Archive for November, 2024

EU proposing another agency that would support ‘666’ controls

Monday, November 4th, 2024

(Pixabay photo)

COGwriter

While many are fixated on the US presidential election, other developments are happening around the world that look to have prophetic importance.

Consider that the European Union keeps taking steps to increase surveillance. According to the National Post, it now has proposed a new espionage agency:

The EU is Developing Its Own CIA

A report produced by the European Union (EU) has called on the bloc to create a new Europe-wide spy agency to fight against sabotage and other foreign threats. Former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö submitted the report to the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Niinistö calls on the EU to create a “fully-fledged intelligence cooperation service at the EU level that can serve both the strategic and operational needs ” and adds that a network is also needed to prevent the sabotage of critical infrastructure.

President Von der Leyen reacted to the report by saying, “We should build on improving the flow of information, information gathering, and intelligence gathering.” https://thenationalpulse.com/2024/11/02/the-eu-is-developing-its-own-cia/

This looks like another step that would help Europe implement/monitor totalitarian ‘666-type’ controls.

Earlier this year, the EU went for regulation of Artificial Intelligence (see CNBC: World’s first major act to regulate AI passed by European lawmakers).

While European Union leaders want to project the idea that their new agencies and rules will “would enable innovation, while safeguarding fundamental rights,” they will tend to have the opposite affect.

What we keep seeing looks to be preludes to 666.

The Bible teaches that Europe will reorganize to become a dictatorship:

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)

By having its own European spy agency, this is another way that Europe is trying to rise up.

The Bible prophesies that financial and other controls are coming to Europe. In the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John was told by Jesus to write the following:

15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. (Revelation 13:15-18)

Notice that buying and selling will be monitored and worship forced. It will take some type of group to do that, and that certainly would align with an espionage agency in Europe. 666 is a European power, the final revival of the Roman Empire (see also The European Union and the Seven Kings of Revelation 17). When Jesus had the Apostle John pen this 1900+ years ago, there was no way to monitor most buying and selling. With computer software, including AI, much is already being done, and more will be done. A totalitarian system is being put in place. Europe wants to lead it.

As far as 666 pointing to the Roman Empire, the first writing that has been found that suggests that a Roman, or Roman empire, is 666 was by Irenaeus, who claimed to have listened to Polycarp when he (Irenaeus) was a young man. Irenaeus wrote:

Then also Lateinos (LATEINOS) has the number six hundred and sixty-six; and it is a very probable [solution], this being the name of the last kingdom [of the four seen by Daniel]. For the Latins are they who at present bear rule: (Irenaeus. Adversus haereses, Book V, Chapter 30, Verse 3. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885).

The New Testament was written in Greek, and John penned the Book of Revelation on the Greek speaking island of Patmos (Revelation 1:9). They still speak Greek there. Anyway, adding up the values of the Greek letters for the word Lateinos brings you to 666:

 

L = 30 lambda
A = 1 alpha
T = 300 tau
E = 5 epsilon
I = 10 iota
N = 50 nu
O = 70 omicron
S = 200 sigma
——–
666

 

This is consistent with what the old Worldwide Church of God taught:

In the 2nd century A.D., Irenaeus, disciple of Polycarp, the Apostle John’s disciple, explained that in Greek the word Lateinos — meaning “Latin man” or Roman — adds up to 666. (L = 30; A = 1; T = 300; E = 5; I = 10; N = 50; 0 = 70; S = 200) This, he stated, was the, intent of the scripture.

The number 666 is thus anciently branded on the old Roman Empire and its revivals. (Stump KW. Just What Do You Mean… ANTICHRIST? Plain Truth, September 1981)

As far as tying that in with modern Europe, consider that back in 1962, Oxford published an article claiming a European Empire from Charlemagne (who headed up what was called the ‘Holy Roman Empire’) essentially became the European Economic Community, then also called the Common Market (Engelmann, Hugo O. “The European Empire: From Charlemagne to the Common Market.” Social Forces, vol. 40, no. 4, 1962, pp. 297–301). Notice something more recent:

The New Empire

Like the Holy Roman Empire, the European Union is not a nation-state — and it doesn’t control a large part of its member-states’ revenues or military resources. But the EU can coordinate collective defense … And it can manage other joint projects — again, just like the empire. (Tollen D. EU SUPERPOWER: THE NEW HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE. Pints of History, March 15, 2022)

Yes, Europe is a type of revival of the Roman Empire and the so-called ‘Holy Roman Empire.’ The European Beast will be the end time 666.

As far as 666 itself goes, it is the number of the first beast in Revelation 13 as distinguished from the Antichrist, who is the second, the two-horned beast, in the same chapter. And as Revelation 13 shows, the two-horned beast works with, and promotes, the seven-headed (and ten-horned) first beast in that chapter. While some have tried to state that the number is actually 616 and not 666:

the earliest extant Greek manuscripts of Revelation visually represented the number 666 either in longhand number- words (hexakosioi hexēkonta hex), or in alphabetic shorthand (χξϛ). (Winkl RE. Recalculating the Number of the Beast in Revelation 13:18. 2019 SBL INTERNATIONAL MEETING ABSTRACTS, July 2, 2019)

Yes, the number is 666. A number of imperfect humankind.

That said, please understand that the leader of the ten-horned Beast of Revelation 13:1-10 (see Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation) and the one called 666 in Revelation 13:10 is also the one who is the final King of the North. He is also called the ‘man of sin’ in 2 Thessalonians 2 (see also Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2?).

As we warned before, Europe has long been in the process of establishing an enforcer for 666 controls. We have a related video:

9:55

The European Union is in the process of establishing the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. This is a major, first-of-its-kind move, with the EU setting up a European-wide prosecutor’s office that will have power to investigate and charge people for financial crimes committed against the EU. It looks like this type of office may end up persecuting those that do not have the mark of the Beast when they “buy or sell” as that will later be considered a financial crime in Europe. What does 666 mean? How has that name been calculated? How can we be certain that this is a prophecy for Europe and not Islam? Is the appointment of this new office of significant prophetic importance? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more by pointing to scriptures, news items, and historical accounts.

Here is a link to the sermonette video: EU Setting Up 666 Enforcer?

Europe has set up such an office with that ability.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office officially started operations on 1 June 2021 (https://www.eppo.europa.eu/en/background).

A major spy agency would also seem to be part of 666 monitoring, and that is now been proposed.

Europe is taking steps.

Related to financial monitoring, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put out the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

9:03

EU to be ‘Sheriff’ of BitCoin & Digital Currencies

Will Bitcoin remain unregulated? The European Union does not think it should be and it released a paper titled “Proposal for EU Regulation on Markets in Crypto-Assets.” Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, earlier endorsed EU regulation of crypto and digital currencies. A Belgian declared that the EU was the “new Sheriff in town” to deal with the “wild west” of Bitcoin, blockchain, and other cryptocurrencies. The European Union now also has the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in operation, mainly to deal with financial matters? Will the Europeans end up controlling buying and selling associated with 666 in Revelation 13:16-18? Is Europe taking preliminary steps to do so now? Dr. Thiel address these issues.

Here is a link to our video: EU to be ‘Sheriff’ of BitCoin & Digital Currencies.

Steps towards 666 in Europe are taking place.

Are YOU paying attention? Things are changing and will not remain as they have.

Remember to pray, as Jesus said (Matthew 6:10), for God’s Kingdom to come.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2024, 2025, or 2026? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede la Gran Tribulación comenzar en el 2020 o 2021? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? A related video is: Great Tribulation: 2026 or 2027? A shorter video is: Can the Great Tribulation start in 2022 or 2023? Notice also: Can Jesus return in 2023 or 2024? Here is a video in the Spanish language: Es El 2021 el año  de La Gran Tribulación o el Grande Reseteo Financiero.
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. It is available in over 1,000 languages at ccog.org. Here are links to four kingdom-related sermons:  The Fantastic Gospel of the Kingdom of God!, The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
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? Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: El Fin de la Babilonia Europea.
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.
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? Will Philadelphian Christians instruct many in the end times? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work. Here is a link to another: Preparing to Instruct Many.
Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2? Is this the King of the North, the ten-horned beast of Revelation 13:1-11, or the two-horned Beast of Revelation 13:12-16? Some rely on traditions, but what does the Bible teach? Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Quién es el Hombre de Pecado de 2 Tesalonicenses 2?; here here are links to videos in Spanish: ¿Quién es el Hombre de Pecado de 2 Tesalonicenses 2? and ¿Quién es el ‘hombre de pecado’? Here is a version in Mandarin: N;ÿ Œf/’Y’jNº’ÿ Here is a link to a related English sermon video titled: The Man of Sin will deceive most ‘Christians’.
The European Union and the Seven Kings of Revelation 17 Could the European Union be the sixth king that now is, but is not? Here is a link to the related sermon video: European Union & 7 Kings of Revelation 17:10.
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? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about the peoples of 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.

Robert F. Kennedy., Jr. proposing fluoride removal and Donald Trump says it sounds okay to him

Monday, November 4th, 2024


COGwriter

CNN reported the following:

RFK Jr. says fluoride is ‘an industrial waste’ linked to cancer, diseases and disorders. Here’s what the science says

November 4, 2024

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. waded into another scientific debate on Saturday by saying Donald Trump’s administration would advise that fluoride be removed from the country’s water supplies if the former president wins Tuesday’s presidential election.

“On January 20, the Trump White House will advise all U.S​. water systems to remove fluoride from public water. Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease,” Kennedy, a former independent presidential candidate, wrote in a social media post. …

At a campaign rally in New York last week, Trump said he would let Kennedy “go wild on health,” “go wild on the food” and “go wild on medicines.” At a rally in Michigan on Friday, Trump said Kennedy would “have a big role in health care” and has “some views that I happen to agree with very strongly.”

