‘Obedient, Church of God,’ CBCG, and CGG Prophetic Pronouncements About Europe
Lawrence Nowell, the head of the so-called “Obedient, Church of God,” sent me emails this month stating that the EU would collapse shortly after Christmas, that I am wrong that the EU will be the Beast power, that the EU will be only one of the ten kings at the end, there is no hope for the EU, and indicating that Barack Obama is somehow Roman and may be the Beast or perhaps one of the ten kings.
While normally I would not report about such a small group, the fact is that groups that are substantially larger in size, like Fred Coulter’s CBCG and John Ritenbaugh’s CGG which tend to no longer teach that the ten kings of Revelation or ten toes of Daniel 2 are representing a European Beast empire. Notice:
The Seven Heads that are With the Ten Horns: Revelation 13 speaks of seven heads in addition to the ten horns. Who are these seven heads? It is very possible that the nations of the G-7—meaning Group of Seven—are the seven heads. In 1975, the seven most powerful economic nations of the world began holding annual meetings. But it was not until 1985 that they were officially established as an independent power block in the world. In 1998, the G-7 added Russia as a guest observer. These seven nations continue to meet without Russia on certain worldwide economic issues. The G-7 nations are: the United States, the UK, Canada, Germany, France, Japan and Italy.We must also consider that another possible fulfillment of the seven heads could involve the seven permanent members of the UN Security Council. At present there are only five permanent members: the U.S., the UK, France, Russia and China. However, there have been recent proposals to add two more members—Japan and Germany—which would make seven permanent Council members (Coulter Fred. CBCG Monthly Newsletter. December 13, 2007).
Do you know of anybody that fears Europe? Internationally, Europe as a whole is a joke in terms of terrifying power. Europe is not coming together in the way that we anticipated. Europe is not becoming the colossus that we expected to see arise. Europe is, in reality, disunited, flat on its back politically, economically, militarily, and religiously… Europe is, in fact, declining in many areas important to being a super power that reflects what the Bible shows the world-dominating Beast to be…With that foundation, I want to emphasize to you that what I’m going to speak on from here on is not church doctrine. I am thinking out of the box. I’m speculating, based on what I see going on right now, and I’m actually looking to you for help, for ideas, for criticisms and suggestions. Now events may happen that will change my point of view in the future, but right now it looks like either a major portion of “the Beast” may be arising in the nations of Israel, led by the United States and the United Kingdom, or the woman riding the Beast in Revelation 17 consists of the nations of Israel, led by the United States and the United Kingdom. (Ritenbaugh J. Where is the Beast Part I. CGG Sermon).
Events may happen that will change my point of view in the future. At this time, though, it looks as if either 1) a major portion of the Beast may be arising in the nations of Israel led by the United States and United Kingdom, or 2) the woman riding the Beast in Revelation 17 consists of the nations of Israel led by the United States and the United Kingdom. This second possibility is the most likely at this point. (Ritenbaugh JW. The Beast and Babylon (Part One). Forerunner, “Personal,” March-April 2004)
People like Lawrence Nowell, Fred Coulter, and John Ritenbaugh are in error about the EU (nor can the USA and/or Canada be the Beast of Revelation 13).
The Bible, in my view, clearly shows that the Europeans will be those that rise up and temporarily rule the world. When I tried to remind Lawrence Nowell about Daniel 9:26-27, he indicated that the Queen of England and US President Barack Obama were Roman, and hence that is how this could be interpreted.
Let me make this clear, I do not believe that God inspired Lawrence to do this or that US president Barack Obama is or can become the final Beast/King of the North of biblical prophecy–though I do believe Barack Obama has helped, and likely will help, set up this as my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect specifically warns.
Let me explain a little about Daniel 9:26-27 after quoting the relevant parts of it:
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 people in who destroyed the city and the sanctuary were part of the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire included peoples of many nations, but mainly those we would now call continental European. This is not, in my view, any type of veiled reference to US President Barack Obama nor the Queen of England.
Additionally, the heads of this power have been the so-called “Holy Roman Empire” throughout history, and that empire was also European. A resurrection, if you will, of the old “Holy Roman Empire” is alluded to in biblical prophecy (Revelation 13:3; 17:10) (its final rise is also specifically foretold in various Catholic writings). And the references to the Beast and images in the Book of Daniel are primarily related to empires that were part of Europe and/or the Middle East/North Africa.
It should also be understood that the reference in the Book of Revelation to the city of seven hills/mountains (Revelation 17:9) is Rome according to Catholic, Protestant, and Church of God scholars. The harlot woman sits in the area of Rome itself, a European location. Europe is more than simply one of ten at the end, and the USA President is not a European leader.
Europe has been in the news a lot this year. There were reports of debt problems in Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain, and France. There are reports that indicate that Germany in general, and its Chancellor Merkel in particular, are trying to arrange things so that Germany can change Europe more into its image. There were also reports that Germany and others expect the United Kingdom, which never has adopted the Euro, to help bail out certain eurozone nations.
How it all will play out for now is not entirely clear. But what is clear is that the Bible, in Revelation 17, shows that the Europeans will reorganize in the future:
12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. (Revelation 17:12-13)
Steps towards this happening are continuing as we in the Living Church of God have long taught–and there will be bumps in the road and problems (major civil unrest, or worse, may occur).
Europe will be more than simply one of the ten kings–it will lead the Beast power.
Of course, the Bible is clear that the final European Beast power will not actually be highly unified as it will basically be a combination of strong and weak, or as the Bible more literally states, iron and clay:
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)
According to Bible prophecy, a European power, despite its fragility, is destined to temporarily be the most dominant force in the world, ultimately conquer the Anglo-descended nations ( who appear to have the strongest military fortresses, Daniel 11:39), and later come to its end (Daniel 11:45).
It is partially because of how Europe looks to many now, that many will marvel about its military successes in the future per Revelation 13:3-4 (there would be little point at marveling if Europe was considered the clear leading military power before it won various wars).
But before it is destroyed (Daniel 11:21-44), the final Beast power must come together and get to the place where it has major economic influence.
While it is possible that the Euro will be replaced (and I published that years ago), the issues that Europe is currently having will simply help prepare it to be the final Beast power of Revelation 13/17/18.
Some articles 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”? Using the Tower of Babel and “Beast” images suggests it is not concerned about its role as being part of the future Babylon of Bible prophecy.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies 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? What MUST happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the German Defense Minister one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (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 nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-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?
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.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
 |
Tweet |
|