anti-COG sites cannot stand is the idea that the true ministry is having success and is not in it for the money. The fact that my wife and I do not take a salary from CCOG grates on them as it is opposed to the lying narrative they wish to believe. While commandment keepers are to be rewarded, scripture warns about those who believe and love lies:

14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. (Revelation 22:14-15)

Similar to how the Jews downplayed the significance of Gentile converts, people who do not truly have love for others downplay the significance of Africans responding to the truth.

Furthermore, for the end time, the fullness of the Gentiles must come in per Romans 11:25 (see also What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?). This is happening and CCOG is a major factor in this happening now.

As far as growth in Kenya itself goes, consider that when Evans Ochieng was with A Voice In The Wilderness Church of God, there were about 300 with him. After coming in contact with CCOG, about 40 remained with A Voice In The Wilderness Church of God, and 260 came with CCOG.

In CCOG, we now have over 10x the number in Kenya than when Evans Ochieng came with us. He was ordained as an evangelist in 2017 because he clearly had the fruits of an evangelist. Here is what the old Worldwide Church of God taught about evangelists:

Evangelists were leading ministers, proclaiming the gospel to the public, even raising up local churches and having supervision over some churches … (Armstrong HW. Mystery of the Ages. Dodd, Mead, and Co, 1985, p. 245)

Evans Ochieng has been fulfilling that. He has traveled all over Kenya, plus has made evangelistic trips to Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Yet, people want to promote lies about him.

As far as lies go, consider the following:

A big lie (German: große Lüge) is a propaganda technique and logical trick (fallacy). The expression was coined by Adolf Hitler, when he dictated his 1925 book Mein Kampf, about the use of a lie so “colossal” that no one would believe that someone “could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously”. …

Various sources, both popular and scholarly, attribute the following passage to Goebbels. However, it is not currently known which piece of writing this is attributed to and when it was written, or if it even was Goebbels who authored it:

If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.

(Big Lie. Wikipedia, accessed 12/06/19)

Sadly, many have accepted lies promoted by people on the anti-COG websites.

While I have not responded to most of the falsehoods and accusations they continue to post about CCOG and me, sometimes I do.

Gary Leonard, the webmaster of the anti-COG Banned by HWA site has a history of libeling me and make false assertions about me.

For example, in June 2020 he posted:

Meredith publicly rebuked Thiel from the pulpit and kicked him out of the church (Leonard G. Why do COG members still feel the need that they still have to go to the ministers for answers? June 19, 2020)

That was about the third time in so many weeks he had some version of that lie at his website–and his site has had versions of it since.

Of course, all the top leadership of the Living Church of God knows full well I was not kicked out. I left because the leadership had serious integrity problems and refused to keep promises that they repeatedly made to me.

Gary Leonard cannot get over the fact that it was I who “kicked out” LCG, not the other way around. If he and others at his libelous site would stop repeating the lie I was kicked out of LCG, I would not feel the desire to some time comment about it.

Perhaps it should be mentioned that right after I left, even Jim Meredith (son of Dr. Meredith) emailed me and asked me to reconsider and come back. I declined.

Furthermore, some may be interested to know that on February 20, 2013, less then two months after CCOG was declared, Dr. Meredith sent me an email asking if I would come back. My response, which I sent on 2/21/13, included the following:

Dear Dr. Meredith:

Good morning. …

On 12/28/12, after receiving your email to me, I telephoned Dr. Fall, discussed your email with him, and then told him that morally I could no longer have affiliation with the Living Church of God. I then sent you an email where I clearly stated to you that I was no longer with LCG. …

As far as me and the Living Church of God, there would have to be major specific changes for me to be able to come back. At this stage, without changes, I do not believe that LCG can possibly be the group that God will use to complete the final phase of the work. I have totally committed myself to support the Philadelphian end time work of God, which is why, to a great degree because of steps you did and did not take, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) had to be formed.

You may be interested to know that I did not want to be in the position that I am now in. …

My attempts in 2012 to prevent the current situation were not properly reciprocated by you. Anyway, I continue to pray for you, your wife, and others in LCG pretty much daily.

Sincerely,

Bob Thiel

He did not respond to my response to him. The changes needed were not made, so there was no point in going back. (Because of promises I made to two LCG leaders, I have not posted Dr. Meredith’s 2/20/13 email.)

Anyway, no, LCG is not leading the final phase of the work. I do not consider that it is Philadelphian (though LCG, like some other COGs, likely has some Philadelphians in its midst) nor could it hold the Philadelphia mantle (see Herbert W. Armstrong, the Philadelphia Church, & the Mantle).

I WAS NEVER KICKED OUT OF LCG. Nor did LCG ever mark or disfellowship me.

Gary Leonard also has posted nonsense from a deceased anti-COG writer casting aspersions on my education. For those interested in the truth, see my response: Banned, Ambassador Watch, Living University, and my Ph.D. and Th.D.

Notice another lie Gary Leonard posted about me in June 2017:

Thiel deliberately conned Gaylyn Bonjour into giving him a blessing.

That is in another lie.

I never “conned” Gaylyn Bonjour. Nor did I ask for anything like being anointed for a double-portion of God’s spirit.

Here is a short version for what happened: In November 2011, both LCG minister Dr. Jeff Fall and LCG minister Gary Ehman told me that I did NOT need to have hands laid upon me in order to be a true prophet of God. Yet, I told them that something like that needed to happen for me to accept it. And in November/December 2011, I prayed that if I truly had a prophetic role from God that He would have something happen during a planned mid-December 2011 trip to Charlotte, North Carolina to confirm it or deny it if that were His will. As it turned out, on 12/15/2011 hands were laid upon me in Charlotte by LCG minister Gaylyn Bonjour, who I had not even intended to see then (I had asked to see Gary Ehman, but as it turned out, he was not in the Charlotte office due to an unexpected illness). After seeing Gaylyn Bonjour mentioning some health issues and wisdom, he laid hands on me, and specifically prayed that I would be granted a “double-portion” of God’s Holy Spirit, and he anointed me with oil. Afterwards, Gaylyn told me that he had not ever requested a “double portion’ of God’s Spirit before on anyone, but he felt that it was reminiscent of the time that the prophetic and ecclesiastical leadership mantle passed from the Prophet Elijah to Elisha (2 Kings 2:9-13). Gaylyn Bonjour had been unaware that I had prayed that God would have me anointed or somehow identified for a prophetic role on that mid-December 2011 trip if that were His plan for me and I had never discussed my possible prophetic role with him prior to this anointing. On 12/18/12, I asked Gaylyn Bonjour if he knew what he may have unintentionally done and he said yes. This 12/15/11 anointing appears to be the first biblically-appropriate prophetic anointing in the Church of God in many decades, if not many, many multiple centuries. And the legitimacy of this anointing has been proven by subsequent events–though many do not seem to understand how God works at times (see also Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?).