Here’s what health experts are weighing as the public health practice of adding fluoride to America’s water supply comes under increased scrutiny. …

A federal judge in September ordered the US Environmental Protection Agency to take additional measures to regulate fluoride in drinking water because of a possible risk that higher levels of the mineral could affect children’s intellectual development. …

And experts agree that despite the politicization of the issue, more research is needed to understand the effect on fluoride – not just on young children, but for the general population as well.

Dr. Ashley Malin, assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology in the University of Florida’s College of Public Health and Health Professions, told CNN in an email that “protecting vulnerable populations from environmental toxicants is a nonpartisan matter that should remain informed by the current state of the science.”

“I think that health effects of fluoride on young children, particularly in the realm of neurodevelopment have been sufficiently studied such that it has now been identified that a hazard to child IQ is present. However, I would argue that more research is needed to better understand impacts of chronic low level fluoride exposure on adult health outcomes because that research is scarce,” Malin said. …

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends community water fluoridation as a cost-effective way to improve Americans’ oral health.

Exposure to fluoride above the public health recommended amount over many years can result in skeletal fluorosis, a condition that is rare in the US and that causes weaker bones and joint pain. Too much fluoride can also lead to dental fluorosis, which is cosmetic and can lead to the outer enamel layer of the tooth to have white specks or lines. …

The mineral can help prevent tooth decay by strengthening the protective outer layer of enamel that can be worn away by acids formed by bacteria, plaque and sugars in the mouth. Adding fluoride to public water systems first started in the United States in 1945. …

Recent reports suggest the benefits of adding fluoride to water supplies may not be as significant as they once were, https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/03/health/rfk-jr-fluoride-science/index.html

Here is a report from the UK:

4 November 2024

Donald Trump would push to remove fluoride from drinking water on his first day in office if elected, former independent candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr declared on Saturday.

Kennedy, a prominent proponent of debunked public health claims whom Trump has promised will “take care of health” in his administration, made the declaration on X, claiming that fluoride was “an industrial waste” linked to a variety of health conditions. …

As with any chemical compound, ingestion of fluoride at high levels can have adverse effects, such as skeletal fluorosis, a condition in which fluoride is incorporated into the bones, and dental fluorosis. These only occur with chronic exposure to fluoride at far higher levels than the safe drinking limits.

“Everything is a poison at high enough levels – even water,” Jones said.

In August, the US’s National Toxicology Program released a review suggesting a link between fluoride exposure above 1.5mg of fluoride per litre of water and lower IQ in children. …

Germany stopped fluoridating its water in the 1970s and never reintroduced it, but since 1991 has sold salt with added fluoride. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/04/fluoride-explainer-what-is-us-election-donald-trump-robert-f-kennedy-jr#:~:text=Fluoride%20is%20a%20mineral%20found,strengthens%20teeth%20and%20prevents%20cavities.

Medical News Today has the following about fluoride:

Thyroid problems

In some cases, excess fluoride can damage the parathyroid gland. This can result in hyperparathyroidism, which involves uncontrolled secretion of parathyroid hormones.

This can result in a depletion of calcium in bone structures and higher-than-normal concentrations of calcium in the blood.

Lower calcium concentrations in bones make them more susceptible to fractures.

Neurological problems

In 2017, a report was published suggesting that exposure to fluoride before birth could lead toTrusted Source poorer cognitive outcomes in the future.

The researchers measured fluoride levels in 299 women during pregnancy and in their children between the ages of 6 and 12 years. They tested cognitive ability at the ages of 4 years and between 6 and 12 years. Higher levels of fluoride were associated with lower scores on IQ tests.

In 2014, fluoride was documented as a neurotoxin that could be hazardousTrusted Source to child development, along with 10 other industrial chemicals, including lead, arsenic, toluene, and methylmercury.

Other health problems

According to the International Association of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), an organization that campaigns against the use of added fluoride, it may also contribute to the following health problems:

  • acne and other skin problems
  • cardiovascular problems, including arteriosclerosis and arterial calcification, high blood pressure, myocardial damage, cardiac insufficiency, and heart failure
  • reproductive issues, such as lower fertility and early puberty in girls
  • thyroid dysfunction
  • conditions affecting the joints and bones, such as osteoarthritis, bone cancer, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
  • neurological problems, possibly leading to ADHD

One review describes fluorideTrusted Source as an “extreme electron scavenger” with an “insatiable appetite for calcium.” The researchers call for the balance of risks and benefits to be reconsidered.

Fluoride poisoning

Acute, high-level exposure to fluoride can lead to:

  • abdominal pain
  • excessive saliva
  • nausea and vomiting
  • seizures and muscle spasms

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154164 viewed 11/04/24

While fluoride is a necessary mineral and safe in small quantities, it can function as a neurotoxin.

Natural health advocates have warned about the dangers of dumping fluoride waste into the water supply.

Decades ago, I had a neighbor who was a dentist who argued with me that my children needed fluoride toothpaste for their dental health. And while that might help some, I told him that this was not needed for my children. He strongly disagreed. He is now dead, so the fact that my nearly forty year old son never had any cavities would not impress him. Let me add it was not because of avoiding added fluoride that our oldest son has no cavities, dental hygiene as well as dietary choices, including the consumption of goat’s milk look to have been the reasons.

Now, in a book I first wrote in the year 2000, Combining Old And New: Naturopathy For The 21st Century, I blasted the mainstream scientists who asserted it was a sign of a quack to oppose fluoridation of the water supply and suggest that “fluoridation is dangerous.” Well, in my book I cited scientific research that debunked the myth that there was only benefits and no harm from fluoride to humans.

Now, decades later, more scientists are recognizing that, though many still advocate for it.

Consuming a good diet, which includes some foods that naturally contain fluoride, is the better way to go.

Fluoridating water is simply not something that tends to benefit adults and there seem to be various risks to them as well as children.

If governments were following the principle of ‘first do no harm,’ they would have stopped dumping fluoride into the water supply in the first place and advocated other approaches to reducing dental caries (cavities).

Related to health in general, without directly discussing fluoride, the Continuing Church of God put out the following sermon on its ContinuingCOG channel:

1:20:07

Let’s Talk About Health

While the Bible focuses on the spiritual, it also has information on the physical. Does God want Christians to be in good health? What about the use of medications? What about supporting the immune system? Should Christians smoke or use marijuana? What about alcohol? Are there any risks from electromagnetic fields (EMF) or radiofrequency (RF) radiation? What about cellular telephones and 5G? Are Christians supposed to exercise? Can exercise improve brain function and reduce the risk of cognitive decline? Are we to avoid laziness and minimize junk foods? Does the Bible condemn obesity and gluttony? What can help with weight loss? Can you eat too much honey according to scripture? Are there health benefits to fasting? Should we rest on the Sabbath, honor our parents, avoid sexual immorality, and keep God’s commandments? What about prayer and health? Dr. Thiel discusses these matters and concludes by summarizing 26 matters for Christian health.

Here is a link to the sermon: Let’s Talk About Health.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Christian Health Matters Should Christians be concerned about their health? Does the Bible give any food and health guidelines? Here are links to three related sermons: Let’s Talk About Food, Evil is Affecting the Food Supply, and Let’s Talk About Health.

Should you rejoice in what God cannot do?

Monday, November 4th, 2024


(From Public Domain Pictures)

COGwriter

In one his newsletters, Mike Gendron had the following:

Rejoicing in What God Cannot Do

Our righteous and holy God is worthy to be praised for all He has done, is doing, and will do in carrying out His gracious and merciful plan of redemption. However, there are also things God cannot do. As His adopted children, we can rejoice with hearts of thanksgiving because He cannot go against who He is.

God Cannot Violate His Holy Character and Nature

This should give every child of God complete and immovable confidence because God always does what is consistent with who He is and all that He has revealed in His Word. He is utterly incapable of unrighteous, unholy or unjust acts. “His work is perfect, for all His ways are just” (Deut. 32:4).

God cannot stop existing. He depends on nothing for His existence. He exists independently of His creation and all of His creation depends entirely on Him for its existence. He is from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 90:2). “To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever” because from Him and through Him and to Him are all things (Rev. 1:6; Rom. 11:36).

God cannot lie. In fact, it is impossible for God to lie (Heb. 6:18; Titus 1:2). God is truth and His Word, which is forever settled in heaven, is truth (John 14:6, 17:17). God cannot be tempted by evil (James 1:13).

We should rejoice because of that.

One song that comes to mind (and is in the old WCG hymnal, as well as CCOG’s hymnal with the title Oh Give Thanks and Praise the Eternal!) is based on 1 Chronicles 16:8-13 upon which says:

8 Oh, give thanks to the LORD!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
10 Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!
11 Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!
12 Remember His marvelous works which He has done,
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
13 O seed of Israel His servant,
You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!

Those of us who understand God’s plan of salvation, should be thankful for being part of those chosen in this age. This is consistent with the following admonition from the Book of Psalms and one from Saint Paul:

4 Sing praise to the LORD, You saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name (Psalm 30:4).

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Anyway, the Bible is full of admonitions to give thanks to God. In the NKJV the term “give thanks” is used 40 times and the term “giving thanks” is used 5 times–and nearly all of these verses are discussing giving thanks to God. The term “thanksgiving” is used 24 times. Here are a few of them:

14 Offer to God thanksgiving (Psalms 50:14).

30 I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving. (Psalms 69:30)

2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. 3 For the Lord is the great God, And the great King above all gods. (Psalms 95:2-3)

4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. (Psalms 100:4-5)

Do you want to do something good? It is good to thank God:

1 It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
2 To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night,
3 On an instrument of ten strings,
On the lute,
And on the harp,
With harmonious sound. (Psalm 92:1-3)

It is good and easy to thank God!

