Church of God News

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COGwriter

By now, you may have heard that the proposed budget for the US State of Wisconsin has suggested changing the English language. Some of the ‘woke’ terms are mentioned below:

Former Green Bay Packers star Brett Favre offered a short response on social media to the proposal from Wisconsin’s Democratic governor to replace “mother” with “inseminated person.”

But it was far from the only proposal in Tony Evers administration’s budget recommendation. Other so-called gendered terms were also called on to change, including “paternity” to “parentage,” “wife” or “husband” to “spouse” and “father” to “parent.” The word “mother” was also recommended to change to the phrase “parent who gave birth to the child.” …

“Nonsense,” he wrote along with a disappointed emoji. 02/23/25 https://www.aol.com/brett-favre-1-word-response-210535747.html Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ budget proposal has created quite the stir in recent days. Now, before you yawn with boredom, hear me out.

Evers, a Democrat, has attracted the ire of Republicans in his state and around the country for some interesting word choices.

Those include booting pesky terms like “mother,” “father,” “husband” and “wife.” Instead of “husband,” “spouse” is inserted. “Mother” is crossed out in lieu of “inseminated person.”

That’s right. Inseminated person. https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2025/02/28/inseminated-person-wisconsin-evers/80491973007/

It is idiotic to make such official proposals, but this really has happened. Notice part of the official Wisconsin document:

Of course, there has also been a lot of cultural deterioration throughout American society. And while many hope that the removal of the Biden-Harris Administration would lead to less of that, there are many who still push aspects of the woke agenda.

As far as wokeness goes, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put out the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

16:26

Woke: Follow the True Science

What is being ‘woke’ supposed to mean? Do the woke have ”an active awareness of systemic injustices and prejudices, especially those related to civil and human rights” or are they perhaps hypocrites as an article in Newsweek suggested? What about religious rights? What about science? Are the following, which are held by much of the non-woke, scientifically/factually true: 1. Life begins at conception. 2. LGBTQ people can change their sexual orientation, and should be helped if they want it to change. 3. People of all ethnic backgrounds can be hateful racists. 4. Spontaneous generation of life is impossible. 5. XX chromosomes make one a woman, whereas XY chromosomes make one a man. 6. Heterosexual intercourse is normal. 7. Acquired immunity to COVID is not inferior to vaccine immunity. 8. If masks are required for citizens, than protesters and those who wish to enter the USA illegally should also wear them. 9. Pornography harms society. Is the Bible true? Could the woke generation been warned about in scripture? Should you join a crowd in evil? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more in this video.

Here is a link to our video: Woke: Follow the True Science.

he Bible warns:

20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  (Isaiah 5:20)

Trying to change the language, like the Wisconsin Governor proposed, is wrong.

That said, there is another point to bring out.

Nearly all who push the woke agenda are staunchly pro-abortion.

When the US Supreme Court made the crime of murdering babies legal in the 1970s, one of the false arguments raised was that an unborn baby was a fetus, not a human.

That, of course, was nonsense as well.

Now, by proposing that the term ‘mother’ be replaced by ‘inseminated person,’ that is basically another acknowledgement by the woke that there is a human being in the ‘inseminated person.’

What else can one ‘inseminated’ by and then later bring forth with birth?

Now consider that once a woman has given birth, she is not an ‘inseminated person.’ So, that logically eliminates ‘inseminated person’ as a proper title for a woman who has given birth.

Yet, that, and other truths, has not stopped the supporters of baby murder.

But those are facts that the woke should consider.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? Has the Roman Catholic Church allowed abortions? What about the real Church of God? Some may wish to view the YouTube videos: Abortion and Birth Control: History and Scriptures. Abortion, the Bible, and US Debt, American Infanticide, Euthanasia: Mercy killing or murder?, Abortion, the US Constitution, and the Bible, and Land of ‘Free’ Abortions and Debt.
Cross-dressing and other assaults against your children. What should you do? Is there an agenda to turn your children and/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on? There are also videos related to this, titled Transgender ‘Woe to those who call evil good’, Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children, Disney’s abominable promotions!, USA pushing gender confusion, and New Transgender Study.
The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality and the LGBTQ agenda?  Can homosexuals change? A related video sermon is titled: What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality? A short video is available titled: Gay Gene? Born That Way?
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.

