Church of God News

Hebrew Scroll of the Book of Job (Pete Unseth)

COGwriter

Job is recognized by various faiths in the month of May, and on differing days.

Job is commemorated by the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod in their Calendar of Saints on May 9, by the Roman Catholic Church on May 10, and by the Eastern Orthodox Church on May 6. He is also commemorated by the “Armenian Apostolic Church” on May 6 and December 26, and by the Coptic Orthodox Church on April 27 and August 29.

While the Church of God does not commemorate a specific date, we in the Continuing Church of God recognized Job as one God worked with (e.g. Job 38-42) and blessed (Job 42:12) in the Old Testament. Job is also mentioned in the New Testament:

11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. (James 5:11, NKJV throughout unless as otherwise noted).

Many scholars teach that Job was likely to have been alive around the time of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), thus the subjects in the Book of Job were all known prior to Mount Sinai. Biblical evidence includes the facts that both Job’s and Abraham’s wealth are listed in livestock (Job 1:3;42:12; Gen 12:16;13:2;30:43;32:5), the Chaldeans are portrayed as raiders (Job 1:17; as a people, they were not raiders later), the particular Hebrew word for ‘piece of silver’ in Job 42:11 is only used otherwise in conjunction with Jacob (Gen 33:19; Josh 24:32), and Job’s age (Job 42:16) appears to be consistent with the patriarchs.

Job knew about God before the Book of Genesis was written, as he said, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You” (Job 42:5).

Here are some Jewish views on when Job may have lived:

According to Bar Ḳappara, Job lived in the time of Abraham; according to Abba b. Kahana, in the time of Jacob, he having married Dinah, Jacob’s daughter (ib.; B. B. 15b; comp. additions in Targ. Yer. to Job ii. 9). R. Levi said that Job lived in the time of Jacob’s sons; and he also said, in the name of Jose b. Ḥalafta, that Job was born when Jacob and his children entered Egypt and that he died when the Israelites left that country. Job consequently lived 210 years (comp. Rashi on Ex. xii. 40). When Satan came to accuse the Israelites of being idolaters, God set him against Job, whence Job’s misfortunes (Gen. R. l.c.). This opinion is supported by the statement that Job with Jethro and Balaam was consulted by Pharaoh as to the means of reducing the number of the children of Israel and that Job was stricken with calamity because he had remained silent (Sanh. 106a; Soá¹­ah 11a). It may be mentioned that this legend is narrated differently in the “Sefer ha-Yashar” (section “Shemot,” p. 110a, ed. Leghorn, 1870) as follows: At first Job, who was one of Pharaoh’s eunuchs and counselors, advised Pharaoh to have every male child murdered (Ex. i. 16). Afterward Pharaoh, having had a dream which prognosticated the birth of a helper, again consulted Job. The latter answered evasively: “Let the king do as he pleases” (“Sefer ha-Yashar,” l.c. p. 111a). Levi b. Laḥma also held that Job lived in the time of Moses, by whom the Book of Job was written. Some of the rabbis even declare that the one servant of Pharaoh who feared the word of God (Ex. ix. 20) was Job (Ex. R. xii. 3). Raba, specifying the time more accurately, said Job lived in the time of the spies who were sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan (B. B. 15a). According to these rabbis, Job was a Gentile—an opinion which is elsewhere expressed more fully, in that Job is said to have been a pious Gentile or one of the prophets of the Gentiles (ib. 15b; Seder ‘Olam R. xxi.). Other tannaim place Job variously in the reign of Saba, in that of the Chaldees, and in that of Ahasuerus. R. Johanan and R. Eleazar both declared that Job was one of those who returned from the Captivity and that his bet ha-midrash was at Tiberias (Yer. Soá¹­ah v. 8; B. B. l.c.; Gen. R. l.c.). It is said in B. B. (ib.) that these tannaim necessarily considered Job an Israelite; but R. Hananeel (ad loc.) has in his text, “All the Tannaim and Amoraim, with the exception of the one who placed Job in the time of Jacob, were of opinion that Job was an Israelite” (comp. also Gen. R. l.c.). (Job. Jewish Encyclopedia of 1906. http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/8692-job accessed 05/06/15)

A few have indicated that Job could have been the first written book of the Bible, though many point to a later time of writing. Even if it were not written down prior to Mount Sinai, the narrative appears to be before the children of Israel entered the land of Egypt during the time of Joseph.

Many who teach that Christians do not need to obey the Ten Commandments also teach that the Ten Commandments were not in effect prior to Mount Sinai (Exodus 20). The truth is that all of the Ten Commandments are listed in the Bible prior to Mount Sinai (please see the article Were the Ten Commandments in Effect Before Mount Sinai?). As far as false arguments that they were somehow done away with check out the free online book: The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast.

Since Abraham was apparently a contemporary of Job, notice what God said about him:

5 … Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. (Genesis 26:5)

Those commandments would have included the Ten Commandments.

Although the Book of Job does not specifically quote any of the Ten Commandments, it does appear to allude to each one of them. This suggests that the Ten Commandments were not only known before Mount Sinai, but that they were possibly known outside of the descendants of Israel.

But first notice the following about Job:

1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. (Job 1:1)

What is righteous according to the Bible:

172 My tongue shall speak of Your word,
For all Your commandments are righteousness. (Psalms 119:172)

Yes, the Ten Commandments, like Jesus referred to in Mark 10:19.

Now to the commandments:

Commandment 1:

2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 “You shall have no other gods before Me. (Exodus 20:2-3)

The Book of Job states:

21 Blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21).

28 And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding’ (Job 28:28).

28 This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgement, For I would have denied God who is above (Job 31:28).

1 Then Job answered the LORD and said: 2 ‘I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You’ (Job 42:1-2).

What is interesting about Job 28:28 is that Job said that this is what God said to man and there is no record of this being said in Genesis (which is the primary biblical book with information prior to the story of Job), thus this verse proves that God spoke to humankind prior to Moses in at least one way that was not recorded in Genesis. Thus this refutes the argument that none prior to Mount Sinai could have known what the commandments were! If there were no commandments in effect, how could denying God be an iniquity deserving of judgement?

Commandment 2:

4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image of any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. (Exodus 20:4-6)

The Book of Job states:

27 If I have observed the sun when it shines, or the moon moving in its brightness, so that my heart has been secretly enticed, and my mouth has kissed my hand; 28 This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgement, For I would have denied God who is above (Job 31:27-28).

The observing of the sun and moon, whereby one is enticed, as well kissing one’s own hand, are believed by most commentators to have been practices associated with idolatry.

Commandment 3:

7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. (Exodus 20:7)

The Book of Job states:

5 It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts (Job 1:5).

21 Blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21).

9 Curse God and die! (Job 2:9).

10 In all this, Job did not sin with his lips (Job 2:10).

The third commandment is clearly shown in Job to have been understood. It is clear that before Mount Sinai one could ‘sin with his lips,’ and that ‘sin’ was known to exist then (after Mount Sinai, God did tell the Israelites that the people who used to live in the land sinned by violating this command, Leviticus 18:21,27).

Commandment 4:

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:8-11)

The Book of Job states:

13 So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great (Job 2:13).

1 Is there not a time of hard service for man on the earth (Job 7:1).

5 That the triumping of the wicked is short…20 Because he knows no quietness in his heart (Job 20:5,20).

21 Now aquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace (Job 22:21).

4 Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? (Job 38:4).

Job 2:13 supports the concept that the week was being observed prior to Mount Sinai. It is consistent with the two accounts in Genesis that a week was used as a period of rejoicing (Gen 29:22,27-28) and grieving (Genesis 50:10).

Job 7:1 supports the concept of “six days shall you labor” (Exodus 20:8) which is part of the fourth commandment. Job 20:20 supports the concept found in Hebrews 4:3-6 that those who disobey “shall not enter My rest.” Whereas Job 22:21 supports the related concept that “we who believed do enter that rest…There remains therefore a rest (Greek sabbitismos, ‘a sabbath observance’) for the people of God” (Hebrews 4:3,9).

In Job 38:4, God says He ‘laid the foundations of the earth’ which is similar to the concept in Exodus 20:11 ‘For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them’. Thus in Job we see nearly all the concepts of the fourth commandment.

Commandment 5:

12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)

The Book of Job states:

21 His sons come to honor (Job 14:21).

5 He who speaks flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children will fail (Job 17:5).

8 But the mighty man possessed the land, and the honorable man dwelt in it (Job 22:8).

These verses support the concept that one is to be honorable, children are to honor their father, and that the children are to become honorable, whereas the fifth commandment says to give honor (Exodus 20:12) which implies that parents are to be honorable.

Commandment 6:

13 “You shall not murder. (Exodus 20:13)

The Book of Job states:

14 The murderer rises with the light; He kills the poor and needy; And in the night he’s like a thief (Job 24:14).

39 If I have eaten its fruit without money, or caused its owners to lose their lives; 40 Then let thistles grow instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley (Job 31:39-40).

These scriptures clearly support the concept that Job and his companions considered murder to be wrong. Job 24:14 is similar to a teaching by Jesus tieing in murder and thievery together:

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. (John 10:10).

Notice that Job knew of this connection thousands of years before Jesus stated it as recorded by John.

Commandment 7:

14 “You shall not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)

The Book of Job states:

15 The eye of the adulterer waits for the twilight, saying, ‘No eye will see me’; and he disguises his face (Job 24:15).

1 I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman? (Job 31:1).

9 “If my heart has been enticed by a woman, Or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door, 10 Then let my wife grind for another, And let others bow down over her. 11 For that would be wickedness; Yes, it would be iniquity deserving of judgment. 12 For that would be a fire that consumes to destruction, And would root out all my increase. (Job 31:9-12).

These scriptures clearly support the concept that Job and his companions knew adultery was prohibited and an ‘iniquity deserving of judgement.’

Commandment 8:

15 “You shall not steal. (Exodus 20:15)

The Book of Job states:

5 Is not your wickedness great, and your iniquity without end? 6 For you have taken pledges from your brother for no reason, and stripped the naked of their clothing (Job 22:5-6).

14 And in the night he’s like a thief (Job 24:14).

39 If I have eaten its fruit without money, or caused its owners to lose their lives; 40 Then let thistles grow instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley (Job 31:39-40).

These scriptures clearly support the concept that Job and his companions considered stealing to be wrong.

Commandment 9:

16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16)

The Book of Job states:

28 I would never lie to your face (Job 6:28).

35 They conceive trouble and bring forth futility; Their womb prepares deceit (Job 15:35).

25 Now if it is not so, who will prove me a liar and make my speech worth nothing? (Job 24:25).

4 My lips will not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit (Job 27:4).

6 Should I lie concerning my right? (Job 34:6).

4 For truly my words are not false (Job 36:4).

These scriptures clearly support the concept that Job and his companions considered ‘bearing false witness’ to be wrong.

Commandment 10:

17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17)

The Book of Job states:

2 And envy slays a simple one (Job 5:2).

12 Why does your heart carry you away, and what do your eyes wink at, that you turn your spirit against God, and let such words go out of your mouth? (Job 15:12-13).

1 They conceive trouble and bring forth futility (Job 15:35).

1 I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman? (Job 31:1).

9 “If my heart has been enticed by a woman, Or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door, 10 Then let my wife grind for another, And let others bow down over her. 11 For that would be wickedness; Yes, it would be iniquity deserving of judgment. 12 For that would be a fire that consumes to destruction, And would root out all my increase. (Job 31:9-12).

These scriptures clearly support the concept that Job and his companions considered covetousness (or evil desire) to be wrong. Since Paul wrote, “I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, ‘You shall not covet.’ ” (Rom 7:7), it is clear that the law against covetousness must have been in effect prior to Mount Sinai.

“Sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4) or as it says in the AV “sin is the trangression of the law.” The terms sin (9), sinned (6), and sins (1) are used 16 times in the Book of Job (NKJV).

How could there be sin if there was no law, since according to an interesting scripture by the Apostle Paul, “sin is not imputed when there is no law?” (Romans 5:13).

In the Book of Job, Elihu said:

5 Behold God is mighty…10 He also opens their ear to instruction, and commands that they turn from iniquity. 11 If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. 12 But of they do not obey, they shall perish by the sword and they shall die [as one] without knowledge (Job 36:5,10-12).

If people in Job’s day were not supposed to know about God’s law, how could they obey Him? If those who disobey will perish like those that have no knowledge of God and His ways, then they must have had knowledge of God and His laws.

There is another interesting passage from the Apostle Paul to consider:

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” (Romans 7:7)

What is so interesting about that?

Well, Paul said it was only because there was an existing law against coveting that he understood that he was not to covet.

But, Job knew, prior to Mount Sinai that he was not to covet. Job specifically knew it was wrong to covet his neighbor’s wife.

The Book of Job demonstrates that God has revealed information that is not specifically listed in the Book of Genesis (Job 28:28;36:12;42:5). This is also consistent with the following concerning what God said to Isaac related to his father Abraham:

4 And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; 5 because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws. (Genesis 26:4-5)

The Book of Job demonstrates that sin and God’s Ten Commandment laws were known prior to Mount Sinai.

Abraham and Job kept the Ten Commandments.

The righteous keep God’s commandments:

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

It is a lie to believe otherwise.

While some may try to reason around what the Book of Job teaches, it is a fact that early Christians did believe that they needed to keep the Ten Commandments (for detailed proof, see The Ten Commandments and the Early Church). And real Christians believe that today.

UPDATE 08/15/22: We just uploaded the following related video:

15:21

Did Job Keep the Ten Commandments?

Many scholars believe that Job was a contemporary with Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob. Were the Ten Commandments in effect before Mount Sinai? Does the Bible teach that Abraham obeyed the Ten Commandments? What about Job? Steve Dupuie asks questions related to these topics. Dr. Thiel provides biblical citations related to whether there is evidence that Job kept each of the specific Ten Commandments. He also goes over some historical and prophetic information related to the Ten Commandments.

Here is a link to our video: Did Job Keep the Ten Commandments?