The Apostle Paul wrote:

3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; (Philippians 1:3-6)

Give thanks and praise the Eternal!

The Continuing Church of God has this sermon from on its ContinuingCOG YouTube channel:


1:14:34

Are you thankful? Does the Bible teach that you are supposed to be? What did Dibar Apartian write was ‘the most common sin’? What does the Bible say about thanks and praise? Is ingratitude warned against? Is unthankfulness prophesied? Can the thankful commit the unpardonable sin? What should you be thankful for? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.

Here is a link to the sermon: Ingratitude and Giving Thanks.

God is love (1 John 4:8,16) and His loving plan will come to pass.

To learn more about it, check out the free online books:The Gospel of the Kingdom of God and The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You?

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Giving Thanks Are Christians supposed to give thanks? Why? Is unthankfulness warned against? Here is a link to a related sermon titled: Ingratitude and Giving Thanks.
Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian This is a scripture-filled booklet for those wishing to live as a real Christian. A related sermon is also available: Christians are Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God.
Living as a Christian: How and Why? In what ways do Christians live differently than others. What about praying, fasting, tithing, holy days, and the world? There are also two YouTube video related to this: Living as a Christian: How and Why? and Living as a Christian: Pure Milk of the Word.
Living as a Christian: Strong Meat Can you handle solid spiritual food? A related sermon is available: Strong Meat: James 1-2 and Strong Meat: James 3-5.
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.
Praises to Jesus Christ or Biblical Hymns: Which Should Christians Primarily Sing? This biblical article on music is in response to an advertisement critical of WCG’s 1974 The Bible Hymnal. It also address early church practices here.
The Bible Hymnal via Amazon. This is the paperback edition of the hymnal used by the Continuing Church of God. It consists of all the songs that were part of the 1974 edition of ‘The Bible Hymnal’ used by the old Worldwide Church of God, plus ten other hymns that Herbert Armstrong approved that were written by Ross Jutsum. The songs in this book are essentially the Psalms and other passages in the Bible set to music. To access it free online, click: The Bible Hymnal. Amazon sells a hard copy of The Bible Hymnal for $8.99.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You? This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have, including the biblical meaning of life. Here is a link to three related sermons: Mysteries of God’s Plan, Mysteries of Truth, Sin, Rest, Suffering, and God’s Plan, Mystery of Race, and The Mystery of YOU.

Donald Tusk basically says the US election is irrelevant–Europe must strengthen its military

Sunday, November 3rd, 2024


Donald Tusk
(White House photo via Wikipedia)

COGwriter

Former European Union Council President and the current Prime Minister of Poland says the EU needs to handle its own security without the US:

US geopolitical control of EU is over – Polish PM

3 November 2024

The age of European countries “outsourcing” their security to America has come to an end, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned. It does not matter whether the US presidential election is won by Democrat Kamala Harris or her Republican rival Donald Trump, he added.

Tusk, who served as European Council president from 2014 to 2019, made the remarks in a post on X on Saturday, just days before the November 5 vote in the US.

“Harris or Trump? Some claim that the future of Europe depends on the American elections, while it depends first and foremost on us,” he wrote.

But the EU will only be able to take things into its own hands if it “finally grows up and believes in its own strength,” the prime minister stressed.

“Whatever the outcome [of the US election], the era of geopolitical outsourcing is over” for Europe, Tusk insisted. …

Earlier this week, the head of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, David McAllister, told Deutsche Welle that the bloc should be prepared for both possible outcomes of the vote in America.

“The tone would be different, but I am certain a Harris administration would also call for Europeans to do more for our own security and defense,” McAllister said. https://www.rt.com/news/606933-trump-harris-eu-tusk/

Donald Trump pushed Europe to do so in the past, but so did the Obama-Biden Administration and the Biden-Harris Administration. It is just that Donald Trump was more public about it and more serious about consequences to Europe to not do so. And Kamala Harris has suggested she supports Europe spending more on its defense.

The US needs to be careful what it asks for as this will not end well for the US nor its British-descended allies.

As pointed out here repeatedly on this COGwriter Church of God News page, the Bible shows that the coming European King of the North will have a “great army” (Daniel 11:25) and “many ships” (Daniel 11:40).

Once the European Beast power uses his forces to fulfill prophecies, such as are in Daniel 11:39-43, the world will marvel because it thought that Europe was basically dead from a military perspective:

1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:1-4)

The European plan is for Europe to be a strong military power independent of the USA. And one that the Bible shows will ultimately defeat the USA (Daniel 11:39; see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses).

Although many in the USA and elsewhere act like that is not possible, those of us who understand certain aspects of biblical prophecy realize that the Bible shows that:

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

The “he” above is the European King of the North. In the 21st century, the “strongest fortresses” belong to the USA and its British-descended allies (cf. Daniel 8:24-25; Isaiah 17:3)–and notice that the Bible says that the power with the strongest fortresses will be defeated.

Steps to create a great European army are being taken now, with plans to do more in the future.

Of course some believe, that despite WWI, WWII, and previous massive wars, that Europe would never start WWIII. Yet, this overlooks a biblical prophecy related to a people that now dominate central Europe (see Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History):

5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. 6 I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.

8 For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings? 9 Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus? 10 As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria; 11 Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols? (Isaiah 10:5-11, KJV)

The USA is sometimes prophetically referred to as Samaria (and sometimes as Manasseh) in biblical prophecy (for details, watch USA in Prophecy: Samaria). So, even though Germanic-led Europe (referred to as Assyria above) does not seem to wish to do this (Isaiah 10:7), according to biblical prophecy it will come to pass. The USA will be defeated (cf. Daniel 11:39; see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses) as will the UK (which is often referred to as Ephraim in biblical prophecies such as Isaiah 17:3). Notice also:

9 The children of Ephraim, being armed and carrying bows,
Turned back in the day of battle.
10 They did not keep the covenant of God;
They refused to walk in His law,
11 And forgot His works
And His wonders that He had shown them. (Psalm 78:9-11)

9 All the people will know —
Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria —
Who say in pride and arrogance of heart:
10 ‘The bricks have fallen down,
But we will rebuild with hewn stones;
The sycamores are cut down,
But we will replace them with cedars.”
11 Therefore the Lord shall set up
The adversaries of Rezin against him,
And spur his enemies on,
12 The Syrians before and the Philistines behind;
And they shall devour Israel with an open mouth.

For all this His anger is not turned away,
But His hand is stretched out still.

13 For the people do not turn to Him who strikes them,
Nor do they seek the Lord of hosts.
14 Therefore the Lord will cut off head and tail from Israel,
Palm branch and bulrush in one day. (Isaiah 9:9-14)

The European Beast army will be very destructive.

The Bible tells of a coming time of massive devastation:

23 ‘The whole land is brimstone, salt, and burning; it is not sown, nor does it bear, nor does any grass grow there, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in His anger and His wrath.’ (Deuteronomy 29:23)

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

The above descriptions are consistent with a nuclear or similar attack. Manasseh represents the USA and Ephraim its British-descended allies (see our free online book: Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America?). THIS HAS NOT YET HAPPENED IN HISTORY AND IS A PROPHECY FOR OUR TIME.

It has long been my view that Europe will likely one day attack the USA and/or the UK under the guise of a NATO (or some other defense treaty) exercise and use nuclear bombers. And yes, German-dominated Europe would be willing to use USA nuclear bombs against the USA, UK, and Canada!

While now is not the time–“the end it not yet” (Matthew 24:6; see also When Will the Great Tribulation Begin?)–the Germans and others in Europe have access to nuclear weaponry and other technology, to make this come to pass.

We have video related to this:


15:27

It is reported that the Germans are looking for a new bomber to be able to be used to deliver US B61-12 atomic bombs. Does Germany already have access to American nuclear weapons it can now use? What about Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands? Has there been increased interest in more independent European nuclear capacity since the election of US President Donald Trump? What has Berthold Kohler, Herbert W. Armstrong, Nigel Farage, Jean-Claude Juncker, and Maximilian Terhalle said about Europe’s militaristic ambitions? What about Bible prophecy? Could the Great Tribulation begin with a thermonuclear strike? What has Time, NTI, and Global Research reported about European nuclear weapons available to European nations? Is a nuclear attack consistent with prophecies? Might the coming Beast use nuclear weapons against the USA? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.

Here is a link to the sermonette video: Nuclear bombers for the Beast?

Many want Europe to become a major military power. The USA is making the Europeans nervous. An unintended consequence of Trump-Pence Administration and Biden-Harris Administration policies, as well as Russia’s ‘special military operation’ into Ukraine, has been to get the Europeans to take steps to serious be a military power independent of the USA.

More leaders in Europe are publicly looking to do so.

This will not end well for the USA (cf. Daniel 11:39) nor its British-descended allies (cf. Daniel 8:24-25; Isaiah 17:3).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here 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.
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? Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: El Fin de la Babilonia Europea.
The European Union and the Seven Kings of Revelation 17 Could the European Union be the sixth king that now is, but is not? Here is a link to the related sermon video: European Union & 7 Kings of Revelation 17:10.
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. Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: ¿Deben los Diez Reyes gobernar sobre diez naciones? A related sermon in the English language is titled: Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
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 video is also available: 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.
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.

‘Bird flu’ seemingly infected pig in US–why is that a concern for scientists?

Sunday, November 3rd, 2024


Birds that have been put down because of avian influenza.
(Photo by Roee Shpernik)

Science News reported:

Why finding bird flu in a U.S. pig for the first time is raising new worries

The animals can act as “mixing vessels” for human and bird flu viruses

At least one pig has picked up bird flu amid an outbreak in poultry on a backyard farm in central Oregon.

