Church of God News

4th century depiction of warring sun god Mithras
(photo by dynamosquito from France)

COGwriter

Our Sunday Visitor put up the following by a Roman Catholic apologist named Jimmy Akin:

Dispelling some common myths about Christmas

Every year, various myths about Christmas circulate. …

One of the most common ideas is that Christmas is based on a pagan holiday, so it’s really “pagan” in origin. 12/08/22 https://www.oursundayvisitor.com/dispelling-some-common-myths-about-christmas/

Well, the fact is that it is pagan in origin.

Christians should not follow myths that try to say otherwise.

The Apostle Peter stated:

16 When we told you about the power and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were not slavishly repeating cleverly invented myths; no, we had seen his majesty with our own eyes. (2 Peter 1:16, NJB–a Roman Catholic translation)

Plus December 25th was not adopted by the church of Rome until the 4th century.

The Catholic Encyclopedia teaches that:

Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church … Christmas … Irenaeus and Tertullian omit it from their lists of feasts; Origen, glancing perhaps at the discreditable imperial Natalitia, asserts (in Lev. Hom. viii in Migne, P.G., XII, 495) that in the Scriptures sinners alone, not saints, celebrate their birthday; Arnobius (VII, 32 in P.L., V, 1264) can still ridicule the “birthdays” of the gods. (Martindale C. Transcribed by Susanti A. Suastika. Christmas. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume III. Copyright © 1908 by Robert Appleton Company. Online Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. Knight. Nihil Obstat, November 1, 1908. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York).

The above is true.

The World Book Encyclopedia notes:

In 354 A.D., Bishop Liberius of Rome ordered the people to celebrate on December 25. He probably chose this date because the people of Rome already observed it as the Feast of Saturn, celebrating the birthday of the sun (Sechrist E.H. Christmas. World Book Encyclopedia, Volume 3. Field Enterprises Educational Corporation, Chicago, 1966, pp. 408-417).

It needs to be understood that some scholarly sources believe that the celebration in Rome of Christmas may have began a couple of decades earlier (by Constantine), but none I am aware of suggest it was prior Constantine in the fourth century.

Jimmy Akin further wrote:

It’s sometimes claimed that Jesus couldn’t have been born on Dec. 25 because Luke reports that shepherds were tending their flocks the night Jesus was born (cf. 2:8). It would have been too cold for that in December, so Jesus must have been born in a warmer time of year.

This is nonsense.

Well, according to The Catholic Encyclopedia that is not nonsense as it states:

Authorities moreover differ as to whether shepherds could or would keep flocks exposed during the nights of the rainy season. (Martindale, Christmas)

While it is not impossible for shepherds to be in the field at night in late December, that was not their ancient practice. Normally, shepherds stopped spending the night with their flocks outside during the Fall because of cold and rain. The Catholic Encyclopedia seems to recognize this.

December 25th is impossible, as The Catholic Encyclopedia admits:

The Gospels. Concerning the date of Christ’s birth the Gospels give no help; upon their data contradictory arguments are based. The census would have been impossible in winter: a whole population could not then be put in motion…

If something is impossible, then it did not happen.

Jimmy Akin further wrote:

What about the claim that celebrating Christmas on Dec. 25 is based on a pagan holiday?

Even if that were true, so what?

So what? The Bible opposes pagan practices.

Notice something that Nehemiah declared:

30 I cleansed them of everything pagan (Nehemiah 13:30)

Christians should follow Nehemiah’s example and not participate in pagan practices.

Jesus taught (note: scriptures in this post here were translated by Roman Catholic scholars):

24 God is spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:24, NJB)

7 And in vain to they worship me, teaching doctrines and precepts of men. (Mark 7:7, DRB)

Of course, it is vain and bearing false witness to deceive children about Santa Claus.

There is a right way and a wrong way to live and worship God–do not base this on your emotional feelings about what is right:

8 ‘You must not behave as we are behaving here today, each of you doing what he himself sees fit, (Deuteronomy 12:8, NJB)

²⁹ ‘When Yahweh your God has annihilated the nations confronting you, whom you are going to dispossess, and when you have dispossessed them and made your home in their country,

³⁰ beware of being entrapped into copying them, after they have been destroyed to make way for you, and do not enquire about their gods, saying, “How did these nations worship their gods? I am going to do the same too.”

³¹ This is not the way to treat Yahweh your God. For in honour of their gods they have done everything detestable that Yahweh hates; (Deuteronomy 12:29-31a, NJB)

32 What I command thee, that only do thou to the Lord: neither add any thing, nor diminish. (Deuteronomy 12:32, DRB)

God did not command keeping Christmas; pagans came up with it.

Consider something that the Apostle Paul wrote:

¹⁷ So this I say to you and attest to you in the Lord, do not go on living the empty-headed life that the gentiles live. ¹⁸ Intellectually they are in the dark, and they are estranged from the life of God, because of the ignorance which is the consequence of closed minds. ¹⁹ Their sense of right and wrong once dulled, they have abandoned all self-control and pursue to excess every kind of uncleanness.

²⁰ Now that is hardly the way you have learnt Christ, ²¹ unless you failed to hear him properly when you were taught what the truth is in Jesus. ²² You were to put aside your old self, which belongs to your old way of life and is corrupted by following illusory desires. (Ephesians 4:17-22, NJB)

Christians are to put off pagan ways, and live according to the truth, not longing for improper traditions.

The Apostle Paul further wrote:

19 What then? Do I say, that what is offered in sacrifice to idols, is any thing ? Or, that the idol is any thing?

20 But the things which the heathens sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God. And I would not that you should be made partakers with devils.

21 You cannot drink the chalice of the Lord, and the chalice of devils: you cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of devils. (1 Corinthians 10:19-21, DRB)

To further answer Jimmy Akin’s “so what?,” the Bible says we are not to adopt pagan practices, which the Apostle Paul says are from devils.

Jimmy Akin further wrote:

Some sources link Christmas with the Roman holiday Saturnalia, which was a festival in honor of the god Saturn. …

But there is a major problem claiming that Christmas is an alternative to Saturnalia. This Roman festival was originally celebrated Dec. 17, though by the time of the Republic it extended through Dec. 23. So, Christmas wasn’t held until after Saturnalia was over.

First, consider that there are normally many Christmas parties before December 25th.

Second, consider that many customs of Saturnalia are part of Christmas celebrations.

And third, notice something from a then Roman Catholic scholar named Tertullian in the early 3rd century:

The Minervalia are as much Minerva’s, as the Saturnalia Saturn’s; Saturn’s, which must necessarily be celebrated even by little slaves at the time of the Saturnalia. New-year’s gifts likewise must be caught at, and the Septimontium kept; and all the presents of Midwinter and the feast of Dear Kinsmanship must be exacted; the schools must be wreathed with flowers; the flamens’ wives and the aediles sacrifice; the school is honoured on the appointed holy-days. The same thing takes place on an idol’s birthday; every pomp of the devil is frequented. Who will think that these things are befitting to a Christian master, unless it be he who shall think them suitable likewise to one who is not a master? (Tertullian. On Idolatry, Chapter X. Translated by S. Thelwall. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

Around the time of Tertullian, the Roman Bishops Zephyrinus (199-217) and Callistus (217-222) had a reputation of compromise and corruption (and this is confirmed by such Roman Catholic saints such as Hippolytus) and allowed people in their church that compromised with paganism, etc.

So, notice what else Tertullian wrote:

But, however, the majority {of Greco-Roman ‘Christians} have by this time induced the belief in their mind that it is pardonable if at any time they do what the heathen do, for fear “the Name be blasphemed”…To live with heathens is lawful, to die with them is not. Let us live with all; let us be glad with them, out of community of nature, not of superstition. We are peers in soul, not in discipline; fellow-possessors of the world, not of error. But if we have no right of communion in matters of this kind with strangers, how far more wicked to celebrate them among brethren! Who can maintain or defend this?…By us, … the Saturnalia and New-year’s and Midwinter’s festivals and Matronalia are frequented–presents come and go–New-year’s gifts–games join their noise–banquets join their din! Oh better fidelity of the nations to their own sect, which claims no solemnity of the Christians for itself!…Not the Lord’s day, not Pentecost, even it they had known them, would they have shared with us; for they would fear lest they should seem to be Christians. We are not apprehensive lest we seem to be heathens! (Tertullian. On Idolatry, Chapter XIV. Translated by S. Thelwall. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

The scripture Tertullian seems to be referring to is 1 Timothy 6:1:

1 Whosoever are servants under the yoke, let them count their masters worthy of all honour; lest the name of the Lord and his doctrine be blasphemed. DRB

But, as even he alluded to, that should not have been an excuse to celebrate pagan days. Notice that it would be false teachers that would get the way of truth blasphemed:

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there shall be among you lying teachers, who shall bring in sects of perdition, and deny the Lord who bought them: bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their riotousnesses, through whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you. Whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their perdition slumbereth not. (2 Peter 2:1-3, DRB)

So following covetous, false teachings is really what causes the way of truth to be blasphemed.

Getting back to Tertullian, he wrote:

But “let your works shine,” saith He; but now all our shops and gates shine! You will now-a-days find more doors of heathens without lamps and laurel-wreaths than of Christians. What does the case seem to be with regard to that species (of ceremony) also? If it is an idol’s honour, without doubt an idol’s honour is idolatry. If it is for a man’s sake, let us again consider that all idolatry is for man’s sake; let us again consider that all idolatry is a worship done to men, since it is generally agreed even among their worshippers that aforetime the gods themselves of the nations were men; and so it makes no difference whether that superstitious homage be rendered to me of a former age or of this. Idolatry is condemned, not on account of the persons which are set up for worship, but on account of those its observances, which pertain to demons (Tertullian. On Idolatry, Chapter XV. Translated by S. Thelwall. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

What Tertullian seems to be saying is that observing mid-winter celebrations make Christians appear to be followers of pagan gods–even more so than the pagans themselves–and since the pagans would not intentionally celebrate days considered by many to be Christian, Christians should not celebrate days that are honored by the heathen. Specifically, he felt that those who profess Christ should not celebrate Saturnalia, New Year’s, or other pagan days, as even the observance is a form of idolatry (click here for an article titled Is January 1st a Date for Christians Celebrate?).

Notice that he was also pointing out that his ‘Christians’ even used laurel wreaths and lights more than the heathen. Even The Catholic Encyclopedia says of them that they have pre-Christian origin, that Tertullian considered them pagan.

Notice that they were in widespread use, however, by the time of the late 4th century Bishop of Consantinople, John Chrysostom:

A wreath of flowers or evergreens formerly used in connection with baptismal, nuptial, and funeral rites, as well as in solemn processions.

The bridal crown or wreath is said to be of pre-Christian Greek origin, adopted later by the Romans. Tertullian refers to it as a sign of paganism, but this prejudice was afterwards set aside, and it was in common use among Christians by the time of St. John Chrysostom … (Alston, George Cyprian. “Garland.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909).

Notice also the following:

Roman ‘Christmases’ were similar to ours

The Romans celebrated the winter festival of Sigillaria on 23rd of December, part of their Saturnalia festivities. Just like on Christmas Day, Sigillaria saw presents exchanged.

Saturnalia began in the very early history of Rome. It was a festival devoted to the god Saturn … The popularity of Saturnalia continued into the 3rd and 4th centuries until it was supplanted by the Christian festival of Christmas …

“Just like our festive season, it seems that the whole of Rome geared up early for Sigillaria. Seneca noted: ‘It is now the month of December, when the greatest part of the city is in a bustle. Loose reins are given to public dissipation; everywhere you may hear the sound of great preparations’. (Ep. 18.1).” (Roman ‘Christmases’ were similar to ours. December 23, 2013 http://phys.org/news/2013-12-roman-christmases-similar.html viewed 12/30/13)

Since the modern Christmas celebration is at the same time as the old Gentile Saturnalia holiday (and with many of the same elements, like wreaths and gift-giving), it is clear that Tertullian is condemning these practices by stating that those that keep it are of the pagan god Saturn.

Tertullian also wrote against winter giving:

… gifts like those you have in the Saturnalia! (Tertullian. De Fuga in Persecutione, Chapter 13. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 4. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

So basically, those who teach “Jesus is the reason for the season” are in error. Those who professed Christ and observed these pagan holidays did not attempt to pretend that they were celebrating “Christmas” then (that term was not developed until centuries later). The initial reason for the season appears to be that many of those who somewhat professed Christ wanted to have a party. And they did not care if the party was related to pagan gods.

It is interesting to note that Tertullian objected to keeping a celebration lasting until the Roman New Years, putting up wreaths, and giving gifts. Since most of these quotes come from his writing titles “On Idolatry” apparently he considered those practices as idolatrous.

It seems to me that no true Christians would do this, only those who were somewhat nominal, but who had been accepted, to some degree, by part of the Greco-Roman confederation. Tertullian’s complaints apparently did not stop this from happening, though his objections certainly have biblical support.