Some items of possible interest may include:

Were the Ten Commandments in Effect Before Mount Sinai? Some have said not. This article provides biblical quotes to answer this important question. A sermon of related interest is titled Were the Ten Commandments in Place prior to Mt. Sinai?
Job and the Ten Commandments Was Job written prior to Mount Sinai? Did Job know about the ten commandments? This article provides biblical answers to those questions. A related sermonette of interest is: Did Job Keep the Ten Commandments?
The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast This is a free draft/unedited pdf book explaining the what the Ten Commandments are, where they came from, how early professors of Christ viewed them, and how various ones, including the Beast of Revelation, will oppose them. A related sermon is titled: The Ten Commandments and the Beast of Revelation.
What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments? This article quotes what Jesus actually said about them (His words are in red).
Were the Ten Commandments Nailed to the Cross? Some have said so. This article provides some biblical quotes to answer this important question.
What Did Paul Actually Teach About the Ten Commandments? Many say Paul taught against the ten commandments. Is this true? This article quotes Paul with his words in green.
Are the Ten Commandment Still in Effect? This article quotes the ten commandments and combines some of the previous articles into one article about the ten commandments. The commandments are shown at Mount Sinai, before Mount Sinai, in the teachings of Jesus, after the crucifixion, and in the teachings of Paul. It addresses the most common “traditions of men” regarding them as well. Here is a version in the Spanish language:.¿Están vigentes todavía los diez mandamientos?
Were the Pharisees Condemned for Keeping the Law or Reasoning Around it? Many believe that the Pharisees were condemned for keeping the law, but what does your Bible say? If they were not condemned for that, what were they condemned for?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught? For a more detailed discussion of the first four commandments, please see the video The Ten Commandments: Loving God. For a more detailed discussion of the last six commandments, please see: The Ten Commandments: Loving Your Neighbor. Here is a link to a related article in Mandarin Chinese 十条诫命显示爱，违反诫命的就是邪恶的
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings. A related sermon is titled: Christians and the Ten Commandments.
When was the Exodus? Did it Happen? Some deny the biblical account of the Exodus. Was Ramses II the pharaoh then? When did the Exodus occur? Is there proof outside of the Bible that there was an Exodus? Here is a related article in the Spanish language: ¿Cuándo fue el Éxodo? ¿Ocurrió realmente?
Reasons, Proofs, and Ramifications of the Ten Plagues of Exodus What do you know about these plagues? Is there any confirmation outside the Bible? Might something worse be coming? A related two-part sermon is available: Egypt and the Plagues (Part 1) and Exodus Plagues and Prophecy (Part 2).
Exodus and the Days of Unleavened Bread This article discusses parts of the Book of Exodus with some connections to the Days of Unleavened Bread. A related sermon is available and is titled: Unleavened Bread: Lessons in Exodus.
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.
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism The CCOG is NOT Protestant. This free online book explains how the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants. Several sermons related to the free book are also available: Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History; The First Protestant, God’s Command, Grace, & Character; The New Testament, Martin Luther, and the Canon; Eucharist, Passover, and Easter; Views of Jews, Lost Tribes, Warfare, & Baptism; Scripture vs. Tradition, Sabbath vs. Sunday; Church Services, Sunday, Heaven, and God’s Plan; Seventh Day Baptists/Adventists/Messianics: Protestant or COG?; Millennial Kingdom of God and God’s Plan of Salvation; Crosses, Trees, Tithes, and Unclean Meats; The Godhead and the Trinity; Fleeing or Rapture?; and Ecumenism, Rome, and CCOG Differences.
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE?

Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement
(© European Union, 2025 via Wikipedia)

COGwriter

Voice of America reported the following:

Trump repeat of need to take control of Greenland raises concerns, stirs debate

NUUK, GREENLAND — U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his assertion Monday that the United States needs to take control of Greenland from Denmark in the interests of “international security.”

His repeated calls in recent weeks are raising concerns and stirring debate among the Arctic island’s 57,000-strong population as well as alarm among the United States’ European allies.

“Greenland is a wonderful place. We need it for international security. And I’m sure that Denmark will come along,” the president said. …

“I think we are in a terrible situation,” Nuuk resident Per Chemnitz said. “Our politicians are handling this totally wrong. They have been seduced by something so much bigger than they are able to handle. So, I don’t know where this will end. The worst thing that can happen is that we lose our relationship to Denmark.”

Aka Gronvold, who also lives in the Greenlandic capital, welcomed the Trumps’ intervention.

“Right now, Greenland has the attention of the whole world. That is really good, and it’s about time that Greenland gets some more attention.” Gronvold told VOA.

‘Make Greenland Great Again’

That attention looks set to continue. Republican lawmakers last week introduced a bill titled the Make Greenland Great Again Act, allowing President Trump to start talks with Denmark over purchasing Greenland. It’s not yet clear whether the bill will receive enough support from Congress. https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-repeat-of-need-to-take-control-of-greenland-raises-concerns-stirs-debate/7944672.html

Well, the European Union is not happy about this.

An unintended consequences in Donald Trump’s Presidency of this is that the European Union appears to be more motivated to be more unified as well as to expand. Notice a meeting that happened earlier today at the World Economic Forum’s meeting in Davos, Switzerland:

EU enlargement debate at Davos focuses on Europe’s global role and growth

January 22, 2025

Wednesday’s key discussion at Davos between European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, Croatia’s Andrej Plenković, Montenegro’s Milojko Spajić and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha saw a lively debate on how EU enlargement can shore up Europe’s role in the world by growing the single market, global trade bargaining power and geopolitical weight.

The event comes against a turbulent global backdrop, and US President Donald Trump’s incoming administration has put territorial reach to the fore, staking claims to the Panama Canal and Greenland.

The World Economic Forum debate, “Enlarge to Prosper: Will Europe Grow?” looked at how a new vision for successful enlargement can align the EU accession process with trade and growth strategies, leverage private sector engagement, and benefit current and aspiring member states.

Kos has taken on the enlargement portfolio after a period of European consolidation, but the new European Commission mandate seeks to revitalise its enlargement process. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/eu-enlargement-debate-at-davos-focuses-on-europe-s-global-role-and-growth/ar-AA1xBhgq?ocid=finance-verthp-feeds

The EU wants to expand. It certainly does not want to lose territory to the USA.

Notice also the following development which expands its influence:

EU approves Frontex deployment in Serbia to bolster border security

22 January 2025

The European Parliament has approved an agreement with Serbia, that allows the European Union border agency Frontex to expand its operations within the country, including at its borders with non-EU states.

Serbia, situated on the Balkan route that runs through Turkey, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, remains a pivotal transit hub for migrants entering the EU. https://tvpworld.com/84636767/eu-approves-frontex-deployment-in-serbia-to-bolster-border-security

The EU and Serbia are cooperating more on border matters. Serbia is a Balkan nation that has applied to be in the EU.

Consider also that back in October of 2024, the Chancellor of Germany stated, “The European Union is only complete with the Western Balkans as part of it.” Expansion of the European Union is also the plan as confirmed by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (see EU meets with Balkan leaders on the hope of expansion at Berlin Process Summit 2024).

Most of the nations in the Western Balkan region have waited for a long time to be in the EU, and many expected that process would be completed–or at least much further along than it is by now.

The EU wants the Balkans, not only because they are part of Europe but because they do not want Serbia to remain an ally of Russia. The Serbs fought against the Axis powers (which included Germany, Bulgaria, and Italy) in WWII. The Germans would prefer to have some control over Serbia and do not want to fight the Serbs in the future. Serbia, itself, took another step towards the EU earlier this year when it elected to purchase military planes from France instead of Russia (https://www.ft.com/content/fa26d185-6b54-481a-b5b8-1ff41a0ab724).

There are divisions among the EU states about expansion and many other issues. Of course, division in Europe was prophesied as the following in the Book of Daniel shows:

41 Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. 43 As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay. (Daniel 2:41-43)

However, Daniel also prophesied that the European Beast power will expand to the south and the east:

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

And while the above had a past fulfillment, this prophecy seems to be dual (compare with Daniel 11:27-39). The European Union has mainly expanded south and east of the Benelux nations (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)–which is where it initially formed.

The Balkans are south and east of the Benelux nations.

Currently, approximately 450 million people are now under a new, single (though not completely united) government, called the European Union, headquartered in Brussels.

The European Union currently has 27 member states. If you were to add the six Western Balkan areas that want to be in, plus Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, that brings the total to 36. Plus there is Turkey, but that is another matter.

Now there are groups (such as PCG and LCG) that tend to insist that the final European Beast power will only have ten or eleven nations. They look to be wrong, and thus look to be caught off guard unexpectedly (cf. Luke 21:34) if the final Beast power has more (See also Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?).

In the old Radio Church of God, the late evangelist Dr. Hoeh taught that this little horn of Daniel 8 was the power that would become the final King of the North:

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

The King of the North

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

The European Union has demonstrated a history and willingness to enlarge–and it is interested in the Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. The USA keeps encouraging all of this, but this will not end well for the USA (cf. Daniel 11:39; Isaiah 10:5-11).

Items related to the ‘little horn’, Russia, the Balkan nations, the EU, and the Beast were discussed in the following sermon:

1:00:37

Gentile European Beast

The Bible tells of a time when the Anglo-American order will be temporarily replaced by a new world order that will be dominated by a European power called the Beast of the Sea. This will be primarily a Caucasian Gentile power, with support of some with Israelitish heritage. In this sermon, Dr. Thiel goes over nearly all the nations in Europe and ties them in with progenitors listed in the Bible.

Here is a link to the sermon: Gentile European Beast.

Of course even now, not all in the Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia want to be part of the European Union. Some prefer to be in Russia’s Eurasian Union (though this is likely diminishing because of Russia’s ‘special military operation’ into Ukraine).

Regarding the Balkans, notice the following from 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?:

The Slavic Peoples …

The Slavic nations are in lands south and east of the Benelux nations—so consistent with Daniel 8:9, many in Slavic Europe will support the end time European power. …

Though Slavic, historically, Serbia has differed from most others in eastern Europe.

Unlike many eastern Europeans who supported Germany in WWI and WWII, the Serbs (which mainly live in Serbia, and Montenegro) were opposed and supported the Allied forces. The Serbs also worked with Russia in WWII against Hitler’s forces. Serbia is considered significantly stronger militarily than many countries with similar populations.[i]

The Bible tells of a son of Shem named Elam (Genesis 10:22). History shows that there were also numerous tribes of Elamites.[ii]

Yet researchers have concluded:

Any attempt to trace the Elamites ethnologically is beset with difficulties.[iii]

That being said, some Elamites are believed to have been the progenitors of the Serbs,[iv] but some part of the Medes (from Madai) may also have been involved.

According to Herodotus, there were numerous tribes of the Medes.[v] And originally, this was a reference to a geographic region, and not ethnicity[vi] which included areas that the Elamites were believed to have lived in.

Pliny the Younger in his work Plinii Caecilii Secundi Historia naturalis from the first century AD (69-75) mentioned people named Serboi, who lived near the Cimmerians, presumably on the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.

[In the 2nd century (around 175 AD), the Egyptian Greek scientist Claudius Ptolemy mentioned in his Geography people named Serboi or Sirboi, who presumably lived behind the Caucasus, in the hinterland of the Caspian Sea.][vii]

It is likely that the Serbs were an Elamite and/or Median tribe. Croatians may have come from a different tribe. Some consider that the Serbs and Croatians had the same (or very similar ancestry) but became divided because of culture, geography, and religion: Croatians being more Roman Catholic and Serbs more Russian Orthodox.

Additionally, Croatia was part of the old ‘Holy Roman Empire,’ but Serbia was not.

Historically, the Croatians have been more supportive of Germany than Russia. It is likely that they will remain that way. Serbia has tended to back Russia more than Croatia.

Even though Serbia looks to be a nation that will support Europe for a time, it appears likely that Serbia will be part of the force that will back Russia against end time Babylon, (Ezekiel 32:24-28; Jeremiah 51:11, 27-32). …

Italy and Greece are currently in the European Union and North Macedonia has applied to be.

All of them are expected to support the final Beast power. They will have the temporal financial benefits as well as the plagues (Revelation chapters 15 & 16) and destruction (e.g. Revelation chapter 18; Jeremiah 50:41-46) that will affect the coming European Beast superstate.

Albania and Kosovo

Albanians seem to have derived from Lud (Genesis 10:22) or Canaan (Genesis 10:6).

Albania has applied to be part of the European Union. Despite an Islamic population majority, Albania looks likely to support the coming European Beast superstate. Albania’s currency, called the Lek, is pegged at a fixed rate to the euro.

Though some Kosovars descended from Elam (Genesis 10:22) as many Serbs live there, Kosovo also has an Islamic population majority of people of Albanian heritage.

Before the formal introduction of the euro, which Kosovo now uses, many Kosovars used Germany’s Deutsche Mark as their currency.

Kosovo is recognized by the European Union as a potential candidate for accession and looks likely to support the coming European Beast superstate.

[i] 2022 Serbia Military Strength. GlobalFirePower.com, update of May 02, 2022

[ii] Basello G, et al., eds. The Elamite World. Taylor & Francis, 2018). The tribes of Elam were the Anzan, Uxii or Uxians, Armardians, Mardians, Khapirt, Aipir, Messadatae, Cissi, Cossaei or Coss, and Khuzi or Huzha tribe (White, Origin of Nations, p. 283

[iii] Hinz W. The Lost World of the Elamites. Sidgwick & Jackson. 1972, p. 21

[iv] White C. In Search of … The Origin of Nations, p. 287

[v] Herodotos I-3. Edited by A.H. Sayce. The Ancient Empires of the East. MacMillan & Co., 1883, p. 62

[vi] Ibid, p. 62

[vii] From Petrović AM. Arheografija naroda jugoistočne Evrope, Beograd, 2006, page 19., as Cited in Origin hypotheses of the Serbs. BibleWikipedia, accessed 4/08/22

So based on Daniel 8, Balkan interest in the EU and the EU interest in the Balkans, it is likely that the Western Balkans will, at least for a time, support the coming Beast power in Europe.

As far as the identity of the European Union in prophecy, the Continuing Church of God put together this sermon on its ContinuingCOG channel:

Here is a link to the sermon video: European Union & 7 Kings of Revelation 17:10.

Yes, I expect that the EU will expand and have additional nations, such as those in the Balkans.

The rise of Donald Trump is getting the EU more motivated to expand and fill its prophesied role.

That being said, those that become disillusioned/disappointed by the coming European Beast power may ultimately back out of it–and that may include Balkan countries like Serbia.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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 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 two related videos: The King of the North is Alive: What to Look Out For and The Future King of the North.
The Great Monarch: Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies Is the ‘Great Monarch’ of 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.
Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? There is also a video sermon available: Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy as are two video sermonettes Russia, Ukraine, Babylonian Europe, and Prophecy and Ukraine in Prophecy?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?  Is Donald Trump going to save the USA or are there going to be many disastrous unintended consequences of his statements and policies? What will happen. The link takes you to a book available at Amazon.com.
Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? Kindle edition is available for only US$3.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?
The Times of the Gentiles Has there been more than one time of the Gentiles? Are we in it now or in the time of Anglo-America? What will the final time of the Gentiles be like? A related sermon is available and is titled: The Times of the Gentiles.
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? What about other peoples? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon;  When Will the End of the Age Come?;  Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

COGwriter

More and more in Europe are making public calls to arm. Notice the following:

January 22, 2025

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Wednesday in the European Parliament.

“If Europe is to survive, it needs to be armed,” he said. …

Since his first term, Trump has threatened to pull the U.S. out of the military alliance, insisting European countries chip in more money on defense rather than rely on the U.S. to pick up the slack on defense spending.

“Don’t ask America what it can do for our security. Ask yourselves what we can do for our own security,” Tusk advised lawmakers. https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-needs-to-be-armed-to-survive-says-donald-tusk/

22 January 2025

The European Union must boost its defence spending to “prepare for the worst” and be able to defend itself “alone if needed” against a belligerent Russia, the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday. …

France’s President Emmanuel Macron called on Monday for Europe to “wake up” and step up its defence spending to reduce its dependence on the US for security.

“What will we do in Europe tomorrow if our American ally withdraws its warships from the Mediterranean?” he asked an audience of French military service members at the Army Digital and Cyber Support Command in western France. “If they send their fighter jets from the Atlantic to the Pacific?” …

The newly appointed European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, agreed that a collective approach can make a big difference to Europe’s preparedness for military, if not hybrid, threats.