While the infection appears limited to one farm so far, the discovery has raised new alarm bells thanks to pigs’ role as a kind of mixing pot for influenza viruses, potentially leading to genetic mutations that can put people at risk. …

The risk to people comes from pigs’ long-time standing as flu “mixing vessels.” Influenza viruses break into cells by attaching to a sugar called sialic acid. Viruses from birds and humans typically bind to different kinds of these sialic acid receptors. As a result, avian flus usually aren’t great at infecting people, and vice versa.

But pigs have both birdlike and humanlike receptors, making them susceptible to not only swine-specific flu strains but also to viruses from birds and humans. If a bird virus and a human virus were to infect the same pig, this provides an opportunity for the viruses to swap genes in a process called reassortment. That can help avian flus adapt in ways that make them better at infecting people, with sometimes devastating consequences.

Pigs are the suspected source of the strain behind the 1918 influenza pandemic (SN: 10/27/21). And the 2009 “swine flu” pandemic started in pigs (SN: 5/22/09). A reassortment event may have also happened prior to the ongoing cattle outbreak (SN: 5/16/24). 11/01/24 https://www.sciencenews.org/article/influenza-pig-bird-flu-us

The Bible teaches that humans are not to eat pigs (Deuteronomy 14:8)–but because many do, there are a lot of diseases that have been passed to humans (see also The New Testament Church, History, and Unclean Meats).

Now, it is not just pigs that look to be affected by the bird flu. Here is information from the US Centers for Disease Control related to animal cases of the ‘bird flu’:

Detections in Animals

  • 10,465 wild birds detected as of 10/30/2024 | Full Report
  • 51 jurisdictions with bird flu in wild birds
  • 104,034,751 poultry affected as of 11/1/2024 | Full Report
  • 48 states with outbreaks in poultry
  • 403 dairy herds affected as of 10/31/2024 | Full Report

Before getting back to pigs, notice something the Michael Snyder wrote this past Spring:

There Is More To This Current Bird Flu Panic Than Meets The Eye

April 18, 2024

Why are global health officials issuing such ominous warnings about the bird flu?  Do they know something that the rest of us do not?  H5N1 has been circulating all over the planet for several years now, and it has been the worst outbreak that the world has ever seen.  Hundreds of millions of birds are already dead, and now H5N1 has been infecting mammals with alarming regularity.  The good news is that so far it has not been a serious threat to humans, but could that soon change?  According to the World Health Organization, the possibility that H5N1 could start spreading among humans is an “enormous concern”

The fact that so many different types of mammals are now being infected is definitely alarming.

But perhaps cows would not be getting infected if we were not literally feeding them chicken crap

As epidemiologists scramble to figure out how dairy cows throughout the Midwest became infected with a strain of highly pathogenic avian flu — a disease that has decimated hundreds of millions of wild and farmed birds, as well as tens of thousands of mammals across the planet — they’re looking at a standard “recycling” practice employed by thousands of farmers across the country: The feeding of animal waste and parts to livestock raised for human consumption.

“It seems ghoulish, but it is a perfectly legal and common practice for chicken litter — the material that accumulates on the floor of chicken growing facilities — to be fed to cattle,” said Michael Hansen, a senior scientist with Consumers Union.

It is not known if eating chicken crap is why so many cows in so many different states are being infected with H5N1. 04/18/24 https://endoftheamericandream.com/there-is-more-to-this-current-bird-flu-panic-than-meets-the-eye/

One of the reasons that ‘mad cow disease’ came about was because humans fed cows ground up dead cows and sheep. Including infected ones.

Yet, cows naturally will not eat meat. A cow would die before trying to eat a dead cow or sheep.

Yet, because of greed, some figured out that if they ground animals up and mixed it with often sweetened grains, then cows would eat it and get fatter, quicker.

Because of the emergence of mad cow disease, that practice was stopped.

But greed still prevailed as many then switched to using ground up chicken feathers and chicken manure in the feed of cows.

The Bible warns:

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, (1 Timothy 6:10)

Improperly feeding cows that which is against nature is evil.

And there have already been consequences.

That said, another reason that scientists would be concerned about pigs getting the bird flu is basically because in many years the strain of the flu that affects humans tends to come pigs and birds from South-Eastern Asia.

Yet, unlike most strains of the flu, the morality rate (death rate) of humans that get it is very high:

What can I expect if I have bird flu?

Some people with bird flu only have mild symptoms, or even no symptoms at all. But many people get severely ill. You may need to stay in the hospital so a healthcare team can monitor your symptoms and treat you for complications right away.

What’s the mortality rate of bird flu?

The mortality (death) rate for bird flu in humans is high — over 50% for all known cases worldwide. This means half of all people diagnosed with bird flu die from it. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22401-bird-flu accessed 11/03/24

Here is something else from Michael Snyder:

Authorities at the WHO are warning that the death rate would be “extraordinarily high” if such an outbreak were to occur…

Experts at the WHO said humans face an ‘extraordinarily high’ mortality rate if the strain were to take hold, currently killing more than half of those infected.

I agree.

The bird flu is very dangerous, and if it starts spreading among humans on a widespread basis a lot of people will die. 04/18/24 https://endoftheamericandream.com/there-is-more-to-this-current-bird-flu-panic-than-meets-the-eye/

Well, biblically we know a worse pandemic than COVID-19 is coming. The avian flu has already been a contributing factor for food price inflation. https://www.blacklistednews.com/article/85872/and-now-bird-flu-pandemic-could-be-100-times-worse-than-covid-scientists.html

Jesus warned:

6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:6-8)

As I posted over a year and a half ago:

The bird flu looks to be consistent with Jesus’ words. (Thiel B. ‘World’s poultry supply threatened as bird flu spreads’ ‘Will bird flu spark the next pandemic?’. COGwriter, February 19, 2023)

Now the Bible in the Book of Revelation warns:

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

The “beasts of the earth” include disease epidemics. Notice also the death rate. This will be many, many times worse than COVID.

Related to the bird flu, here is a video we just produced:

14:44

Bird Flu and 4th Horseman’s Ride

The World Health Organization (WHO) is greatly concerned that the avian flu (H5N1) is passing to cows and goats and then to humans. Have farmers done anything, like feeding chicken manure, to cows that might have affected them? Were unnatural feedings of ground up animals to cows (which are vegetarians) the cause of ‘mad cow disease’? Does the avian flu have an exceedingly high mortality rate for humans? Have any scientists suggested bird flu could be 100 times worse than COVID? Are the USA and China working on making bird flu more infectious? If so, why? Can scientists control all that can happen with biological experiments? Did Jesus warn about pestilences? Could scientists, farmers, corporations, governments, or just regular consumers cause diseases like what will happen during the ride of the fourth horseman of the Apocalypse? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie address these topics.

Here is a link to the video: Bird Flu and 4th Horseman’s Ride.

Humans, directly or indirectly, will be a factor in the coming more severe pestilences.

If humans did not eat pigs, there would be less disease.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The New Testament Church, History, and Unclean Meats Are foods considered to have been unclean in the Old Testament considered to be food in the New Testament? This article discusses this from the perspective of the New Testament. It also has a list of clean and unclean animals. It also answers the question, is pork healthy or is pork dangerous? There is also a sermon-length video on this: Christians and Unclean Meats; three short videos are also available: Did Jesus declare all animal flesh food?, Should Christians Eat Insects?, and COVID, Pandemics, and Unclean Meat.
GMOs and Bible Prophecy What are GMOs? Since they were not in the food supply until 1994, how could they possibly relate to Bible prophecy? Do GMOs put the USA and others at risk? Here are some related videos: GMO Risks and the Bible and GMOs, Lab meat, Hydrogenation: Safe or Dangerous?
Chimeras: Has Science Crossed the Line? What are chimeras?  Has science crossed the line? Does the Bible give any clues? A video of related interest is Half human, half pig: What’s the difference?  and Human-Monkey Embryos and Death.
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse What do each of the four horseman of the Apocalypse represent? Have they began their ride? Did Jesus discuss the any of this? Might their rides coincide with the “beginning of sorrows? Do they start their ride prior to the Great Tribulation? Did Nostradamus or any other ‘private prophets’ write predictions that may mislead people so that they may not understand the truth of one or more of the four horseman? There is also a related YouTube video titled Sorrows and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Here is a link to a shorter video: These Signs of the 4 Horsemen Have Begun.
Biological Warfare and Prophecy Is biological warfare possible? Was it prophesied? Scientists have long warned that pathogenic organisms like the coronavirus could be weaponized. Furthermore, back in 2017, there were concerns that the biological research facility being constructed in Wuhan, China was risky and that a coronavirus from it could be released. On January 25, 2020, China’s President Xi Jinping publicly stated that the situation with the Wuhan-related strain of the coronavirus was grave. Did Church of God writers like the late evangelist Raymond McNair warn that engineered viruses (the “Doomsday bug”) were consistent with prophecies from Jesus? Did a warning from CCOG leader Bob Thiel warn about risks of genetically-modified (GMO) mosquitoes come to pass? Could human research and/or the consumption of biblically-unclean animals such as bats and snakes be a factor in current outbreaks or coming future pestilences? What about famines? How devastating have pestilences been? How devastating are the prophesied ones going to be? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more in this video.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2024, 2025, or 2026? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede la Gran Tribulación comenzar en el 2020 o 2021? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? A related video is: Great Tribulation: 2026 or 2027? A shorter video is: Tribulation in 2024? Here is a video in the Spanish language: Es El 2021 el año  de La Gran Tribulación o el Grande Reseteo Financiero.

BibleNewsProphecy: Are dead babies saved, lost, or awaiting the resurrection?

