Church of God News

The number of terrorist attacks around the world has increased dramatically; over 80% of all terrorism occurs in only 5 countries …

82% of all deaths from terrorist attack occur in just 5 countries: Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria and Syria.

… The definition of terrorism used by the Global Terrorism Index is: “the threatened or actual use of illegal force and violence by a non-state actor to attain a political, economic, religious or social goal through fear, coercion, or intimidation”. http://www.visionofhumanity.org/#/page/our-gti-findings

While “religious ideology” is being blamed, the reality is that the vast majority of terrorist deaths are caused by Islamic-claimed terrorists. (Although in the future, nearly all terrorism will, for a time, be done by non-Muslims, see Persecutions by Church and State.)

The goal of many of these terrorists is to have a massive Islamic caliphate. Essentially an empire. They often oppose not only non-Muslims, but also Muslims that will not support their views of Islam. The Islamic State, to cite one group, has seemingly killed more Muslims than non-Muslims.

The Bible does tell of the rise of a power that resembles an Islamic caliphate (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:2-8; see also The Prophesied ‘Islamic’ Confederation); and it seems that the West is starting to advocate one (see US Military Chairman scales down threat from Islamic State and seems to be advocating the rise of the King of the South and Beheading, and France calls for ‘global strategy’ to deal with the Islamic State and/or watch Obama Administration Pushing for an Islamic Empire?).

This ‘king of the south’ has territories in at least North Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey per Daniel 11:40-43.

The lands mentioned in the Bible for such a confederation do not seem to extend down as far as Nigeria, although the inclusion of “Cushites” in a couple of scriptures (including Daniel 11:43) suggest that it will not only be Arabs and Turks in the confederation, but also black Africans. The Bible also reveals it will not end well for those in the final confederation (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:2-8; see also The Prophesied ‘Islamic’ Confederation).

Terrorism was prophesied in the Bible:

14 ‘But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, 15 and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, 16 I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 17 I will set My face against you, and you shall be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you shall reign over you, and you shall flee when no one pursues you. (Leviticus 26:14-17)

25 The sword shall destroy outside; There shall be terror within (Deuteronomy 32:25)

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

12 Behold, these are the ungodly,Who are always at ease; They increase in riches…19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors. (Psalms 73:12,19)

25 Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, 27 When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. (Proverbs 1:25-27)

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

Jihadist gains in various parts of the world are a prelude to more terrorism and change.

There was a reported beheading by the Islamic State this week.  Three Americans and a UK Israeli were savagely murdered in Israel today:

November 18, 2014

JERUSALEM — Two Palestinians stormed a Jerusalem synagogue, opening fire and using knives and axes to attack Jews praying inside, officials said Tuesday. Four rabbis were killed — including three dual U.S.-Israeli nationals — and six other people wounded.

The attackers were later killed in a shootout with police. “Everybody was praying peacefully without any disruptions whatsoever and then all of a sudden the terrorists go into a place of worship and peace and turn it into a killing nightmare,” Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told BBC Radio 4.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “Human beasts committed a massacre, and they came charged with hatred against the Jewish people and their state.”

Israeli police told NBC News that three of the dead were dual U.S.-Israeli citizens. Britain’s Foreign Office confirmed the death of a dual U.K.-Israeli national.  http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/middle-east-unrest/three-americans-among-four-rabbis-slaughtered-jerusalem-synagogue-n250556

2014 may well have more terrorist-related killings than 2013.

Terrorists should repent.  What the Islamic ones seem to want will not turn out well for them according to the Bible (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:2-8).

The world needs the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the millennial kingdom. My prayers go out to those affected by terrorist groups.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The Prophesied ‘Islamic’ Confederation Where is an Islamic caliphate prophesied? Will one happen? Should you be concerned about it? A related video is Will an Arabic Calphiphate Destroy the West?
Obama Administration Pushing for an Islamic Empire? Because of the rise of groups such as the Islamic State, the Obama Administration and others are pushing for a coalition of Arab nations along with Turkey. Does this resemble the final King of the South of Bible prophecy? Is there an Islamic antichrist? Does the Bible teach that terrorism and the sword will affect the USA and some of its allies? What does the Bible teach in Ezekiel about a confederation involving Egypt? Will an Arabic confederation end in destruction for those who strongly support it? Are the 10 nations in the Arab coalition the ten kings of Revelation 17:12-13? Are the 10 nations including the USA and Turkey the ten nations of Revelation 17:12-13? Who is? Was the pushing of the Obama Administration to do this predicted by in 2009 in a writing by Dr. Thiel? What does the Bible show?
Iraq, the King of the South, Armageddon, and Prophecy What will happen to Iraq? Is it the prophesied Mystery Babylon? What is Armageddon and how does that have to do with Iraq? Here is a related video Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy.
Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans?
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer. There is also a YouTube video sermon you can watch: The Coming Persecution of the Church. Here is information in the Spanish language: Persecuciones de la Iglesia y el Estado.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? A booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near? A related sermon is titled The Millennium.
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
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