“We can no longer afford the fragmented approach. We need a real Big Bang approach to increase defence production and acquisition,” the former Lithuanian prime minister told the audience at the EDA conference.

Kubilius stressed the need for interoperable weapon systems, aggregated demand for the defence industry, and more projects of common European interest, such as the air defence shield, the cyber shield, and the Northern and Eastern Border Initiative. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/01/22/eu-must-spend-more-than-1-of-gdp-on-defence-to-prepare-for-the-worst-kallas-says

The World Economic Forum conference in Davos, Switzerland is still going on. Notice something :

Behind closed doors in Davos: Leaders discuss Europe’s path with Trump

22 January 2025

Global leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos have voiced urgent calls for Europe to rethink its economic and regulatory strategies, especially with Donald Trump back in power in the US. …

The discussions, which took place during an exclusive executive roundtable lunch, hosted by Massimo Andolina, CEO, Europe region, Philip Morris International (PMI) … Andolina warned that Europe is “sleepwalking into a catastrophe” …

Former European Council President, Charles Michel, also urged swift action. “We should talk less and act more in Europe,” he said during the discussion. …

Across the discussions, there was agreement that Europe must work together to remain competitive on the global stage, especially with the US economy growing under Trump’s leadership, despite rising public debt. Leaders emphasised collaboration as the key to addressing economic, technological, and geopolitical challenges. https://www.euronews.com/business/2025/01/22/behind-closed-doors-in-davos-leaders-discuss-europes-path-with-trump-back-in-power

Zelensky says US doesn’t care about EU

Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has said that the United States does not prioritize Europe as a top concern and urged European countries to bolster their defense efforts. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, he highlighted the need for Europe to take a more active role in its own security, especially in light of shifting US foreign policies.

Zelensky raised concerns about Washington’s view of its relationship with Europe, arguing that Europeans see the US as an irreplaceable ally, especially during wartime.

“But does anyone in the United States worry that Europe might one day leave them or stop being their ally? The answer is no. Washington does not believe that Europe can bring them anything truly significant,” he added.

The Ukrainian leader also referenced comments made by US officials at the Asia Security Summit last year, saying that representatives of the then-Biden administration had openly admitted that Europe was placed third in strategic priority, following the Indo-Pacific region and the Middle East.

Zelensky also warned that Europe will lose relevance on the global stage if it fails to assert itself. “Europe cannot afford to be a second or third priority for its allies. If that happens, the world will move forward without Europe. And it will be a world where it will not be comfortable to live,” he said. 01/21/25 https://www.rt.com/russia/611428-zelensky-says-us-doesnt-care/

Well, Donald Trump does care about the EU. Basically, he considers that it has been defended by the USA, been ripping off the USA, and is not carrying its weight.

It is believed that he would like to see it broken up into pieces so it cannot be any future threat to the USA.

Last Fall, a reader sent me a link to a video, which I watched, titled, Trump wants to ‘aggressively’ spread Brexit throughout Europe | Yanis Varoufakis 11/13/24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhCnvVinnGQ.

“He has an agenda… essentially to make Brexit spread all over the European continent.”

Trump will apply “aggressive actions” to the European Union as he sees it as “a clear present danger to the United States”, says former Greek finance minister @YanisVaroufakis. pic.twitter.com/IRjpeK6vzm

— Times Radio (@TimesRadio) November 13, 2024

In the video, Yanis Varoufakis, former Minister of Finance for Greece, asserted that “Donald Trump sees the European Union as a clear and present danger to the United States.” He also asserted that Donald Trump wants more Brexit actions (other nations to leave the EU). He also asserted that Europe needs to see Donald Trump as a threat and take action.

Many in Europe are outraged that Donald Trump is back in office.

They not only did not like him the first time, they were not pleased with his support of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union. Donald Trump was perhaps the best known non-Brit that supported Brexit (the BRitish EXIT from the European Union).

Notice something from the BBC:

Best of ‘frenemies’: Trump’s relationship with Europe this time may be very different

Despite facing a whole raft of its own domestic difficulties – not least in leading EU countries, Germany and France – Europe has been very Trump-focused since he won the US presidential election in November. …

Trump … He’s convinced that Europe has taken advantage of the US for years and that’s got to stop. …

It’s a Europe that recognises the need to spend more on defence, as he demands; that is far warier of China, as he expects, and that is more right-leaning in its politics, as he prefers.

Is it a Europe whose leaders also stand up to Trump, despite threats and bluster, if they feel he crosses a line – be it over human rights, free speech or dallying with dictators?

The next chapter in relations between transatlantic frenemies waits to be written. 01/21/25 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93ll927v18o

As far as the next chapter for frenemies, in my 2025 book, Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?, I wrote the following:

Some believe that Donald Trump’s positions on trade will lead to a global trade war.[i] Europe has said it will hit back against Donald Trump’s tariff policies.[ii] It is my position that trade disputes will be a factor in Europe taking military action against the USA one day.

One of the unintended consequences of Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs and other trade matters is that it is motivating nations he has threatened to look to trade more with each other.

The morning after his reelection, I wrote:

According to the major media, Donald Trump won re-election. … Europe will get more serious about trade deals with others internationally, such as being more motivated to approve the trade deal with the Mercosur block of South America.[iii]

On December 6, 2024, Politico reported that the European Union approved the massive Mercosur trade deal, despite opposition from France and others, and also pointed to Donald Trump’s reelection as a factor.[iv]

Energy and climate policy differences between the Europeans and Donald Trump look to increase the negative view many in Europe already have about the USA.

[i] ^{Islam F. Will Trump’s victory spark a global trade war? BBC, November 7, 2024}

[ii] ^{Vella JH. EU’s game plan for Trump trade war: ‘Hit back fast and hard.’ Polico.eu, October 21, 2024}

[iii] ^{Thiel B. Media declares Donald Trump won the election–now what? y Donald trump y eventos para observar. COGwriter, November 6, 2024}

[iv] ^{Gijs C, Leali G. EU snubs France to seal huge Latin American trade deal. Politico, December 6, 2024}

(Thiel B. Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? Nazarene Books, 2025)

The EU is upset that Americans voted for Donald Trump and it does NOT want other nations to leave it.

Furthermore, yesterday the Europeans complained about Donald Trump pulling the USA out of the Paris Climate Accords (see WEF’s Davos conference is concerned about Donald Trump).

Furthermore, its disdain and mistrust for Donald Trump is one reason that Europe has been increasing its military spending.

Some think Europe would never rise up and be a military threat to the USA and that people there are not militaristic.

However, the Bible shows that the USA will be conquered by a coming European power in Daniel 11:39.

Furthermore, regarding some European resistance of becoming militaristic, consider also the following prophecy:

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.  (Isaiah 10:5-7)

The end time Assyrians are those of Central Europe peoples.

Notice that many DO NOT THINK THEY WANT TO CONQUER, BUT DEEP DOWN THEY DO.

Others think Europeans and American are friends and this could never happen. Notice something else in my book Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency:

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 USA and its Anglo-Saxon-Celtic allies off guard. Other nations are likely to also be involved.

The USA will be attacked by “friends” consistent with 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. cf. Lamentations 1:1-2).

Notice the one who was “great among the nations” will be conquered by friends, who will become enemies.

The USA was prophesied to be “great” in Genesis 48:19 and is considered by international sources to be great among the nations of the world today.[i]

[i] ^{Hartig H. Majority of Americans say U.S. is one of the greatest countries in the world. PEW Research Center, August 29, 2023}

(Thiel B. Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? Nazarene Books, 2025)

Europeans are less and less feeling like the USA is a friend.

Donald Trump, threats to the EU, economic matters, and concerns about defense will gel into Europe taking more steps to change and resist the USA.

British Empire 1910 (Wikipedia)

COGwriter

What was the largest empire in history?

Was it prophesied in your Bible?

Yes.

The biggest empire in human history, according to Statista, it was the British Empire:

In 1913, 412 million people lived under the control of the British Empire, 23 percent of the world’s population at that time. It remains the largest empire in human history and at the peak of its power in 1920, it covered an astonishing 13.71 million square miles – that’s close to a quarter of the world’s land area. At its height, it was described as “the empire on which the sun never sets” but of course the sun finally did set on it. Today, Britannia no longer rules the waves and its remnants consist of 17 small dependent and unincorporated territories scattered across the world such as the Falkland Islands and Gibraltar. (McCarthy N. The Biggest Empires In Human History. Statista, December 19, 2019, https://www.statista.com/chart/20342/peak-land-area-of-the-largest-empires/ accessed 12/25/19).

The fact of the massive size of the old British Empire should be of interest to those who believe biblical prophecies.

Why?

First, let’s notice that Israel (whose name originally was Jacob) bestowed the following prophesied blessings on the descendants of the sons of Joseph he adopted:

¹³ And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him. ¹⁴ Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn. ¹⁵ And he blessed Joseph, and said:

“God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,

The God who has fed me all my life long to this day,

¹⁶ The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil,

Bless the lads;

Let my name be named upon them,

And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;

And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

¹⁷ Now when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took hold of his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. ¹⁸ And Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”

¹⁹ But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.”

²⁰ So he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will bless, saying, ‘May God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh!'” And thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh. (Genesis 48:13-20)

If one looks at secular history, it is clear that the Jews did NOT fulfil the prophecies that Israel was inspired to give. Those of us who believe the Bible realize that these prophecies must be fulfilled. And that Ephraim would arise before Manasseh.

Looking throughout secular history, we see that the British-descended peoples (Ephraim) became a multitude of nations (Genesis 48:19) and the USA (Manasseh) became a great nation (Genesis 48:19) with about ¼ of the land mass of the old British Empire. Here is something else about the USA:

The United States is the world’s greatest economic power, measured in terms of gross domestic product (GDP). … The United States is relatively young by world standards, being less than 250 years old; it achieved its current size only in the mid-20^th century. … Probably no other country has a wider range of racial, ethnic, and cultural types than does the United States. … Annually, the U.S. spends more on its military than the next seven highest-ranking countries in military spending combined. (Harris, JT, et al. United States. Encyclopædia Britannica. Last updated December 22, 2019)

From the 19^th century to present, the USA and United Kingdom have dominated the world (though this will be lost later in the 21^st century). They have received the blessings that God promised them through Jacob.

As far as USA ethnic diversity goes, some of the prophecies related to Manasseh refer to it as “Samaria” (e.g. Hosea 7:1; Obadiah 1:19; Isaiah 9:8-12,21). By Jesus’ time, the Samaritans were only partially Israelites—even though they claimed to be from the tribe of Joseph (“Samaritans” in Encyclopaedia Judaica, 1972, Volume 14, col. 727, as cited in Louvish M. Religious life and communities. Keter Books, 1974, p. 61). However, the Bible shows that they were highly ethnically mixed (2 Kings 17:24). See also: Spiritual Samaritans: Old and New.

Notice another prophesy about Joseph’s descendants:

²² “Joseph is a fruitful bough, A fruitful bough by a well; His branches run over the wall. ²³ The archers have bitterly grieved him, Shot at him and hated him. ²⁴ But his bow remained in strength, And the arms of his hands were made strong By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), (Genesis 49:22-24)

The statement “His branches run over the wall” is a prophecy about a colonizing people. Clearly the old British Commonwealth was that. Furthermore, consider that the USA has had military “branches” all around the world that many resent and even hate the USA for. The USA and UK have fulfilled prophecies promised to the descendants of Joseph.

Consider that if the British-American descendants of Joseph did not fulfil these prophecies who did?

Protestants generally ignore this or claim that they were somehow fulfilled before Jesus’ birth, but without proof.

Oddly, Protestant critic Walter Martin claimed that the Book of Amos disproved Anglo-Israelism. Notice what he wrote:

The coup de grace to Anglo-Israelism’s fragmented exegesis is given by the prophet Amos of Judah … (Amos, dwelling in Bethel, prophesied against Israel’s restoration as a separate kingdom [Amos 9:8-12]). We learn from this prophecy that as a kingdom, the ten-tribes were to suffer destruction, and their restoration would never be realized. How then is it possible for them to be ‘lost’ and reappear three millenniums later as the British Kingdom when that Kingdom was never to be restored? (Martin W. Martin W. The Kingdom of the Cults. Baker Books, 2003, p. 518)

Let’s look at the book of Amos:

⁸ “Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are on the sinful kingdom, And I will destroy it from the face of the earth; Yet I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,”

Says the Lord.

⁹ “For surely I will command, And will sift the house of Israel among all nations, As grain is sifted in a sieve; Yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground. ¹⁰ All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword, Who say, ‘The calamity shall not overtake nor confront us.’ (Amos 9:8-10)

Amos 9:8-10 teaches that God would make it so the ancient kingdom of Israel would no longer be able to exist (it still does not), that Jacob though would still remain (his descendants still do), that those people would be sifted through the nations (which they have been), and that the sinners among them will be punished (which will happen; with verses 11-12 telling something that will happen later). Since those of us in the CCOG believe all that, we would tend to state that Amos 9:8-12 supports, and does not disprove, British-Israelism. British-Israelism, as understood in the CCOG, does not mean all ten tribes became the British Empire, but mainly one (Ephraim), along with another (Manasseh) that became the USA.

Perhaps it should also be noted that Jeremiah 51:5-6, especially when compared to Revelation 18:2-6 and Ezekiel 37:15-26, shows that into the present century that God still considers that Israel is separate from Judah. Therefore, despite comments from critics, the Bible does teach many aspects of “British-Israelism.”

It is because of our understanding of biblical prophecies that for at least 50 years (e.g. McNair R. A Strong United Europe. Tomorrow’s World, February 1970, p. 17), Church of God writers predicted that the United Kingdom would NOT remain part of a united Europe.

Furthermore, in c. 1992, I personally told a British man that one day the UK would separate from Europe. The British man stated that could not possibly happen. And he gave his reasons—but they were not biblical ones–so I told told him he was in error. And the fact of “Brexit” has proved that as it is consistent with our understanding of biblical prophecies and the identity of the British and American peoples.

Now, all of this is not just of historical interest.

Because of our understanding of biblical prophecies and the identities of various peoples, we in the CCOG (like the old Radio/Worldwide Church of God) teach that the USA and UK will be taken over by a German-dominated Europe (Isaiah 10:5-11; see also Germany in Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecy).

Additionally, it should be noted that we teach that the Great Tribulation will affect the Anglo-American peoples before others (cf. Jeremiah 30:7) and that the descendants of the tribes of Israel will suffer greatly for refusing to repent (Ezekiel 5:1-5).

However, we do NOT believe that the physical promises given in Genesis are related to salvation as there is no racial difference for God.

Yet, since God did promise physical blessings to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, those who believe the Bible realize that some peoples had to be the recipients of those blessings. And that God kept His promises and provided those blessings in the 19^th-21^st centuries.

However, unless there is massive repentance, the physical blessings will be taken away from the descendants of Israel in the 21^st century. And since we do NOT expect massive national repentance, we understand the Bible to teach that the USA and the British-descended peoples will be taken over and their lands divided among various nations (cf. Daniel 24-25; 11:39; Isaiah 10:5-11; 17:3).

Why would God allow some of the greatest nations of all time to be destroyed as the Anglo-Americans have been in the forefront of distributing Bibles, helping in humanitarian matters, assisting with international disasters, etc.?