Notice something that John Chrysostom wrote in the fourth century condemning paganism:

And what, pray you, is that Minerva of theirs, and Apollo, and Juno? They are different kinds of demons among them. (Chrysostom J. The homilies of S. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople: on the Acts of the Apostles, Volume 1, Homily IV. John Henry Parker, 1851. Original from Harvard University. Digitized, Apr 12, 2008, p. 66)

Notice that, like Tertullian, John Chrysostom associated paganism with demons.

Yet, ‘venerable’ Cesare Baronius, a Roman Catholic of the 16th century, wrote:

If the candles which were formerly distributed at the Saturnalia are now identified with the feast of the Purification of our Lady? What, I ask, is there so surprising if holy bishops have allowed certain customs firmly rooted among pagan peoples, and so tenaciously adhered to by them that even after their conversion to Christianity they could not be induced to surrender them, to be transferred to the worship of the true God?” (Baronius, “Annales”, ad ann. 58, n. 77). (as cited in Thurston, Herbert. “Lights.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 9. Nihil Obstat.October 1, 1910. Remy Lafort, Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910.21 Dec. 2009 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09244b.htm>)

Thus, Baronius seems to be saying that Saturnalia lights are a pagan practice, yet using them is acceptable.

But even the Rheims‘ version of the New Testament (a Catholic approved translation) states the following:

15. And what agreement with Christ and Belial? or what part hath the faithful with the infidel? 16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with Idols? For you are the temple of the living God. as God saith, Then I will dwell, and walk in them, and will be their God: and they shall be my people. 17. For the which cause, Go out of the midst of them, and separate yourselves. saith our Lord, and touch not the unclean: and I will receive you (2 Corinthians 6:15-17, The Original And True Rheims New Testament Of Anno Domini 1582. Prepared and Edited by Dr. William von Peters, Ph.D. Copyright © 1998, Dr. William G. von Peters. Ph.D. 2004, copyright assigned to VSC Corp.).

So unclean practices associated with idols are prohibited by God. Does not that include celebrating as the idolaters celebrate?

The Roman Saturnalia and the Persian Mithraism themselves were adaptations of an even earlier pagan religion – that of the ancient Babylonian mystery cult. The ancient Babylonians celebrated the reborn Nimrod as the newborn Tammuz by worshipping an evergreen tree. The Babylonians also celebrated this rebirth during the season of the winter solstice. Jeremiah condemns ancient Israel for copying this type of paganism, and and condemned the the pagan use of trees in Jeremiah 10:2-4 and the evergreen tree in Jeremiah 3:13.

To take this a step further, notice that using trees as part of worship was condemned by God thousands of years ago:

2 ‘You must completely destroy all the places where the nations you dispossess have served their gods, on high mountains, on hills, under any spreading tree; 3 you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, burn their sacred poles, hack to bits the statues of their gods and obliterate their name from that place. (Deuteronomy 12:2-3, New Jerusalem Bible, NJB, a Catholic translation)

2 Destroy all the places in which the nations, that you shall possess, worshipped their gods upon high mountains, and hills, and under every shady tree: 3 Overthrow their altars, and break down their statues, burn their groves with fire, and break their idols in pieces: destroy their names out of those places. 4 You shall not do so to the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 12:2-4, Douay OT, DOT, a Catholic translation).

16 Beware lest perhaps your heart be deceived, and you depart from our Lord, and serve strange Gods, and adore them (Deuteronomy 11:16, DOT).

9 When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God shall give thee, beware lest thou have a mind to imitate the abominations of those nations…12 For the Lord abhorreth all these things, and for these abominations he will destroy them at thy coming. (Deuteronomy 18:9,12, DOT)

Roman Catholic translations of the Bible show that spreading shady trees, like evergreens, were not to be part of the worship of the true God–and that people should not be deceived and serve such strange practice or other pagan practices. The truth is that Christmas reminds us that people are often unwilling to worship God as He intended, but instead often prefer pagan substitutes that they rationalize as somehow acceptable if they pretend the holiday is about Jesus.

Those who truly believe Jesus’ words, “Human beings live not on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4, NJB) will not celebrate a compromised pagan holiday such as Christmas because it contains practices and symbols (see also What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons?) warned against in the Bible and was never enjoined upon true believers to practice.

Apparently the practice of ‘Christmas caroling’ also has its origins in Saturnalia:

In ancient Babylon, the feast of the Son of Isis (Goddess of Nature) was celebrated on December 25. Raucous partying, gluttonous eating and drinking, and gift-giving were traditions of this feast.

In Rome, the Winter Solstice was celebrated many years before the birth of Christ. The Romans called their winter holiday Saturnalia, honoring Saturn, the God of Agriculture. In January, they observed the Kalends of January, which represented the triumph of life over death. This whole season was called Dies Natalis Invicti Solis, the Birthday of the Unconquered Sun. The festival season was marked by much merrymaking. It is in ancient Rome that the tradition of the Mummers was born. The Mummers were groups of costumed singers and dancers who traveled from house to house entertaining their neighbors. From this, the Christmas tradition of caroling was born. In northern Europe, many other traditions that we now consider part of Christian worship were begun long before the participants had ever heard of Christ. The pagans of northern Europe celebrated the their own winter solstice, known as Yule. Yule was symbolic of the pagan Sun God, Mithras, being born … http://www.essortment.com/christmas-pagan-origins-42543.html

Many practices that people associate with Christmas came from pagan holidays. (For more on Mummers, please see Canadian & Philadelphian Mummers Parades: Another tie to Saturnalia.)

The “twelve days of Christmas” originally came from the 12 days of Yuletide which began at sunset on December 20, known as Mother Night, and ended on the night of December 31, the Night of the Oak King and the Roman day of Hecate. The dates were later moved by those who keep Christmas.

Yuletide is perhaps the greatest of all Heathen holidays. It is a time of celebration and close family contact that lasts twelve days and nights; each of which can be viewed as a month of the preceding year in miniature. Many of the customs associated with Christmas actually began from Heathen Yule rites and customs. Many Gods and Goddesses are honored during Yuletide and most Asatruar believe that they, as well as the spirits of the earth and our ancestors, all join us for the celebrations. All are our kith and kin, after all.

There are many traditions and practices that are traditional to the month of Yule the most well known is of course the 12 days of Yule. Some Heathens may simply bookend Yule with Mother’s Night and Twelfth Night and not have specific observances in-between those days, there are some other Heathens who have taken things a step further. Pulling inspiration from the Nine Noble Virtues, and combining it with candle-lighting celebrations like Chanukah or Kwanzaa, they have come up with a reason to light a candle every night during the Yuletide.

The alter {sic} on Yule should face north, the area is decorated with Holly and Mistletoe and dried leaves and fruit such as Hips and Haw. A chalice of appropriate wine, mead or cider. The Oak or Pine log with up to 13 green, white and red candles decorated with carvings, runes or symbols is placed centrally on the altar. (12 Nights of Yule. Nordic Wiccan, December 5, 2014. http://nordicwiccan.blogspot.com/2014/12/12-days-of-yule.html)

Faithful early Christians were not keeping the twelve days of Yuletide–MANY OF WHICH PRACTICED COINCIDED WITH SATURNALIA.

Jimmy Akin further wrote:

Today, many authors link Christmas with the birthday of Sol Invictus — that is, the sun god Sol, who was nicknamed Invictus or “the Unconquerable.” This was celebrated on Dec. 25.

But we have no early Christian sources saying, “We decided to celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25 to compete with Sol Invictus.” That means that the idea is sheer speculation, not something that we have evidence for.

It’s not even good speculation, because the only thing the two celebrations have in common is the date, but that doesn’t mean one is based on the other.

First it needs to be understood that Sol Invictus is Mithra–the sun god worshiped by Emperor Constanine.

Roman Mithras is the invincible sun-god, Sol Invictus. This is the burden, repeated a hundred times over, of the votive inscriptions from the second to the fourth centuries AD, whether in the form Sol Invictus Mithras, or Deus Sol Invictus Mithras, or Deus Sol Mithras, or Sol Mithras. There do not seem to be any significant regional or temporal variations among such formulae. In the very earliest epigraphic evidence for the Roman cult of Mithras, the god is already invoked as Sol Invictus Mithras. These facts are confirmed by the numerous votive offerings to Sol, Deus Sol, Sol Invictus, and Deus Invictus Sol which were put up in mithraea.  (Clauss M. The Roman cult of Mithras. Taylor and Francis, 2017, p. 117)

Many Roman Catholic authors rightly connect Sol Invictus–Mithra–with Christmas being December 25th.

Notice the following from The Catholic Encyclopedia:

Constantine the Great… Constantine can rightfully claim the title of Great, for he turned the history of the world into a new course and made Christianity…the religion of the State… it is easy to understand that many of the emperors yielded to the delusion that they could unite all their subjects in the adoration of the one sun-god who combined in himself the Father-God of the Christians and the much-worshipped Mithras; thus the empire could be founded anew on unity of religion. Even Constantine…cherished this mistaken belief… Could not Sol Deus Invictus, to whom even Constantine dedicated his coins for a long time, or Sol Mithras Deus Invictus, venerated by Diocletian and Galerius, become the supreme god of the empire?  Constantine may have pondered over this. Nor had he absolutely rejected the thought even after a miraculous event had strongly influenced him in favour of the God of the Christians… It is true that the believers in Mithras also observed Sunday as well as Christmas. Consequently Constantine speaks not of the day of the Lord, but of the everlasting day of the sun.  (Herbermann C., Georg Gp. Constantine the Great. The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 4. Nihil Obstat. Remy Lafort, Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York.  New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908).

Mithraism A pagan religion consisting mainly of the cult of the ancient Indo-Iranian Sun-god Mithra. It entered Europe from Asia Minor after Alexander’s conquest, spread rapidly over the whole Roman Empire at the beginning of our era, reached its zenith during the third century, and vanished under the repressive regulations of Theodosius at the end of the fourth century…Helios Mithras is one god…Sunday was kept holy in honour of Mithra, and the sixteenth of each month was sacred to him as mediator. The 25 December was observed as his birthday, the natalis invicti, the rebirth of the winter-sun, unconquered by the rigours of the season (Arendzen J. Mithraism. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume X. Nihil Obstat, October 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911).

The birthday of the sun god Mithras was what Constantine observed and he wanted his followers to observe. And it ended up getting officially adopted by the Greco-Roman bishops.

Emperor Constantine became a highly devout follower of the sun-god after he said he saw an apparition of the sun god Sol in a grove of Apollo in Gaul in 310 (discussed in Rodgers, Barbara S. “Constantine’s Pagan Vision,”Byzantion, vol. 50, 1980, pp. 259–78). He also observed the sun-god Mithras’ birthday on December 25th. He also seems to be have instrumental in getting the Greco-Romans to celebrate December 25th as Jesus’ birthday:

The first recorded date of Christmas being celebrated on December 25th was in 336AD, during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine (he was the first Christian Roman Emperor). A few years later, Pope Julius I officially declared that the birth of Jesus would be celebrated on the 25th December. (Why is Christmas Day on the 25th December? http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/25th.shtml accessed 12/07/15)

The eventual choice of December 25, made perhaps as early as 273, reflects a convergence of Origen’s concern about pagan gods and the church’s identification of God’s son with the celestial sun. December 25 already hosted two other related festivals: natalis solis invicti (the Roman “birth of the unconquered sun”), and the birthday of Mithras, the Iranian “Sun of Righteousness” whose worship was popular with Roman soldiers. The winter solstice, another celebration of the sun, fell just a few days earlier. Seeing that pagans were already exalting deities with some parallels to the true deity, church leaders decided to commandeer the date and introduce a new festival.

Western Christians first celebrated Christmas on December 25 in 336, after Emperor Constantine had declared Christianity the empire’s favored religion. (Coffman E. Why December 25? For the church’s first three centuries, Christmas wasn’t in December—or on the calendar at all. Christianity Today, August 8, 2008. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/news/2000/dec08.html accessed 12/07/15)

The sun-god worshiping Emperor Constantine succeeded in getting the Greco-Romans, over time, to mainly agree with his date–the date of the rebirth of the sun-god Mithras.

Jimmy Akin wrote:

Could the fact that Dec. 25 was the winter solstice have played a role in their celebrating it as Jesus’ birth?

Yes. While Jimmy Akin elsewhere also tries to point to December 25th as having a pre-Sol Invictus origin, the reality is that December 25th was previously also tied to pagan solstice observations.

Jimmy Akin further wrote:

The calculation theory

The easiest date in Jesus’ life to calculate is the day of his death …

Just as Dec. 25 was the winter solstice, March 25 — three months later — was the spring equinox, and the timing of Passover was determined by the spring equinox.

Knowing that Jesus was crucified at Passover, it was easy for ancients to conclude he died around March 25, and that became the standard date.

Let me state that Jimmy Akin does not know the date of Jesus’ death–more on that can be found in the article What Happened in the ‘Crucifixion Week’?