As it also turned out, I tried to meet with Dr. Meredith on December 19, 2011 to tell him that it seemed God was telling me that his wife was about to be struck with something serious. A few weeks later (per Dr. Meredith’s letter dated 1/12/12), Dr. Meredith reported that his wife (who was much younger than he) was stricken with stage four cancer (she later died on November 29, 2013). That prediction was not the result of analytical skills on my behalf, but I believe were insights from God’s Spirit.

In my view, the unexpected ‘double-portion anointing, Gaylyn Bonjour’s comments about the mantle passing, and my feeling led to tell of something about to hit Sheryl Meredith, were the result of God answering my prayers in November/December 2011 that the prophet matter would be confirmed or denied in Charlotte with my December 2011 trip. Essentially, this was THREE confirmations.

Let this be clear, I was absolutely anointed, had hands laid over me, and the LCG minister who did so prayed that I would receive a ‘double-portion’ of God’s Holy Spirit, and afterwards that same minister (Gaylyn Bonjour) stated that this was reminiscent of the mantle passing from Elijah to Elisha (Gaylyn Bonjour also brought up the passing of the mantle related to this when we spoke on March 23, 2012). The fact that he did not originally intend to pray that I receive a ‘double-portion’ of God’s Holy Spirit is of no consequence, as the Bible shows that although Isaac had not intended to provide certain blessings to Jacob, once Isaac laid hands upon Jacob and gave the prayer, the anointed blessing would remain according to the Bible (Genesis 27)–and Gaylyn Bonjour concurs with this. Let it be noted that unlike Jacob, I did not employ any deceit in the anointing.

Furthermore, understand that I believe that I do have the appropriate prophetic fruits that Jesus discussed (Matthew 7:15-20) and that those truly interested in the truth can see this if they truly wish to prayfully look into this. Perhaps it should be mentioned that while some question my ordination, others have also had concerns about God’s anointing and ordinations (2 Kings 9:1-11; Jeremiah 43:2; Genesis 27:26-37). God does not always do things the way humans think He does (cf. Isaiah 55:8-9).

Gary Leonard does not want to accept that I have the fruits of a prophet and meet the biblical (see How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God) and COG criteria for that (Church of God Leaders on Prophets; see also Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?).

As far as Gaylyn Bojour goes, I spent several hours with him last November.

Gaylyn said on November 28, 2019 that he tells those who ask that he says:

I have known Bob Thiel since 1986. He has always been honest, dedicated, and sincere.

And that includes what I have written about him and the prophet matter.

No, Gaylyn Bonjour does NOT believe he was conned by me. He believes that he prayed and laid hands on me, and anointed me with oil, and, as he told me on November 28, 2019, he believes God answered his anointing prayer for me.

Sadly, Gary Leonard and many other opponents do not care about the truth and think that they are getting away with their lies and falsehoods.

Yet scripture says, “be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).

The Book of Proverbs teaches:

4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own eyes. (Proverbs 26:4-5)

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. (Proverbs 26:16, KJV)

Because of Proverbs 26:4, I do not respond to most of the lies and false accusations at the Banned By HWA site, but because of Proverbs 26:5, I sometimes will.

Now, notice something else that Gary Leonard posted back on December 1, 2019:

I can again state for a FACT that God did NOT send dreams to Bwana Bob Thiel or anyone else associated with his personality cult. … there is absolutely NO REASON anyone ever gave them credibility.

Of course, there is no FACT or proof Gary Leonard provided for his opinionated and wrong rant.

The Book of Proverbs warns about such people:

16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly. (Proverbs 26:16)

The biblical fact, the Apostle Peter was inspired to speak in Acts 2:17-18, is that dreams and prophets were prophesied in the New Testament for the last days!

Of course, many simply do not believe that God’s Holy Spirit works as prophesied–but they should (watch also 7 Last Days’ Signs of the Holy Spirit).

As Gary Leonard should be aware, there were at least seven associated with the Continuing Church of God that have had confirmed dreams.

Which is more sensible? The truth from 7 COG members or rants attempting to deny that God would fulfill His word as given in places such as Acts 2:17-18?

The seven dreams and their fulfillments are real facts. Here is a chart related to them:

                                        Chart of Some CCOG-Related Dreams

The above list has dreams that were given to different ones of different ages in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and the South Pacific. For more details on the dreams, confirmations, and dreamers, see the article Dreams, the Bible, the Radio Church of God, and the Continuing Church of God).

The fact is that Continuing Church of God has the most confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18 of any claimed COG. For details, check out the article: Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?

The fact is the the Continuing Church of God has been the fastest growing xWCG-derived group is something they want to discount.

Can you accept the truth or do you prefer the “big lie” from sites like Banned By HWA?

Gary Leonard is an accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10), and often a bearer of false witness (Exodus 20:16).

He and various others at the Banned By HWA and other anti-COG sites remain in my prayers.

UPDATE October 18, 2020: Related to the falsehoods about Evans Ochieng, we just uploaded the following video:

16:17 

Dispelling Lies About Evangelist Evans Ochieng

Continuing Church of God (CCOG) evangelist Evans Ochieng was originally a Seventh-day Adventist before becoming part of the old Worldwide Church of God. After the apostasy hit the old WCG, he became a host in the old Global then Living Church of God, before going elsewhere. In November 2013, after reviewing CCOG websites and literature, he asked to be part of CCOG. He came in with 260 people and now oversees 4,000 in Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, South Sudan, Zambia, Tanzania, and Uganda. Yet, various ones, such as some connected to the anti-COG Banned by HWA website have promoted lies about him. What do scriptures say about addressing claims of fools? In this sermonette video, Dr. Thiel dispels some of the lies that have been falsely stated about Evans Ochieng and provides truth for those interested in it.