(White House photo via Wikipedia)

COGwriter

On February 23, 2025, several days before US President Donald Trump and Vice President met with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 28, 2025, I posted the following:

Based on various statements and actions of his, I believe that Donald Trump believes that:

1. Ukraine was involved in actions that caused Russia to invade.
2. Ukraine should not have pushed for NATO membership.
3. Ukraine could have made a deal with Russia before Russia’s ‘Special Military Operation’ began as well as shortly thereafter.
4. The USA had no business being involved in this.
5. Ukraine wasted USA resources.
6. Ukraine cannot win against Russia.
7. Ukraine cannot rely on the European Union to defeat Russia.
8. The USA is in the strongest negotiating position.
9. The European Union cannot dictate terms to him.
10. Ukraine can either give Donald Trump what he wants or he will not stop Russia from taking over the entire country.

Related to that last point, earlier this month Donald Trump said that Ukraine “may be Russian someday” (see Donald Trump said that Ukraine “may be Russian someday”).

And as I have written since 2013, at least some parts would be. (Thiel B. Ukraine considering giving up minerals because of pressure from Donald Trump. COGwriter, February 23, 2025)

For some reason, Volodymyr Zelensky did not seem to understand several of these points. Notice also:

WASHINGTON − House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., suggested Sunday that Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may need to resign to salvage the nascent Ukraine-Russia peace process, adding his voice to a growing debate sparked by the contentious Oval Office meeting between Zelenskyy with President Donald Trump last week.

“Something has to change,” Johnson told NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “Either he needs to come to his senses and come back to the table in gratitude, or someone else needs to lead the country to do that.” https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/03/02/speaker-johnson-ukraine-zelenskyy-trump/81076172007/

Trump posted in his Truth Social account a quote from Gartner analyst Michael McCune:

Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky was given a clear message during his meeting with US President Donald Trump on Friday, that further financial support hinges on Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate peace, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has said. … In a Sunday Fox News interview, Lutnick stressed that US president made clear he “just wants to make peace.” However, he said that Zelensky did not come for that, and made “ridiculous” requests to Trump and Vance.

“Zelensky needed to hear it directly from the funding mouth of the United States of America: We’re not going to give you money unless you’re here for peace,” Lutnick stressed. 03/02/25 https://www.rt.com/news/613589-us-wont-give-kiev-money-unless-zelensky-wants-peace/

After the disastrous meeting last Friday (shown in the photo at the beginning of this post), Volodymyr Zelensky contacted European leaders.

Yesterday, he was in a meeting about his next moves in London. Here is a report on that from Euronews:

Europe agrees steps to peace in Ukraine, but they need US backing

2 March 2025

At a summit meeting in London, European leaders, Canada and Turkey pledged to continue military support for Ukraine, two days after a disastrous meeting of Ukrainian president Zelenskyy with U.S. president Donald Trump at the White House.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said European leaders on Sunday agreed to steps to beef defence efforts and secure peace in Ukraine and stability across the continent at a summit staged as a show of support for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

But he said that the support and buy in of the US was essential to make the plan work. …

Ahead of the summit at Lancaster House, Starmer had a bilateral meeting with Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni at 10 Downing Street. Meloni arguably has the best relationship with Trump of all western European leaders.

Starmer and Meloni reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, agreeing that “the UK and Italy will stand with them for as long as it takes”, according to the official readout.

Following their meeting, Meloni said Italy and the UK can “build bridges” between Europe and the United States in a bid to repair a rift made worse by the Friday meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/03/02/europe-agrees-peace-plan-for-ukraine-but-it-needs-us-backing

Europe today has no military forces capable of successfully confronting a full-scale Russian onslaught without reliance on the US military and the US nuclear umbrella, … Europe can dream about strategic autonomy after peace is made in Ukraine. But it has no military capability to defy or undermine the Trump peace plan. In reality, there is no other. 03/02/25 https://asiatimes.com/2025/03/europes-dangerous-delusion-of-defense-without-the-us/

Many of us who have watched Donald Trump realized that Donald Trump understood that Ukraine had few decent options without USA involvement.

While one may have thought that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would now better understand that, when I heard him interviewed on BBC radio last night, he still seems to be misunderstanding aspects of the USA’s current position.

Here is something from the UK Guardian–although it leans left, it seems to have a decent understanding of the current situation in the following:

Is Europe misunderstanding Trump’s position on Ukraine?

3 March 2025

In the past month, the Trump administration has delivered several strong and sometimes conflicting messages to America’s allies and partners in Europe. Discerning the signal in the noise isn’t easy, but amid the zigs, zags and bombast, the new administration appears to be taking a position that Ukrainian and European leaders aren’t hearing – or are trying to alter.