As far as December 25th goes, The Catholic Encyclopedia states:

The Gospels. Concerning the date of Christ’s birth the Gospels give no help; upon their data contradictory arguments are based. The census would have been impossible in winter: a whole population could not then be put in motion…

Natalis Invicti. The well-known solar feast, however, of Natalis Invicti, celebrated on 25 December, has a strong claim on the responsibility for our December date. For the history of the solar cult, its position in the Roman Empire, and syncretism with Mithraism, see Cumont’s epoch-making “Textes et Monuments” etc., I, ii, 4, 6, p. 355…The earliest rapprochement of the births of Christ and the sun is in Cypr., “De pasch. Comp.”, xix, “O quam præclare providentia ut illo die quo natus est Sol . . . nasceretur Christus.” – “O, how wonderfully acted Providence that on that day on which that Sun was born . . . Christ should be born.”

Since the census WAS IMPOSSIBLE THEN, December 25th is not possibly the date Jesus was born.

Jimmy Akin further wrote:

Looking at the Gospels

While the calendar date of Jesus’ birth is something we cannot know definitively, the Gospels present us with solid information about the Nativity. …

Since Joseph’s family was from Bethlehem, he and Mary were likely staying with family. But it is also possible that there were so many family members visiting for Caesar’s enrollment (cf. Lk 2:1) that the living area was full, and so Mary chose to give birth in another part of the house.

Family rooms were on an upper floor, so Mary would have gone to the lower part of the house, which is where animals were kept, as indicated by the presence of the manger.

What kind of animals were they? We cannot say, though cows, sheep, and goats were commonly kept. In any event, Jesus was likely born in the lower part of a house, and — most likely — in a cave.

Mithra was allegedly born in a below-ground cave, and many (contrary to logic) claim that Jesus was born in a cave–but He was not. For details, see Was Jesus Born in the Grotto of the Nativity?

Jimmy Akin further wrote:

Conclusion

There are a large number of myths about Christmas.

Yes, there are many myths. But sadly, Jimmy Akin was attempting to perpetuate many.

Jesus was not born on December 25th, early Christians did not celebrate Christmas or even birthdays.

Faithful early Christians attempted to remain separate from pagan observances.

True Christians do so until this day.

Christmas is NOT a biblical nor truly a Christ-centered holiday. It is a sentimental and commercialized, pagan tradition.

We recently put out the following video which scripturally deals with many of the so-called reasons that Protestants and Roman Catholics point to for observing Christmas:

1:10:57

Arguments for Christmas?

This sermon goes over four articles, two from Protestants and two from Roman Catholics, who give their reasons and arguments for why they feel that real Christians should observe the 25th of December as Christmas. The writers generally admit that Jesus was not born then, that the trappings of Christmas a pagan, the timing is pagan (it coincided with the pagan Saturnalia and the birthday of the sun god Mithras), and that Santa Claus is a lie. Dr. Thiel explains errors in their arguments, brings up scriptures, and points out the Bible enjoins God’s Holy Days, that Christmas was not one of them, and that early Christians did not observe it. Dr. Thiel explains what the word ‘Christmas’ means, when it was first used, where it comes from, and why true believers would not wish to celebrate it. He over points out that its observance distorts God’s plan and that most who observe Christmas do not understand God’s plan of salvation.

Here is a link to our video: Arguments for Christmas?

Christmas is a distraction from the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. It is not a Christ-centered holiday as its proponents sometimes claim.

Christmas has the wrong emphasis and is not based on truth.

The foundation of Christmas is demonic paganism and lies.

Consider something else that Jesus had recorded:

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)

Which are you?

One who keeps God’s commandments or one who prefers to practice the idolatrous lie of Christmas?

Should You Keep God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays?

Again, here is a link to our short video: 22 Points to Consider About Christmas.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Protestant and Roman Catholic Arguments for Christmas Various ones believe that Christians should celebrate Christmas. Do their arguments stand up to biblical or historical scrutiny? Here is a link to a related sermon: Arguments for Christmas?
What Does the Roman Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them? Is December 25th Jesus’ birthday or that of the sun god? Here is a link to two related sermon: 25 Reasons to Not Keep Christmas and What do Catholic and other scholars teach about Christmas?
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. A related sermon is Which Spring Days should Christians observe?
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.
What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? Did Catholic and Orthodox “saints” endorse or condemn idols and icons for Christians? A related sermon is available: The Second Commandment, Idols, and Icons.
Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Will the Interfaith Movement Lead to Peace or Sudden Destruction? Is the interfaith movement going to lead to lasting peace or is it warned against? A video sermon of related interest is: Will the Interfaith Movement lead to World War III? and a video sermon is also available: Do You Know That Babylon is Forming?
What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? Did the early Church use icons? What was the position of Christians about such things? A related sermon is available: The Second Commandment, Idols, and Icons.
What is the Origin of the Cross as a ‘Christian’ Symbol? Was the cross used as a venerated symbol by the early Church? Two related YouTube videos would be Beware of the ‘Ecumenical Cross’ and Origin of the Cross.
Did the True Church Ever Teach a Trinity? Most act like this is so, but is it? Here is an old, by somewhat related, article in the Spanish language LA DOCTRINA DE LA TRINIDAD. A related sermon is available: Trinity: Fundamental to Christianity or Something Else? A brief video is also available: Three trinitarian scriptures?
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. December 25th was celebrated as his birthday. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity? A sermon video from Vatican City is titled Church of Rome, Mithras, and Isis?
Hanukkah: Jewish Christmas and Hidden Key to Prophecy? Originally a Jewish national holiday, has Hanukkah morphed into a Jewish Christmas? Does it hold hidden secrets to prophecy? Here is a related video: Hanukkah, Tradition, and Prophecy.
Canadian & Philadelphian Mummers Parades: Another tie to Saturnalia In Canada there is a ’12 days of Christmas’ celebration involving Mummers. In Philadelphia, a parade is held on New Years. Does this come from the Bible or where?
Was Jesus Born in the Grotto of the Nativity? Was Jesus born in a below ground cave? Was Jesus born below the “Church of the Nativity”? Were the wise men there?
How did December 25th become Christmas? Was Jesus born then? If not, why December 25? Here is the article translated into Mandarin Chinese 12g25eågTf/`NHˆ«‹¸YWúwcv„OáNð€‘Ç~³v„.
Is Keeping Christmas a Sin? Is keeping Christmas acceptable for true Christians? What are some scriptures to consider?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations? A related sermon video is available and is titled: Birthdays, Christians, and December 25th. French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
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? Here is a link to a short animation: Which Church would Jesus Choose?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L Histoire Continue de l Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
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.
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.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

The newly signed Kenya – EU EPA, once ratified by both parties, will enhance the business and investment environment in Kenya and help generate new trading and investment opportunities for farmers, manufacturers and suppliers. Total trade between 🇰🇪 and 🇪🇺 in 2022 reached €3.3B. pic.twitter.com/EueJRgczhi

— Trade Kenya (@Trade_Kenya) December 18, 2023

COGwriter

The European Union continues to make trade deals around the world. Now there is a signed, but waiting to be ratified, deal with the African nation of Kenya:

Kenya, EU move closer to closing trade deal

18 December 2023

Kenya and the European Union have officially signed a trade agreement that will allow the East African nation to export goods duty free to the EU market.

“Today’s agreement heralds a new dawn where Kenyan goods gain immediate duty- and quota-free access to the European market,” Kenyan Trade Minister Rebecca Miano said before signing the trade deal at a ceremony in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, on Monday.

“Over time, European goods will also gain preferential access to the Kenyan market,” she added.

The European Union Council approved the trade agreement last week, but it still needs to be ratified by both Kenya’s parliament and the European Parliament before it comes into force.

“The core of this arrangement is to put real money into the pockets of ordinary people,” said Kenyan President William Ruto at the signing ceremony.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, who was also in attendance, called the partnership a “win-win situation on both sides.”

The pact comes as Brussels seeks stronger economic relations with Africa to counter China’s influence, while promoting development commitments between the EU and Kenya in areas including environmental protection and labor rights. https://www.dw.com/en/kenya-eu-move-closer-to-closing-trade-deal/a-65978273

Kenya is poor, but has a lot of people and can produce a variety of goods for export. Currently, its main exports are tea ($1.2B), cut flowers ($766M), coffee ($262M), refined Petroleum ($247M), and titanium ore ($194M) (https://oec.world/en/profile/country/ken accessed 12/18/23). It also produces manufactured items.

The Europeans are working to secure resources and make trade deals around the world. They are setting the stage to rise up as prophesied in the Bible.

Notice number 8 of my list of 23 items to prophetically watch in 2023:

8. Trade

Not all warfare is militaristic. There is also economic warfare.

This often involves trade. …

Europe will reach out to various ones in Asia and Africa, as well as Latin America. …

For a time, Babylon will dominate world trade:

2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.” (Revelation 18:2-3).

While ‘Babylon’ will not fully reign in 2023, with the USA pulling out of trade deals and/or wishing to change them, steps are occurring that are pushing Europe to dominate trade (watch Trade Wars: Are COG warnings coming to pass?).

The Europeans will work with many nations to secure stronger trade agreements.

Back in 1984, the old Worldwide Church of God published the following:

The Bible foretells a gigantic world-trading system to be formed in our time, possessing worldwide political power and influence. Ultimately, this prophesied New Europe will possess greater population, greater industrial and economic capacity, and greater military power than either the Soviet Union or the United States now possesses!

Nearly a quarter century ago, editor in chief Herbert W. Armstrong declared with reference to the newly created Common Market:

“It is one of the crucial developments of world history. It is bringing to life a slumbering giant. It is developing into — creating — a GIANT NEW WORLD POWER, that will be mightier than either Russia or the United States! It is swiftly, dynamically, fulfilling PROPHECY! It is resurrecting the ROMAN EMPIRE!” (Plain Truth, September 1961).

The dream of a united Europe has permeated the history of the Continent. The original Roman Empire fell in A.D. 476. But Bible prophecy revealed it was to be restored again and again over the centuries. The most recent attempt to revive the Roman Empire was by Benito Mussolini. Today we see the last resurrection of the Roman Empire springing to economic life!  (Stump K. Beyond Europe’s Present Crisis COLOSSUS IN THE MAKING. Plain Truth, September 1984)

Since that was written, most of Europe has joined the European Union, which has a population greater than the United States as well as Russia. It has massive technological power and is committed to increasing its trade reach as well as military power.

While there will be economic problems in Europe, let it also be stated that the Bible shows that Europe will rise up and become even more prominent in trade.

The time will come when the USA will no longer call the shots–and it will be conquered by Europe per Daniel 11:39 and other scriptures.

The Bible prophesies that end-time Babylon will be an economically and warringly-successful European entity

1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” (Revelation 17:1-2)

9 Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. … 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 17:9,18)

The Bible tells of a trading power arising in Europe that is tied to the City of Seven Hills. Deals and more trade will occur with Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Ultimately, this will not go as well for the UK or its English-speaking allies of the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Europeans will remember that the USA is not helping them as they want. And yes, the Europeans will remember Brexit as well.

Trade will be a factor in what can be called World War III–and this war will be a conflict with Europe (but the ‘shooting’ aspect of this will not happen before 2027; for some details, see When Will the Great Tribulation Begin?).

We continue to see steps that are leading up to it.

Gratulation nach #Pirna! #AfD-Kandidat Tim #Lochner wurde dort mit großem Abstand zu seinen Konkurrenten zum ersten AfD-Oberbürgermeister gewählt. Danke an die vielen Wähler, die dieses für die AfD historische Ergebnis möglich gemacht haben! https://t.co/UueeytAe9A pic.twitter.com/pjNrvMVGKL

— AfD (@AfD) December 17, 2023

COGwriter

The above tweet from Germany’s AfD party is machine-translated into English as follows:

Congratulations to #Pirna! #AfD candidate Tim #Lochner was elected the first AfD mayor there, far ahead of his competitors. Thanks to the many voters who made this historic result possible for the AfD!

So, the AfD won a mayorship.

Here is more on that:

18 December 2023

The right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has won a mayoral election for the first time, with candidate Tim Lochner making history in the Saxon town of Pirna. The victory comes less than two weeks after regional authorities designated the AfD as “extremist.”

The AfD has enjoyed rising support among German voters in recent months, at a time when the approval ratings of all three parties in the country’s ruling ‘traffic light’ coalition have hit record lows.

Lochner, an independent candidate who represented the AfD, garnered 38.5% of the vote in the second round of voting on Sunday, ahead of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) contender Kathrin Dollinger-Knuth on 31.4%. …

In October, the AfD recorded its best-ever performance in a western German state, receiving 18.4% of the vote in the Hesse regional election.

Many in Germany are concerned about the rise of the AfD.

It is an anti-Islamic migrant party that also does not like the European Union much.

Former German and Economics Minister, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg was asked about the rise of AfD last month in an interview article titled: Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg: Ich habe mit meinem damaligen Scheitern Frieden geschlossen 11/13/23 (URL: https://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/politik/interview-karl-theodor-zu-guttenberg-ich-habe-mit-meinem-damaligen-scheitern-frieden-geschlossen-id68462711.html). The following was machine-translated the German into English over Google:

Here we end up with the AfD, which is using all sorts of verbal blows and baiting calls to win more and more people over to its side, even increasingly young people clever marketing via the social platform TikTok.

Guttenberg: What this party has really understood is how to use social media, including for its right-wing extremist purposes. This sometimes happens in a perfidious form. I am very surprised that the centrist parties have not heard this gong yet. They would have to use social media more creatively and intensively in order to reach the broader population.