Here is a link to the sermonette: Dispelling Lies About Evangelist Evans Ochieng.

COGwriter

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

Here is a link to the sermon: The Septuagint and its Apocrypha.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

COGwriter

The BBC reported the following:

Viewpoint: Why Turkey is flexing its muscles abroad

16 October 2020

Immediately after a long-simmering conflict in the South Caucasus burst into open warfare late last month, Turkey came to the aid of its Turkic allies in Azerbaijan. It has supplied arms and, allegedly, fighters transferred from Syria, although that has been denied in Ankara.

Unlike most outside powers that called for an immediate ceasefire, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev to fight on.

The Caucasus is only the latest venture for a more muscular Turkey, whose military engagements have stretched from Syria across the Mediterranean. …

Turkey’s reliance on hard power to secure its interests is the cornerstone of its new foreign policy doctrine, in the making since 2015.

The new doctrine is deeply suspicious of multilateralism and urges Turkey to act unilaterally when necessary.

It is anti-Western. It believes that the West is in decline and Turkey should cultivate closer ties to countries such as Russia and China. …

In January, Turkey stepped up military support to Libya’s UN-backed government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj, to stop an offensive by forces allied with Gen Khalifa Haftar. …

Turkey has been at loggerheads with Greece and Cyprus over energy drilling rights off the coast of the divided island of Cyprus and maritime boundaries in the area. …

Turkey’s assertive policy in Syria, Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean has not yielded the results that President Erdogan’s ruling coalition hoped for.

Turkey could not entirely clear Kurdish militia forces from its border with Syria. Neither Ankara’s maritime agreement with Libya nor its actions in the Eastern Mediterranean have changed the anti-Turkey status quo in the region. …

Mr Erdogan’s nationalist allies want him to fight on. A prominent neo-nationalist, Retired Rear-Admiral Cihat Yayci, argued that Greece wanted to invade western Turkey and urged Mr Erdogan to never sit down with Athens to negotiate.

And the president has little option but to listen to him. As he loses ground in opinion polls, the nationalist sway over his domestic and foreign policies only increases. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54547304

Related to Turkey, the Temple Institute reported the following:

Tishrei 28, 5781/October 16, 2020 …

The Battle For Jerusalem: Turkey’s Erdogan Stakes His Claim

In July, Mr. Erdogan described that month’s return of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, a sixth century Orthodox-church-turned-mosque-turned-museum, to the status of a Muslim house of worship as paving the way for the “liberation” of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque, Islam’s third holiest site. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan didn’t mince his words at this month’s opening of parliament. In his first assertion of a claim to a lost non-Turkic part of the Ottoman Empire, Mr Erdogan declared that Jerusalem is Turkish.

Will Turkey ever be involved in steps for Jerusalem?

Yes.

Notice a prophecy in the Book of Psalms:

2 For behold, Your enemies make a tumult;
And those who hate You have lifted up their head.
3 They have taken crafty counsel against Your people,
And consulted together against Your sheltered ones.
4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation,
That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.”
5 For they have consulted together with one consent;
They form a confederacy against You:
6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites;
Moab and the Hagrites;
7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek;
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Assyria also has joined with them;
They have helped the children of Lot. (Psalms 83:2-8)

The ‘who’ that have consulted together and agreed to the conspiracy includes Turkey. “Edom” is a reference to Turkey.

The late WCG evangelist Raymond McNair wrote:

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).

Notice the following from the old Radio Church of God:

Turn to the astounding prophecy found in Psalm 83:1-8. David, inspired of God, predicted the coming time when ALL of Israel’s enemies would join together in an effort to crush out even the name “Israel” from the face of the earth! (Verse 4) “For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee…” (verse 5). Notice the nations making up this confederation. “Edom [Turkey], and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; Moab [Jordan], and the Hagarenes [they anciently dwelt in the land known as Syria today]; Gebal {Lebanon}, and Ammon [Jordan] and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur [whose descendants migrated to Germany] is joined with them; they have helped the children of Lot” {Moab and Ammon in modern Jordan). Here we see that the Arab nations mentioned are allied with Germany (Assur) which we know from other prophecies will be the military leader — naturally so — of a United States of Europe…Egypt…will provoke the prophesied United Europe (Dan. 11:40). This European power — called the “king of the north” in Daniel 11 — shall invade and occupy the “glorious land” of Palestine (verse 41). “And the land of Egypt shall not escape”(Boraker R. SYRIA RAIDS ISRAEL – Where Is It Leading? Plain Truth. November 1966)

Turkey will be part of a confederacy that will conspire against the tiny nation of Israel as well as against the USA and its British-descended allies (see also Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel) but since Assyria is involved in Psalm 83, this is also an alliance with a coming European power.

The Bible also shows that Turkey will also, temporarily and as part of a confederacy, support the prophesied King of the South:

Notice:

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 11:40-43)

Understand that Daniel 11:41 shows that Turkey (Edom) will escape the coming destruction from the King of the North, despite being aligned for a time with the King of the South.

Interestingly, notice the following Catholic prophecy about Turkey and a “Great Arab” leader:

Nostradamus: The Great Arab shall progress well forward, But betrayed shall be by the Byzantines. (Turks).

Comment on above from Catholic writer Yves Dupont: Here, we are told that Turkey will break its faith with the rest of the Arab world. (Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p. 107).

Dionysius of Luxemberg (died 1682): a. “After the birth of Antichrist the people of the world will be very wicked and godless … The churches will be dreary and empty like deserted barns … From the midst of His Church He will raise up a Christian ruler who will perform most remarkable deeds. With divine assistance this ruler will not only lead erring souls back to the true Faith but also deal a heavy blow to the foes of the empire; the Turks, to take away their empire and restore it to Christianity (Connor p.84).

The “Great Arab” is probably supposed to represent the Mahdi/Caliph, the final King of the South. The Turks currently control Byzantium and have for many centuries. Dionysius of Luxemberg seems to be saying that the Turks will betray an Islamic empire.