Sunday, November 3rd, 2024


Question Mark from Pixabay

COGwriter

Do you know what happens to babies who die?

Relatively few people know.

Growing up as a Roman Catholic, I was taught about Limbo. I was also told that certain Roman Catholics (such as Anne Catherine Emmerich) had even been given visions of it. Basically, the belief was that babies who die without being baptized as Greco-Roman Catholic were believed to go to a place where they did not suffer, but a place (known as limbus patrum) where they also did not receive the joys of being in God’s presence.

Protestants tend to believe that babies go straight to heaven upon death, though some believe that they deserve perdition in the fires of Gehenna.

As it turns out, it was the teaching of both the Catholics of Rome and the Protestants of the world on the status of dead infants that got me to look more closely at the old Worldwide Church Of God back in the early 1970s.

Related to the status of babies who die, the Continuing Church of God put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

14:51

Are dead babies saved, lost, or awaiting the resurrection?

What happens to babies when they die? Do they go to Limbo like the Church of Rome once taught? Do they go to heaven if they have not reached the ‘age of accountability’ like many Protestants teach? Do they go to fry in Gehenna fire for eternity for the ‘seed of sin’ in them as John Calvin asserted? Do all have to accept Jesus as Saviour to be saved per Acts 4:1-12? Will all babies that die be resurrected? Could there be a regeneration that lasts 100 years involving babies and others who were uncalled in this life? What about the Great White Throne judgment? What have Eastern Orthodox Catholics taught? What does the Continuing Church of God teach about babies who have died? What does the Bible teach? What did early Christians teach? Steve Dupuie and Dr. Thiel address these matters.

Here is a link to our video: Are dead babies saved, lost, or awaiting the resurrection?

Some items of possibly related interest may include:
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? A video of related interest may be: Are dead babies saved, lost, or awaiting the resurrection?
What Happens After Death? Is death like sleep, or is that a cultic idea? Can you speak to the dead? Here is a link to a related sermon: What really happens after death?
What Did Early Christians Understand About the Resurrections? Is there more than one future resurrection? Did early Christians teach a physical resurrection? Did early Christians teach three resurrections? Here is a link to a related sermon: Understanding the Resurrections.
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’.
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.
Study the Bible Course Lesson 15: What is “Hell”? What are the different words translated as “hell” in English? Does Gehenna mean something different than Hades. What happens? What about worms dying not?
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?
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.
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.

EU telling its residents to essentially be preppers in case of war or other emergencies

Saturday, November 2nd, 2024

Y2K food storage (UnSplash photo)

COGWriter

The European Union is telling its citizens to stock up on food and other emergency supplies:

EU Citizens Told To Stock Up In Case Of Chemical Or Nuclear Emergencies

A report is warning EU households to be prepared for cyberattacks and other potential disasters, including a nuclear conflict.

Citizens should start stockpiling three days’ worth of goods according to the report which was published on Wednesday by former Finnish President Sauli Niinisto.

The initiative is part of the EU’s push to make the bloc more resilient in the face of supposedly mounting threats, ranging from natural disasters to a major military conflict.

RT reports: The report encourages EU households to stockpile “basic self-sufficiency” goods that would last for at least 72 hours for fear of potential shortages in case of “armed aggression through conventional means” or other hostile activities such as “cyberattacks or the use of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear weapons.”

Brussels had tasked Finland’s former president earlier this year with assessing the EU’s security needs …

“One click can switch off power grids and plunge whole cities into the dark,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the presentation of the report.

The document also calls on the EU to boost its defense and spend around 20% of its common budget, currently worth around €1 trillion ($1.08 trillion) over seven years, on security and crisis preparedness.

Member States should strengthen their cooperation on European defense, jointly investing more to close long-standing gaps in our military and defense industrial readiness,” Niinisto said, 10/31/24 https://thepeoplesvoice.tv/eu-citizens-told-to-stock-up-in-case-of-chemical-or-nuclear-emergencies/

I suspect that the report was partially released to prepare EU residents for the fact that 1) the European Union wants a stronger military and 2) it has concerns that Donald Trump might win the US presidential election.

That said, this Summer it was reported that the government of Norway is storing food:

Norway to stockpile 82,500 tons of grain to prepare for famine and war

July 1, 2024

Norway’s finance minister, Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, and Agriculture and Food Minister Geir Pollestad signed a deal with four private companies to store 30,000 tons of grain in 2024 and 2025.

The companies involved will reportedly store the grain in existing facilities throughout the country, but it will be the property of the Norwegian government.

In a statement, the Agriculture and Food Ministry noted: “The building up of a contingency stock of food grains is about being prepared for the unthinkable.”

The government stated that the companies “are free to invest in new facilities and decide for themselves where they want to store the emergency grain, but they must make the grain available to the state if needed.”

They are apparently anticipating a potentially prolonged war or famine as they intend to sign additional stockpiling contracts that will help them reach their goal of stockpiling 82,500 tons of grain for their population of 5.6 million by the end of this decade. Pollestad said the idea is to “have enough grain for three months’ consumption by Norway’s population in a crisis situation that may arise.” https://www.naturalnews.com/2024-07-01-norway-stockpile-grain-famine-war.html

The Norwegian government … signed a deal to start stockpiling grain, saying the COVID-19 pandemic, a war in Europe and climate change have made it necessary.

The deal to store 30,000 tons of grain in 2024 and 2025 was signed by agriculture and food minister Geir Pollestad, finance minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum and four private companies. The wheat, which will belong to the Norwegian government, will be stored in already existing facilities by the companies in facilities across the country. Three of the companies will store at least 15,000 tons this year. …

Norway will sign further stockpiling contracts in the coming years, with the goal of building up the reserve until 2029. The aim is to have some 82,500 tons of grain in storage by the end of the decade “so that we then have enough grain for three months’ consumption by Norway’s population in a crisis situation that may arise,” Pollestad told Norwegian broadcaster NRK.

Norway has 5.6 million people.

Last year, the Scandinavian nation said it would spend 63 million kroner ($6 million) per year on stocking up on grain.

Norway had stored grain in the 1950s but closed down its storage sites in 2003 after deciding they were no longer needed.  … When announcing their intention to ramp up their stockpiling efforts last year, Pollestad told the Norwegian news agency NTB: “In a situation with extreme prices on the world market, it will still be possible to buy grain, but if we have done our job, we will not be so dependent on the highest bidder at auction. We can help keep prices down.”06/25/24 https://apnews.com/article/norway-stockpiling-grain-ukraine-food-security-ac874122f2f2fb43e7d1332c1a51f0e6

This, in my view, is a wise move by Norway. We have seen a lot of food price inflation over the past couple of years.

Jesus prophesied war and famines (Matthew 24:7) and the Bible shows that it is wise to prepare by having stored food–even ants do that:

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, 7 Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, 8 Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. (Proverbs 6:6-8)

The Book of Revelation says that there will be more food price inflation:

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

Food price inflation has hit in many places, but will worsen.

We put together the following related video:

14:44

3rd Horseman of the Apocalypse and Food

There are reports about food price inflation around the world. While it is worsening in many areas, some believe it will improve in 2023. Instead, could prices continue to rise in 2023 and get much worse in 2024 and thereafter? What are the causes of food price inflation? Is there any connection between weather, government policies, fertilizer prices, energy costs, economic sanctions and food price inflation? What are we seeing in reports from the United Kingdom, Hungary, and South Africa? What about impacts from Russia’s ‘special military operation’ into Ukraine? Could EU and/or USA policies be effecting any of this? Is the ‘black horse’ the one associated with famine, food shortages, and food price inflation in the Book of Revelation? Are there any physical lessons we can learn from ants according to the Book of Proverbs? What are some spiritual steps we should take according to Jesus? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie address these matters and more.

Here is a link to our video: 3rd Horseman of the Apocalypse and Food.

Remember that Jesus said:

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36)

Do not be part of those who will not be ready.

While having some food stored is normally wise, do not deceive yourself that simply storing food for yourself will get you through what is coming. A while back, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put a prepper-related video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

18:48

Doomsday Preppers and Preparation

A study came out in August of 2019 showing that so many Americans are so fearful from news reports that more have become doomsday preppers. Meaning that they are storing up food, weapons, and other supplies for an apocalyptic type event to hit the USA. Jesus said sorrows and troubles would come, then a tribulation so bad that unless God intervened, no flesh would be saved alive. Is physical preparation the answer? Should Christians do any type of disaster preparations? Does God have a plan to protect some or all Christians from the coming “hour of trial” that Jesus spoke of? Who is promised protection and who is not? Is keeping the commandments enough? What has Jesus said His people should do? Are you supporting the work that needs to be completed before the end comes? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.

Here is a link to the sermonette video: Doomsday Preppers and Preparation.

Put your confidence in God, not bunkers.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory. There is also a video on the subject: Might Petra be the Place of Safety? Here is something related in the Spanish language: Hay un lugar de seguridad para los Filadelfinos. ¿Puede ser Petra?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2024, 2025, or 2026? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede la Gran Tribulación comenzar en el 2020 o 2021? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? A related video is: Great Tribulation: 2026 or 2027? A shorter video is: Tribulation in 2024? Here is a video in the Spanish language: Es El 2021 el año  de La Gran Tribulación o el Grande Reseteo Financiero.
Could God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2031 or 2025 or? There is also a video titled: When Does the 6000 Years End? 2031? 2035? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected? What does the Bible really teach? Does the Church flee or is it taken up just prior to the great tribulation? Who really is left behind? There is also a YouTube video with information Did Jesus Teach a Pre-tribulation Rapture?
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.
About Baptism Should you be baptized? Could baptism be necessary for salvation? Who should baptize and how should it be done? Here is a link to a related sermon: Let’s Talk About Baptism and Baptism, Infants, Fire, & the Second Death.

Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something? Here is a version in the Spanish language Escrituras sobre Preparación física para los Cristianos. Here is a link to a related sermon: Physical preparedness for Christians.

Despite NATO, Europe is concerned about losing US protection post election

Saturday, November 2nd, 2024


NATO nations in Blue (by Alketii in Wikipedia, 2023)

COGwriter

The BBC reported the following:

Could election change protection US offers Europe?

2 November 2024

American military power has helped protect Europe for the past 75 years – but the US presidential election raises the question: for how much longer?

Military commanders do their best to avoid politics.

But among a group of journalists invited on board the USS Harry S Truman, the US presidential race was high on the agenda. The question was: will America still have Europe’s back?

Rear Adm Sean Bailey said: “What I can tell you is we are firmly committed to our alliance, firmly committed to Nato.”

But he’s not the one who will be deciding US foreign policy, and nor is his answer likely to assuage doubts.

Germany’s Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, knows change is in the air.

Asked about the likely impact of the US election on Europe last week, he said it was a question of whether America does “a lot less, or a little bit less”.

He didn’t mention names, but it’s Donald Trump who’s likely to do a lot less. …

Overall the US has more than 100,000 military personnel deployed in Europe.

Last time he was president, Trump threatened to withdraw some of those forces. If elected he could do the same again.

Many Republicans believe Europe should look after itself. That’s certainly the view of Elbridge Colby, a senior Pentagon official in the last Trump administration.

He says the US should “withhold” its forces from Europe to focus on the threat posed by China. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3de8r2327go

Politico Europe posted the following:

It doesn’t matter if Trump or Harris win. Europe has already lost.

So long, America! It’s been real.

As U.S. voters choose a new president, Europeans are anxiously waiting to see if the victor will be Donald Trump — a nightmare for many — or Kamala Harris, who’s seen as much better for the transatlantic relationship.

Here’s a tip from a lifelong Euro-American: Worry less about the U.S. presidency and more about how Europe can hack it alone on a dangerous global stage. The uncomfortable truth is that American interest in Europe has been dwindling for the past 30 years. And neither candidate is likely to bring back the transatlantic heyday of the early 1990s. …

Biden is bound to be America’s last Cold War president. In his wake, le déluge — or more accurately a crop of policymakers who don’t feel Russia poses a core threat to U.S. interests, or have a vastly shrunken sense of Washington’s role in the world. Even Biden, when push came to shove, let Washington’s prioritization of the Indo-Pacific area shine through. Remember the AUKUS debacle, when the U.S. snatched a major submarine-building contract out from under France’s nose? French President Emmanuel Macron was furious. Washington’s muffled reply was reminiscent of the famous Don Draper line: “I don’t think of you at all.”

Behind the scenes, the French are typically clear-eyed about how Europe is seen by Washington. “It’s not hostility,” quipped one diplomat. “It’s indifference. Sometimes that’s worse.” …

The formal shift away from Europe started under former President Barack Obama, who drove the Pivot to Asia agenda, said Gallon. But Obama merely pushed along a process already in motion, which may well now accelerate. “Now we have a new generation rising which reflects American demographics,” he said. “They [U.S. government officials or diplomats] are either linked to the Spanish-speaking world, or they look toward Asia. Those with links to Europe are simply less present.”

The downgrading of Europe in the psyche of American elites is reflected in educational and career choices. Mastering Mandarin shows more ambition for an aspiring diplomat than, say, French or even Russian. Studying Europe as a geopolitical entity, by contrast, is a niche pursuit. Gallon took note: “At Harvard, the South Asian studies building is big, bright and modern, clearly a prestigious department. The Center for European Studies is just what you would imagine: small, kind of decrepit.” 10/31/24 https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-kamala-harris-jd-vance-tim-waltz-eu-nato-us-elections-weapons/

Yes, the US has moved away from Europe. Plus, the US does expect Europe to pay more for its own defense.

Furthermore, no matter who gets elected, it is clear that the Bible prophesies that Europe will end up with a “great army (Daniel 11:25) with “many ships’ (Daniel 11:40).

Hence the continued reduction of US defense of Europe, as some type of motivator, makes sense in light of those prophesies.

Yet, it will NOT end up well for the US.

While Europe publicly is still supportive of NATO, in the end Europe will betray the NATO members of the USA, Canada, and UK.

By pushing the Europeans to spend more on their militaries (which the Obama, Biden, and Trump Adminstrations have all done), the USA and UK have been ‘sowing wind,’ but will reap the whirlwind:

6 … But the calf of Samaria shall be broken to pieces.

7 “They sow the wind,
And reap the whirlwind.
The stalk has no bud;
It shall never produce meal.
If it should produce,
Aliens would swallow it up.
8 Israel is swallowed up;
Now they are among the Gentiles
Like a vessel in which is no pleasure.
9 For they have gone up to Assyria,
Like a wild donkey alone by itself;
Ephraim has hired lovers. (Hosea 8:6-9)

The reference to ‘Samaria’ above refers to the USA (see Spiritual Samaritans: Old and New) and the reference to Ephraim above refers to the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (for biblically-related details, check out the article Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel). Assyria is a reference to a European power based out of central Europe (for biblically-related details, check out the article Germany in Biblical Prophecy).

Europe will need to reorganize, but the Bible tells of at least two more reorganizations to come in Europe in Revelation 17:2-13 (see also Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?).

Regarding NATO, here is some information in our free online book from 2023 titled Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America?:

Historically, many powerful civilizations have ultimately been destroyed through economic, military, health, environmental, and moral decline. Will alliances like NATO remain helpful through these difficulties?

Scripture says not to despise prophecies (1 Thessalonians 5:20). Yet, many people have. …

The U.S.A. and U.K. have ruled the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) which directly includes the descendants of most (and in a way, all) of the tribes, and plus the U.S.A. and U.K. have also provided some type of protection to all of the other tribes.

That being said, the Bible warns about trusting in Mount Samaria (prophetically, the U.S.A.) in the end times (Amos 6:1)—which Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK do militarily.

Donald Trump also upset many in Europe by calling NATO “obsolete.” [i]

Furthermore, he called out many European countries for not paying enough on the military in relationship to NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). He also threatened to NOT defend NATO nations that would not spend more on their militaries.[ii]

While many in the Trump-Pence Administration thought that the Europeans would have no choice but to cater to their demands, the Europeans moved in a way many did not expect. Less than one year after the Trump-Pence Administration began, 25 European countries formed a pan-European military alliance called the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO). [iii]

The Europeans are concerned about Donald Trump perhaps again becoming U.S.A. president[iv]—and the prospect of another Trump presidency is pushing them to be more independent of the U.S.A.

While some have resisted it, there have been more and more calls for Europe to develop its own military force that will not have to defer to the U.S.A. [v]

Furthermore, shortly after Russia’s “special military operation” into Ukraine began in 2022, Germany announced it was increasing its military spending to levels that Donald Trump had pushed for.[vi]

Europe already has its own space agency, satellite system, and many other military components.

For decades, Washington has pushed the Europeans to spend more on their militaries. The U.S.A. needs to be careful about what it has been asking for. Although it is true that the U.S.A. contributes a vastly disproportionate share to NATO, the more the Europeans themselves spend, the more independent they will be about their spending and military priorities.

Since the Bible says that Europe will have a “great army” (Daniel 11:25), we know Europe will end up with a great army. It will also end up with a substantial navy as the Bible says it will have “many ships” (Daniel 11:40). Europe is prophesied be an amazingly marvelous military power that will surprise the world (Revelation 13:3-4).

This will not end well for the U.S.A. or the other Israelitish nations. …

The U.S.A., itself, has repeatedly shown the Europeans that it does not trust them, yet scripture suggests it sometimes will trust them too much. According to the Bible, the time will come when the U.S.A. will find that continental Europe will be an enemy (cf. Isaiah 10:5-11) and not an ally (Ezekiel 23:4,9-10). The Bible warns:

2 All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; They have become her enemies. (Lamentations 1:2)

Europe will cooperate with the U.S.A. as long as it feels the relationship is beneficial, and then (as prophecy foretells) one day turn totally against the U.S.A.

The King of the North will deceitfully proclaim “peace and safety” while plotting for the sudden destruction of those opposing him (1 Thessalonians 5:2–3). He will destroy the mighty American-British alliance.

Because of not accepting and understanding biblical prophecies, many political and other leaders will be hoping for and believing in a false peace. The sudden destruction to come is likely to include a nuclear or other high tech attack, and could possibly happen in conjunction with a NATO training or other exercise that would catch the U.S.A. and its Anglo-Saxon-Celtic allies off guard (cf. Lamentations 1:1-2). Other nations are likely to also be involved. …

The time will come when the U.S.A. and NATO will be no more. NATO or other arrangements will give the Europeans cover for publicly preparing for a military event, while giving it the ability to publicly state that such preparations are only parts of an exercise. The Germans have historically used the element of surprise to gain military advantage—remember WWII and blitzkrieg? Europe one day will turn on the U.S.A. (Lamentations 1:1-2, Daniel 11:39; Isaiah 10:5-12). Weapons of mass destruction, and not necessarily just nuclear, will be employed.