Can this at least slow down the AfD’s rise to popularity?

Guttenberg: I’m not giving up hope. In particular, it is important to convince young people of alternatives in the democratic center. So I was surprised that Mr. Gysi and I, two comparatively old farts, achieved millions of views with our podcast on TikTok. I couldn’t believe the number, we haven’t been doing this for long. The example shows that you can also reach young people with other content. We don’t have to run into the bushes, intimidated and shocked, out of fear of the AfD. We can resist it. Even after the AfD’s recent electoral successes, we must not allow ourselves to be paralyzed and overwhelmed. On the other hand: How many wake-up calls should the centrist parties get before they act and counteract the AfD? The worst thing would be if we allowed ourselves to be paralyzed. Because that’s exactly what this party is counting on. We all have to act, not just politicians. 

Despite concerns from those that want a more powerful European Union, the AfD has been rising as more Germans are becoming sympathetic to its views.

As reported here before (see First they banned burqas, now abayas and the AfD is making gains–change is going to happen in Europe), the AfD wants out of the EU or at least for it to change.

The AfD also wants a stronger German military with German interests of top priority.

The AfD is also not thrilled with being occupied by US troops.

The AfD wants a better relationship with Russia.

The AfD says Islam is not German and that there should be less Islamic immigrants allowed in the country.

While the AfD has its own problems, its rise is demonstrating that Germans are becoming less tolerant of foreign-born migrants than many thought.

We also have the following video:

14:22

AfD: Prelude to a Hitler Beast?

Germany’s Alternative für Deutshland (Alternative for Germany in English) party celebrated its 10th anniversary on February 6, 2023.

It objects to:
❌More illegal migration
❌More asylum abuse
❌More crime
❌More housing shortage
❌More Cancel Culture

The AfD also asserts, “Now it’s time to change that. And that’s only possible with us.” Many are concerned that the AfD’s growing political influence will impact Germany. Can a strong man worse than Adolf Hitler, that the Bible calls the Beast rise up from Germany? Could Europe reorganize with a small backing to put this leader into place? Does the AfD want to make a deal with Russia? Will Germany make a future deal with Russia that would be opposed to the USA? Does the AfD want religion involved to meet its objectives in such a way that it could support the coming King of the North Beast power that the Bible warns will arise in Europe? Could Europe unite under such a leader according to scripture? Steve Dupuie and Dr. Thiel go over these matters.

Here is a link to our video: AfD: Prelude to a Hitler Beast?

The rise of AfD reminds some of pre-WWII Germany.

We are getting closer and closer to WWIII.

Some items of related interest may include:

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.
War is Coming Between Europeans and Arabs Is war really coming between the Arabs and the Europeans? What does Bible prophecy say about that? Do the Central Europeans (Assyria in prophecy) make a deal with the Arabs that will hurt the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Do Catholic or Islamic prophecies discuss a war between Europe and Islam? If so, what is the sequence of events that the Bible reveals? Who does the Bible, Catholic, and Islamic prophecy teach will win such a war?
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 are links to related videos: European history and the Bible, Europe In Prophecy, The End of European Babylon, and 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.
The Great Monarch: Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies Is the ‘Great Monarch’ of Greco-Roman 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.
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the former German Defense Minister (who is also the former German Minister for Economics and Technology) one to watch? What do Greco-Roman Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest? A video of related interest would be: Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Europe’s Future. Two shorter video are also available: Blockchain, Karl Guttenberg, and 666and The Middle East, Prophecy, and Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg.
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 Roman 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. Here is one in the Spanish language: Alemania en profecía Biblica.
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. Two related sermon are available: Identifying the USA and its Destruction in Prophecy and 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.
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 three related videos: The King of the North is Alive: What to Look Out For, The Future King of the North, and Rise of the Prophesied King of the North.
The Great Monarch: Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies Is the ‘Great Monarch’ of Greco-Roman 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.
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? What about other peoples? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon;  When Will the End of the Age Come?;  Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

COGwriter

World Net Daily posted the following:

Phenomenal prophecy for future hidden in Jesus’ first appearance

Appearing on the popular Bible program “Shabbat Night Live,” Joe Kovacs, author of “Reaching God Speed: Unlocking the Secret Broadcast Revealing the Mystery of Everything,” explored not just the historical events surrounding Jesus’ birth, but the phenomenal additional meanings that become obvious when we open our “eyes to see” and “ears to hear” on the metaphoric, Spirit level of parables. …

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told” (Luke 2:20 CSB). …

Kovacs said the shepherds of the ancient past actually represent anyone who is shepherding people to the knowledge of God, even the spiritual shepherds of today.

Kovacs said, “So, the shepherds are going to return. Not just in the event in the past, the shepherds are going to return in the future,” he told host Scott Laird. “Because anyone who shepherds God’s people is a teacher of God’s people. And the shepherds are going to be resurrected.”

“The Bible talks about this in Jeremiah 3:15. Again, part of God speed and getting up to the spirit level is connecting the dots from all over the Bible. It’s ‘here a little, there a little’ (Isaiah 28:10), and you have to put the pieces together to understand the big jigsaw puzzle that the Bible is. You know, the Bible doesn’t tell you everything in one spot. God is a good Author. He makes you read the entire book to be able to put the book together.”

“The Book of Jeremiah says … ‘I will give you shepherds who are loyal to me, and they will shepherd you with knowledge and skill’ (Jeremiah 3:15 CSB).

“‘I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them.'” (Jeremiah 23:4 CSB)

“So this is really a prophecy for the FUTURE. God is going to raise up people from the grave to shepherd other people who didn’t understand the message in the first round. And all they that HEARD – you gotta finally hear the message of God with your ears to hear – you’re going to wonder at those things that were told. It’s amazingly good news when you learn that you can live forever and not die.

“Everyone’s afraid of death right now. That’s why the world is in the state we’re in. Everybody’s panicking. ‘Will I have enough food? Will I have enough money to pay my bills and all that?’ Because we’re afraid of dying. But when you’re not afraid of dying, that’s where the victory comes. The victory has already been won by Christ. He has been raised from the dead, and He is the Captain of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10). He is the Forerunner, so that WE are going to be raised from the dead too.” …

“The good news given to the shepherds of the past is also the good news about the shepherds of the future. Those shepherds are anyone and everyone who believes the message of God, repents of their sin (the breaking of God’s laws) and allows Jesus – the true food, the true bread from heaven found in the house of bread in the city of the beloved – to fill their own body and literally become part of them.” 12/04/22 https://www.wnd.com/2022/12/phenomenal-prophecy-future-hidden-jesus-first-appearance/

Joe Kovacs made statements that clearly align with God’s plan of salvation.

It is great that Joe Kovacs understands that God’s plan of salvation is not limited to this age.

While I have long known that Joe Kovacs has had exposure to Church of God doctrines, and has written in support of several of them, until I had seen this report at World Net Daily I had not realized that he had such a grasp of God’s plan to offer salvation to others in the age to come. He and I have since been in touch a couple of times.

As far as putting doctrine together “here a little and there a little” related to this topic, we have a free online book: Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation.

This is a doctrine that God’s prophets taught throughout scripture.

Related to the prophets teaching this, the Continuing Church of God put out the following sermon on its ContinuingCOG channel:

1:15:38

‘By the Mouth of All His Holy Prophets’

In Acts 3:19-21, the Apostle Peter stated that restoration (apocatastasis) was “spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophet.” Do you know what the prophets spoke about this? In this eighth part of an eight-part sermon series on God’s plan to offer salvation to all, Dr. Thiel reads quotes and references from many prophets including Abraham, Job, Moses, Deborah, Samuel, David, Nathan, Ahijah, Elijah,Elisha,Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Obadiah, Amos, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi,John the Baptist,Paul, Peter, James, John, Jude, and Jesus Himself. Do you believe the prophets? Do you have faith in the word of God and His plan? Can the lost be saved? Understand what the word of God teaches.

Here is a link to the sermon: ‘By the Mouth of All His Holy Prophets’.

Some items of related interest may include:

Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation Will all get a fair chance at salvation? This free book is packed with scriptures showing that God does intend to offer salvation to all who ever lived–the elect in this age, and the rest in the age to come. Here is a link to a related sermon series: Universal Offer of Salvation 1: Apocatastasis, Universal Offer of Salvation 2: Jesus Desires All to be Saved, Mysteries of the Great White Throne Judgment (Universal Offer of Salvation part 3), Is God Fair, Will God Pardon the Ignorant?, Can God Save Your Relatives?, Babies, Limbo, Purgatory and God’s Plan, and ‘By the Mouth of All His Holy Prophets’.
All the Prophets Spoke of Apocatastasis The Apostle Peter said all the prophets spoke about “apokatastasis. Do you know what that is? Watch also ‘By the Mouth of All His Holy Prophets’.
Did the Early Church Teach Purgatory? Is there a place called purgatory? Does God have a plan to help those who did not become saints in this life?
What is Limbo? Is There Such a Place as Limbo? What Happens to Babies When They Die? When did Limbo start being taught? What is the truth about dead babies? Here is a link to the video: Popes Change on Limbo and Purgatory?
The Last Great Day: Shemini ‘Azeret What is the ‘eighth day’ of the Feast? What does it help picture? A sermon on this topic is also available: Shemini Azaret: The Last Great Day.
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.
Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.
Is God Calling You? This booklet discusses topics including calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond? Here is are links to related sermons: Christian Election: Is God Calling YOU? and Predestination and Your Selection; here is a message in Spanish: Me Está Llamando Dios Hoy? A short animation is also available: Is God Calling You?
Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? Two related sermons about this are also available: Real Repentance and Real Christian Repentance.
Should You Observe God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays? This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history shows about God’s Holy Days and popular holidays. A related sermon is Which Spring Days should Christians observe?
Did the Early Church Teach Purgatory? Is there a place called purgatory? Does God have a plan to help those who did not become saints in this life?
What is Limbo? Is There Such a Place as Limbo? What Happens to Babies When They Die? When did Limbo start being taught? What is the truth about dead babies?
Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? The ‘Fall’ Holy Days come every year in September and/or October on the Roman calendar. Some call them Jewish holidays, but they were kept by Jesus, the apostles, and their early faithful followers. Should you keep them? What does the Bible teach? What do records of church history teach? What does the Bible teach about the Feasts of Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles, and the Last Great Day? Here is a link to a related sermon: Should you keep the Fall Holy Days?
What is the Unpardonable Sin? What is it? Can you repent of it? Do you know what it is and how to avoid it? Here is a link to a related sermon video The Unpardonable Sin and the Prodigal Son. Here is a link to a shorter video The ‘Unpardonable Sin’ and ‘Climate Change’?

COGwriter

The Continuing Church of God continues to get additional materials translated into the Spanish language.

Here are the translations that we received today:

Even real Christians have to be aware of self-deception

Incluso los verdaderos cristianos deben ser conscientes del autoengaño

https://www.cdlidd.es/incluso-los-verdaderos-cristianos-deben-ser-conscientes-del-autoengano/

‘Iran warns that Israel will be ANNIHILATED if war on Gaza expands’

‘Irán advierte que Israel será ANIQUILADO si se expande la guerra en Gaza’

https://www.cdlidd.es/iran-advierte-que-israel-sera-aniquilado-si-se-expande-la-guerra-en-gaza/

‘Synod on Synodality,’ 2025, Schism, and Church of God Persecution

‘Sínodo sobre la sinodalidad’, 2025, cisma y persecución en la Iglesia de Dios

https://www.cdlidd.es/sinodo-sobre-la-sinodalidad-2025-cisma-y-persecucion-en-la-iglesia-de-dios/

‘The fuse on America’s debt bomb just got shorter’ and ‘WARNING: When The Dollar Collapses, YOUR LIFE Will COMPLETELY Change…’

‘La mecha de la bomba de la deuda de Estados Unidos acaba de acortarse’ y ‘ADVERTENCIA: Cuando el dólar colapse, SU VIDA cambiará COMPLETAMENTE…’

https://www.cdlidd.es/la-mecha-de-la-bomba-de-la-deuda-de-estados-unidos-acaba-de-acortarse-y-advertencia-cuando-el-dolar-colapse-su-vida-cambiara-completamente/

FN: ChatGPT chief warns of some ‘superhuman’ skills AI could develop

FN: El jefe de ChatGPT advierte sobre algunas habilidades “sobrehumanas” que la IA podría desarrollar

https://www.cdlidd.es/fn-el-jefe-de-chatgpt-advierte-sobre-algunas-habilidades-sobrehumanas-que-la-ia-podria-desarrollar/

106th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration

106 aniversario de la Declaración Balfour

https://www.cdlidd.es/106-aniversario-de-la-declaracion-balfour/

Germany’s defence minister calls for total militarisation: “We have to become fit for war” and WWIII Is Underway?