Because of their rebellion against Him (Hosea 13:16), their deep corruption (Hosea 9:9), and because the New Testament clearly teaches:

48 For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required (Luke 12:48).

The USA and its Anglo-allies have been given much. Yet, the three “most sinful nations” according to a 2010 BBC report based on the classic ‘seven deadly sins—lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride’— were Australia, the United States, and Canada (‘The Most Sinful Nation on Earth,’ February 2010, p. 30). The United Kingdom was 6th on that list. And while one can argue if other nations should be ahead of them on a sin list, the reality is that the Anglo-nations promote a lot of sin. And they accept more and more sin.

They also promote sin like abortions, the LGBTQ+ agenda, etc.

Notice that God brought Judah low because of the sins of its leader:

19 For the Lord brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had encouraged moral decline in Judah and had been continually unfaithful to the Lord. (2 Chronicles 28:19)

Is not the advocacy of abortion, homosexual marriage, etc. being done by many of the leaders of the Anglo-nations now?

We need national repentance. Otherwise, we have no excuse. Notice that lack of repentance is listed as a reason that the King of Assyria (the final King of the North) will become Ephraim’s king:

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

The prophesied shame is starting to come upon the Anglo-American powers. Without repentance, increased pride is occurring and this will be followed by the prophesied destruction of the Anglo-nations. And yes, other nations have their sins, but they will be punished later.

People individually and the nations collectively need to repent, because truly the end is near. Those who think that they will be able to wait until the last moment (which will probably be sometime in the next decade) are deceiving themselves as a strong delusion will come upon the world then.

The New Testament further teaches:

16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin (James 4:16-17).

Anglo-American religious leaders should all know that they need to denounce sin, but most have compromised on several points. Pride (Amos 6:8) and arrogance will be factors. In addition to sinning, the US government announced in December 2011 that it may withhold foreign aid to nations that do not support parts of the homosexual agenda. It has continued to push that agenda since.

The USA and its Anglo-allies are also likely to experience at least parts of what Jesus called “the beginning of sorrows“:

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 24:7-8).

The Bible also teaches something that will happen at the beginning of the Great Tribulation (which begins in Matthew 24:21):

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 (Isaiah 10:5-6, KJV).

The Hebrew word translated as “hypocritical” above also conveys the idea of being “soiled” by sin. It is important to note that on many matters, including its espionage, the USA is considered to be a hypocritical nation by many, including many of the Europeans (see, for example, Germany most upset by USA espionage; there is also a related video Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power?) and others. Throughout the gospels, Jesus repeatedly condemned hypocrites (Matthew 6:2,5,16; 15:7; 16:3; 23:13-29; Mark 7:6; Luke 11:44; 12:1, 56). Hypocrisy was also condemned by various apostles (Romans 12:9; Galatians 2:13; 1 Timothy 4:2; James 3:17; 1 Peter 2:1).

Destruction will come to the hypocritical (Isaiah 10:6, KJV).

Notice also:

14 The sinners in Zion are afraid;
Fearfulness has seized the hypocrites:
“Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?
Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? (Isaiah 33:14)

All Christians need to realize that when Jesus came, He clearly condemned the hypocritical religious leaders of His day (e.g. Luke 11:44), more directly than the more obvious sinners (Matthew 9:10-13).

Even the biblically-oriented evangelicals have problems with the type of hypocrisy various ones who profess Jesus have:

Studies by evangelical George Barna reveal that born-again Christians divorce more frequently than atheists and agnostics. Evangelical adolescents who claim to believe in abstaining from pre-marital sex are more likely to be sexually active than their peers in other religions. According to Barna, “Every day, the church is becoming more like the world it allegedly seeks to change.” One religious writer observed, “The hypocrisy between Christian beliefs and actions is driving Americans away from the institutional church in record numbers” (Charlotte Observer, August 11, 2010). Jesus warned about the hypocrisy of professing believers, “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me” (Mark 7:6-7), and He pronounced a curse on those who cause others to stumble (Matthew 18:6-7; Mark 9:42-43). (World Ahead Weekly Update, August 12, 2010)

So, there is hypocrisy among the religious in the Anglo-descended nations.

This is not to say that non-Anglo peoples do not have sin or that they will not be punished (for the European Assyrians will clearly also be punished, per Isaiah 10:12), but that the punishment will begin first on those that should have known better—those who claimed to live by the Bible but have repeatedly failed to do so. The Bible shows that the descendants of Jacob will be enslaved by foreigners (Jeremiah 30:8) until the start of Christ’s reign.

And while the gospel warning message will be made quite clear to the English-speaking peoples prior to Daniel 11:38 and the Great Tribulation, because the Anglo-American nations are not likely to heed that warning, they will have to answer for their lack of response (cf. Ezekiel 33:7-9).

Let’s briefly look at another warning in Isaiah 30:12-13:

12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel:

“Because you despise this word, And trust in oppression and perversity, And rely on them, 13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you Like a breach ready to fall, A bulge in a high wall, Whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant.

Of course, more and more, the Anglo-American nations are trusting in policies that encourage perversity. Prostitution is legal in New Zealand, Australia, and parts of the USA. New Zealand, interestingly, has the highest promiscuity rate for women in the entire world according to one study (New Zealand women most promiscuous Sydney Morning Herald AAP – Oct 13, 2007. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/13/1191696214489.html). The Anglo-nations have seen rises in homosexuality and are often changing laws to accommodate this biblically-prohibited practice (Australia has some of the biggest “gay pride” parades in the world and the USA is increasingly pushing LGBT issues around the world). The vast majority of Canadians seems to condone abortion (for details see, Canadians on Abortion).

While there is oppression in these nations (especially racial), the Hebrew word for it can also be translated “unjust gain.” This can include not just the historical exploitation of of various peoples, but can probably also include the fact that the economies of the Anglo-American nations for the past few decades have been benefiting from the gains of foreigners loaning money to it.

The USA has became the greatest debtor nation in the history of humankind. Since the USA owes alien nations trillions of dollars, it appears that the curse in Deuteronomy 28:44 of having to borrow from aliens is happening to it now. The Book of Habakkuk shows that the end time great debtor nation will be take over (Habakkuk 2:6-8).

The Bible shows that defeat is coming to the militaries of the USA (Daniel 11:39) and UK (cf. Isaiah 17:3).

Knowing that the British Empire and the USA were prophesied for greatness helps us realize that prophecies for their doom will also come to pass.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be: Are Chinese threats against Australia for real?
Will the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
British are the Covenant People What do ‘British’ and ‘Britain’ mean in Hebrew? Are the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons people of the covenant? Does the British royal family connect to the throne of David? What does the Bible teach? What does history show us? Is there any DNA evidence related to British-Israelism? When did Christianity make it to the British Isles? Could Jeremiah have made it to the British Isles? What type of Christians made it to the British Isles? Did the last King of England believe in British Israelism?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future. A sermon of related interest is also available: Canada in Prophecy.
Australia and New Zealand in Prophecy Do biblical prophecies help explain the wealth blessings for Australia and New Zealand? Might cursings from disobedience come in the 21st century? Here is a link to a related sermon: Australia and New Zealand: Origins and Prophecy.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West.
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.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
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? 2032, 2035, or 2036 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?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2025, 2026, or 2027? 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? A short video is available titled: Great Tribulation Trends 2025.
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: Alemania en la profecía bíblic. Here are links to two English language sermon videos Germany in Bible Prophecy and The Rise of the Germanic Beast Power of Prophecy.
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?
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
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.

Emblem of Hamas  (Wikipedia)

COGwriter

The Wall Street Journal and the Associated Press reported the following:

Hamas Is Effectively Back in Control in Gaza

With no alternative following a cease-fire with Israel, the militant group has a moment to assert power

After Israeli troops stood down when a cease-fire came into effect in the Gaza Strip, Hamas began sending thousands of its forces onto the streets to establish control. 01/20/25 https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/hamas-is-effectively-back-in-control-in-gaza-0b0e0a16

As a ceasefire brought calm to Gaza’s ruined cities, Hamas was quick to emerge from hiding.

The militant group has not only survived 15 months of war with Israel — among the deadliest and most destructive in recent memory — but it remains firmly in control of the coastal territory that now resembles an apocalyptic wasteland. With a surge of humanitarian aid promised as part of the ceasefire deal, the Hamas-run government said Monday that it will coordinate distribution to the desperate people of Gaza.

For all the military might Israel deployed in Gaza, it failed to remove Hamas from power, one of its central war aims. That could make a return to fighting more likely, but the results might be the same. 01/20/25 https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-ceasefire-hostages-militants-rule-93da074c251d0fcaa395503749e2849e

ZeroHedge posted the following:

Hamas Emerges From Tunnels Still Intact, Starts ‘Policing’ Gaza Again

January 21, 2025

Since the Gaza ceasefire deal took effect Sunday morning, there’s been clear evidence that Hamas is still intact and operating in various parts of the Gaza Strip even after some 470 days of war.

Among Prime Minister Netanyahu’s goals was the complete eradication of Hamas in the wake of the Oct.7 terror attack and taking of hostages. But Hamas commanders have been emerging from the tunnels and parading openly on streets as the ceasefire holds.

Over the past year-plus of fighting both the political leader of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh, and its Gaza commander, Yahya Sinwar, have been killed – so certainly Hamas has taken serious blows, but it still has many thousands of fighters ready to carry on. …

“Hamas appears to be emerging from tunnels and rubble in Gaza to show that it never lost control of most of the area despite fifteen months of war,” The Jerusalem Post acknowledges in a fresh report. “While Hamas suffered many blows from the IDF, it was able to recruit new members, and it even kept trucks and vans ready to return to the streets and show its presence.” …

Additionally, “Hamas police, an arm of the terrorist group, are also reappearing. They have been around throughout the war, but their presence has not been as clearly felt in some areas.”

An Al Jazeera regional correspondent has also witnessed evidence of Hamas being organizationally intact: …

Israeli society is witnessing this too, and it is likely creating some dissonance. After all, if the Israeli military has been engaged in a lengthy, full and systematic air and ground campaign in Gaza – and Netanyahu government leaders have faced skepticism in claiming they can finally destroy Hamas. https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/hamas-emerges-tunnels-still-intact-starts-policing-gaza-again

So, yes, Gaza still has a lot of Hamas supporters.

Israel did not eliminate Hamas.

There will be no permanent peace in the Middle East before Jesus returns.

However, a temporary one is prophesied.

Let’s look at Daniel 9:26-27 which states:

26 And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate (Daniel 9:26-27).

The above is referring to a deal or covenant that has a time element attached to it.

The ‘one week’ time element has generally been understood by prophecy watchers to mean a seven year deal (2520 days, based on prophetic 360 day years), that will be broken in the middle of it (after 3 1/2 years). The Hebrew word translated as “week” literally means “sevened” (OT:7620 literal, sevened. Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.).

The ‘with many’ referred to in this passage would seem to indicate that ‘many’ nations, as opposed to one or two, are agreeing to something. Nations such as Jordan and Egypt are likely to be involved as they both have signed peace agreements with Israel in the past.

Notice that the prince is the one who later brings an end to the sacrifices and is involved with the abomination of desolation.

While Daniel 9:26 calls this leader a “prince,” he is later is referred to as the king of a developing European empire (Daniel 11:40; see also King of the North and Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation). Daniel 9:26-27 tie directly in with Daniel 11:

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

The prince who confirmed the deal is the European King of the North (cf. Daniel 11:40) when he musters forces, stops sacrifices, and puts in the abomination of desolation.

One way to show this is a European empire to realize that it was the people of the Roman Empire of the 1st century that fulfilled the portion of Daniel 9:26 as they destroyed the city (Jerusalem) in 70 A.D. Jewish sources, while not understanding all of this, also agree that it was Roman sources that destroyed the city and sanctuary as the following demonstrates:

“The people of the prince will come and destroy the city and the Sanctuary” Daniel 9:26, refers to the Roman legions of Vespasian and Titus, who destroyed Jerusalem. (Daniel 9 – A True Biblical Interpretation. Jews for Judaism. https://jewsforjudaism.org/knowledge/articles/answers/jewish-polemics/texts/daniel-9-a-true-biblical-interpretation/ accessed 07/30/16)

In the 21st century, the European Union includes much of the land and peoples that were part of the ancient Roman Empire. And it is the “prince” coming from that people that verse 27 of Daniel 9 is referring to. Thus, this prophecy tells us that a lower level European leader will somewhat officially start to rise up about 3 1/2 years before the great tribulation (and yes, according to Jesus, some “tribulation” does happen prior to the start of the Great Tribulation).

As far as European involvement goes, we put out the following short video:

14:49

Will Europe be Involved in Peace in the Middle East?

EuroNews reported, “It’s the right time for the EU to step in and bring peace to the Middle East,” because Europe needs to move towards international leadership and the United States moves have basically resulted in a big mess. The Palestinians also prefer the Europeans to the Americans when it comes to dealing the Israel and Netanyahu’s government. Does the Bible point to a European confirming a peace deal in the Middle East? Is this a temporary, seven-year, deal that will be broken in the middle. Did Irenaeus of Lyon and Hippolytus of Rome consider this a deal that would be broken after 3 1/2 years? Do any Islamic prophecies point to the same thing? Will all in the world understand this deal? Could apparitions, like in Fatima, which have claimed to be of “Mary” be involved? Is confirmation of the deal by a “prince” setting in motion the timing of the Great Tribulation and later the return of Jesus and the establishment of the millennial Kingdom of God? What did Daniel the prophet write? Will the breaking of this deal precede the destruction of the USA and its British-descended allies? What happens after the confirming prince becomes the King of the North? Will this also be the Beast power that will conquer an Arabic power to arise called the King of the South per Daniel 11:40-43? Who are the “mighty” and who are the “holy” people that the Beast will destroy? Will the deal a European prince confirms be broken according to scripture? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie go over these issues.

Here is a link to our video: Will Europe be Involved in Peace in the Middle East?

Peace deals normally come AFTER wars. Though it is also possible that the deal will be confirmed by the “prince” before the other parties agree to it or before a coming regional war.

Why is Daniel 9:27 believed to be a type of ‘peace deal’?

There are several reasons.

Notice some other scriptures that discuss this leader:

25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:25, KJV).

23 And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. 24 He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time. (Daniel 11:23-24, NKJV)

So this leader gives people the impression that there will be “peace” and is involved in some type of deal. This is the same leader that confirms the covenant in Daniel 9:27. The term is translated as “peace” in Daniel 8:25 is from the Hebrew term shalvah and essentially means security. In other words, this leader will destroy “many” who are under the impression that they are secure because of some type of security and/or trade arrangement. Such arrangements are now commonly referred to as peace deals or treaties. Land swaps or changes to territories are likely.

The Bible shows that Gazans will end up with territories that Israel now controls. A decade ago, we put out the following video:

The prophesied changes in territory where the Palestinians end up with more, will have to come after some type of deal and/or violent conflict.

As far as the current ceasefire goes, we have the following related video:

14:47

Hamas Israel Ceasefire and Daniel 9:27

Peace at Last! Peace at Last! World News Item: Hamas and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire! But will this ceasefire really bring about peace in the mid-east? There are three phases to the ceasefire agreement. Is it possible that both Israel and Hamas will abide by the conditions set forth in all three phases? Would their past performance be any indication of their future performance? Dr. Thiel sheds the light of Bible prophecy on these world events in addition to giving us insight into a future peace deal spoken of in the book of Daniel. A peace deal between the King of the North and the King of the South. Will that peace deal result in peace? If the cease fire between Hamas and Israel and the peace deal between the Kings of the North and South don’t bring about peace – what will?