The crux of the message seems to be this: the US will either broker an end to the war in Ukraine in short order or remove itself from the conflict, unless perhaps it deems Russia to have obstructed a ceasefire. (As Trump told Zelenskyy on Friday: “You’re either going to make a deal or we’re out.”) Washington will also refuse to make any commitment to Ukraine’s postwar security, such as Nato membership, that would run a major risk of drawing the US into direct war with Russia — “world war three,” as Trump sees it – if Russia invades Ukraine again.

The US has the sovereign right to adopt this stance, for the sake of its own interests, which include limiting the costs and risks the US is bearing for European defense. …

Zelenskyy hasn’t budged. To the contrary, he doubled down. “If we cannot be accepted to Nato,” Zelenskyy wrote in a statement, “we need some clear structure of security guarantees from our allies in the US.” Only after such guarantees were on offer would Ukraine proceed with diplomacy to settle the war. …

But the practical reality is that the Trump administration is not inclined to do so, not if it would obligate, de jure or de facto, the US to go to war on Ukraine’s behalf in the future. That this is the position of the President of the United States should be understandable.

None of Trump’s predecessors ever made a commitment to fight for Ukraine. Joe Biden explicitly ruled out sending US troops when he saw Russia’s full-scale invasion coming. Nor have any Nato allies come to Ukraine’s direct defense. The reason is obvious: it would mean war with Russia, a prospect that Nato allies can still deter regardless of what happens in Ukraine.

If Ukraine and Europe continue to push for strong US security guarantees, they have a small chance of succeeding and a larger chance of creating a permanent rupture with Trump. The president could conclude that his allies refuse to listen and, worse, keep trying to entrap him. Throwing up his hands, he could take the very actions that Ukraine and Europe most want to avoid: cutting off all US support for Ukraine and making a dirty deal with Putin. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/03/europe-trump-ukraine

That said, Europe, though, now better understands that if it wants to have a lot more influence, it needs to be stronger militarily than it currently is.

The events of the past several days have been helping set the stage for Europe to do just that. Notice also:

3 March 2025

Europe urgently needs to rearm and member states must be given the fiscal space to carry out a surge in defense spending, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said …

“After a long time of underinvestment, it is now of utmost importance to step up the defense investment for a prolonged period of time,” she told reporters after the meeting in London.

“Member states need more fiscal space to do a surge in defense spending.”

Von der Leyen made the statement amid US President Donald Trump’s upending US policy … leading to a contentious Oval Office exchange between Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Vice President JD Vance last week. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/world/937933/europe-must-rearm-tell-us-it-s-ready-to-defend-democracy-von-der-leyen/story/

European defense stocks rose today as more investors are concluding that yes, they believe that Europe will actually now spend more on its military (see 03/03/25 https://www.marketwatch.com/story/shocked-eu-reaction-to-white-house-zelensky-meeting-sends-defense-stocks-soaring-c170d8a1).

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

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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?
Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fulfilled? Are we close to the battle with Gog and Magog? Four related videos are available: Ezekiel 38 Gog and Magog War: Is it Soon?, Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now?, Russia, Iran, Syria, & the Bible (Code), and Gog, Magog, Vladimir Putin, and Ezekiel 38?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is are links to related videos: European history and the Bible, Europe In Prophecy, The End of European Babylon, and Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: El Fin de la Babilonia Europea.
The European Union and the Seven Kings of Revelation 17 Could the European Union be the sixth king that now is, but is not? Here is a link to the related sermon video: European Union & 7 Kings of Revelation 17:10.
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.
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?

New Orleans Mardi Gras (Infrogmation)

COGwriter

In 2025, March 4th is known in some places as Mardi Gras (French for “Fat Tuesday”) and is called Shrove Tuesday in parts of the UK. In Brazil, they also use the same date.

Voice of America reported the following:

Fat Tuesday, which literally translates to “Mardi Gras.” For Catholics in many parts of the world, the day represents one final celebration before the more solemn six-week period known as Lent.

Perhaps no place in the world celebrates the day more raucously than New Orleans. In a normal year, you’d find Mardi Gras Indians like Hartley with their elaborate suits made of beads, feathers and sequins. You’d find colorful, thematic floats the size of small buildings rumbling down oak-lined avenues as masked “Krewe” members toss beads, cups, decorative coins (and just about everything else you can or can’t imagine) to hundreds of thousands of screaming, costumed onlookers packed on the street.