El Ministro de Defensa de Alemania pide una militarización total: “Tenemos que estar preparados para la guerra” y ¿Está en marcha la Tercera Guerra Mundial?

https://www.cdlidd.es/el-ministro-de-defensa-de-alemania-pide-una-militarizacion-total-tenemos-que-estar-preparados-para-la-guerra-y-esta-en-marcha-la-tercera-guerra-mundial/

‘Bolivia severs diplomatic ties with Israel over Gaza war’ and ‘Open hatred of Jews surges globally, inflamed by Gaza war’

‘Bolivia rompe relaciones diplomáticas con Israel por la guerra de Gaza’ y ‘El odio abierto hacia los judíos surge a nivel mundial, inflamado por la guerra de Gaza’

https://www.cdlidd.es/bolivia-rompe-relaciones-diplomaticas-con-israel-por-la-guerra-de-gaza-y-el-odio-abierto-hacia-los-judios-surge-a-nivel-mundial-inflamado-por-la-guerra-de-gaza/

BibleNewsProphecy: How to Prep for War

Noticias de Profecía de la Biblia: Cómo prepararse para la guerra

https://www.cdlidd.es/noticias-de-profecia-de-la-biblia-como-prepararse-para-la-guerra/

Karl-Theodore zu Guttenberg wants to break German dependence on the military of the USA

Karl-Theodore zu Gutenberg quiere romper con la dependencia alemana del ejército de EE.UU.

https://www.cdlidd.es/karl-theodore-zu-gutenberg-quiere-romper-con-la-dependencia-alemana-del-ejercito-de-ee-uu/

Chinese General: Military Will ‘Show No Mercy’ on Taiwan Independence and China Stands Ready to Partner With Russia on Security Threats, Military Official Says

General chino: El ejército ‘no mostrará piedad’ con la independencia de Taiwán y China está lista para asociarse con Rusia sobre amenazas a la seguridad, dice un funcionario militar

https://www.cdlidd.es/general-chino-el-ejercito-no-mostrara-piedad-con-la-independencia-de-taiwan-y-china-esta-lista-para-asociarse-con-rusia-sobre-amenazas-a-la-seguridad-dice-un-funcionario-militar/

Russia’s launched massive drone attack, now Von der Leyen applauds Kyiv’s ‘excellent progress’ ahead of EU enlargement decision

Rusia lanzó un ataque masivo con aviones no tripulados y ahora Von der Leyen aplaude el “excelente progreso” de Kiev antes de la decisión de ampliación de la UE

https://www.cdlidd.es/rusia-lanzo-un-ataque-masivo-con-aviones-no-tripulados-y-ahora-von-der-leyen-aplaude-el-excelente-progreso-de-kiev-antes-de-la-decision-de-ampliacion-de-la-ue/

The Temple Institute points to the faith of Abraham in times of trouble

El Instituto del Templo señala la fe de Abraham en tiempos difíciles

https://www.cdlidd.es/el-instituto-del-templo-senala-la-fe-de-abraham-en-tiempos-dificiles/

Ark of the Covenant found? Donald Trump has it? Garden of Eden located?

¿Arca de la Alianza encontrada? ¿Donald Trump lo tiene? Jardín del Edén?

https://www.cdlidd.es/arca-de-la-alianza-encontrada-donald-trump-lo-tiene-jardin-del-eden/

Are Christians supposed to be pilgrims and strangers?

¿Se supone que los cristianos son peregrinos y extraños?

https://www.cdlidd.es/se-supone-que-los-cristianos-son-peregrinos-y-extranjeros/

Church of Rome prohibits its members from being Freemasons, but …

La Iglesia de Roma prohíbe a sus miembros ser masones, pero…

https://www.cdlidd.es/la-iglesia-de-roma-prohibe-a-sus-miembros-ser-masones-pero/

There is good news as a better world is coming

Hay buenas noticias porque se acerca un mundo mejor

https://www.cdlidd.es/hay-buenas-noticias-porque-se-acerca-un-mundo-mejor/

Scientists announce site of Noah’s Ark?

¿Los científicos anuncian el sitio del Arca de Noé?

https://www.cdlidd.es/los-cientificos-anuncian-el-sitio-del-arca-de-noe/

NEW WORLD CURRENCY ANNOUNCED? – New BRICS CBDC To Be Launched Next Year? ’10 U.S. Sectors To Be Affected If BRICS Stops Using the Dollar’

¿SE ANUNCIÓ NUEVA MONEDA MUNDIAL? – ¿Se lanzará una nueva CBDC de los BRICS el próximo año? ‘Diez sectores estadounidenses que se verán afectados si los BRICS dejan de usar el dólar’

https://www.cdlidd.es/se-anuncio-nueva-moneda-mundial-se-lanzara-una-nueva-cbdc-de-los-brics-el-proximo-ano-diez-sectores-estadounidenses-que-se-veran-afectados-si-los-brics-dejan-de-usar-el-dolar/

Israeli says Gaza split in half; I365 points to Zechariah 9 as ‘a prophecy for our time’ and Israel defeating Gaza, but …

Israel dice que Gaza se dividió por la mitad; I365 señala a Zacarías 9 como “una profecía para nuestro tiempo” y a Israel derrotando a Gaza, pero…

https://www.cdlidd.es/israel-dice-que-gaza-se-dividio-por-la-mitad-i365-senala-a-zacarias-9-como-una-profecia-para-nuestro-tiempo-y-a-israel-derrotando-a-gaza-pero/

King Charles III supports Israel, Rashida Tlaib posts about ‘from the river to the sea’

El rey Carlos III apoya a Israel, Rashida Tlaib publica sobre “del río al mar”

https://www.cdlidd.es/el-rey-carlos-iii-apoya-a-israel-rashida-tlaib-publica-sobre-del-rio-al-mar/

‘Russia and Venezuela confirm de-dollarization plans’

“Rusia y Venezuela confirman planes de desdolarización”

https://www.cdlidd.es/rusia-y-venezuela-confirman-planes-de-desdolarizacion/

WND: Second coming? The ‘1,000-year day’ timetable says soon

WND: ¿Segunda venida? El calendario de los ‘días de los 1.000 años’ dice pronto

Iceland has 1500 earthquakes in 2 days–20,000 since October–and has concerns about a major volcanic eruption

Islandia tiene 1.500 terremotos en 2 días (20.000 desde octubre) y teme una gran erupción volcánica.

https://www.cdlidd.es/islandia-tiene-1-500-terremotos-en-2-dias-20-000-desde-octubre-y-teme-una-gran-erupcion-volcanica/

Hal Lindsey: Planet Earth Is Armed To The Teeth… And The Word Of The Day Is ‘Escalation’ ‘Ezekiel 38’?

Hal Lindsey: El planeta Tierra está armado hasta los dientes… ¿Y la palabra del día es ‘Escalada’ ‘Ezequiel 38’?

https://www.cdlidd.es/hal-lindsey-el-planeta-tierra-esta-armado-hasta-los-dientes-y-la-palabra-del-dia-es-escalada-ezequiel-38/

‘Will America Make It Until November 5, 2024?’

“¿Estados Unidos llegará hasta el 5 de noviembre de 2024?”

https://www.cdlidd.es/estados-unidos-llegara-hasta-el-5-de-noviembre-de-2024/

‘The IDF Is Making Major Progress in Gaza, and That Makes Intervention by Hezbollah Much More Likely’

‘Las FDI están logrando importantes avances en Gaza, y eso hace que la intervención de Hezbollah sea mucho más probable’

https://www.cdlidd.es/las-fdi-estan-logrando-importantes-avances-en-gaza-y-eso-hace-que-la-intervencion-de-hezbollah-sea-mucho-mas-probable/

Olive oil prices continue to rise: Why?

Los precios del aceite de oliva siguen subiendo: ¿Por qué?

https://www.cdlidd.es/los-precios-del-aceite-de-oliva-siguen-subiendo-por-que/

‘EU Parliament Agrees on Digital ID Introduction and Pro-Censorship Chief Suggests CBDC Integration’

“El Parlamento de la UE acuerda la introducción de la identificación digital y el jefe pro-censura sugiere la integración de CBDC”

https://www.cdlidd.es/cuidado-con-la-identidad-digital-europea/

Canada pushes more GMOs after Italy bans GMO fake meat

Canadá impulsa más transgénicos después de que Italia prohibiera la carne falsa transgénica

https://www.cdlidd.es/canada-impulsa-mas-transgenicos-despues-de-que-italia-prohibiera-la-carne-falsa-transgenica/

‘World economy may split into rival blocs – ECB’

“La economía mundial puede dividirse en bloques rivales – BCE”

https://www.cdlidd.es/la-economia-mundial-puede-dividirse-en-bloques-rivales-bce/

‘More families having a hard time affording food’ and ‘Conditions Are “Drier Than The Dust Bowl Years” In The Heartland Of America’

“Más familias tienen dificultades para comprar alimentos” y “Las condiciones son “más secas que en los años del Dust Bowl” en el corazón de Estados Unidos”

https://www.cdlidd.es/mas-familias-tienen-dificultades-para-comprar-alimentos-y-las-condiciones-son-mas-secas-que-en-los-anos-del-dust-bowl-en-el-corazon-de-estados-unidos/

HD: Will This Time Of War In Israel Pave The Way For A Time Of Counterfeit Peace?

HD: ¿Esta época de guerra en Israel allanará el camino para una época de falsa paz?

https://www.cdlidd.es/hd-esta-epoca-de-guerra-en-israel-allanara-el-camino-para-una-epoca-de-falsa-paz/

Ahead of COP28, climate goals being missed, and ‘Agenda 2030 Targets the Food Supply’

Antes de la COP28, los objetivos climáticos no se cumplen y la ‘Agenda 2030 se centra en el suministro de alimentos’

https://www.cdlidd.es/antes-de-la-cop28-los-objetivos-climaticos-no-se-cumplen-y-la-agenda-2030-se-centra-en-el-suministro-de-alimentos/

Most in the COGs do not understand the sequence of prophecies in Daniel 11–what about you?

La mayoría de los miembros de las COG no entienden la secuencia de profecías en Daniel 11. ¿Y usted?

https://www.cdlidd.es/la-mayoria-de-los-miembros-de-las-cog-no-entienden-la-secuencia-de-profecias-en-daniel-11-y-usted/

BibleNewsProphecy: Artificial Intelligence Superhuman Persuasion?

BibleNewsProphecy: ¿Persuasión sobrehumana de la inteligencia artificial?

https://www.cdlidd.es/biblenewsprophecy-persuasion-sobrehumana-de-la-inteligencia-artificial-cogwriter-zenit-org-tenia-en-su-sitio-web-lo-siguiente-el-gobierno-de-estados-unidos-censurara-a-sus-opositores-utiliza/

Hezbollah suggests it is not yet ready for major attack on Israel, but also reveals it has larger bombs than before

Hezbollah sugiere que aún no está listo para un ataque importante contra Israel, pero también revela que tiene bombas más grandes que antes.

https://www.cdlidd.es/las-fdi-estan-logrando-importantes-avances-en-gaza-y-eso-hace-que-la-intervencion-de-hezbollah-sea-mucho-mas-probable/

The Continuing Church of God has a separate Spanish language website http://www.cdlidd.es. The term Continuing Church of God translates into La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios in the Spanish language, also called Castellano or Español.

We have also additional Spanish language videos on our CDLIDDSermones channel.

Our Spanish translator normally provides translated news items once or twice per month.

So, in addition to having magazines and books in the Spanish language, we also post news items in it as well.

This is another avenue we utilize to teach all that we can in accordance with Matthew 24:14, Mark 13:28-37, and Matthew 28:19-20.

The Continuing Church of God is reaching people around the world in multiple languages via the internet, printed literature, and human church leaders.

We also reach people over the radio and through videos in the English language.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean in Prophecy [Español: México, América central, Suramérica, Brasil y el Caribe en la profecía] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What role might the various Caribbean nations/territories play? Two videos of related interest are available: Will Mexico Regain USA Territories? and Donald Trump and Mexico’s future. A sermon of related interest is available: Latin America in Prophecy.

CDLIDDSermones channel. This contains messages in the Spanish language.

CDLIDD.ES La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. This is the Spanish language website for the Continuing Church of God and has articles in español/castellano.

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.

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?

Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God “Contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3, NKJV), “Let brotherly love (Philadelphia) continue” (Hebrews 13:1) ” & continuing stedfastly in the teaching of the apostles” (Acts 2:42 YLT). So, what does that really mean in terms of specific beliefs–the Statement gives answers? Here is a related link in Spanish/español: Declaración de las Doctrinas de la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. Here is a related link in Tagalog: Paglalahad ng Mga Paniniwala ng Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos. Here is a related link in Mandarin Chinese ~ç~íy^v„eYOv„OáNðXðf. Here is a related link in Kiswahili: KATIKA LUGHA YA KISWAHILI. Here is a related link in Dutch: Verklaring van geloofspunten van de Continuing Church of God. Here is a related link in Deutsche (German): Glaubenserklärung der Continuing Church of God. Here is a related link in Italiano: Dichiarazione del Credo della Continuing Church of God. Here is related link in the French language: Déclaration des croyances de L’Église Continue de Dieu. Here is a related link in the Chichewa language: ZIKHULUPIRIRO ZA MPINGO WA CONTINUING CHURCH OF GOD. Here is a link in Romanian: Declarația de credințe a continuării Bisericii lui Dumnezeu. Here is a link in Portuguese: Declaração de Crenças da Continuação da Igreja de Deus. Here is a link in Russian: Утверждение верований о продолжении Церкви Божьей. Here is a link to a related English-language sermon: Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God. Here is a link to a booklet titled: Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God.