Here is a link to our video: Hamas Israel Ceasefire and Daniel 9:27.

Hamas is not gone.

World events are aligning with properly understood biblical prophecies.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
How Will Middle East Peace be Brought About? Can humans bring peace to the Middle East? Here is a link to a related video: Middle East Peace? When?
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 hundreds of 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.
Gaza and the Palestinians in Bible Prophecy What does the Bible teach about Gaza and the fate of the Palestinians? Here is a link to a related video: Gaza and Palestine in Prophecy.
Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future What does the Bible say about Jerusalem and its future? Is Jerusalem going to be divided and eliminated? Is Jesus returning to the area of Jerusalem? There are also two related YouTube videos you can watch: Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated and God’s and Satan’s Plan for Jerusalem.
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.

World Economic Forum logo

COGwriter

The World Economic Forum (WEF) conference in Davos’ began yesterday. Here is the first listed topic of the WEF’s agenda yesterday:

First Impressions: Inauguration Day, 15:00 CET

Today, the head of the European Union spoke at that conference as did others:

January 21, 2025

Davos, Switzerland — EU chief Ursula von der Leyen declared Tuesday that Europe was ready to negotiate with the United States and seek to improve ties with China as Beijing warned against damaging trade wars in the face of Donald Trump’s protectionism. …

With Beijing and Brussels facing some of the biggest risks from the return of self-professed tariff-loving Trump, China’s Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen took to the stage first at the forum.

“Protectionism leads nowhere and there are no winners in a trade war,” Ding said, without mentioning Trump directly. https://www.voanews.com/a/china-eu-ukraine-leaders-take-davos-stage-under-trump-shadow/7944381.html

January 21, 2025

Europe will have to work together to avoid a global race to the bottom, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

She added that the use of sanctions, export controls and tariffs was likely to increase and that for Europe to sustain its growth in the next quarter of the century, it must shift gears.

The EU, among other steps, will present a joint plan for decarbonisation and competitiveness.

“With Europe, what you see is what you get,” she said. …

Global trade flows will suffer from “interesting ructions” as the new Trump administration settles in, Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters said at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

“We’ll see what comes through in terms of tariffs…but we know China is a big part of that in terms of having a gigantic export surplus, and that will be under attack from all parts of the world,” Winters said.

Big globally-focused banks will be able to benefit from that disruption in their roles connecting between markets, Winters said, while locally-focused banks may struggle.

https://www.reuters.com/business/davos/world-economic-forum-meeting-davos-live-updates-2025-01-21/

In one of the executive orders he signed yesterday, Donald Trump pulled the USA out of the Paris Climate Accords. The Europeans still want to go forward on this:

European leaders at Davos vow to stick to Paris climate agreement despite Trump’s withdrawal

January 21, 2025

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — As expected, day two of the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland witnessed strong responses to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, with European leaders stating in no uncertain terms that they will hold fort and remain a part of the global climate pact.

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday: “Europe will stay the course, and keep working with all nations that want to protect nature and stop global warming.” She insisted that the 27-nation bloc will stick to the landmark Paris climate accord. “The Paris Agreement continues to be the best hope for all humanity,” she said. https://apnews.com/article/davos-paris-agreement-climate-change-trump-5dc52accc69761277759c19864073c67

Of course, Jesus and the Kingdom of God are the best hope for humanity, but the EU thinks it and its plans are.

Regarding the USA and the Paris Accords, back in 2017, the USA was declared a “rogue nation” for pulling out of them before the first time Donald Trump was president. Related to that, the Continuing Church of God put out the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

The USA Declared a ‘Rogue Nation’!

Because of US President Donald Trump’s position on ‘climate change’ as well as certain executive orders from him, the USA has been declared a rogue nation by various ones in Europe, Africa, Asia, and other parts of the world. How does Webster’s Dictionary define ‘rogue’? Is it possible that considering that the USA is a rogue nation will be part of the justification for it getting taken over in the future? What does the Vatican want done? Does the Bible teach that friends, who do not mean to takeover the USA will one day destroy it? Might ‘climate change’ be part of a false gospel?

Climate Change

Donald Trump’s views against the ‘climate change’ agenda have not pleased the Europeans.

As 45^th President, Donald Trump pulled his nation out of the Paris Climate Accord agreement that the Obama-Biden Administration agreed to. The Biden-Harris Administration had the country rejoin that deal. Donald Trump intends to pull the USA out of the agreement again.

The Paris conference was technically called the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, often abbreviated COP21. This is something that the Vatican also endorsed. There has been a COP meeting most of the years since (COVID affected it), but partially because of Donald Trump’s re-election, COP29 (held for two weeks in November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan) was considered ineffective in making significant improvements.

Europeans consider that they are the ones that are “moral” on this matter and that the re-election of Donald Trump is making international climate improvement much more difficult. [i]

Perhaps it should also be mentioned that Olav Fykse Tveit, when he was General Secretary of the World Council of Churches said it was a “sin against the Holy Spirit, if we all ignore climate change.” [ii] Essentially, he is stating it is the ‘unpardonable sin’ (cf. Luke 12:10) to not accept the climate change agenda. Donald Trump railed against the climate change agenda in his latest campaign and believes much of it is against America’s interests.[iii]

Irrespective of how one views the climate change matter, holding views that differ from Olav Fykse Tveit is not a “sin against the Holy Spirit.” However, the reality is that countries, like the USA, should not agree to something on an international basis (like COP21) and then not follow through (cf. Psalm 15:1-4).

Donald Trump’s view of climate change has caused issues with Europe. Europe tends to see the USA as an irresponsible polluter of the planet, while Europe increasingly believes itself to be the environmental protector that the world needs.

[i] ^{Hodgson R. Trump victory casts shadow over upcoming COP global climate talks. Euronews, November 6, 2024}

[ii] Kenny P. Pentecostals meet Pope Francis; World Council of Churches’ Tveit speaks at Pentecostal conference. Ecumenical News, September 9, 2016

[iii] ^{McDermott J, Daly M. In new term, Trump set to go after measures that are doing the most to fight climate change. Associated Press, November 6, 2024}

The USA has once again offended the Europeans and I believe that they will point to environmental policies as one of the reasons that they are justified to eliminate the USA–which Europe will one day do under its coming Beast leader.

Here is something in my latest book available at Amazon Kindle: Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? as well as Amazon print Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? related to the WEF and its agenda:

The World Worships the Beast

 It has been asserted that because of his reelection, “President Trump can break globalism.” [i]

But is that possible?

No.

The Book of Revelation teaches:

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

The “him” above is the Babylonian European Beast.

The “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2) has worked to set the stage for this Beast to have secular and religious supporters of various types.

Secular organizations such as the World Economic Forum (WEF),[ii] United Nations,[iii] and the Bilderberg Group[iv] all support a type of an ecumenical-interfaith-merged religion, allowing for certain differences, yet possibly writing their own holy book with artificial intelligence! [v] They all promote what could be called a ‘globalist’ agenda, consistent with biblical prophecies (e.g. Revelation 17:1-5).

The European Union does as well, however, its view is that Europe should lead a coming “new world order.”[vi]

An unintended consequence of Donald Trump is that his presence has tended to push various globalist groups closer together. This will not stop with him as 47^th President of the USA.

In May of 2022, World Economic Forum’s founder Klaus Schwab, who is German, said he wanted to make it “clear” — “the future is built by us.”[vii] And the WEF will work with others, like European politicians, to make that happen. WEF Chief Executive Philippe Donnet wrote related to global governance, “The world needs a leader. Europe should step up … Global leadership, especially in socioeconomic terms, could become the shared goal of European citizens.”[viii]

Furthermore, the WEF has wanted Roman Catholic involvement and Pope Francis has, at least twice, sent Klaus Schwab pro-WEF letters.[ix]

In 2020 Prince Charles, now king Charles III, endorsed the WEF’s globalist ‘Great Reset” agenda.[x] There are prophecies about some of the UK (Ephraim) calling out to Germany (Assyria) after the start of the Great Tribulation (cf. Hosea 5:13). It is likely that at least one or more members of the British royal family will do this, though it will not turn out as they would have hoped (cf. Hosea 5:13b, 11:5).

Former German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, who has pushed for more European integration, has personally spoken at a WEF meeting a decade ago[xi] and was still listed as part of the WEF on its website in 2023.[xii] Herr Guttenberg also has directly called for Europe to reorganize.[xiii]

The WEF has called its version of a reorganized world The Great Reset.[xiv] Many aspects of The Great Reset align with a future the Bible warns against. In 2021, the WEF announced it would work with Big Tech and governments to be able to control and censor the internet[xv]—such control would seem to contribute to the coming “famine of the word” (Amos 8:11-12).

In 2022, Klaus Schwab told the G20 (a group of the most influential/powerful government leaders of the world) that he believed that “a deep systemic and structural restructuring of our world” was needed.[xvi] While a deep European restructuring will occur (cf. Revelation 17:12-13), it is scripturally warned against. In 2023 in a keynote speech at the World Government Summit, Klaus Schwab stated, “I agree, artificial intelligence, but not only artificial intelligence, but also the metaverse, neospace technologies, and I could go on and on … And, who masters those technologies, in some way, will be the master of the world”[xvii]–and that is basically what he called for. Bible prophecy points to computer technologies to be used by the coming Beast power:

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 13:16-18).

While Donald Trump has stated that he opposes a CBDC for the USA, and the majority of Canadians, Australians, and New Zealanders against them as well,[xviii] the “European Central Bank (ECB) is moving forward with the digital euro project. … The next phase involving an actual development and rollout of the digital euro could start in November 2025 at the earliest”[xix] Europe will end up with a CBDC and/or other form of digital currency. That is how the 666 power will be able to control the ability to buy and sell.

On the opening day of the WEF meeting in Davos, Switzerland in 2023, Klaus Schwab called for his supporters to “master the future,”[xx] which looks to be directed towards globalist totalitarianism. On the closing day of that conference “Tanja Fajon, Slovenia’s minister of foreign affairs, complained about countries placing their own sovereignty over the interests of the ‘world order,’ “ [xxi] (the loss of national sovereignty will happen at least in Europe according to prophecies such as Revelation 17:12-13).

Another 2023 WEF Davos speaker, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (Pakistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs) stated shortly after Tanja Fajon, “Here at WEF…there’s a lot of discussion about what the new world order will be…” and he also stated that that they needed to continue working towards, “building this new world order.” [xxii] Having watched the video clip of this, Bilawal Zardari also looked to be calling for something consistent with the final time of the Gentiles (Ezekiel 30:3). By not appreciating warnings contained in biblical prophecies, many are pushing in a direction that will end in death and destruction that the Bible says to flee from (cf. Revelation 18:2-19).

It needs to be pointed out that this book is not asserting that the United Nations, the Vatican, World Economic Forum, Freemasons, Bilderberg Group, etc. cannot do anything good. They do have many positive goals, yet also some goals that are opposed by scripture. Despite the good, the Bible warns:

¹ Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; (Psalm 127:1)

And, since these groups do not promote the supremacy of the God of the Bible, they, in that sense, labor in vain.

[i] ^{Steinhauer L. Reagan Broke Communism, Trump Can End GlobalismNewsMax, December 12, 2024}

[ii] ^{Yanklowitz S. Global unity or chaos: Special report from the World Economic Forum! Jewish Journal, September 6, 2011}

[iii] ^{Secretary-General briefs Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. United Nations, January 26, 2016}

[iv] ^{Richardson I, et al. Bilderberg People. Taylor & Francis, 2013}

[v] ^{Global Agenda: Role of Faith in Systemic Global Challenges World Economic Forum, June 2016; Campbell M. WEF speaker suggests ‘New Bible’ written by AI. The Counter Signal, June 13, 2023}

[vi] ^{Balázs P. ed. Europe’s Position in the New World Order. Center for EU Enlargement Studies, 2013}

[vii] ^{Klaus Schwab at World Economic Forum: ‘The future is built by us.’ World Tribune, May 23, 2022}

[viii] ^{Donnet P. The world needs a leader. Europe should step up. WEF, January 17, 2018}

[ix] ^{To Professor Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum. From the Vatican, 12th January 2018; Franciscus PP. Message of His Holiness Pope Francis to Prof. Klaus Schwab. From the Vatican, 17 January 2014}

[x] ^{Alessi C. ‘A golden opportunity’ – HRH the Prince of Wales and other leaders on the Forum’s Great Reset. WEF, June 3, 2020}

[xi] ^{Stott M. German minister fears “infectious momentum” in Mideast. Reuters, January 28, 2011}

[xii] ^{Karl-Theodor Freiherr zu Guttenberg. World Economic Forum https://www.weforum.org/people/karl-theodor-zu-guttenberg accessed 01/21/23}

[xiii] ^{Centrifugal Force An Interview with Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. Octavian Report, c. 2017; Octavian Report video on November 15, 2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTL_CgBwmxo}

[xiv] ^{Scwab K, Malleret T. COVID-19: The Great Reset. Agentur Schweiz, 2020}

[xv] ^{Hohmann L. World Economic Forum (WEF) Announces Creation of Orwellian ‘Global Coalition for Digital Safety’ Global Research, 1 July 2021}

[xvi] ^{Florio G. World Economic Forum Chairman Klaus Schwab Announces His Plans For A “Deep Systemic And Structural Restructuring Of Our World” At The G20 Summit. Evie magazine, November 15, 2022}

[xvii] ^{Parker T. Klaus Schwab: Those who master new technologies “in some way, will be the master of the world.” Reclaim the Net, February 14, 2023}

[xviii] ^{Kaaru S. 70% of New Zealanders say CBDC is ‘not important.’ Coin Geek, December 26, 2024}

[xix] ^{International Monetary Fund Policy Paper: CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY—PROGRESS, IMF, November 2024}

^{AND FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS Rundown}

[xx] ^{Coglianese V. Editor Daily Rundown: Klaus Schwab Opens 2023 World Economic Forum With Call To ‘Master The Future’Daily Caller, January 17, 2023}

[xxi] ^{Dutton J. ‘New World Order’ Remarks at Davos Spark Flood of Conspiracy Theories. Newsweek, January 20, 2023}

[xxii] ^{Dutton J. ‘New World Order’ Remarks at Davos Spark Flood of Conspiracy Theories. Newsweek, January 20, 2023}

WEF keeps pushing are steps towards a one-world government. One that will have more and more controls on humans.

The Bible shows that a totalitarian government to be ruled by the Beast will be put in place fairly soon–and that is something that the WEF is unknowingly working towards.

Donald Trump may infuriate the WEF and has already upset them, but biblical prophecies will be fulfilled.

The ONLY real solution for the problems facing humanity are repentance and the good news of the coming Kingdom of God–yet that is NOT something that the WEF, its allies, or Donald Trump are working towards.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?  Is Donald Trump going to save the USA or are there going to be many disastrous unintended consequences of his statements and policies? What will happen. The link takes you to a book available at Amazon.com.

Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? Kindle edition is available for only US$3.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?