Hence, Catholic prophecy indicates that Turkey will betray the Islamic Arabic power. In the Bible, Daniel 11:25-26 is quite clear that an ally of the King of the South will betray the King of the South:

25 “He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South with a great army. And the king of the South shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand, for they shall devise plans against him. 26 Yes, those who eat of the portion of his delicacies shall destroy him; his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain. (Daniel 11:25-26)

If Daniel 11:25-26 has future fulfillment (and as it seems to parallel Daniel 11:40-43 it looks to), it would seem that there will be close allies (like Turkey) that will betray the King of the South according to scripture as well.

So what do we make of all of this?

Well, for the time being, Turkey is moving further away from Europe and closer to the Islamic world (cf. Psalm 83:4-8). But this will not last.

Yes, in time, Turkey will will align with the King of the South. My experience with the Turks (my wife and I have been to Turkey 3 or 4 times) is that they are a pragmatic people. In time, they will see problems with the ambitions of the King of the South. This will lead to one or more leaders in Turkey betraying the King of the South to the European King of the North,

So, despite Recep Tayyip Erdogan military and other moves, Turkey ultimately will align with Europe.

Biblical prophecies concerning Turkey will come to pass.

COGwriter

In what can be termed 21st century book burning, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and other big tech firms have been involved in suppressing reports that cast questions about Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s integrity.

While I do not often quote from the SGT Report, notice two items from it:

October 16, 2020

A massive YouTube purge has taken place. Several channels have been removed from the platform proving truth is treason in the empire of lies.

Let me preface this by saying that whether you do or do not agree with the content published by some channels on YouTube, no one deserves to have the boot of tyranny on their throat or their voice silenced for any reason. Ever.   “When you tear out a man’s tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you’re only telling the world that you fear what he might say.” – George R.R. Martin. …

Sean from SGT Report is trying to help et the word out about this. But honestly, as Brian from High Impact TV says is “we are all on borrowed time” now. This proves it. https://www.sgtreport.com/2020/10/blatant-censorship-the-great-youtube-purge/

October 15, 2020

ALERT: YouTube TERMINATED both SGTreport channels today

Dear friends,
PLEASE help get the word out. PLEASE Tweet to @TeamYouTube and ask them to reverse this, I would happily do the same for you.
They just terminated my access to BOTH of my channels for releasing a video last night about the new Hunter Biden emails, and the Seal Team 6 information coming from whistleblower Allen Parrot and Benghazi whistleblower Nick Noe.
Anything that any of you can do on my behalf will leave me in your debt. My work can still be seen at SGTreport.TV and on Patreon (and Bitchute).
Thank you very much, & God bless. https://www.sgtreport.com/ accessed 10/16/20

Of the two videos mentioned, it would have more likely been the Hunter Biden email one that upset YouTube the most.

Notice also the following:

16 October 2020

President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused the Biden family of wrongdoing in regards to Ukraine and China while Joe Biden was vice-president, which the Bidens deny.

The issue has resurfaced following a New York Post article focused on an alleged email in which an adviser from a Ukrainian energy company apparently thanked Hunter Biden for inviting him to meet his father.

An article has appeared in the New York Post focused on an email from April 2015, in which an adviser to Burisma apparently thanked Hunter Biden for inviting him to meet his father in Washington.

Hunter, Joe Biden’s second son, was a director on the board of Burisma – a Ukrainian-owned private energy company while his father was the Obama administration’s pointman on US-Ukrainian relations. Hunter was one of several foreigners on its board.

The New York Post article did not provide evidence that the meeting ever took place. The Biden election campaign said there was no record of any such meeting on the former vice-president’s “official schedule” from the time.

But in a statement to Politico, the campaign also acknowledged that Mr Biden could have had an “informal interaction” with the Burisma adviser that did not appear on his official schedule, though it said any such encounter would have been “cursory”. …

The campaign also decried the New York Post story as “Russian disinformation”, though it did not say the emails were bogus.

The New York Post article has been shared by President Trump and his allies. Two of his former advisers, Steve Bannon and Rudy Giuliani, were involved in providing the story and the laptop containing the alleged emails, to the newspaper.

Other US media say they have been unable to verify the authenticity of the emails. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-54553132

Following the publication of the New York Post’s bombshell story about the Biden family’s business dealings in Ukraine, Facebook and Twitter worked hard to suppress the story across their platforms. …

Joe Biden has previously said, “I have never spoken to my son about his overseas business dealings.”

But, the leaked emails allegedly show that Hunter introduced his father to a Bursima executive less than a year before Biden, acting as Vice President, pressured the Ukrainian government into firing a prosecutor who was investigating the company. Shortly after the story broke, many found themselves having trouble sharing it across social media. This censorship comes just weeks after executives from both Facebook and Twitter joined the Biden transition team. https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2020/10/15/facebook-and-twitter-censor-biden-bombshells-weeks-after-execs-join-his-transition-team/

Here are some comments from Tucker Carlson related to the Hunter and Joe Biden Ukrainian connection:

At the heart of the growing Biden-Ukraine scandal, for example, is a very straightforward question: Did Joe Biden subvert American foreign policy in order to enrich his own family?

In 2015, Joe Biden was the sitting vice president of the United States. Included in his portfolio were U.S. relations with the nation of Ukraine. At that moment, Vice President Joe Biden had more influence over the Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian economy than any other person on the globe outside of Eastern Europe.

Biden’s younger son, Hunter, knew that and hoped to get rich from his father’s influence. Emails published Wednesday by The New York Post, documents apparently taken directly from Hunter Biden’s own laptop, tell some of that story.

“Tucker Carlson Tonight” have obtained another batch of emails, some exclusively. We believe they also came from Hunter Biden’s laptop. We can’t prove that they did, we haven’t examined that computer. But every detail that we could check, including Hunter Biden’s personal email address at the time, suggests they are authentic. …

Burisma wanted Huter Biden’s father to get their company out of legal trouble with the Ukrainian government. And that’s exactly what happened. One month later to the day, on Dec. 2, 2015, Hunter Biden received a notice from a Washington PR firm called Blue Star Strategies, which apparently had been hired to lobby the Obama administration on Ukraine. “Tucker Carlson Tonight” have exclusively obtained that email.