[i] Trump worries Nato with ‘obsolete’ comment. BBC, Janaury 16, 2017

[ii] Trump defence chief Mattis threatens less commitment to Nato. January 15, 2017; Sanger DE, Haberman M. Donald Trump Sets Conditions for Defending NATO Allies Against Attack. New York Times, July 20, 2016

[iii] Stur B. The making of a European Defence Union. New Europe. December 12, 2017

[iv] Trump 2024 is a threat to Europe’s security. Public News Time, July 1, 2022

[v] Bosotti A. EU army plot to fuel ‘antagonistic’ fury from global enemies and spark conflict threat. December 1, 2020; Flores J. The End of NATO? Macron Laments ‘Brain Death’ and Pushes for a European Military. Strategic Culture, November 10, 2019

[vi] Germany commits €100 billion to new armed forces fund. Deutsche Welle, February 27, 2022

Europe is moving in a military direction and Donald Trump has encouraged it–so apparently is Vivek Ramaswamy–this will further concern the Europeans. The Europeans do NOT want Donald Trump back in office in 2025 nor does NOT mean that things will be better for the USA if Kamala Harris were to win the 2024 election.

While some do not believe that Europe wants to destroy the USA or is capable of rising up to take over the USA, Canada, and the UK, consider the following two portions of scripture:

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?'” (Isaiah 10:5-11)

2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him? (Revelation 13:2-4)

The Bible shows that the European power (called Assyria in Isaiah 10; see also Germany in Biblical Prophecy) does not think it intends to be militaristic, but that it will and will conquer. The Bible shows that the world will marvel that Europe was able to be such a military power as Europe basically had been dismissed as irrelevant.

It is quite likely that some version of NATO will survive, but that Europe will use NATO as a shield from Russia, and eventually turn against the USA and its Anglo-Saxon descended allies. That will essentially be a fulfillment of the following:

1 How lonely sits the city That was full of people! How like a widow is she, Who was great among the nations! The princess among the provinces Has become a slave!
2 She weeps bitterly in the night, Her tears are on her cheeks; Among all her lovers She has none to comfort her. All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; They have become her enemies. (Lamentations 1:1-2)

That will be the end of NATO and the USA.

For those that think this could not happen to the USA, recall that Daniel 11:39 shows that a European power will destroy the ‘strongest fortresses’–which in the 21st century belong to the USA, this shows that the USA will be defeated, despite its military strength (see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses).

Europe is taking military steps and the US has been encouraging them.

This will not end well for the USA, many Muslim countries, nor even Europe (cf. Daniel 11:39-45; Revelation 17:14).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill? Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill? Is a Donald Trump presidency proving to be apocalyptic? Two related videos are available: Donald: ‘Trump of God’ or Apocalyptic? and Donald Trump’s Prophetic Presidency.
Trump Presidency Magic 8 Ball or Bible Prophecy? BBC reported that one might as well use a ‘Magic Eight-Ball’ to try to predict what will happen in the remaining time of Donald Trump’s presidency. What is a ‘Magic Eight-Ball’? Dr. Thiel not only explains that, but also briefly goes over 10 biblically-based warnings he wrote would happen if Donald Trump were elected that have already began to come to pass. He also goes over something he wrote back in 2008 that the Trump presidency is also helping lead to fulfillment. Should you trust Bible prophecy or not? Dr. Thiel says that Bible prophecy can be trusted, despite the view of skeptics and others that either overlook or despise the Bible. This is a video.
Spiritual Samaritans: Old and New Who were the Samaritans? Do the represent true Christianity or something else? Here is a link to a related sermon: USA in Prophecy: Samaria.
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.
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? Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: El Fin de la Babilonia Europea.
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? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about the peoples of 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.

Sermon: Thankful or Complainer?

Saturday, November 2nd, 2024


(Pixabay photo)

COGwriter

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

1:11:51

Thankful or Complainer?

Are you grateful for what you have or are you mainly a grumbler? Are you a thankful person or mainly a complainer? Do you give thanks to God? Does the Bible actually say to do that? What about trials and difficulties? Does the Bible say anything about people who are not thankful? What did the late evangelist Dibar Apartian write was ‘the most common sin’? Should you be giving thanks to God? For what? What are some of the fruits of not being thankful? Can you be certain if there is a God and Jesus is the Messiah? Are those who commit the unpardonable sin ungrateful? What about prayer, faith, and meditation? Was unthankfulness prophesied? Dr. Thiel addresses these matters and more in this sermon.

Here is a link to the sermon: Thankful or Complainer?

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Giving Thanks Are Christians supposed to give thanks? Why? Is unthankfulness warned against? Here is a link to a related sermon titled: Thankful or Complainer?
Thanksgiving: Can Christians keep it? Is this American holiday appropriate? Why or why not? A sermon related to giving thanks is also available: Ingratitude and Giving Thanks.
Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian This is a scripture-filled booklet for those wishing to live as a real Christian. A related sermon is also available: Christians are Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God.
Faith for Those God has Called and Chosen What is faith? Can faith be increased? Are you saved by faith? What about works? Do Christians need to keep the Ten Commandments? What is the ‘faith chapter’? How do the just live by faith? Is faith one of the weightier matters of the law? How does faith come? Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Fe para aquellos que Dios ha llamado y escogido. In German: Glaube für die von Gott Berufenen und Auserwählten. In French: La Foi pour ceux que Dieu a Appelés et Choisis. Here is a link to a related sermon titled: Faith for the Called and Chosen.and here is a link to another sermon Faith and Courage. Here is a link to shorter version of the written article in Mandarin Chinese N{ÇQsNŽOáNðv„\e‡zà. Here are links to the sermons Christian Faith and Increasing Faith.
Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach? People talk a lot about prayer. Many pray in public. Does God listen? What does the Bible teach about prayer? How can your prayers be more effective? Does the Bible give particular positions to pray in? What does God want you to pray for? What if what you want is difficult? What if what you want is humanly impossible? Why doesn’t God seem to answer all prayers? This free booklet answers all those questions and more. This contains 28 biblically-based tips on improving the effectiveness of your prayers. This is a pdf. A related two part sermon is available: What Does the Bible Teach About Prayer? and What does the Bible Teach About Prayer (& Healing)? There is also a single sermon available: 28 Tips on Prayer.

Meditation for Faithful Christians Meditation is a tool that can support Christian growth. This free online book goes into meditation from a biblical perspective. It, also, however, discusses Eastern meditation and why faithful Christians would not practice that. Here is a link to a related sermon video: Christian Meditation.
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.
Praises to Jesus Christ or Biblical Hymns: Which Should Christians Primarily Sing? This biblical article on music is in response to an advertisement critical of WCG’s 1974 The Bible Hymnal. It also address early church practices here.
The Bible Hymnal via Amazon. This is the paperback edition of the hymnal used by the Continuing Church of God. It consists of all the songs that were part of the 1974 edition of ‘The Bible Hymnal’ used by the old Worldwide Church of God, plus ten other hymns that Herbert Armstrong approved that were written by Ross Jutsum. The songs in this book are essentially the Psalms and other passages in the Bible set to music. To access it free online, click: The Bible Hymnal. Amazon sells a hard copy of The Bible Hymnal for $8.99.
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 a link to a related sermon: Could God be Calling You? A short animation is also available: Is God Calling You?
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
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. Two animated videos of related interest are also available: Big Bang: Nothing or Creator? and A Lifegiver or Spontaneous Evolution?
The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you? This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have, including the biblical meaning of life. Here is a link to three related sermons: Mysteries of God’s Plan, Mysteries of Truth, Sin, Rest, Suffering, and God’s Plan, and The Mystery of YOU.
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 Prop
hets’.
Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian This is a scripture-filled booklet for those wishing to live as a real Christian. A related sermon is also available: Christians are Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God.
The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast This is a free pdf book explaining the what the Ten Commandments are, where they came from, how early professors of Christ viewed them, and how various ones, including the Beast of Revelation, will oppose them. A related sermon is titled: The Ten Commandments and the Beast of Revelation.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
CCOG.ORG Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God. There are links to literature is about 100 different languages there.
Congregations of the Continuing Church of God This is a listing of congregations and groups of the Continuing Church of God around the world.
Continuing Church of God Facebook page This has news and prophetic information.
Continuing Church of God, Africa, Facebook page This has news and prophetic information.
Continuing Church of God, Canada, Facebook page This has news and prophetic information.
Continuing Church of God, Europe, Facebook page This has news and prophetic information.
CCOG.AFRICA This is a website targeted towards those in Africa.
CCOG.ASIA We in the Continuing Church of God also have the url www.ccog.asia which has a focus on Asia and has various articles in Mandarin Chinese as well as some in English, plus some items in other Asian languages. 我们在继续神的教会也提供此网址 www.ccog.asia, 关注于亚洲并且有各种各样的中英文文章,其中一些用菲律宾语翻译的文章也正在进行中,准备添加到这个网站中。 Here is a link to our Statement of Beliefs in Mandarin Chinese 继续神的教会的信仰声明.
CCOG.IN This is a website targeted towards those of Indian heritage. It has a link to an edited Hindi translation of The Mystery of the Ages and is expected to have more non-English language materials in the future.
CCOG.EU This is a website targeted toward Europe. It has materials in more than one language (currently it has English, Dutch, and Serbian, with links also to Spanish) and it is intended to have additional language materials added.
CCOG.NZ This is a website targeted towards New Zealand and others with a British-descended background.
CCOGCANADA.CA This is a website targeted towards those in Canada.
CDLIDD.ES La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. This is the Spanish language website for the Continuing Church of God.
CG7.ORG This is a website for those interested in the Sabbath and churches that observe the seventh day Sabbath.
PNIND.PH Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos. This is the Philippines website Continuing Church of God. It has information in English and Tagalog.
CCOG Animations YouTube channel. The Continuing Church of God has some animations to teach aspects of Christian beliefs. Also available at BitChute COGAnimations https://www.bitchute.com/channel/coganimations/
Bible News Prophecy channel. Dr. Thiel has produced hundreds of videos for the BibleNewsProphecy channel. You can find them at them on YouTube at BibleNewsProphecy https://www.youtube.com/user/BibleNewsProphecy, plus also on Vimeo at Bible News Prophecy https://vimeo.com/channels/biblenewsprophecy as well as on Brighteon Bible News Prophecy https://www.brighteon.com/channel/ccogbnp and Bitchute Prophecy https://www.bitchute.com/channel/prophecy/
CCOGAfrica channel. This has messages from African pastors in African languages such as Kalenjin, Kiswahili, Embu, and Dholuo. Also available at BitChute COGAfrica https://www.bitchute.com/channel/cogafrica/
CDLIDDSermones channel. This contains messages in the Spanish language
BibleNewsProphecy Podcast. This has audio-visual podcasts of the Bible News Prophecy channgel. It plays on i-Phones, i-Pads, and Windows devices that can play i-Tunes.
Bible News Prophecy online radio. This is an audio version of the Bible News Prophecy videos. It is also available as a mobile app.
ContinuingCOG channel. Dr. Thiel has produced scores of YouTube video sermons for this channel. Note: Since these are sermon-length, they can take a little longer to load than other YouTube videos. Also available at BitChute COGTube https://www.bitchute.com/channel/cogtube/
Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of GodContend 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.