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 Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.

Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? What about other peoples? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon;  When Will the End of the Age Come?;  Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

COGwriter

Many have been affected by wars and rumors of war this past couple of years.

Is a better world really coming?

Yes.

Christians are to believe that:

14 … Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. (Mark 1:14-15, KJV)

Notice the following from the old Worldwide Church of God written by the late evangelist Raymond McNair:

The Coming Millennium – Utopia at Last

Jesus Christ is about to return to usher in, on earth, His 1,000-year reign of peace, happiness and prosperity. What does the Bible say about that glorious time? … the word gospel means “good news” …

God’s Kingdom set up on earth

Jesus Christ will return to set up God’s Kingdom at the last moment before carnal man, under Satan’s sway, finally destroys himself (Matt. 24:21-22). If the Creator-Ruler of the universe didn’t intervene, not a single human being would be left alive on this earth.

The book of Revelation shows us what will happen when Christ returns to rule this world: “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years [the Millennium] should be fulfilled” (Rev. 20:1-3).

One of Christ’s first acts at His Second Coming will be to bind Satan so that the devil can no longer deceive the world (Rev. 12:9).

Then what will happen?

“And I saw thrones, and they [the saints] sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them… and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years [the Millennium]. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection [the resurrection of the saints, who will rule with Jesus Christ during the Millennium]. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign [on the earth] with him a thousand years” (Rev. 20:4-6).

Jesus promised that the saints — those who allow themselves to be ruled by God’s law, who overcome and who endure to the end — would be given power over the nations (Rev. 2:26-27, 3:21) and that they would reign with Him on the earth (Rev. 5:10, Dan. 7:27, 2:44).
Jesus will then be “Lord of lords, and King of kings” (Rev. 17:14). Zechariah prophesied that “the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one” (Zech. 14:9). Jesus’ headquarters will be in Jerusalem (Jer. 3:17), from which He and

His saints will rule the world.

At last — utopia!

God’s Kingdom — God’s Family — will rule this earth in true peace, prosperity and happiness. Let us notice some of the many scriptures that describe the coming wonderful world tomorrow.

With Satan bound — put in an abyss and restrained, for 1,000 years, from deceiving the nations — what will happen?

“He [Satan] who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth. The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing” (Isa. 14:6-7). Yes, the nations will break forth into singing when Satan is bound. The earth will finally know peace — no more strife or war.

God will then open, for the first time, the minds of all people to His truth (Isa. 25:7). God will begin to offer His Holy Spirit and salvation to mankind as a whole. Man’s very nature — his carnal, selfish orientation toward getting instead of giving — will be changed to God’s way of giving, serving, sharing, of having concern for others equal to or greater than concern for self (Jer. 31:31-34).

At last, God’s law will be written in the hearts and minds of all mankind, and crime, war, sickness and violence will vanish. Man will learn that obedience to God’s law pays big dividends.

Mankind will actually begin to seek God — will want to learn of and live by God’s way:

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains … and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law [of God], and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

“And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more” (Isa. 2:2-4).

The prophet Micah adds this interesting detail: “But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it” (Mic. 4:4).

Today people live in constant fear of violence and crime from fellowman; nations live in dread of the nuclear mushroom cloud. But in the wonderful world tomorrow, “None shall make them afraid”!

Man will not only be at peace with his fellowman, but with nature itself. God will change the animals’ nature also:

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed [together]; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice den.

“They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Isa. 11:6-9).

What a wonderful, utopian age is about to dawn on this planet!

A world of abundance

Revolutions will take place in agriculture and construction. Man will no longer be occupied with war and trying to harm his fellowman. Under the direction of Christ and the immortal rulers, man will be able to devote his energies to food production and rebuilding — properly — civilization. God will even change the weather and landscapes to promote man’s physical prosperity (Isa. 30:23-25).

Isaiah 35 gives further details about the Messiah’s reign:

“The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing… Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water… And an highway shall be there, and a way… of holiness” (verses 1-2, 5-8).

No more will thousands starve to death daily, while millions of others suffer malnutrition because of lack of food (Amos 9:13-15).

What a time of prosperity! Man will have abundant reason to rejoice (Jer. 31:12-13, 30:19).

During the Millennium, God’s people will show the nations of this earth how to build and how to restore, unlike today, when so many are bent on tearing down and destroying (Isa. 61:4).

Right religion and education

Under the training of Christ and God’s immortal, spirit-born children, man will finally learn and practice God’s way — the way to every abundant blessing. Religion and education will be inextricably intertwined (Isa. 30:20-21).

The immortal saints will be able to suddenly appear and rebuke anyone who goes the wrong way.

True religion will be enforced. Mankind will begin to keep all God’s laws, which will include observing His Sabbaths and Holy Days (lsa. 66:23-24, Zech. 14:16-19). Individuals who rebel against Christ’s rule will be dealt with swiftly and surely.

When man begins keeping God’s Holy Days, including the Feast of Tabernacles, he will learn that God’s festivals reveal God’s great master plan.

In addition, there will be no more confusion of tongues — the whole earth will be united with one language (Zeph. 3:9).

And during the Millennium Jesus Christ — God Himself — will dwell on earth, at Jerusalem, with mankind (Isa. 33:17-20, Joel 3:20-21). Jerusalem will truly become the “City of Peace” during the Millennium.

The whole world will rejoice

This earth cannot know true, lasting peace (lsa. 59:8) until the “Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6-7) returns to this planet and establishes His world-ruling government.

We are commanded to rejoice during our Feast of Tabernacles celebrations because this great Feast of Ingathering pictures the soon-coming Kingdom of God, when Christ will do just that.  …

When God restores His law and His way of life — His divine government — to this war-weary earth, then we shall have unprecedented peace, happiness, abundant health and worldwide prosperity. This wonderful world tomorrow — the 1,000-year rule of the Kingdom of God — will be a time of supreme rejoicing for all nations.

What a world that will be! (Good News, September 1982)

God’s Word has much more to say about what God’s Kingdom will be like. If you would like to know more, please read our free booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

Now, notice something else put out by the old Worldwide Church of God:

You CAN Be Positive in Today’s World

Sure, there’s a better world coming In the future, but how can you stay positive in this evil age? The Bible tells!

Terrorism! Murder! Financial crises! War! Family breakups! Weather upsets! Famine! Pollution!

Every day, terrifying tragedies jump out at us in startling headlines from the front pages of our newspapers.

Just hearing the morning news is enough to make anyone start the day gloomy and pessimistic. Thinking only of today’s difficult times and the even more traumatic times to come can lead us into discouragement and despondency. While Jesus Christ tells us to watch world events (Luke 21:36), He also expects us to think and act in a positive manner. We should not become overwhelmed or dismayed by what we see happening or what we know is prophesied to strike the earth.

Paul, in Colossians 3:15, says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

God’s peace should reign supreme in our minds. We as God’s people are called to peace. Those whom God has called and chosen to be in His Family have the assurance that nothing can force them to fall prey to Satan.

Consider John 6:37 and 39: “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out…. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.”

Most people are in bondage to the uncertainty, fear, worry and anxiety of the times in which we live. The Christian is different. He has tranquility and peace of mind. Romans 8:15 explains, “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption [sonship] by which we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.'”

Formula for a right attitude

But does God simply tell us to have peace of mind, without telling us how? No indeed. In Philippians 4:8, God gives us a formula that, if followed, will guarantee that we stay in a positive frame of mind: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Authorized Version).

In other words, God wants us to focus our minds not on the negative side of this life, but on the positive.
Let’s examine this verse phrase by phrase, noting some examples in each area where Paul said we should direct our thoughts.

Focus on truth

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true…”

God’s promises are true and sure. In Psalms 119:160 we read that God’s Word is true in its entirety. God has revealed the purpose of life, that He is reproducing Himself and desires that every human being enter His Family (Romans 8:14-17).

In spite of the appalling conditions now prevalent in this world, God will soon restore health and well-being to humanity and make the earth a sparkling, magnificent gem (Isaiah 35). That is what is true!

It’s also true that humanity’s greatest enemy — death — will be abolished, and that all our loved ones will see God (I Corinthians 15:26).

One of Jesus Christ’s names, in fact, is True: “Then I saw heaven opened, and, behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True” (Revelation 19:11).

When we read the Bible we can know absolutely that whatever God has promised, He will do, because He speaks truth and cannot lie (Numbers 23:19). This should be a great comfort to us. There is never any need to doubt what God says.

“Whatsoever things are honest [or honorable]…”

Dishonesty is everywhere. People write checks knowing that they will bounce. Advertising is notorious for its exaggerated claims and outright falsehoods. Theft has reached into every person’s pocket.

But occasionally, when a little honesty comes to light — taxi driver returns a watch left by a passenger, for instance, or a dry cleaning worker hands in money found in a pocket — we see a little light in the darkness. Think what the world tomorrow will be like when similar examples will be the norm, not rare exceptions.

Now let’s turn to the other meaning of this phrase — “honorable.” What can you think of that is honorable?
Hebrews 13:4 tells us that the marriage union is honorable. If you are married, think of the ways you can honor your spouse and your marriage by giving of yourself.

The Bible tells us that anyone who fears God should be honored (Psalm 15:4).

The elderly couple who have reared fine children or led lives of service to others are worthy of honor (Proverbs 16:31). So is the young man or woman who shows character and clings to high values. Even the child who strives diligently to master long division is worthy of honor.

“Whatsoever things are just…”

In the Bible, the word just means far more than fair or equitable. It also refers to righteousness. God’s commandments are just (Romans 7:12), and are an excellent subject for meditation. David said that God’s law is perfect, sure, right and pure (Psalm 19:7-8), and that meditation on it made him wiser than his teachers. God’s laws and statutes are excellent subjects to think on, for God’s commandments reveal just what a righteous and just God He is.

In God’s Kingdom, Jesus Christ will rule justly. We can look forward to disputes being settled justly, whether among nations or individuals, for God can read the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Notice the attitude of the world’s coming ruler , Jesus Christ: “His delight is in the fear of the Lord, and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears; but with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth” (Isaiah 11:3-4).

Under God’s rule, humanity will receive the benefits of its labor. No human or government will take away that which rightfully belongs to any individual. Imagine how wonderful the world will be when everyone can rest assured that his problem will be resolved justly.

“Whatsoever things are pure…”

Purity means clarity or freedom from anything that weakens or pollutes. And what is the most important thing of all for anyone to keep pure? Character.

Developing pure character — the courage and conviction to find out what is right and the will and ability to do what is right, despite temptations to compromise — is the very purpose for which man was put on the earth.

Pure love and friendship are hard to find in this era of me-first attitudes. But we can learn to love with purity, without reservation or deceit.

I Peter 1:22 states, “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.”

I Timothy 1:5 reads, “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart.” Keeping God’s commandments leads to being able to love with pure motives.

“Whatsoever things are lovely…”

God’s creation is the quintessence of loveliness. The majesty of the Rocky Mountains of North America, the Alps of Europe and New Zealand, the fjords of Scandinavia, lift the spirit. Think of the spectacularly or subtly beautiful places you have seen, either in person or in pictures.

Many of humanity’s highest works and achievements can also be called truly beautiful. Learn to admire and enjoy beauty and loveliness in art, literature, poetry, dress, ornament and music. Enjoy what is lovely now, anticipating the time when God will make the earth a lovely place to live, a place where beauty will be perfected.

“Whatsoever things are of good report…”

Remember what God said about His Son Jesus when John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River? “And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased'” (Matthew 3:17). Words of praise and appreciation from a parent or respected person are like music to a son’s or a daughter’s ears.

Rejoice when others succeed, not when they fail. And don’t forget that there’s potential for success in all people. God likes to hear good reports of His people. He has planned for everyone to receive a good report at Jesus’ return if they accept His way.
What else is of good report? The work of God is growing all over the world. The true Gospel of God’s Kingdom is reaching more people now than ever before, adding hope and happiness to these people’s lives every day. That’s definitely a good report.

How encouraging to think of what God is accomplishing!

“If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise…”

How often do we count our blessings? Do we praise God for what we have? We may not have perfect health, but we can be encouraged by the strength and hope that others, with even more serious problems, show. Remember the man who complained that he had no shoes?

He changed his attitude when he saw a man who had no feet.

God is to be praised for all He has done for us. Read the Psalms, for instance. They are full of words of praise for the great God who made heaven and earth.

As a person thinks…

Philippians 4:8 ends with the admonition, “Think on these things.”

Thought leads to action. Dwelling upon sinful pleasures leads to sin, but a positive approach to life leads to success.

David had a positive approach toward his battle with Goliath. He understood what Proverbs 23:7 explains: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” David knew that he could beat the Philistine giant because he had faith God was on his side. He didn’t let negative thoughts about Goliath’s size and power deter him.

In his match with Goliath, David was battling for his physical life. We are in a similar battle, but our eternal life is at stake.

Satan would like to have us feel it is useless to go on. He would like us to think only on the hopelessness of this world. If he can get us into a negative frame of mind, he can destroy us!

But God is on our side with a full arsenal of spiritual weapons!

As Christians we are to be lights to the world (Matthew 5:14-16). We must stand positive about the future and the ultimate destiny of humankind. (Adair C. Good News, March 1985)

As far as some information on the good news of the coming Kingdom of God, the Continuing Church of God put out the following sermon on its ContinuingCOG channel:

1:12:03

Utopia: From Humans or God?

Is utopia possible? Will humans bring it about? Are we about to go from a time of chaos to a time of humanitarian peace? Will climate change policies result in equity? Will gender fluidity and reproductive rights lead to peace? What about the World Council of Churches, the Vatican, the ecumenical/interfaith movement? Was the United Nations the last real hope for human peace? Should we expect the ‘great reset’ to be the answer? What about a possible European utopia? Is a time of peace going to come? What about the Kingdom of God? Will it be a millennium of peace? Is it really real? Can a church-state combination bring in a time of abundance, peace, and prosperity? Will the kingdom of God be based on law and God’s governance? Who will teach people in the millennium? Will the nations of this world be angry when Jesus returns? Can you count on the coming millennium utopia from God? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.

Here is a link to our sermon: Utopia: From Humans or God?

Yes, a better world is coming.

Remember, Jesus said;

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25-34)

Yes, put your focus on the coming Kingdom of God.

Some additional items of possibly related interest may include:

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 1,500 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.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near? Three related sermons are available Let’s Talk About the Earthly Millennium, Millennial Utopia, and The Millennium.
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?
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from lower level leaders? Two related sermons are available The Work per HWA and the Bible and Priority of the Philadelphia Work.

(Signed official White House photo)

COGwriter

Donald Trump became the President of the United States on 20 January 2025.

Here are some statements Donald Trump made today at his inauguration today:

I was saved by God to make America great again….

I will immediately begin the overhaul of our trade system to protect American workers and families. Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens. For this purpose, we are establishing the External Revenue Service to collect all tariffs, duties and revenues. It will be massive amounts of money pouring into our treasury coming from foreign sources. …

This week, I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life. We will forge a society that is colorblind and merit based. As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female. … The future is ours. And our golden age has just begun. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/transcript-trump-inauguration-speech-2025/

No, God did NOT save Donald Trump to make America great again–nor has the golden age for the US just begun. But, yes, Donald Trump is right about the gender matter. Yet, foreign nations are very concerned about his planned changes to trade and other matters.