“Hello all …” it began. “This morning, the White House hosted a conference call regarding the Vice President’s upcoming trip to Ukraine. Attached is a memo from the Blue Star Strategies team with the minutes of the call, which outlined the trip’s agenda and addressed several questions regarding U.S. policy toward Ukraine.”

So here you have a PR firm involved in an official White House foreign policy call. How could that happen? Good question. But it worked.

Days later, Joe Biden flew to Ukraine and did exactly what his son wanted. The vice president gave a speech slamming the very Ukrainian law enforcement official who was tormenting Burisma. If the Ukrainian government didn’t fire its top prosecutor, a man called Viktor Shokin, Biden explained, the administration would withhold a billion dollars in American aid. Now, Ukraine is a poor country, so they had no choice but to obey. Biden’s bullying worked. He bragged about it later. …

Thursday morning, the New York Post published another story based on the emails. This one describes a business venture Hunter Biden was working on in China. … Twitter restricted the New York Post story as “unsafe,” like it was a lawn dart or a defective circular saw. And that was enough for the Biden campaign.

All day Thursday, they deflected questions about Joe Biden’s subversion of our country’s foreign policy by invoking Twitter’s ban on the New York Post story. So the tech monopoly censors information to help their candidate, that candidate uses that censorship to dismiss the story. One hand washes the other. …

“Facebook and Twitter have policies to not spread things that are utterly unreliable, that have been debunked, and where their origin is untrustworthy,” Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said Thursday. “They’re practicing their own internal controls, as I wish they had over the past four years … An active Russian disinformation campaign in 2016 had an influence on that election. They are trying even harder in this election. I’m glad that they are managing the content on their own websites.”

Chris Coons is a liar.

Not one word of this story has been debunked, not one word in those emails has been “debunked.” And if it is debunked, we’ll be the first to report it because we’re not liars. But did you catch the phrase he wanted you to hear: “Russian disinformation”? That’s what they’re claiming these emails are. https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/tucker-carlson-joe-biden-burisma-hunter-biden

The censorship happened because big tech is afraid that this shows that Joe Biden was involved with a Ukrainian firm to get a Ukrainian attorney general fired and that Donald Trump’s call for an investigation, which led to impeachment against him, may have had validity.

Now this is NOT an endorsement of Donald Trump. Whether one prefers Donald Trump or Joe Biden, the lessor of two evils is still evil (watch also Biden, Trump, and the Bible).

But the point to make here is that the major media, and not just big tech, functions more as political advocates than journalists on many topics these days.

On NPR and other mainstream sources yesterday, I heard over the radio reports that the allegations against Joe Biden were already debunked and unfounded.

Yet, how can something that just came out (the emails) have already been debunked? There veracity has not been denied by any credible source according to some news reports.

Instead of now calling them debunked, today, the major media is instead calling them unverified. They are no less unverified than the nonsense about Donald Trump himself being engaged in collusion with the Russians.

They are also not less unverified than a lot of the hypocritical nonsense that the mainstream has promoted about COVID-19.

The Bible warns:

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

6 I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. (Isaiah 10:5-6, KJV)

Yes, the USA is “an hypocritical nation” and will one day be no more (see Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel). The hypocritical ‘journalism’ and ‘big tech’ censorship is hurting the USA.

Yes, so are statements from Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

Consider that the press in the USA used to claim it was the “fourth branch” of the government, stemming from its claim that the media’s responsibility to inform the populace was essential to the healthy functioning of democracy.

That simply is not happening in the USA in 2020–at least not in a fully truthful or unbiased way.

Let me also note that back in March, video platform Vimeo (a small part of big tech) removed the BibleNewsProphecy sermonette video ‘COVID-19 Leading to 666?‘

Here is what Vimeo’s notice said:

Hello Bible News Prophecy,

Your video “COVID 19 Leading to 666?” has been removed for violating our Guidelines.

Reason: You cannot upload videos that depict or encourage self-harm, falsely claim that mass tragedies are hoaxes, or perpetuate false or misleading claims about vaccine safety.

For more information on our content and community policies, please visit https://vimeo.com/help/ guidelines.

If you believe this was an error, please reply to this message as soon as possible to explain. (Please be aware that Vimeo moderators take action as violations come to our attention. “I see other people do it” is not a valid explanation.)

Sincerely,
Vimeo Staff

Yet, their accusations really were not true.

So, to appeal, I wrote the following:

Dear Vimeo:

You removal does not make any sense to us.

Your stated reason for removal was “You cannot upload videos that depict or encourage self-harm, falsely claim that mass tragedies are hoaxes, or perpetuate false or misleading claims about vaccine safety.”

Our video DOES NOT “depict or encourage self-harm, falsely claim that mass tragedies are hoaxes, or perpetuate false or misleading claims about vaccine safety.”

None of those matters are in the video.

Is the real concern that you do not believe that we can quote biblical prophecies and tie them in with world events?

Because that is what that video does.

If there is a specific statement made that you have a problem with, please let me know.

But reviewing your guidelines, we violated none of them.

Please reconsider as this makes no sense to us.

Vimeo never responded back to me. Nor did Facebook when it recently pulled something I posted there (see ‘When will hysterical defenders of “science” face up to the destruction the US medical system is causing?’).

You can also check out the following report related to YouTube and COVID-19: Youtube Admits to Blocking Videos Even Though they ‘Don’t Violate Community Guidelines’.

Currently, the video that Vimeo removed is still available on YouTube. Here is information on that as well as a link to view it yourself:

13:55

COVID-19 Leading to 666?