Faith for those God has Called and Chosen What is faith? Can faith be increased? Are you saved by faith? What about works? Do Christians need to keep the Ten Commandments? What is the ‘faith chapter’? How do the just live by faith? Is faith one of the weightier matters of the law? How does faith come? Here is a link to a pdf. booklet titled Faith for Those God has Called and Chosen. Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Fe para aquellos que Dios ha llamado y escogido.Here is a link to a related sermon titled: Faith for the Called and Chosen. Here is a link to shorter version of the written article in Mandarin Chinese 一篇关于信仰的小文章

CCOG.ORG Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God. To see how CCOG has done so far, here are links to two sermons Continuing Church of God (CCOG) first year anniversary: What has been accomplished? and The Continuing Church of God: Two Years of Proclamation. Here is a written link to a version of that sermon in the Spanish language: Aniversario del primer año de la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios: ¿Qué se ha cumplido?

CCOG Animations channel. The Continuing Church of God has some animations to teach aspects of Christian beliefs.

Bible News Prophecy channel. Dr. Thiel has produced many YouTube videos for the BibleNewsProphecy channel. And you can find them there.

ContinuingCOG channel. Dr. Thiel has produced YouTube video sermons for this channel. Note: Since these are sermon-length, they can take a little longer to load than other YouTube videos. Here is a link to a short intro: ContinuingCOG Channel.

CCOGAfrica channel. This has messages from African pastors in African languages such as Kalenjin, Kiswahili, Embu, and Dholuo.

BibleNewsProphecy Podcast. This has audio-visual podcasts of the Bible News Prophecy channgel. It plays on i-Phones, i-Pads, and Windows devices that can play i-Tunes.

Bible News Prophecy online and European Gospel radio. This has an audio version of the Bible News Prophecy videos and other radio broadcasts. It is also available as a mobile app.

CCOG.ASIA We in the Continuing Church of God also have the url www.ccog.asia which has a focus on Asia and has various articles in Mandarin Chinese as well as some in English, plus some items in other Asian languages. 我们在继续神的教会也提供此网址

CCOGAFRICA.ORG This is a website targeted towards those in Africa.

CCOGCANADA.CA This is a website targeted towards those in Canada.

CCOG.IN This is a website targeted towards those of Indian heritage. It has a link to an edited Hindi translation of The Mystery of the Ages and is expected to have more non-English language materials in the future.

CCOG.EU This is a website targeted toward Europe. It has materials in more than one language (currently it has English, Dutch, and Serbian, with links also to Spanish) and it is intended to have additional language materials added.

CCOG.NZ This is a website targeted towards New Zealand and others with a British-descended background.

PNIND.PH Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos. This is the Philippines website Continuing Church of God. It has information in English and Tagalog.

Study the Bible Course Want to learn more about the Bible? This new course is for you! Here is a: link to Lesson 1: Why Study the Bible? Here is a: link to Lesson 2: Here’s good news…the MESSAGE sent from Heaven. Here is a: link to Lesson 3: Christ Will Stop World Suicide! Here is a: link to Lesson 4: How to Study the Bible. Here is a link to Study the Bible Course: Test 1, for Lessons 1-4. Here is a: link to Lesson 5: The Millennium. Here is a: link to Lesson 6: Utopia! It is also available in French (Leçon 1 En francés), Kiswahili (Somo 1 Katika Kiswahili), Mandarin Chinese (™–˜u : N-Vý), Tagalog (KURSO SA PAG-ARAL NG BIBLYA), and Spanish (Lección 1 En castellano).
Youth Bible Lessons We have scores of lessons for the very young through teenage to learn about the ways of God.

(Pixbay photo)

COGwriter

ZeroHedge posted the following:

Rickards’ Five Forecasts For 2024

December 17, 2023

My overall forecast is that 2024 will be more tumultuous and shocking than 2023. …

An Election of Dire Consequences

It’s a cliche to write that the next presidential election will be the “most important in our lifetimes.” Yet in 2024 that cliche will actually be true.

The divide between the two parties is probably greater than at any time in U.S. political history since the Civil War. The choice could not be more stark and the stakes could not be higher. …

U.S., China and a Global Recession

Chinese economic growth is now in the low single digits (about 4% per year). That’s down from the double-digit growth of the 1994–2008 period.

China has had two failed “reopenings” (one after COVID in 2022, and one as the result of “stimulus” in 2023) and seems headed for a third. China gets a small boost from loose fiscal and monetary policy that rapidly fades because there is no real stimulus possible when a country is as heavily indebted as China.

The U.S. faces its own economic headwinds. The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates to 5.50% from zero in 20 months and reduced its balance sheet by over $1 trillion in the same period, an even tighter monetary policy than the one engineered by Paul Volcker from 1979–1981. …

Ukraine

Russia is winning the war decisively. The West and Ukraine have shown no willingness to negotiate and there’s no reason for the Russians to negotiate because they’re winning.

With that in mind, it seems likely that Joe Biden will double-down on his losing bet.

The Russians don’t expect the war to be over until 2025. …

Israel and Gaza

The Israeli-Hamas War has its own risks of escalation. As of now, fighting is mostly limited to northern Gaza adjacent to the Israeli border. Yet Israel faces an enemy 10 times more powerful than Hamas in the form of Hezbollah, which is located in Lebanon on Israel’s northern border, and which is heavily subsidized by Iran in terms of money, weapons and intelligence. …

Banking Crisis Stage 2

In less than two months from early March to early May 2023, we saw the failures of Silvergate Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, Credit Suisse and First Republic.

In response, the FDIC stepped in with the mother of all bailouts. Going forward, the issue is: Once you’ve guaranteed every deposit and agreed to finance every bond at par value, what’s left in your bag of tricks? What can you do in the next crisis that you haven’t already done — except nationalize the banks?

Investors are relaxed because they believe the banking crisis is over. That’s a huge mistake. …

Put on your crash helmets for a wild ride in the coming year. https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/rickards-five-forecasts-2024

1. Yes, the 2024 US presidential election will have dire consequences.

If God has a plan where Jesus returns 6,000 after Adam and Eve were put out of the Garden of Eden, and it ends in 2031, then 2024 could be the year that the seven-year countdown to His return will occur. If that is the case, then the 2024 election could be the last presidential election for the USA, as the Great Tribulation would begin 3 1/2 years before 2031.

Related to prophecies and 2024, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

14:28

Tribulation in 2024?

Some claim that the Great Tribulation will begin in 2024. Some say that Jesus will return in 2024. Are either of those events possible based upon the words of our Savior or the prophet Daniel? Why or why not? What about September 12, 2024? When is the Day of Atonement in 2024? Are various heavenly signs to occur before or after the tribulation? What about the ‘peace deal’ of Daniel 9:26-27? Could the war between Hamas and Israel expand to directly involve Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, and others? What about the ‘Union for the Mediterranean’ and the King of the North and the King of the South? If God has a 6,000 year plan for humanity to be under Satan’s sway, might Jesus return in 2031, with the countdown to His return beginning in the Fall or some other time in 2024? Steve Dupuie and Dr. Thiel go over these matters.

Here is a link to our video: Tribulation in 2024?

2. There may or may not be a global recession. But yes, China has many economic struggles as does the USA, Europe, and most of the world.

3. It remains my contention that Russia will end up keeping territory that Ukraine claims. I said that back in 2013 and warned about that again a few days prior to Russia’s ‘Special Military Operation’ into Ukraine (watch Russia, Ukraine, Babylonian Europe, and Prophecy).

4. Yes, escalation in the Middle East will happen. If enough happens in 2024, we may see a peace deal confirmed consistent with the following prophecy:

26 “And after the sixty-two weeks
Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself;
And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; (Daniel 9:26-27)

The one week in Daniel 9:27 has been understood, for at least 1800 years, to be referring to a seven-year time period. Since peace deals normally do not happen until after major destruction, it is possible that we could see this happen in 2024. If so, then the final seven-year countdown to the return of Jesus and the establishment of the millennial Kingdom of God will begin in 2024.

5. Yes, we can expect to see banking crises. How bad in 2024 is unclear, but at minimum the stage is being set for a massive one.

Notice something the late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong, said in a sermon on July 7, 1984:

And I can see now, the event that is going to trigger the formation of the reunification in Europe; the resurrection of the medieval Holy Roman Empire that we’ve been looking forward to that is prophesied to come…

But I believe that some event is going to happen suddenly just like out a blue sky that is going to shock the whole world and is going to cause the nations in Europe to realize they must unite! … Well now I think I can see what may be the very event that is going to trigger…that is the economic situation in the world…

The whole banking structure in the United States is a network all jointed together. But not only that, one nation has to deal with other nations and imports and exports. And so they have to have a means of transforming money from one nation to another. And so the banking structure is international and interwoven…

Now when the financial structure breaks down, all civilization is going to break down…

So, an economic or banking crisis, at least partially related to the USA, is what Herbert W. Armstrong concluded would drive Europe to unite.

And, I agree that it will take some type of crisis for Europe to reorganize.

The Bible shows that a major reorganization is prophesied to happen and push Europe under totalitarian control:

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

Economic issues will be one of the factors that will get Europe to decide to reorganize and support a dictator that the Bible calls the Beast.

Rising interest rates, combined with massive US debt, it setting the stage for a spiral that one day the US will not recover from.

As far as the fall of the USA goes, a reader sent me a link to the following:

Will America Make It Until November 5, 2024?

November 6, 2023

This past weekend, America hit an important, although a bit overlooked, milestone. As of Sunday, we are exactly 366 days until the 2024 presidential election. ..

A question I, and I believe so many other Americans, have begun to ponder also popped back into my head. So I am going to ask it out loud. Can America make it to November 5, 2024? …

While it might sound a bit melodramatic, I can’t help but think that so many Americans are feeling the same way. For the first time in their lives, they are truly frightened for the future of our country. Not because of any one thing specifically, but the entire toxic stew that seems to be bubbling up, and no one in any position of authority is competent enough, or even seems to care enough, to handle it. …

But the one thing that chills me to the bone is the byproduct of this potential World War III scenario — the virulent, unrelenting, and pathological antisemitism that has reared its head in a nation founded as the refuge for freedom and liberty for anyone seeking it in the world. It is an ugliness that many Americans, including myself, would have never thought we would see anywhere else in the world ever again, much less in America. Add in the fact that Iran, already funding Hamas, has threatened to become even more involved in the powder keg that is the Middle East, as have other nations. …

But the collective threats America now faces could easily erupt into utter unmanageability well before the 2024 election, and we would have few options as to how to proceed. This game of beat-the-clock is a scary proposition, but if little old me is thinking about it, others surely are, too. https://redstate.com/beckynoble/2023/11/06/will-america-make-it-until-november-5-2024-n2165961

While the USA will make it past 2024, yes many in the USA are uneasy.

And yes, many are uneasy about a Joe Biden or Donald Trump re-election.

But WWIII is not about to begin–that is at least 3 1/2 years away (cf. Daniel 9:27, see also The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27) –but it is getting closer.

As far as how long the USA may last, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put out the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:Is the USA prophesied to be destroyed by 2028?

That said, some see hope in Joe Biden and others in Donald Trump. I do not (though one could be better for the economy than the other).

Voting for Donald Trump or voting in Republicans will not stop the decline of the USA.

Voting for Joe Biden or voting in Democrats will not stop the decline of the USA.

So, what should a Christian do?

Well, one thing is to pray:

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.  (Matthew 6:9-10)

Understand that neither Joe Biden nor Donald Trump will change what will happen to the USA without national repentance.

The USA needs the return of Jesus and the coming Kingdom of God. That will happen as prophesied:

15 … “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15)

So, yes, there is good news, despite what goes on in 2024.

a
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (photo by Michael Lucan)

COGwriter

Saw a German language interview article titled: Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg: Ich habe mit meinem damaligen Scheitern Frieden geschlossen 11/13/23 (URL: https://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/politik/interview-karl-theodor-zu-guttenberg-ich-habe-mit-meinem-damaligen-scheitern-frieden-geschlossen-id68462711.html) and machine-translated the German into English, which is as follows:

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg: I ​​have made peace with my failure at the time

The new Guttenberg writes openly about his weaknesses and insecurities, yes you have admitted: “I am no stranger to depression either.” And you admit: “I was mercilessly overestimated.”

Guttenberg: Everything is correct. The following applies to my texts and statements: I try to reveal weaknesses authentically and without coquetry. This consequently includes fears and aspects of my mental life.  …

You also seem to have treated yourself to some extent with self-irony.

Guttenberg (laughs): Oh yes! What could be better than laughing at yourself! That just makes life more fun. And there really are plenty of reasons to make fun of yourself. A few days ago I was at a panel discussion where a professor said she wrote her doctoral thesis about failure. In a rare moment of repartee, I replied: “And I failed my doctoral thesis.” We all had a hearty laugh.  …

Does the intensive contact with the left Gysi make you move politically to the left?