Many are excited about the Trump-Vance Administration.

But the Europeans are concerned:

How Trump’s tariffs could take trade wars to next level

20 January 2025

US President Donald Trump has vowed to levy 10-20% tariffs on all goods entering the United States in a bid to boost domestic manufacturing. The president said he wants to encourage consumers and businesses to buy American-made products by making imported goods more expensive. He believes this would boost jobs and reduce the US trade deficit. …

Last week, German car giants including Mercedes-Benz and BMW called on the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, to agree to a “grand bargain” with Washington to protect the sector from potential tariffs. https://www.dw.com/en/how-trumps-tariffs-could-take-trade-wars-to-next-level/a-71323676

The EU must stand up to ‘belligerence’ from incoming Trump administration – analysts

Two experts have told Euronews that the EU must ready itself to stand firm in the face of belligerence from an incoming Donald Trump regime.

Demands by some in Trump’s team for Europe to water down or abandon important social media regulations would weaken democracy and “won’t guarantee Europe’s security in the long run”, according to think tank Bruegel’s Guntram Wolff and the European Policy Centre’s Georg Riekeles.

“We were all taken aback by how aggressive both Musk and Donald Trump have been in this first half of January, really not attacking Russia or China, but really attacking allies verbally,” ULB Professor of Economics at Guntram Wolff told Euronews’ Europe Conversation.

Both experts said the European Commission should confront Musk and other social media outlets if and when instances of a breach of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) occur and are deemed a genuine threat to European democracy or society.

The Digital Services Act (DSA) is the EU’s key legal tool for monitoring social media outlets for disinformation and harmful content. …

“You always have to stand up to bullying,” said Wolff, in response to Europe being torn between the choice of applying its own regulatory system to protect democracies or riling Trump who could respond by issuing trade tariffs, or abandoning European security at a time of major peril.

“If you give in immediately, the demands will only increase. And there’s no guarantee whatsoever that if you don’t stand up on X and to X and bullying on X, that then all of a sudden all security problems will be solved,” he said. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/01/16/the-eu-must-stand-up-to-belligerence-from-incoming-trump-administration-analysts

Yes, there are trade tensions and other concerns about Donald Trump in Europe.

Notice that Europeans want to control the narrative with their Digital Services Act, plus correctly refer to Donald Trump as a bully.

Donald Trump was also essentially condemned by Pope Francis:

January 20, 2025

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis said Donald Trump’s plans to impose mass deportations of immigrants would be a “disgrace,” as he weighed in on the incoming U.S. president’s pledges nearly a decade after calling him “not Christian” for wanting to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border. https://apnews.com/article/vatican-immigration-trump-pope-d3516b41de56641391f59c2094ee380e

There will be many unintended consequences of the Trump-Vance Administration.

While it is true that Joe Biden is wicked and evil (see Joe Biden pardons liars on way out and also pushes religious suppression), that does not make Donald Trump a saint, as he is also wicked and evil (though not always in the same ways).

Regarding Donald Trump and his presidency, here is something in my latest book available at Amazon Kindle: Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? as well as Amazon print Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?:

I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat nor part of any political party. Nor do I consider myself an independent or some type of anarchist. My views would be that of a biblical Christian who earnestly holds to true and original Christian beliefs (cf. Jude 3).

While I wish that the future of the United States in the next decade or so would be its greatest years, the moral direction that the U.S. has taken, along with various statements in the Bible, suggest we are getting closer to the end of America.

It is reasonable to believe that not everything that the 47^th president may do will be good, and not all that he may do will be bad. The same goes for other political leaders.

Many have questioned Donald Trump’s morality. From his lifestyle and business choices, to his outrageous and sometimes insincere statements, he is considered to have noticeable moral flaws.

Does any of that matter?

Well, the Bible says that it does.

Like certain others, Donald Trump is helping to fulfill the following prophecy for the “last days”:

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

Proud, boasters, lovers of themselves, and lovers of money. If you do not believe these terms help describe people like Donald Trump, notice something he stated publicly in 2016:

You know I get greedy I want money, money.

I’ll tell you what we’re going to do, right? We get greedy right? Now we’re going to get greedy for the United States we’re going to grab and grab and grab. We’re going to bring in so much money and so much everything. We’re going to make America great again, folks, I’m telling you folks we’re going to make America great again. …

You’re going to be proud of your president, and you’re going to be even prouder of your country, OK?[i]

In terms of boasting and not coming “to the knowledge of truth,” consider something Donald Trump explained the day after he tweeted, “The United States must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes”:

Let it be an arms race, because we will outmatch them at every pass and outlast them all.[ii]

The above boast from Donald Trump is scripturally WRONG. The Bible shows that the power with the “strongest fortresses” will be defeated (Daniel 11:39). The USA will NOT “outlast them all.”

His brash and boastful statements have concerned many.

And as far as characteristics like being “blasphemers, unthankful, unholy,” one should not call oneself a Christian if one has not repented (cf. Acts 2:38), like he has not.

His verbal attacks, like on people like those who ran against him, have been correctly characterized as “brutal .”[iii]

… Many have rightly pointed out that he often acts as a bully.

[i] ^{“I love the poorly educated”—Read Donald Trump’s full Nevada victory speech. Quartz, February 24, 2016}

[ii] ^{Jackson D. Trump open to arms race and better relations with Russia and Putin. USA Today, December 23, 2016}

[iii] ^{Tani M Donald Trump is embarking on a scorched-earth general-election plan to beat Hillary Clinton. Business Insider, May 10, 2016.}

Pope Francis appointed a critic of Donald Trump’s agenda as the Archbishop of the District of Columbia in January 2025, which suggests the Vatican wants to oppose many aspects of Donald Trump’s agenda.[i] The Vatican opposes much that Donald Trump wants to do internationally. …

Some believe that Donald Trump’s positions on trade will lead to a global trade war.[ii] Europe has said it will hit back against Donald Trump’s tariff policies.[iii] It is my position that trade disputes will be a factor in Europe taking military action against the USA one day.

[i] Pope Francis Names Trump Critic McElroy Washington’s New Archbishop. Newsmax. January 6, 2025

[ii] ^{Islam F. Will Trump’s victory spark a global trade war? BBC, November 7, 2024}

[iii] ^{Vella JH. EU’s game plan for Trump trade war: ‘Hit back fast and hard.’ Polico.eu, October 21, 2024}

More items, as well as specific predictions related to the presidency of Donald Trump are in the Amazon Kindle book: Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? as well as Amazon print Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?

There will be many unintended consequences of the Trump-Vance Administration.

COGwriter

On his way out, Joe Biden has shown contempt for the rule of law, the US constitution, and religious freedom.

Notice the following:

January 20, 2025

Just as many suspected would happen…

…in these flailing hours of Biden’s presidency, he has issued a large-scale pre-emptive pardon for his various NeverTrump henchmen (and henchwomen) that have done his (or his puppet master’s) bidding for the past four years.

As AP reports, it’s customary for a president to grant clemency at the end of his term, but those acts of mercy are usually offered to everyday Americans who have been convicted of crimes.

But Biden has used the power in the broadest and most untested way possible: to pardon those who have not even been investigated yet.

And with the acceptance comes a tacit admission of guilt or wrongdoing, even though those who have been pardoned have not been formally accused of any crimes.

Here is the full statement (emphasis ours)…

Our nation relies on dedicated, selfless public servants every day. They are the lifeblood of our democracy.

Yet alarmingly, public servants have been subjected to ongoing threats and intimidation for faithfully discharging their duties.

In certain cases, some have even been threatened with criminal prosecutions, including General Mark A. Milley, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, and the members and staff of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.

These public servants have served our nation with honor and distinction and do not deserve to be the targets of unjustified and politically motivated prosecutions.

General Milley served our nation for more than 40 years, serving in multiple command and leadership posts and deploying to some of the most dangerous parts of the world to protect and defend democracy. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he guided our Armed Forces through complex global security threats and strengthened our existing alliances while forging new ones.

For more than half a century. Dr. Fauci served our country. He saved countless lives by managing the government’s response to pressing health crises, including HIV/AIDS, as well as the Ebola and Zika viruses. During his tenure as my Chief Medical Advisor, he helped the country tackle a once-in-a-century pandemic. The United States is safer and healthier because of him.

On January 6, 2021, American democracy was tested when a mob of insurrectionists attacked the Capitol in an attempt to overturn a fair and free election by force and violence. In light of the significance of that day. Congress established the bipartisan Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol to investigate and report upon the facts, circumstances, and causes of the insurrection. The Select Committee fulfilled this mission with integrity and a commitment to discovering the truth. Rather than accept accountability, those who perpetrated the January 6th attack have taken every opportunity to undermine and intimidate those who participated in the Select Committee in an attempt to rewrite history, erase the stain of January 6th for partisan gain, and seek revenge, including by threatening criminal prosecutions.

I believe in the rule of law, and I am optimistic that the strength of our legal institutions will ultimately prevail over politics. But these are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing. Baseless and politically motivated investigations wreak havoc on the lives, safety, and financial security of targeted individuals and their families. Even when individuals have done nothing wrong—and in fact have done the right thing—and will ultimately be exonerated, the mere fact of being investigated or prosecuted can irreparably damage reputations and finances.

That is why I am exercising my authority under the Constitution to pardon General Mark A. Milley, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the Members of Congress and staff who served on the Select Committee, and the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the Select Committee.

The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense. Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country.

Finally, it is ironic that all these anti-Trump establishment types would be pre-emptively pardoned on the day of Trump’s greatest victory. https://www.zerohedge.com/political/i-believe-rule-law-biden-pre-emptively-pardons-fauci-miley-jan-6-committee

President Biden preemptively pardoned five family members on Monday, minutes before turning the office of the presidency over to Donald Trump. https://www.axios.com/2025/01/20/biden-family-pardons-white-house-donald-trump

No, Joe Biden does not believe in the rule of law, nor does he respect the Constitution of the United States, despite his numerous oaths to defend and uphold it.  Joe Biden is a serial liar and broke public promises to not pardon family members, His abuse of the pardon power makes a mockery of the Constitution’s provision for it and the rule of law. He has shown all that his family does not have to worry about breaking the law like other Americans do, nor do many others who pushed aspects of his agenda.

Regarding Anthony Fauci, he lied, suppressed the truth in unrighteousness, and helped cause a few trillion dollars worth of damage to the economy of the United States. Plus he negatively impacted much of the rest of the world. But Joe Biden does not want the truth about that more thoroughly exposed.

Furthermore, the January 6th committee was a sham. I am very familiar with the US legal system, and the lawyers, Congress members, and many others associated with that committee violated the rule of law and they knew it. Many of the shenanigans they pulled off were not only a disgrace, but would NOT be tolerated in any proper court in the US. Instead of allowing Americans to know the truth on this, Joe Biden has, like Anthony Fauci, again suppressed “the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18).

Joe Biden should read the following as much of these verses apply to him:

20 Those also who render evil for good,
They are my adversaries, because I follow what is good.  (Psalm 38:20)

13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.  (Proverbs 8:13)

5 Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the Lord understand all.  (Proverbs 28:5)

12 The wicked plots against the just,
And gnashes at him with his teeth.  (37:12)

35 I have seen the wicked in great power,
And spreading himself like a native green tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more;
Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found.  (Psalm 37:35-36)

12 A worthless person, a wicked man,
Walks with a perverse mouth;  (Proverbs 6:12)

Joe Biden’s frequent public statements taking God’s name in vain as well as promoting perversion and transgenderism show that he is wicked and evil.

Related to something specific to the Constitution itself, notice the following that Joe Biden has tried to do:

Joe Biden announced on Friday that the Equal Rights Amendment should be considered a ratified addition to the US constitution, inserting himself into a long-running legal battle over gender equality just days before he is set to leave office.

“It is long past time to recognize the will of the American people,” Biden said in a statement. “In keeping with my oath and duty to Constitution and country, I affirm what I believe and what three-fourths of the states have ratified: the 28th Amendment is the law of the land, guaranteeing all Americans equal rights and protections under the law regardless of their sex.”

However, it is unclear if his statement will have any impact, as under the constitution, presidents do not have any role in the amendment process. And the head of the National Archives has said that the amendment cannot be certified because it was not ratified before a deadline set by Congress. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/17/joe-biden-equal-rights-amendment

No, a president cannot declare something to be an amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

But Joe Biden has improperly attempted to do so.

The Equality Act is not equality, but instead a means by which the federal government of the United States cam trample on the first amendment right to freedom of religion. The Equality Act is wicked and evil.

Here is something from the Protestant Franklin Graham about it from 2021:

The message to the church from certain influential, high-level people in government is loud and clear: Fully embrace the sexual revolution and redefine marriage and gender—or else! The Equality Act is moving our nation in a direction that elevates government above God. They want to make the moral decisions, usurping His authority.

Under its broad reach, the Equality Act will:

• Force schools, churches, and hospitals to accept the government’s beliefs and mandates about sexual orientation and gender identity. It could threaten everyday speech, and people can be fined or lose their jobs for using the wrong name or pronouns.
• Allow boys in girls’ sports, boys in girls’ locker rooms, men in women’s shelters, and men in women’s prisons. It will force teachers and students to publicly pretend that a biological male is a female, making biological sex (and science) a relic of the past.
• Strip Christian and other religious ministries of their right to hire people of shared faith to pursue a shared mission. Can you imagine a Christian organization being forced to hire people hostile to its deeply held beliefs?
• Force many doctors and medical professionals to violate their conscience and engage in gender transition treatments such as hormone blocking.
• Threaten accreditation to religious colleges and universities if they do not apply sexual orientation and gender identity to dorms, sports, places of privacy, and even teachings.

This legislation would massively change our moral landscape and silence people of faith who do not agree with the secular values of the Left. But more than muzzling us, they want to force us to pivot—to change direction—instead of trusting God and standing on His Word. If we begin compromising on basic Biblical truths, it will lead to the end of Christianity in this country. 03/24/21 https://billygraham.org/story/franklin-graham-do-not-surrender-and-do-not-pivot/

Despite hopes and views of many, the end of religious freedom will hit the USA–Joe Biden tried to do that again–but once the European Beast takes over the USA, religious freedom will be gone from a human legal perspective.

World Net Daily (WND) posted comments from a Jewish group in 2021 who believed that the so-called Equality Act will essentially result in a banning of the Bible:

Holy Bible blasted as ‘bigoted document’: Equality Act ‘explicitly targets’ Scripture

… warns Yaakov Menken, the managing director of the Coalition for Jewish Values. … the bill classifies virtually all venues, from restaurants to catering halls and funeral homes as “public accommodations,” subjecting them to a mandatory ban on division by sex.

“This directly forbids traditional Jewish practice in any such location,” he said.

“Lest you imagine that such a Jewish event would be protected by its religious nature, the act goes out of its way — for the first time in history — to prohibit recourse to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). That law was specifically to shield religious practice from ‘laws ‘neutral’ toward religion [which] may burden religious exercise as surely as laws intended to interfere with religious exercise,’” Menken said.

“Stripping this protection from religious practice cannot be described as incidental. The Equality Act claims the notion that marriage is between a man and a woman is merely a ‘sex stereotype,’ and that opposition to same-sex marriage is inherently discriminatory. Any ‘discrimination’ on the basis of ‘gender identity’ is likewise prohibited, even in the private sector,” said Menken.