Doug Casey and COGwriter on reasons not to vote

Friday, November 1st, 2024

COGwriter

Was sent an email where Doug Casey had the following:

Democracy is vastly overrated.

The national elections this November 5 (Guy Fawkes Day, FWIW) have every chance of turning into a chaotic catastrophe. …

Democracy can work when all concerned know one another, share the same values and goals, and abhor any form of coercion. It is the natural way of accomplishing things among small groups. But it doesn’t work well with a conglomeration of 350 million people, many of whom are voting in order to get something for nothing. Or at the expense of their neighbor. …

At least 95% of incumbents in Congress typically retain office. That is a higher proportion than in the Su­preme Soviet of the defunct USSR and a lower turnover rate than in Britain’s hereditary House of Lords, where people lose their seats only by dying.

The political system in the United States has, like all systems which grow old and large, become moribund and corrupt.

The conventional wisdom holds that a decline in voter turnout is a sign of apathy. But it may also be a sign of a renaissance in personal responsibility. It could be people saying, “I won’t be fooled again, and I won’t lend power to them.” …

Protesters in the 1960s had plenty of flaws, but they were quite correct when they said, “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” If politics is the problem, what is the solution? I have an answer that may appeal to you.

The first step in solving the problem is to stop actively encouraging it.

Many Americans have intuitively recognized that government is the problem and have stopped voting. That tends to delegitimize the State, which deprives it of power.

There are at least five reasons many people do not vote:

  1. Voting in a political election is unethical. The political process is one of institutionalized coercion and force. If you disapprove of those things, then you shouldn’t participate in them, even indirectly.
  2. Voting compromises your privacy. It gets your name in another government computer database.
  3. Voting, as well as registering, entails hanging around government offices and dealing with petty bureaucrats. Most people can find something more enjoyable or productive to do with their time.
  4. Voting encourages politicians. A vote against one candidate—a major, and quite understandable, reason why many people vote—is always interpreted as a vote for his opponent. And even though you may be voting for the lesser of two evils, the lesser of two evils is still evil. It amounts to giving the candidate a tacit mandate to impose his will on society.
  5. Your vote doesn’t count. Politicians like to say it counts because it is to their advantage to get everyone into a busybody mode. But, statistically, one vote in scores of millions makes no more difference than a single grain of sand on a beach. That’s entirely apart from the fact that officials manifestly do what they want, not what you want, once they are in office.

Some of these thoughts may impress you as vaguely “unpatriotic”; that is certainly not my intention. But, unfortunately, America isn’t the place it once was, either. The United States has evolved from the land of the free and the home of the brave to something more closely resembling the land of entitlements and the home of whining lawsuit filers.

The founding ideas of America, which were highly libertarian, have been thoroughly distorted. What passes for tradition today is something against which the Founding Fathers would have led a second revolution. 10/30/24

Related to the voting being unethical, consider something that came out last year:

The ‘lesser of two evils’ voters who could decide 2024

June 28, 2023 …

A man from California who is a self-described “very liberal” voter likened the matchup to “choosing the lesser of two evils.” …

The NBC News poll of 1,000 registered voters — 831 of whom were reached by cellphone — was conducted June 16-20 and has an overall margin of error of plus-minus 3.1 percentage points. https://www.aol.com/news/lesser-two-evils-voters-could-090000198.html

Back in August of 2020, during that election cycle, I posted an article with the following headline:

Trump vs. Biden: Is the lesser of two evils still evil?

The Bible warns:

20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).

I am NOT a voter nor a Democrat nor a Republican –I am a non-partisan Christian looking for the return of Jesus and the establishment of the Kingdom of God.

Consider that Jesus warned:

25 Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. (Matthew 12:25)

17 Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. (Luke 11:17)

The divide in the USA is growing as many of its sins (including hypocrisy) become more blatant.

As posted here many times before, I consider that Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are evil.

Without going into unique specifics, let’s consider how they are similar:

  1. They do not live like a member of their professed faiths is supposed to try to live.
  2. They support LGBTQ matters.
  3. They have not called for national repentance.
  4. They have not sought first the Kingdom of God.
  5. One is an adulterer and the other an adulteress.
  6. They have all been involved in Administrations that greatly increased USA debt.
  7. They have all been involved in Administrations that have upset the Europeans.
  8. They have all been accused of hypocrisy.
  9. They both have made a lot of public lies.
  10. None have the real solutions for what the USA needs.

Now, I am not trying to say that there are no differences. Yes, I know they have differing economic and climate policies as well as different views on abortion and racial matters.

Notice that simply approving the LGBT agenda is condemned by the Bible:

26 … For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:26-32)

Yes, the USA election is a choice between evil ones. But do not place your hope in any human political leader.

Now, let’s look at some of what the scriptures teach are to be traits of godly leaders starting with something God had Moses write:

19 Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. 20 And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. 21 Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. (Exodus 18:19-21)

Neither Kamala Harris nor Donald Trump are leaders who could be called “men of truth,” nor do they truly endorse God’s laws and statutes nor do they hate covetousness.

Notice something else from the Bible:

2 “The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me,
And His word was on my tongue.
3 The God of Israel said,
The Rock of Israel spoke to me:
‘He who rules over men must be just,
Ruling in the fear of God. (2 Samuel 23:2-3)

Neither Kamala Harris nor Donald Trump are just nor do they intend to rule in the fear of the true God.

Hence, they are not people that Christians should endorse.

Voting for Kamala Harris or voting for Donald Trump will not save the US.

The Psalmist wrote:

3 Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. (Psalm 146:3)

Furthermore, the Bible warns:

20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).

2 You shall not follow a crowd to do evil (Exodus 23:2)

The “lesser of two evils” is still evil.

The Bible warns:

16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err, And those who are led by them are destroyed (Isaiah 9:16).

That applies to both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

Our current magazine goes into more issues with voting:

Here is a link to the Bible News Prophecy magazine, October-December 2024.

Some assert that is their Christian duty to vote, despite there being no scriptures which truly support that.

If Christians are not supposed to vote to select leaders, what should we do about leaders?

Pray for them!

Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote:

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 (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

So, if you want to do something that “is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,” then pray for your political leaders!

Christians are instructed to pray for worldly leaders and those that have authority over us so that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life.

Nothing like this is said for voting that many falsely claim is their “Christian” duty–prayer for leaders is.

Related to the two major US presidential candidates, we also have the following video:

14:24

Trump vs Harris vs Scripture

Are Donald Trump and Kamala Harris qualified to be President of the United States according to its Constitution? Does the adulterer Donald Trump’s record as a businessman who declared bankruptcy multiple times and who was once President of the USA make him the best choice? Does Kamala Harris’ political positions, one or more were related to adultery, and then later being Vice-President make her the best choice? What about their positions on adultery and LGBTQ matters? Do either of them meet the biblical requirements to be leaders? Could they both be evil? Should Christians put their faith in leaders or in Jesus and His Kingdom? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie go over these points.

Here is a link to our video: Trump vs Harris vs Scripture.

Put your faith in Jesus and the coming Kingdom of God, not in US elections.

Biblical prophecies will be fulfilled and we are seeing the stage is being set for many to be fulfilled fairly soon.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president/prime minister? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand. A video of related interest is available titled: Should Christians Vote? Another video is Biden, Trump, and the Bible.
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.
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?
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 four related sermons:  The Fantastic Gospel of the Kingdom of God!The World’s False GospelThe Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill?  Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill?  Is a Donald Trump presidency proving to be apocalyptic?  Two related videos are available: Donald: ‘Trump of God’ or Apocalyptic? and Donald Trump’s Prophetic Presidency.
Biden-Harris: Prophecies and Destruction Can the USA survive two full presidential terms? In what ways are Joe Biden and Kamala Harris apocalyptic? This book has hundreds of prophecies and scriptures to provide details.  A Kindle version is also available and you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to your free Kindle reader app (or if you already have one or a Kindle),  you can go to: Biden-Harris: Prophecies and Destruction (Kindle) to get the book in seconds.
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 BibleEurope In ProphecyThe End of European Babylon, and Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: El Fin de la Babilonia Europea.
The European Union and the Seven Kings of Revelation 17 Could the European Union be the sixth king that now is, but is not? Here is a link to the related sermon video: European Union & 7 Kings of Revelation 17:10.
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. Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: ¿Deben los Diez Reyes gobernar sobre diez naciones? A related sermon in the English language is titled: Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
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? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about the peoples of 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 DNALost tribes, prophecies, and identifications11 Tribes, 144,000, and MultitudesIsrael, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British RoyaltyGentile European BeastRoyal Succession, Samaria, and PropheciesAsia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon;  When Will the End of the Age Come?;  Rise of the Prophesied King of the NorthChristian Persecution from the BeastWWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.