Guttenberg: I am difficult to place politically. I’m not a classic conservative. I feel at home in the political center. Sometimes I identify with more left-wing and sometimes with conservative attitudes. I will no longer allow myself to be forced into a camp.  …

At 51, you seem at peace with yourself after a long up and a crashing down. Have you become a completely relaxed person or is there also a show involved?

Guttenberg: I have arrived at my place. My well-being no longer depends on the applause or goodwill of others. But one thing challenges my composure: I’m worried about the tone, also the unforgiveness in our society, this absolute will to immediately deliver the next verbal, devastating blow.  …

Some of your readers on LinkedIn want nothing more than for Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg< /span>.politics returns to the circus of

Guttenberg: Why should I? My time is over.

You should never say never.

Guttenberg: I know, I can say 17 times that my farewell is final, and some people just don’t want to believe it. I wonder how many times I’ll have to emphasize this. And when I was still defense minister, I already planned to leave politics in 2013. Now I had to leave in 2011.

Aren’t you flattered that some still demand your political comeback?

Guttenberg: I find that rather surprising. It has now been almost 13 years since I left politics. Regardless, I try to take responsibility for issues that affect the future of our children within a self-determined framework. And I now have more time to deal with the substantive questions of our lives. As a politician, you hardly have time for that. The majority of a politician’s time is dictated by others. Luckily I’m out of the business. 

But sometimes you also suffer relapses, for example when Prigozhin staged a coup against Putin and you couldn’t resist acting like a politician to an ORF journalist to give an interview.

Guttenberg (laughs): It’s interesting what disruptions politics can trigger in the synapses of a person like me. So I keep appealing to myself: “Don’t behave the way you behaved 13 years ago!” But there is still something deep within me that can trigger certain political reflexes. So, even though I no longer want to, I answered the ORF journalist’s questions like a politician that day. I must have been itching again at the prospect of being important for a moment. Pretty idiotic, because few things are more insignificant. 

So they still can, despite all the anti-politics reflex therapy.

Guttenberg: I am all the happier that the reflex to go back into politics no longer exists. Politics is a sometimes toxic and also vain business. There is a risk of drifting away. 

But the new Guttenberg, your texts suggest, enjoys moments without feeling important. Have you really fundamentally changed? Who is the new Guttenberg?

Guttenberg: First of all, you remain the same person in an aging shell. 13 years ago I could not yet experience the beauty of the moment: I had neither learned nor understood it, also because it was never brought to my attention. Like many other people, I have been guided by past experiences and fears about the future. That doesn’t make a person more relaxed, happier and sociable. The fact that I have changed is certainly the result of hard experiences, but it also goes back to advice from other people. Today I am a completely calm, cheerful person. Attacks no longer hurt me. Not constantly worrying about the past and future can be trained like a muscle.  …

The Irish poet Samuel Beckett wrote: “Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” Is “Fail better” the life motto of Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg?

Guttenberg: In the end, this insight from Beckett is a cipher for the art of leading a better life. Such a life can only be achieved if you make peace with yourself and your surroundings and become a forgiving person. I can gain a lot from Beckett’s insight. Many people used to see me as something I wasn’t. They projected something into me that didn’t exist in me. 

People believed that as a dashing, young nobleman they could save Germany, and they were even believed to be able to, Angela Merkel to be replaced as Chancellor. There was a lot of hype about you.

Guttenberg: It was sometimes bizarre what people projected into me.

Maybe he is out, maybe he is not.

While he has been officially out of politics for some time, he has stayed connected to it.

As far as him making peace with his plagiarism scandal, Herr Guttenberg later went to another university and got another doctorate. From a political perspective that at least shows he has the intellect to attain a doctorate.

Dr. Guttenberg is currently somewhat of a political commentator, which means that he still has involvement and that he reaches people on a regular basis with his political views.

Now, the Bible tells about a leader who was once disgraced that prophesied to rise up:

21 And there shall stand up in his place one despised, and the kingly honour shall not be given him: and he shall come privately, and shall obtain the kingdom by fraud. (Daniel 11:21, Douay-Rheims)

21 “‘His place will be taken by a reject, a man spurned and passed over for advancement. He’ll surprise everyone, seemingly coming out of nowhere, and will seize the kingdom. (Daniel 11:21 from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

21 And in his place shall stand up a contemptible person, to whom they had not given the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in time of security, and shall obtain the kingdom by flatteries. (Daniel 11:21, ASV)

So, someone who is disgraced is prophesied to rise up and be the final King of the North of Bible prophecy.

Should we count Herr Guttenberg out because of his comments in the interview?

Well, I am hesitant to do so as politicians have long been known to change their minds when crises or opportunities arise.

He rose quickly once and may very well do so again.

Now while it is not absolutely sure at this date who will be the final Beast leader (AKA King of the North), Baron zu Guttenberg is a candidate of interest.

Recall that in the interview above he also said people remain basically the same as they were before.

What did he say he was before?

Dr. Guttenberg has referred to himself as a type of a beast:

“There’s no doubt whatsoever that I’m a political animal, a ‘zoon politicon’,” he told Die Zeit newspaper in what appeared to be a carefully orchestrated comeback after eight months away from the spotlight.   http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/11/24/idINIndia-60716820111124

“For Aristotle’s zoon politikon there are no persons beyond the walls of the city; outside the city there exist only beasts or gods.” page 169, Urbanization and values, CRVP, 1991, By George F. McLean, John Kromkowski

A zoon politicon is a political animal. This is still part of Herr Guttenberg.

If Karl zu Guttenberg becomes the King of the North (Daniel 11:36-40), he would also be the final Beast of Revelation. Interestingly, a comedic spoof of Karl zu Guttenberg was premiered on March 4, 2013 (see Baron Guttenberg does not show up for premier spoofing him). A line that was supposed to be in it was as follows:

“I carry myself with the thought, a zoon politikon to be,” says the film-Guttenberg, who is here from Franz Ferdinand and Thunder Mountain and in Berlin shaking the fence of the Chancellery.

„Ich trage mich mit dem Gedanken, ein Zoon Politikon zu werden“, verkündet der Film-Guttenberg, der hier Franz Ferdinand von und zu Donnersberg heißt und in Berlin am Zaun des Kanzleramts rüttelt.

http://www.focus.de/kultur/diverses/komoedie-ueber-kapitel-der-deutschen-politik-guttenberg-film-auf-den-spuren-von-schtonk_aid_824451.html

Thus, various ones in Germany, at least, realize that the Baron called himself a type of political Beast. Many will be surprised if he does turn out to be the Beast warned against in biblical prophecy.

Do not count him out yet. No matter what he said about his political career being over, I strongly assert that he will be again involved in politics. That does not mean that he has to become the Beast of Revelation 13:1-10 or the King of the North of Daniel 11:21-45, but he does remain one to watch for that role (cf. Mark 13:37).

Consider also the following prophecy about the King of Assyria, who is also the final King of the North and Beast:

5 “Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger
And the staff in whose hand is My indignation.
6 I will send him against an ungodly nation,
And against the people of My wrath
I will give him charge,
To seize the spoil, to take the prey,
And to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
7 Yet he does not mean so,
Nor does his heart think so;
But it is in his heart to destroy,
And cut off not a few nations.
8 For he says,
‘Are not my princes altogether kings?
9 Is not Calno like Carchemish?
Is not Hamath like Arpad?
Is not Samaria like Damascus?
10 As my hand has found the kingdoms of the idols,
Whose carved images excelled those of Jerusalem and Samaria,
11 As I have done to Samaria and her idols,
Shall I not do also to Jerusalem and her idols?'”

12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Lord has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, that He will say, “I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks.”  (Isaiah 10:5-12)

Notice that a leader, who does not think he wants to conquer, will as that desire is still inside of him.

Could that be Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg?

Related to him and the Middle East, in 2022 the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

15:17

The Middle East, Prophecy, and Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg

Iran and Israel have been involved with various attacks and threats against each other. Does the Bible seem to prophesy that Iran and Syria will attack Israel? Will God always protect Israel? Will Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’ protect it? Is “great damage” prophesied to come to Jerusalem? What about damage to Syria’s capital Damascus? What was Isaiah inspired to write? Could a peace deal come after a regional conflict in the Middle East? Could Baron Karl-Theodor Maria Nikolaus Johann Jacob Philipp Franz Joseph Sylvester Freiherr von und zu Guttenberg (KT) be the “prince” of Daniel 9:26-27, who becomes the King of the North of Daniel 11? Was KT spurned, rejected, and passed over for advancement consistent with one rendering of Daniel 11:21? Does KT have the ancestral and religious background to be the “Great Monarch” of Greco-Roman Catholic prophecies? Does KT have the digital background to be able to be involved in the 666 controlling of buying and selling (Revelation 13:16-18)? Should you be watching the Middle East and Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg? Dr. Thiel answers these questions and more.

Here is a link to our video: The Middle East, Prophecy, and Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg.

Back in 2016, the Continuing Church of God is put out the following sermon about him on its ContinuingCOG channel:

1:18:01

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Europe’s Future

Former German Economic & Technology Minister as well as former Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg spoke at the Hub Conference in Berlin and gave a presentation titled “Wish List or Reality? Digital Trends in 2016.” Dr. Thiel shows portions of the presentation and comments on his presentation related to Bible prophecy and Baron Guttenberg’s background. What is the future for Europe?

Here is a link to the sermon: Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Europe’s Future.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the former German Defense Minister (who is also the former German Minister for Economics and Technology) one to watch? What do Greco-Roman Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest? A video of related interest would be: Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Europe’s Future. A shorter one is also available: The Middle East, Prophecy, and Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg.
Blockchain, Karl Guttenberg, and 666 American Express just announced a deal with Ripple related to using its blockchain technology. No longer confined to Bitcoin, blockchain technology is moving towards the mainstream. Former German Economic and later Defense Minister, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg has long been an adviser to Ripple and has plans for internationally-expanding the use of blockchain money. Jim Rickards, Doug Casey, and others have expressed concerns that blockchain money will give governments too much control over buying and selling. Could any of this be related to biblical prophecies in the Books of Daniel and Revelation? Could any of this help fulfill the prophecies related to buying and selling and 666 in Revelation 13? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more in this video. A related written article is also available: Amex launches blockchain-based business payments using Ripple: Prelude to the Beast and 666?
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 Greco-Roman 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 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? Here is a link in the French language: Est-ce que l’Église Continue de Dieu confirme les signes d’Actes 2:17-18? A related sermon in the English language is also available: 17 Last Days’ Signs of the Holy Spirit.

Altar on Mount Ebal (photo by zstadler)

COGwriter

Is there any evidence that Moses could have written what Jesus said he did? Was there even any writing near the time of Moses?

To better help scripturally to know the answer to those questions, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

14:14

Bible Writing Evidence?

Although Jesus said that Moses wrote scripture and the Book of Deuteronomy states that Moses wrote scripture, could Moses even write anything? Many mainstream “scholars and experts” disagree. Is there archaeological evidence that supports whether or not Moses could possibly write? What about proto-Hebrew? Could the Exodus have been 1446 or 1250 BC? What about what Dr. Scott Stripling and the Mount Ebal curse stone? Did Dr. Adam Zertal end up concluding that Moses and Joshua existed as the Bible teaches? What about Sinai 177 of the Renfsheri Stele and Sinai 377 rock inscription dating to the 19th century BCE. What about the conclusions of Dr. Doug Petrovich? When faced with that which is falsely called science that disagrees with the Bible, what is a Christian supposed to do? Is there evidence that the Bible could have had writings from Moses? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie address these matters.

Here is a link to our video: Bible Writing Evidence?

Believe God.