“Thus, the Equality Act explicitly targets the Bible, calling it a bigoted document filled with discriminatory stereotypes. These include the idea that male and female sexes are biological, not psychological (Genesis 1:27), created with procreation in mind (1:28), and that marriage is the unique, holy contract between man and woman forming the environment in which that procreation is intended to take place (2:24). And one cannot forget that which the Bible proscribes as an ‘abomination’ in Leviticus 18:22. …” 03/22/21 https://www.wnd.com/2021/03/holy-bible-blasted-bigoted-document-equality-act-explicitly-targets-scripture/

I have repeatedly warned about the Equality Act.

Here are some more comments from Yaakov Menken:

The Equality Act explicitly targets the Bible, calling it a bigoted document filled with discriminatory stereotypes. It would also ban observant Jews from religious ceremonies.

The Founding Fathers recognized freedom of expression and religious liberty as core elements of diversity and tolerance. Now, nearly 250 years later, Congress is acting to stamp them out, ushering in a new era of government-sanctioned anti-religious bigotry. …

With the Equality Act, Congress is waging a legislative effort to prohibit the next Siyum, scheduled to take place in June 2027, and other such “discriminatory” violations of human rights. Under the Act, observant Jews will no longer be legally permitted to gather to celebrate religious education, or any other occasion, in accordance with their beliefs.

The reason is simple: not only prayer services, but family lifecycle events of all kinds — from circumcisions to bar mitzvahs to weddings to funerals — are commonly divided by biological sex in traditional Orthodox Judaism. This is true whether or not ceremonies are held in synagogues. …

The Siyum held on New Year’s Day 2020 brought a level of decorum unheard of in a sports stadium: an absence of fights, drunkenness, and disorderly conduct. Police, who maintained a high level of security, said they never felt such appreciation from the public as they did then. Combined with its educational focus, the celebration exhibited values that America has long cherished.

Congress, to the contrary, would now grant antisemites a powerful legal tool with which to prevent such public displays in the future. Yet President Biden has committed to putting his name to it. If bigots were bent on eliminating Orthodox Judaism from American soil, it is difficult to imagine a more ruthlessly efficient tool than the Equality Act. https://thefederalist.com/2021/03/23/the-equality-act-would-legalize-religious-bigotry/

The Equality Act is anti-Christian, anti-Jewish, and anti-Bible.

Here is something from my book Biden-Harris: Prophecies and Destruction:

Here is what the Biden-Harris Administration’s top priority is:

The Equality Act is the best vehicle for ensuring equal rights under the law for LGBTQ+ Americans, and will guarantee that LGBTQ+ individuals are protected under existing civil rights laws. Biden will make enactment of the Equality Act during his first 100 days as President a top legislative priority. Biden will also direct his Cabinet to ensure immediate and full enforcement of the Equality Act across all federal departments and agencies. … End the misuse of broad exemptions to discriminate. Religious freedom is a fundamental American value. But states have inappropriately used broad exemptions to allow businesses, medical providers, social service agencies, state and local government officials, and others to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people. Guaranteeing transgender students have access to facilities based on their gender identity… Biden will reverse Trump’s policies misusing these broad exemptions and fight so that no one is turned away from a business or refused service by a government official just because of who they are or who they love. ( The Biden Plan to Advance LGBTQ+ Equality in America and Around the World. JoeBiden.com accessed 10/16/20)

The above is a concern to many people who believe that they will be discriminated against if they hold to various religious and/or biblical beliefs on sexuality. Claiming religious freedom is “a fundamental American value” (which is clearly stated in the U.S. Constitution) while at the same time saying it must be not allowed for certain matters is wrong, insincere, and hypocritical.

The Bible, KJV translation, predicts the end of “an hypocritical nation” (Isaiah 10:5-11).

Furthermore, because the Bible teaches that homosexuality is an abomination (Leviticus 18:23; 20:13) and that homosexuals can change (1 Corinthians 6:9-11), and the current LGBTQ+ propaganda does not want that to be considered, about three years ago a bill was introduced in California that, if taken to its logical conclusion, would ban the Bible.

We also made a video that discusses it and put that on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

12:15

Banning the Bible?

Could we see a ban of the Holy Bible in North America? Have there been partial bans proposed and enforced by government officials in Canada? Do any USA politicians consider any biblical teachings as fraudulent and hence banning them is NOT a violation of the 1st amendment to the Constitution of the USA? Are there risks associated with AB 2943? Have politicians like Hillary Clinton and California Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi called for long-held religious beliefs to change and “evolve with the times”? What about Jude 1:3 and 2 Timothy 3:14? Are there biblical prophecies about not being able to hear the word of God? Might we see more restrictions on explaining teachings of the Bible on the Internet and other forms of media? What are some of the verses that various government people do not want made public? Dr. Thiel provides facts on these issues and more.

Here is a link: Banning the Bible?

While the USA likes to act like it is the bastion of free speech and freedom of religion, more and more restrictions keep getting proposed. And, in our case, our most recently uploaded video to YouTube was censored and removed (details are here: YouTube censors and removes BNP video: Disney’s abominable promotions!).

Additionally, it should be pointed out that Canada has a de facto ban on parts of the Bible.

Related to that, the Continuing Church of God put out the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

15:57

Canadian censoring of the Bible

The Bible warns against the rise of despisers of good in the last days:

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:

2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,

4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,

7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

Those of us who hold to the idea that sexual relationships are only to be between a man married to a woman are considered to have “ugly narrow-mindedness” by supporters of the LGBTQ movement.

Furthermore, the LGBTQ supporting crowd does not want people to believe the following:

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,

10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

The Equality Act is another step towards eliminating religious freedom in the USA.

The Bible not only warns that homosexuality, lesbianism, and cross-dressing are wrong, it also condemns those who condone all forms of sexual immorality:

5 A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God. (Deuteronomy 22:5)

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,

25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. 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 1:24-32)

In Canada, quoting parts of Romans 1 in certain ways is essentially banned (watch Canadian censoring of the Bible).

The Bible warns that more censorship is coming:

11 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God,
“That I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine of bread,
Nor a thirst for water,
But of hearing the words of the Lord.
12 They shall wander from sea to sea,
And from north to east;
They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord,
But shall not find it. (Amos 8:11-12)

As many realize, in order to protect the rights of the citizens of the USA nation to speak even against the government, the Bill of Rights came into effect as Constitutional Amendments on December 15, 1791. Here is the first amendment:

• First amendment — Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

But now we see laws that do respect secular religion as well as those against freedom of speech and even religious speech (e.g. watch: Biden-Harris & Hate Speech).

The Bible is not a book that should be censored.

It teaches:

1 Cry aloud, spare not;
Lift up your voice like a trumpet;
Tell My people their transgression,
And the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)

The work of God needs to be done now as Jesus said:

4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. (John 9:4)

The time to do the work is now, while we still can do it! We are seeing more and more signs that “the night is coming when no one can work.”

That is part of why we in the Continuing Church of God are preparing for the ‘short work’ (Romans 9:28) and the coming ‘famine of the word.’

A famine of the word is coming–and we are seeing Big Tech and governments already implementing restrictions.

Yet while we can, Philadelphian Christians will strive to go through the doors that Christ opens to proclaim the Kingdom of God (2 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 16:8-9; Colossians 4:2-4) and do the work.

Philadelphia means “love of the brethren.” It is LOVE to properly teach what the Bible teaches, even if some group calls that “ugly narrow-mindedness.”

We in the Continuing Church of God will teach and stand up for the truth (watch also the short introduction to our YouTube channel: ContinuingCOG Channel), despite realizing that the ‘famine of the word’ that the prophet Amos referred to is coming. We must do the work and persevere to the end–despite government restrictions and others who do not truly respect the Bible.

Joe Biden is evil and pushed evil during his term in office.

Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris have all been in my prayers.

American Democratic or Republican politicians are not what the USA needs.

The USA needs repentance, the return of Jesus, and the coming Kingdom of God.

COGwriter

Today is observed in the USA as Martin Luther King, Jr. day. Although I normally do not take this day off (nor presidents’ days unless sometimes when I am out of town), I thought it might be appropriate to quote some writings from the late Martin Luther King, Jr.

His birth name was Michael King, Jr. His father was also born Michael King, but the elder King changed his and his son’s names following a 1934 trip to Germany to attend the Fifth Baptist World Alliance Congress in Berlin in honor of the Protestant leader, Martin Luther.

Martin Luther King was a Baptist minister who became best known as a civil rights activist.

January 15, 2023

President Joe Biden made a historical pilgrimage Sunday to “America’s freedom church” to mark Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, saying … that the civil rights leader’s life and legacy “show us the way and we should pay attention.” https://www.voanews.com/a/in-tribute-to-rights-leader-king-biden-invokes-battle-for-the-soul-of-this-nation-/6919321.html

As far as his legacy goes,  Martin Luther King, Jr. also noticed certain things about religion before he became well known as a civil rights leader.

Much of this is overlooked by most. This post might be the only place today to point out that in the middle of the last century, Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote about many things, including Mithraism. Mithraism was a religion that observed Sunday and had followers such as the Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th century.

Here is some of what Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote about it in a paper dated November 23, 1949:

In Avesta, Mithra was the genius of celestial light…The doctrine of the immortality of the soul was another view which was very prominent in Mithraism …

Women were compelled to seek salvation in some other cult, for Mithraism excluded them entirely …

When Mithraism is compared to Christianity, there are surprisingly many points of similarity. Of all the mystery cults, Mithraism was the greatest competitor of Christianity …

That Christians did copy and borrow from Mithraism cannot be denied (King ML. The papers of Martin Luther King, Jr, Volume 4. Clayborne Carson, Ralph Luker, Penny A. Russell editors/compliers. University of California Press, 1992, pp. 213-214, 217, 222, 224).

Here are some of his writings dated February 15, 1950:

Mithraism … was suppressed by the Christians sometime in the latter part of the fourth century A.D.: but its collapse seems to have been due to the fact that by that time many of its doctrines had been adopted by the church, so that it was practically absorbed by its rival.

… the Church made a sacred day out of Sunday partially because … of the resurrection. But when we observe a little further we find that as a solar festival, Sunday was the sacred day of Mithra: it is also interesting to notice that since Mithra was addressed as Lord, Sunday must have been “the Lord’s Day” long before Christian use. It is also to be noticed that our Christmas, December 25th, was the birthday of Mithra, and was only taken over in the Fourth Century as the date, actually unknown, of the birth of Jesus.

To make the picture a little more clear, we may list a few of the similarities between these two religions: (1) Both regard Sunday as a Holy Day. (2) December 25 came to be considered as the anniversary of the birth of Mithra and Christ also. (3) Baptism and a ritual meal were important parts of both groups …

In summary we may say that the belief in immortality, a mediator between god and man, the observance of certain sacramental rites…were common to Mithraism and Christianity. (King ML. The papers of Martin Luther King, Jr, Volume 4. Clayborne Carson, Ralph Luker, Penny A. Russell editors/compliers. University of California Press, 1992, pp. 307, 309.)

Notice that Martin Luther King, Jr. clearly understood that the Sunday churches dropped the Sabbath, that “the Lord’s Day” essentially first meant the day of Mithra, and that the worlds’ churches did adopt many practices from Mithraism. Much of what now is called “Christianity” is a compromise with the religion of Mithraism.

I wish that Martin Luther King, Jr. and others would have emphasized this aspect of his writings more. I would also add that Christians faithful to the original teachings of Christ, the apostles, and the New Testament did not adopt the practices of Mithraism.

As far as being a Baptist minister goes, notice something that a former Baptist minister wrote after reading some of the writings of the so-called “early church fathers”:

I … begin reading the Church Fathers. I knew about the Church Fathers from my seminary days and was aware that there were several volumes of their collected writings. … It didn’t take long for the foundations of my Baptist/Evangelical faith to begin to crumble. … Understand, these were very early writings, probably late first century, and they threw me into an almost immediate crisis, because there was one thing I could not escape — whatever the early church was, it certainly didn’t resemble my Evangelical faith. (Morgan G. The Perfect Storm. The Coming Home Network International, December 12, 2024. https://chnetwork.org/story/the-perfect-storm/)

As I have documented in various writings, such as the free online book: Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism, there was nothing resembling modern Protestantism in the early Christian church. The above former Baptsit minister finally came to realize that. Let me also add that neither did the early Christian church resemble that of Greco-Roman Catholicism either–that is documented in detail in the free online book: Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession?

Actually, early records show that there were basically two main groups that professed Christianity. One that was mainly based upon the Bible, and the other that accepted doctrines from those who followed Simon Magus and Mithras.

While Dr. King was most known for his civil rights protests, he figured out that much of what passed for Christianity in his day was really a form that adopted Mithratic practices.

Does that include your version of Christianity? Are you sure?

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. December 25th was celebrated as his birthday. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity? A sermon video from Vatican City is titled Church of Rome, Mithras, and Isis?
Church of Rome, Mithras, and Isis? Dr. Thiel is recorded in Vatican City and points to a variety of symbols and displays there and explains where some of them seem to have originated from. Specifically, he discusses the connection of the cave grotto and mitre to Mithraism as well as obelisks and certain other ties to Isis. He also briefly touches on some doctrines that those groups share.
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.
God’s Grace is For All Is being Jewish a hindrance to salvation? What about not being a descendant of Israel? What does the Bible really teach? Here is a link to a related sermon titled Race and Grace; Do you view race as God does?
Early Church History: Who Were the Two Major Groups that Professed Christ in the Second and Third Centuries? Did you know that many in the second and third centuries felt that there were two major, and separate, professing Christian groups in the second century, but that those in the majority churches tend to now blend the groups together and claim “saints” from both? “Saints” that condemn some of their current beliefs. Who are the two groups? A related sermon is also available Christianity: Two groups.
Is Revelation 1:10 talking about Sunday or the Day of the Lord? Most Protestant scholars say Sunday is the Lord’s Day, but is that what the Bible teaches?
The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church? Here is a related sermon video The Christian Sabbath and How and Why to Keep It.
What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them? Is December 25th Jesus’ birthday or that of the sun god? Here is a link to a related sermon: What do Catholic and other scholars teach about Christmas?
Sunday and Christianity Was Sunday observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians? Who clearly endorsed Sunday? What relevance is the first or the “eighth” day? A related sermon is also available: Sunday: First and Eighth Day?
Did Early Christians Believe that Humans Possessed Immortality? What does John 3:16, and other writings, tell us? Did a doctrine kept adopted from paganism? Here is a YouTube video titled Are humans immortal?
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. Is telling the truth about the early church citing Catholic accepted sources anti-Catholic? This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church. There is also a YouTube sermon on the subject titled Church of God or Church of Rome: What Do Catholic Scholars Admit About Early Church History?
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Who were the Nazarene Christians? What did they believe? Should 21st century Christians be modern Nazarenes? Is there a group that exists now that traces its history through the Nazarenes and holds the same beliefs today? Here is a link to a related video sermon Nazarene Christians: Were the early Christians “Nazarenes”?
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
COGwriter Position on Other Churches and Religions What is the fate of those who do not know Christ? What about those who profess Christ outside the Church of God?
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L’Histoire Continue de l’Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.