The novel coronavirus of Wuhan, China fame, is now called COVID-19. It has also been called the ‘Coronapocalypse.’ Does COVID-19 have any prophetic ramifications? What did Jesus teach about pestilences and sorrows in the Olivet prophecy in Matthew 24? Could COVID-19 be the ride of the fourth horseman of the Apocalypse? Why was this type of disease expected according to the Old Testament prophecies in Deuteronomy and Leviticus? What has the US Centers for Disease Control warned about? What has the CDC reported about the flu? Were there lessons about fear and infections in the 2011 movie ‘Contagion’? Because of COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO), nation of Iran, and certain French locations are telling people not to use cash, but instead electronic forms of payment. The US Federal Reserve is now quarantining money repatriated from Asia to reduce the potential spread of the coronavirus on US currency bills. Is COVID-19 worse than we have been told or could this all be a ‘false flag’ event to encourage people to move towards a cashless society? If the thousands of deaths associated with COVID-19 are pushing parts of the world towards cashlessness, how much more likely will the ride of the fourth horseman and over a billion human deaths motivate people to move to making electronic payments that can be monitored? The Bible tells of a soon coming society that controls buying and selling to force allegiance to a coming European Beast power, known as 666 (Revelation 13:16-18). Does the ‘great tribulation’ begin before ride of the fourth horseman or with the opening of the fifth seal of Revelation 6? Do the words of Jesus helps us better understand the sequence of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse and the start of the Great Tribulation? Will the ride of the fourth horseman help lead to the rise of 666? Is that ride very close? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.

Here is a link to our video: COVID-19 Leading to 666?

Vimeo removing our COVID-19 Leading to 666? video demonstrates that, yes, anti-biblical platforms do remove content in their efforts to censor.

Jesus said:

23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes (Matthew 10:23).

And while that is referring to physical persecutions, which are also going to come again (see Persecutions by Church and State), the above principle is part of why we have our BibleNewsProphecy videos on multiple platforms.

For example, our COVID-19 Leading to 666? video remains online at our Brighteon Bible News Prophecy and Bitchute Prophecy channels.

Vimeo’s action is just another in a series of censorship attacks we in the Continuing Church of God have faced–to see more of those we have endured, check out the article: Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word.

Did you know that the Bible warns about this?

Notice:

8 Now go, write it before them on a tablet, And note it on a scroll, That it may be for time to come, Forever and ever: 9 That this is a rebellious people, Lying children, Children who will not hear the law of the Lord; 10 Who say to the seers, “Do not see,”And to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits. 11 Get out of the way, Turn aside from the path, Cause the Holy One of Israel To cease from before us.”

12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel:

“Because you despise this word, And trust in oppression and perversity, And rely on them, 13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you Like a breach ready to fall, A bulge in a high wall ,Whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant. 14 And He shall break it like the breaking of the potter’s vessel, Which is broken in pieces; He shall not spare. So there shall not be found among its fragments A shard to take fire from the hearth, Or to take water from the cistern.” (Isaiah 30:8-14)

Many who do not trust the Bible, but instead trust in oppression and perversity, want ‘smooth things.’

But in the CCOG, we continue to proclaim what the Bible teaches.

The medias biases against the Bible and certain political positions has shown the hypocrisy of the USA.

(Pixabay)

COGwriter

Can you change your life in 5 seconds?

Notice the following headline from Inc. magazine:

How to Change Your Life in 5 Seconds

Can you change your life in five seconds?

Here is a story about someone who claims that she did.

In 2008, author, entrepreneur, and award-winning television commentator Mel Robbins was out of work and out of money and running out of options.

Her husband, Chris, had invested in a restaurant that was struggling and the family was facing bankruptcy. Simple, everyday decisions like getting out of bed in the morning suddenly became a real effort.

“You talk about not feeling motivated?” Robbins asks in this interview. “I didn’t have the motivation required to play the hand that life had dealt me and that I had created, frankly.”

Robbins realized she needed more than motivation to pull herself out of her funk. She needed a strategy — something that would propel her to take action even when she didn’t feel like it …

“Most of the time when you have stuff that you need to do, you’re not going to feel like doing it. And it’s a major mistake to sit around and think that you need to be motivated first, and it’s an even bigger mistake to think that at some point you will feel like doing it,” Robbins said.

The five-second rule.

So, after stumbling across a television commercial with the image of a rocket launching, Robbins decided she would launch herself out of bed the very next day with the same gusto and determination. When the alarm clock rang, she counted backwards from five just “like NASA when they launch a rocket,” she said.

It worked.

So she did it the next day and the day after, and pretty soon, Robbins was counting down on every action she didn’t really feel like taking. In just five seconds, she was doing things she hadn’t felt like doing before.

It soon became her new rule.

“Life, and business in particular, is about pushing yourself to do the things that are uncomfortable so that you can achieve the results that you want,” Robbins said. “The secret is all about not waiting until you feel like it.” https://www.inc.com/brenda-barbosa/how-to-change-your-life-in-5-seconds-yes-5-seconds.html May 2, 2017, accessed 10/26/19

Many people delay doing what they should, because they do not feel like it.

The article continued with:

The Significance of Five Seconds

It’s estimated that Americans make about 35,000 decisions a day. And most of the time, those decisions are made unconsciously.

“We like to think we make decisions based on logic, based on what’s best for our businesses,” Robbins said. “The fact is that 95 percent of the decisions we make are based on the way we feel in the moment.”

What’s worse, negative emotions like fear, anger, and uncertainty seem to have strong influence over our decisions.

Research shows there’s a roughly five-second window of time between a thought, an idea, or intuition, and the brain’s move to support it — or kill it.

“It turns out that inside that five-second window, your entire life and business, everything changes if you wake up and take control of that moment right before you’re about to make a decision,” Robbins said.

The Science Behind the Hack

So how does a deceptively simple hack create such drastic change?

Here’s how: Rather than defaulting to familiar defense mechanisms, counting backward from five (5-4-3-2-1) forces your brain to stop, focus, and occupy itself with something else. Your brain’s no longer being hijacked by fear, doubt, anger, or any other powerful emotion that can lead to bad, knee-jerk decisions.

Sometimes simple actions can pull us out of inaction.

Jesus warned about inaction based on emotions:

14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. (Matthew 25:14-15)

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, … 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (Matthew 25:23-26a-28-30)

Notice, the inaction was based, at least partially, on the emotion of fear.

Many have falsely persuaded themselves that it is safer to do nothing than to take proper action.

The Bible warns:

9 “The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
10 I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

Yes, people persuade themselves they do not need to take action based on their feelings, but God judges based on the fruits of what you actually do.