Believe the word of God.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Who Gave the World the Bible? The Canon: Why do we have the books we now do in the Bible? Is the Bible complete? Are there lost gospels? What about the Apocrypha? Is the Septuagint better than the Masoretic text? What about the Textus Receptus vs. Nestle Alland? Was the New Testament written in Greek, Aramaic, or Hebrew? Which translations are based upon the best ancient text? Did the true Church of God have the canon from the beginning? Here are links to related sermons: Let’s Talk About the Bible, The Books of the Old Testament, The Septuagint and its Apocrypha, Masoretic Text of the Old Testament, and Lost Books of the Bible, and Let’s Talk About the New Testament, The New Testament Canon From the Beginning, English Versions of the Bible and How Did We Get Them?, What was the Original Language of the New Testament?, Original Order of the Books of the Bible, and Who Gave the World the Bible? Who Had the Chain of Custody?
EXODUS Exodus sermons, which it total cover each and every verse of that book, include Exodus 1-4: Jewish Myths or Lessons for Christians Today?, Exodus 5-7: Serpents, Blood, and Revelation, Exodus 8-9: Plagues and Prophecy, Exodus 10-12: The Last Plagues & 21st Century Prophecies, and Exodus 13-15: Passover Protection and Armageddon. Another article is Exodus 16-19 which covers all of those verses–here is a link to a related sermon: Exodus 16-19: Manna, Governance, and End Time Protection. Another article is Exodus 20 which covers all of the verses in that chapter–here is a link to a related sermon: Exodus 20: The Ten Commandments. Another article covers the verses in those chapters Exodus 21-24: These are the Judgments–here is a link to a related sermon: Exodus 21-24: Judgments. Here is a link to the article Exodus 25: Ark of the Covenant and Mercy Seat–here is a link to a related sermon: Exodus 25: Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat. Here is a link to the article Exodus 26-32 Tabernacle, Sacrifices, & the Book of Life–here is a link to a related sermon:Exodus 26-32: Tabernacle, Golden Calf, and Book of Life. A final article is: Exodus 33-40, The Final Chapters.Here are links to two related video sermons: Exodus 33-36: Moses Shown and You Should Too and Exodus 37-40: Finishing the Work.There is also more, such as the article: When was the Exodus? Did it Happen? Some deny the biblical account of the Exodus. Was Ramses II the pharaoh then? When did the Exodus occur?  Is there proof outside of the Bible that there was an Exodus? Here is a related article in the Spanish language: ¿Cuándo fue el Éxodo? ¿Ocurrió realmente? Also: Reasons, Proofs, and Ramifications of the Ten Plagues of Exodus What do you know about these plagues? What happened to the ‘gods of Egypt’? Is there any confirmation outside the Bible? Might something worse be coming? A related two-part sermon is available: Egypt and the Plagues (Part 1) and Exodus Plagues and Prophecy (Part 2). Also: Exodus and the Days of Unleavened Bread. This article discusses parts of the Book of Exodus with some connections to the Days of Unleavened Bread. Also Exodus 4:24, Why would God have sought to kill Moses? What did Moses do wrong? Do you have a similar problem?
Is God’s Existence Logical? Is it really logical to believe in God? Yes! Would you like Christian answers to give atheists? This is a free online booklet that deal with improper theories and musings called science related to the origin of the origin of the universe, the origin of life, and evolution. Here is a link to a related sermon: Evolution is NOT the Origin of Life. Two animated videos of related interest are also available: Big Bang: Nothing or Creator? and A Lifegiver or Spontaneous Evolution?
Read the Bible Christians should read and study the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading.
Biblical Archaeology This is a website that has more information on biblical archeological as is sometimes known as the Bib Arch site.
Proof Jesus is the Messiah This free book has over 200 Hebrew prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus. Plus, His arrival was consistent with specific prophecies and even Jewish interpretations of prophecy. Here are links to seven related sermons: Proof Jesus is the Messiah, Prophecies of Jesus’ birth, timing, and death, Jesus’ prophesied divinity, 200+ OT prophecies Jesus filled; Plus prophecies He made, Why Don’t Jews Accept Jesus?, Daniel 9, Jews, and Jesus, and Facts and Atheists’ Delusions About Jesus. Plus the links to two sermonettes: Luke’s census: Any historical evidence? and Muslims believe Jesus is the Messiah, but … These videos cover nearly all of the book, plus have some information not in the book. We also have the book translated in the Spanish PRUEBA de que JESÚS es el MESÍAS and French PREUVES QUE JÉSUS EST LE MESSIE languages.

COGwriter

The editor of World Net Daily posted the following:

The Ten Commandments: Needed in America for a time such as this!

You know it’s the most lawless time in America.

It’s as if people never heard of God’s Ten Commandments. We’ve reached a zenith in this country with people “calling evil good and good evil.” If ever there were a time and place for reminding them of right and wrong, this would be it. After all, the Commandments have been taken down from schools, universities, government buildings, courtrooms, law schools, even churches and synagogues. https://www.wnd.com/2023/08/ten-commandments-needed-america-time/ 12/14/23

Yes, the USA needs to strive to observe the Ten Commandments, but it will not.

Many in the USA and its British-descended allies despise the word of God, and also do not want to be reminded of sin. More and more consider that parts of the Bible are “hate speech.”

The Bible warns against the type of moral decline that is occurring in the U.S.A.:

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. (Isaiah 30:12-13)

Jesus warned:

12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. (Matthew 24:12)

That is what has been happening with abortions and the LGBTQ+ agendas. As well as the rise of the Laodiceans.

The New Testament also teaches:

5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, (1 Timothy 1:5)

The government of the USA does not want to listen to the word of God. Instead, it tries to claim engaging in sexual immorality is love.The Anglo-American order is coming to an end.

The USA needs national repentance–without it is is doomed–and it will end fairly soon.

Without national repentance, the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are doomed.

Now, many will say that that those nations have been promoting sin and increasing debt for decades, without problems, thus since it has the strongest military, etc., nothing will change.

Consider the following scriptures:

11 Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. 13 But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God. (Ecclesiastes 8:11-13)

Under the Obama and Trump Administrations, total US debt greatly increased as did the influence of the LGBTQ+ crowd.

And yes, this is an evil that many think has no cost.

The Anglo-nations need national repentance. God would listen:

13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. (2 Chronicles 7:13-15)

But because they will not, they will have problems. God’s anger is aroused against the USA (Samaria, below; see alsoSpiritual Samaritans: Old and New) because it rebels against God and will not turn towards innocence::

5 O Samaria!
My anger is aroused against them —
How long until they attain to innocence? (Hosea 8:5)

16 Samaria is held guilty, for she has rebelled against her God. They shall fall by the sword, Their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child ripped open. (Hosea 13:16)

Notice that lack of repentance is listed as a reason that the King of Assyria (the final King of the North) will become Ephraim’s king:

3 I taught Ephraim to walk…5…But the Assyrian shall be his king, Because they refused to repent. 6 And the sword shall slash in his cities, Devour his districts, And consume them, Because of their own counsels. 7 My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, None at all exalt Him. (Hosea 11:3a, 5b-7)

The prophesied shame is starting to come upon the Anglo-American powers. The Assyrian king is also prophesied to eliminate the USA per Isaiah 10:5-12.

Without repentance, increased pride is occurring, and this will be followed by the prophesied destruction of the Anglo-American nations. And yes, other nations have their sins, but they will be punished later–But you personally can and SHOULD repent.

Individually, and nationally, repentance is needed:

20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

21 “But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 22 None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live. 23 Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live? (Ezekiel 18:20-23)

30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!” (Ezekiel 18:30-32)

Your Bible says many people have made an OUTWARD show of returning to Him or repenting, but they haven’t done it WITH THEIR HEARTS! Most of the world only shows an outward, superficial, WORLDLY REPENTANCE with no real sincerity or DEEP feeling.

Many repent like Esau:

14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears. (Hebrews 12:14-17)

Esau was sorry for what happened, but did not truly repent towards God nor wish to switch from following the way of get to the way of give. His move towards repentance, like others in the world, was hollow.

After Jesus was executed, Judas “repented himself” (Matthew 27:3, KJV)–but it was TOO LATE. So, he “went and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:5), which demonstrated that Judas did not understand repentance.

The Apostle Peter wrote:

10 For

“He who would love life
And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit.
11 Let him turn away from evil and do good;
Let him seek peace and pursue it. (1 Peter 3:10-11)

DON’T take chances on it being TOO LATE for YOU! Probably it is NOT “too late” yet! Don’t delay repenting and getting back to Christ!

The Bible, of course, also warns:

12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 14:12)

Death and destruction are coming to the USA.

The Bible also shows that the power in the end time with the strongest military will be taken over (cf. Daniel 11:39; see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses). The Bible warns that alliances with “friends” will turn out to be alliances with enemies (cf. Lamentations 1:1-2).

The USA WILL NOT LAST LONG!

Do not think that the USA or its British-descended allies will continue as they have.

The Apostle Peter warned:

3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:3-9)

Yes, there are reasons for the delays, but the end is coming (cf. Matthew 24:46-51).

While we are not to that point yet, there are prophecies that point to the USA possibly being gone by 2028 or 2029. Related to that, we put out the following video:

Here is a link to the video: Is the USA prophesied to be destroyed by 2028?

The British-descended nations will be destroyed about the same time.

While it would be great if more would heed the Ten Commandments, but I believe that the USA and its British-descended allies have passed the point of likely repentance.

But, you, yourself can and should strive to keep the Ten Commandments.

Some items of related interest may include the following:

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.
FIRST COMMANDMENT: Priorities and the Most Broken Commandment Which commandment is broken the most? Which one is most involved with what should be your top priority? Here is a link to a related sermon: The Most Violated Commandment and Priorities.
SECOND COMMANDMENT: What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? Did the early Church use icons? What was the position of Christians about such things? A related sermon is available: The Second Commandment, Idols, and Icons.
THIRD COMMANDMENT: Words Matter Are you obeying the Third Commandment? Are you sure? Could you be blaspheming with your euphemisms or life actions? Here is a link to a related sermon: Third Commandment Plus: Words Matter. Here is a link to a shorter video: Was Increased Cursing Prophesied?
FOURTH COMMANDMENT: The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church? Here is a link to a related sermon: Fourth Commandment: Saturday or Sunday?
FIFTH COMMANDMENT: Honor and Be Honorable The fifth commandment involves family relationships. Is it more than parents and children? What about love and ruling well your household? Here is a link to a related sermon: Honor Your Parents and Rule Honorably.
SIXTH COMMANDMENT: Anger, Murder, Abortion, Sports, Self-Control, & Kindness Is there more to the 6th commandment than not murdering? What about abortion, hate, and violent sports? What is the attitude real Christians should have? Here is a link to a related sermon:: Murder, anger, kindness, and love.
SEVENTH COMMANDMENT: Love and Faithfulness, Not Sexual Immorality The seventh commandment prohibits adultery. Jesus made it clear that it involved more than marital infiedlity. What about the LGBTQ+ movement and the Bible? Here is a link to a related video sermon: 7th Commandment: Love and Faithfulness.
Might the U.S.A. Be Gone by 2028? Are there prophetic reasons to believe that the USA will not last two complete presidential terms? Yes. There is a tradition attributed to the Hebrew prophet Elijah that humanity had 6,000 years to live before being replaced by God’s Kingdom. There are scriptures, writings in the Talmud, early Christian teachings that support this. Also, even certain Hindu writings support it. Here is a link to a related video: Is the USA prophesied to be destroyed by 2028?
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. Two related sermon are available: Identifying the USA and its Destruction in Prophecy and 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.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from lower level leaders? Two related sermons are available The Work per HWA and the Bible and Priority of the Philadelphia Work.
Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word What is the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work.
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Near Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety,’ Zephaniah 2 to ‘gather together,’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on fleeing to a place–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory. Two sermon-length videos of related 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?
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.

(Unsplash photo)

COGwriter

Received several messages from contacts on Facebook who have suspected that friend requests that they received supposedly came from me were fake.

Well, they are fake.

While I receive Facebook friend requests multiple times per week, I have not sent out any Facebook friend requests myself to anyone for over a decade.

How can you tell that the request is fake?

For one, the faker has put a dove with an olive branch symbol over a globe on my picture. Notice:

That dove on a globe picture is not on my actual Facebook page.

Furthermore, while I have over 1,000 “Facebook Friends” on my actual page, the fake version of me only had 41 when I checked this morning.

I also have reported this fake page to Facebook. This type of fake, I later learned, is called “catfishing.” Trying to catch someone by pretending to be someone they know or heard of.

As many of you are aware, we have warned about the emergence of deepfakes for some time now. Back in 2021, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put out the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

13:27

Lies and Deepfakes

Jesus taught that God’s prophets would be reviled and spoken evil of. He also warned that the devil was a liar that worked to take the word of God away from those who heard it. The Apostle Paul warned that “evil men and seducers would wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13, KJV). He also warned that letters purported from him with false messages were an issue. COG leader Serapion of Antioch denounced a gospel falsely attributed to the Apostle Peter as pseudepigrapha. With the internet, lies can spread faster than before. With technology, like artificial intelligence, can we expect to see deepfakes that will make it look like Christian leaders say or do things that they did not? Do you, “prove all things” so you will not fall from the coming increased deceit? Will YOU hold fast to that which is good or be one who “loves and practices a lie’? Dr. Thiel refers to aspects of modern technology and various scriptures to warn Christians to not be misled by what is coming.

Here is a link to the video: Lies and Deepfakes.

Earlier this year, I was presented with what I considered to be a “deepfake” computer-conversation related to another CCOG leader that I was able to determine could not have happened as it was presented to myself and others. Sadly, however, some preferred to believe the lie.

The Bible warns against:

15 … idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. (Revelation 22:15)

Jesus once said to some near Him:

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.  (John 8:44)

Whoever is pretending to be me has the devil as his/her father.

Speaking of fakes and Facebook, yesterday I received a Facebook friend request from a name and photo I recognized in the Church of God, so I accepted the request. Then, when this person tried to push to sell me something today on the Sabbath, I realized that this, too, was a fake. So, I “unfriended” her (or him, as with a fake, it is hard to know who sent it).

Many use a variety of techniques to try to deceive.

The Apostle Paul warned:

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: … 13 … evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:1,13)

Yes, the emergence of various fakes is a sign of the last days.

It is sad that some wish to try to deceive others that way and other ways.

Yet, I believe that this is only the beginning as deepfakes will get worse consistent with the prophecy in 2 Timothy 3:13.