Notice also:

17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. (James 4:17)

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:9-10)

Inaction can be sinful.

Now, let’s notice something from the Book of Proverbs:

27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession. (Proverbs 12:27)

Having grown up in a hunting household, I fully understand how one may not feel like cleaning and cooking what was killed. But, as the scripture suggests, you should do that even if you do not feel like it.

Notice something else from Proverbs:

25 The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor. (Proverbs 21:25)

The Bible clearly is teaching to not let emotional feelings prevent you from doing what you should.

Now, you might not consider yourself as lazy. And you may actually work hard at your job. But might you be spiritually lazy?

Consider the following:

16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven men who can answer sensibly. (Proverbs 26:16)

Many will not make the right choices about church, because they are emotionally comforted with telling themselves they know better on various points. (I get emails from people all the time who have that ‘people decide’–Laodicean–emotional mindset.)

And to cite an American expression, many cannot see the forest for the trees.

They miss the importance of the commission that Jesus gave His church in Matthew 28:19-20 as well as Matthew 24:14.

Jesus stated what the truth was:

17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (John 17:17)

The Bible also teaches that:

18 it is impossible for God to lie, (Hebrews 6:18).

2 God, who cannot lie (Titus 1:2)

So, whatever God says is the truth. A lie is something that is opposed to the truth. Not taking action when you should is accepting the lie that your feelings are more important than following the word of God.

In time, however, the more you obey the word of God, the more your emotions and it will agree.

The Old Testament teaches that all of God’s word is the truth:

60 The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever. (Psalms 119:160)

It is interesting to note that the Bible teaches:

151 And all Your commandments are truth (Psalm 119:151).

Yet, according to the third chapter of the Book of Revelation, most in the end times will NOT act on the truth as Jesus wants them to. Most are lukewarm about it. Some are ‘burnt out’ about prophecy, etc. They are not interested in the signs of Acts 2:17-18 (see Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?). Others are unwilling to support a group unless there is a congregation near by for them to attend–because they FEEL that is more important than truly being Philadelphian. Others have other priorities. Others are more emotionally comfortable with religious or personal traditions than being willing to act on the truth (see also Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings).

Notice a way to tell which church is the correct one:

4 For the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in truth. (Psalms 33:4)

Only a church that does God’s work in truth would possibly be the one that God endorses (see also Where is the True Christian Church Today?). Jesus said that knowing the truth sets one free (John 8:32).

While it is difficult to measure which church has the most truth, let me state that when it comes to church history and prophecy, that would have to be the Continuing Church of God in the 21st century. There are many links in the Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God. To see some more details on that consider Continuing History of the Church of God and The Laodicean Church Era (prophetic differences between CCOG and other COGs are summarized there). For longer versions and more details, there are numerous articles at the COGwriter.com and CCOG.org websites that go into more depth on matters of history, doctrine, and prophecy.

There is more truth about church history and prophecy at the COGwriter.com and CCOG websites than any other group that I am aware of.

How can you know if that is actually true?

Well, we would recommend that you be like the Bereans of old:

10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (Acts 17:10-11)

The Bereans did not know whether or not the Apostle Paul was who he claimed to be, but after hearing him, they thought he could be a teacher from God. They did not spend their time trying to disprove him, but searched the scriptures daily to verify that he was teaching the truth. That is what we in the the Continuing Church of God suggest you do today.

Of course, if you are willing to be like the Bereans of old, it will take more than five seconds to check if something is true. Particularly since the scriptures in the Bereans’ day were written on scrolls that had to be unrolled. You could not flip to a page in a book or do an electronic search in those days.

Anyway, with God’s help you can change as the Apostle Paul taught:

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

How?

The New Testament teaches:

6 … “God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:6-10)

Do not let pride get in the way. Do not be double-minded–do the right thing.

Proverbs teaches:

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8)

You might not think you have any evil to depart from, but if according to the word of God, you are not a real Christian or a Laodicean one (Revelation 3:14-19), you do.

Follow God, do what is right:

32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)

Do not let fear stop you from moving ahead.

The New Testament teaches:

13 for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified (Romans 2:13)

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (James 1:22-27)

Do not talk yourself out of doing what is right. And yes, we in CCOG do support orphans and widows.

Take proper action (cf. Galatians 6:9-10; Revelation 3:7-13; Zephaniah 2:1-3).

Interested in a spiritual ‘five second’ rule?

Tell yourself and pray:

I will act on the truth and not put it off because I do not feel like it. Jesus help me.

Most people can quietly pray that in 5 or so seconds.

And physically, if it will help you can count backwards from five or use some other technique to motivate you to do what is right. But then pray for God’s assistance.

UPDATE 10/27/19: We just uploaded a related video:

16:02

‘How to Change Your Life in 5 Seconds’

Inc. magazine posted an article online titled ‘How to Change Your Life in 5 Seconds.’ In it, Mel Robbins explains how she developed a technique to be more productive. She observed that 95% of decision are based on emotion instead of logic, and how and why adding a five second countdown helped her life. She mentions that fear, anger, and other factors often interfere with our ability to be better people. In this video, Dr. Thiel quotes a lot from that article, including some of the science behind the technique. He also quotes Jesus as well as many passages from the Bible. He also teaches a 5 second statement to say and pray to use as a five second spiritual statement to help Christians change.

Here is a link to the video: ‘How to Change Your Life in 5 Seconds’.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

CCOG and What is Truth? What does the Bible teach about truth? Does the CCOG teach the truth?
Christian courage vs. cowardice As you courageous? What biblically is cowardice? Do YOU really understand this? Two sermons related to this article are available and are titled Courage and Cowardice and Cowardice and Overcoming Fear. A Spanish language article is also available: Valor Cristiano vs Cobardía.
Faith for Those God has Called and Chosen What is faith? Can faith be increased? Are you saved by faith? What about works? Do Christians need to keep the Ten Commandments? What is the ‘faith chapter’? How do the just live by faith? Is faith one of the weightier matters of the law? How does faith come? Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Fe para aquellos que Dios ha llamado y escogido. In German: Glaube für die von Gott Berufenen und Auserwählten. In French: La Foi pour ceux que Dieu a Appelés et Choisis. Here is a link to a related sermon titled: Faith for the Called and Chosen.and here is a link to another sermon Faith and Courage. Here is a link to shorter version of the written article in Mandarin Chinese N{ÇQsNŽOáNðv„\e‡zà.
Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach? This free booklet contains 28 biblically-based tips on improving the effectiveness of your prayers. This is a pdf. A related two part sermon is available: What Does the Bible Teach About Prayer? and What does the Bible Teach About Prayer (& Healing)?
Is God Calling You? This booklet discusses topics including calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond? Here is a link to a related sermon: Could God be Calling You? A short animation is also available: Is God Calling You?
Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? A related sermon is also available titled: Real Christian Repentance.
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: QKg f/‘͉v„. Here is a link to a version in Spanish: Vencer al pecado. Here is also a link to a video in English titled How YOU Can Overcome Sin.
How to Prevent Sin This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong. Here is a version in Mandarin: Y‚OUN r¯j
The Two Trees: Only Two Ways of Life This is from a two-part radio broadcast from Herbert W. Armstrong.
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 an article on this important subject–but more scriptures have been added to it. How can you tell false conversion? A related video is also available: False Conversion.
Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18? Does any church have the confirmed dream and prophetic signs of Acts 2:17-18? Should one? Here is a link in the Spanish language: ¿Tiene la CCOG confirmadas las señales de Hechos 2: 17-18?
Church of God Leaders on Prophets Have there been prophets throughout the church age? Are any supposed to be around in the last days? What have COG leaders stated or written about prophets? Here is a link to a related sermon: Church of God Leaders on Prophets.
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it? Here is a link to a related sermon: Church of God Unity. Here is a related article in the Spanish language: Unidad: ¿Cuál Iglesia de Dios para usted?
18 Truths Restored to the Churches of God: Mission of the Philadelphia Church Era Herbert W. Armstrong wrote that he felt he had restored at least 18 lost truths to the Church, here is Herbert W. Armstrong’s list given 12/17/83. This articles also has links to show that these truths were believed by professors of Christ in earlier times, hence they were not some invention of Herbert Armstrong.Here is a related link in Spanish/español: Lista de Herbert W. Armstrong de las 18 verdades restauradas. As far as the mission goes, here is a link to a sermon: Mission of the Remnant of the Philadelphia Church Era. Here are links to a related two-part sermon: The 18 Restored Truths: 1-8 and The 18 Restored Truths: 9-18.
Do You Believe God Used Herbert W. Armstrong to Raise Up the Philadelphia Era of the Church of God? Nearly everyone while in WCG used to believe this, most do not seem to anymore.
Herbert W. Armstrong, the Philadelphia Church, & the Mantle Herbert Armstrong claims God had him raise the Philadelphia up. Are there reasons to believe that the Philadelphia mantle in now within the CCOG? Here is a link to a related sermon: Herbert W. Armstrong and the Philadelphia Mantle.
5. The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses some early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, CG7-Salem, Jerusalem 7DCG, and COG-7th Day-Denver.
6. The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
7. The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots. They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent. One video of related interest is 17 Laodicean Errors in Prophecy. See also Do You Hold to Any of These Laodicean Prophetic Errors?
Independent/Unaffiliated: Independent Members of the COG: Herbert W. Armstrong Comments, Plus Questions and Answers What did Herbert W. Armstrong teach about being independent of the organized Church? Should independents who claim to accept Herbert W. Armstrong’s teachings support the end time Philadelphian work? Here is a link to a related sermon: Church of God Unity. Watch also Zephaniah’s ‘Gather Together’ Prophecy.
Herbert W. Armstrong, the Philadelphia Church, & the Mantle Herbert Armstrong claims God had him raise the Philadelphia up. Are there reasons to believe that the Philadelphia mantle in now within the CCOG? Here is a link to a related sermon: Herbert W. Armstrong and the Philadelphia Mantle.
What is Armstrongism? Did Herbert W. Armstrong raise a new faith or promote the original Christian faith? Here is a link to a related video: What is Armstrongism? Are Some Dismissive of Original Christianity?
17 Accusations and Truthful Responses About Herbert W. Armstrong He, even after his death, keeps being improperly maligned–here is the truth on these matters.
Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they? A related sermon is titled Tradition and Scripture.
Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18? Does any church have the confirmed dream and prophetic signs of Acts 2:17-18? Should one? Here is a link in the Spanish language: ¿Tiene la CCOG confirmadas las señales de Hechos 2: 17-18?
The 18 Restored Truths: Do You Know What the First Changes the Tkach Administration Made? Some have said healing, others other subjects, but probably the first change had to do with eliminating being part of the Philadelphia era. This article documents what those changes were and compares the Tkach list of restored truths to Herbert W. Armstrong’s list of restored truths. It contains many quotes from Herbert W. Armstrong. Here are links to a related two-part sermon: The 18 Restored Truths: 1-8 and The 18 Restored Truths: 9-18.
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Near Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory. Two sermon-length videos of relaled interest are available Physical Protection During the Great Tribulation and Might Petra be the Place of Safety? Here is something related in the Spanish language: Hay un lugar de seguridad para los Filadelfinos. ¿Puede ser Petra?
Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian This is a scripture-filled booklet for those wishing to live as a real Christian. A related sermon is also available: Christians are Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God.
The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast This is a free 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.
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.
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism The CCOG is NOT Protestant. This free online book explains how the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants. Several sermons related to the free book are also available: Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History; The First Protestant, God’s Command, Grace, & Character; The New Testament, Martin Luther, and the Canon; Eucharist, Passover, and Easter; Views of Jews, Lost Tribes, Warfare, & Baptism; Scripture vs. Tradition, Sabbath vs. Sunday; Church Services, Sunday, Heaven, and God’s Plan; Seventh Day Baptists/Adventists/Messianics: Protestant or COG?; Millennial Kingdom of God and God’s Plan of Salvation; Crosses, Trees, Tithes, and Unclean Meats; The Godhead and the Trinity; Fleeing or Rapture?; and Ecumenism, Rome, and CCOG Differences.
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
CCOG.ORG Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.