You’d see and hear dozens of marching bands high stepping behind the floats, and you’d be delighted by a smattering of dance krewes — comprised of members of all ages and skill levels — with playful and often sexually suggestive names.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put all of that on pause, to the sorrow of countless locals. 02/16/21  https://www.voanews.com/usa/new-orleans-hosts-very-different-mardi-gras

So, yes, Mardis Gras is often lewd, etc.

Some might find it interesting to realize that Pope Francis used to be a Mardi Gras bouncer:

The Pope’s Days as a Mardi Gras Bouncer

Pope Francis is spending this Fat Tuesday in solemn preparation for Ash Wednesday, but that wasn’t always the case. The man who would be pope used to get down.

Mardis Gras, Fat Tuesday, Martedi Grasso—whatever you call it, the eve of the Catholic Lenten season is a final hurrah before a 40-day period of prayer and fasting. Pope Francis now spends the day in solemn preparation for Ash Wednesday services, but it wasn’t always this way for the hip pontiff. …Pope Francis wasn’t always involved in holy work. Back when he was known as Jose Maria Bergoglio, he worked as a nightclub bouncer in Flores, Argentina, to earn money as a student.

“I was the world’s worst bouncer,” Francis told the congregation of San Cirillo Alessandrino in a Roman suburb shortly after his election in 2013. He cut a less-than-intimidating figure, according to several biographies written about him. The most intimate, Francesco: Life and Revolution, was written by Argentinian journalist Elisabetta Pique, who has known Bergoglio since he was elevated to cardinal in 2001, and who he called personally shortly after his election. Pique describes the man before he became pope as “el Flaco” or the thin one and later, “Carucha” or “baby face,” as his friends called him.

Francis also had a girlfriend before he joined the priesthood—this woman is widely reported to have been a skilled Tango and Milonga dancer. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/02/17/the-pope-s-days-as-a-mardi-gras-bouncer.html

Here are some comments about Mardi Gras:

Mardi Gras is not just a week-long party for New Orleans bar-goers, millions of people around the country celebrate the raving party.

Mardi Gras is infamous for public nudity, chaotic parties, ingesting copious amounts of alcohol and acts as another St. Patrick’s Day for those who aren’t actually Irish, but drink like they are.

The Christian-themed holiday serves as one last hooray before Lent and giving up delicacies until Easter. People party hard for the week leading up to Lent and Ash Wednesday. This usually involves a massive parade, numerous mini-celebrations and masquerade balls sporting gold, green and purple, which represent power, faith and justice.

Citizens hold nothing back, including their sense of humility, during the few days included in Carnival season. Women typically strip for meaningless colorful beads, chocolate or plastic coins thrown from floats, and wear even less out at bars. The women have no shame and the men have no boundaries. http://www.fourthestatenewspaper.com/mobile/off-the-wall/mardi-gras-unexposed-mayhem-1.2781767

Of course, there is nothing truly Christian about Mardis Gras. It does not come from the Bible nor did early Christians observe it.

According to Wikipedia:

Carnival begins 12 days after Christmas, or Twelfth Night, on January 6 and ends on Mardi Gras, which always falls exactly 47 days before Easter.

The USA city most famous for its Mardi Gras celebrations would be New Orleans. The Washington Post reported the following about it before:

For the past five days, the southern party town has given itself over to excess, good food, lots of drink and maybe a little debauchery. And that’s not the weeks leading up to the event with small parades preparing for the celebration. Mardi Gras is a marathon, New Orleanians will tell you, and Fat Tuesday marks the final stretch.

For the non-New Orleanians, a quick primer on Mardi Gras: Before the Catholic holiday of Lent, in which worshipers fast and repent for 40 days, people do their best to make up for the days of restraint with jam-packed days of plenty. Festivals are observed all over the world, such as Carnival in Brazil, but it’s never been so associated with a city’s identity as it has with New Orleans…

The food is the king cake, a gooey, butter-rich cake with a hidden baby Jesus tucked inside. The Post’s Tim Carman looked into the history of the cake and found “The cake’s appeal becomes clearer the closer you get to the city limits and, conversely, becomes more comical the farther you travel from the voodoo-sexual-second-line cultural vortex of the Big Easy. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/blog-post/2011/03/mardi_grass_fat_tuesday_the_mu.html

Here is another item about it:

The Salt Lake Tribune – Jan 8, 2008

Although the origins of Carnaval are shrouded in mystery, some believe the fest began as a pagan celebration of spring’s arrival sometime during the Middle Ages. The Portuguese brought the celebration to Brazil in the 1500s, but it took on a decidedly local flavor by adopting Indian costumes and African rhythms. The word itself probably derives from the Latin “carne vale,” or “goodbye meat,” a reference to the Catholic tradition of giving up meat (and other fleshly temptations) during Lent…

Rio’s first festivals were called entrudos, with locals dancing through the streets in colorful costumes and throwing mud, flour and suspicious-smelling liquids on one another. In the 19th century, Carnaval meant attending a lavish masked ball or participating in the orderly and rather vapid European-style parade. Rio’s poor citizens, bored by the finery but eager to celebrate, began holding their own parades, dancing through the streets to African-based rhythms…

…an event that happens annually in Brazil on the days leading up to Ash Wednesday. In 2008, Carnaval officially begins Friday, Feb. 1, when the mayor gives the keys to the city to King Momo, the portly pleasure-seeker who ushers in the bacchanalia. The next four days are marked by neighborhood parties, lavish masked balls and impromptu fests all over town (http://www.sltrib.com/travel/ci_7883824).

Here is some of what the American Catholic reports about it:

Mardi Gras, literally “Fat Tuesday,” has grown in popularity in recent years as a raucous, sometimes hedonistic event…Carnival comes from the Latin words carne vale, meaning “farewell to the flesh.” Like many Catholic holidays and seasonal celebrations, it likely has its roots in pre-Christian traditions based on the seasons. (Catholic Roots of Mardi Gras. American Catholic. http://www.americancatholic.org/features/mardigras/)

Essentially, this is a pagan holiday that the Catholics adopted as a compromise to keep members. Participants eat a lot (hence the name “fat Tuesday”) before they begin a fast now called Lent–another observance with pagan origins. Parades involving under-clothed women are common. And that is not just in the USA:

Rio celebrates as Carnival opens in Brazil…

Carnival…five-day annual exaltation of music, booze and flesh…The rotund King Momo embodies Carnival, a raucous free-for-all where excesses are encouraged and the natural order of things is turned upside down: men dress as women…In addition to the elaborate two-day samba group parade and the high-dollar costumed balls where the rich spend a lot to wear very little in the most exclusive company, Rio’s free, open-to-all street Carnival is bigger than ever.

The Bible teaches against cross-dressing:

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)

Of course, Mardi Gras festivities are not biblical, despite their popularity. Millions come to the streets in Rio de Janeiro to celebrate it (see Carnaval’s Popularity is Growing). And, it is incredibly popular in New Orleans and certain other cities.

Mardis Gras also seems to trigger a variety of crimes. Notice a report that came out, even before its official start:

February 16, 2015

As the clock ticks on this year’s Mardi Gras celebration, a deployment of Louisiana State Police troopers in New Orleans has made its presence felt with more than 140 arrests thus far, according to State Police statistics.

The arrests, 50 of them felonies, amount to almost 16 a day, from Feb. 6 — when troopers arrived in the city to bolster a New Orleans police force struggling to fill its thinning ranks — through Sunday (Feb. 15).

In that nine-day period, the detail of 150 troopers seized 14 weapons and generated more than 315 non-drug related charges, State Police said. An additional 100 or so narcotics-related charges have come from those arrests, State Police said, and more than $376,000 in drugs have been taken off the streets.

At least some of those narcotics came from a bust Sunday night on St. Anthony Street. According to a State Police statement, troopers — acting on a tip — found a variety of drugs and arrested six people on possession charges. http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2015/02/state_police_and_mardi_gras_14.html

The fruits of Mardis Gras are not good.

Lent, which also is not of biblical origin, is thus becoming an excuse essentially for loud and wild parties all over the world, which stop the night before. Which would be tonight.

Mardi Gras tends to be associated with drunkenness, lust, and other practices that the Bible condemns.

It really should not be considered as something that real Christians would participate in.

What about Shrove Tuesday?

Shrove Tuesday is considered to be an ‘alternative’ to Mardis Gras and is also observed today. The improperly named publication Christianity Today has the following about it:

February 17, 2015

Can eating pancakes enrich Christian piety? As a part of the traditional celebration of Shrove Tuesday, I believe flapjacks can build our faith.

For those of us who love Jesus and Aunt Jemima, this is very good news.

Shrove Tuesday is essentially the British take on Mardi Gras or Carnival. But instead of flamboyant parties filled with riotous excess, the understated British gather calmly in their homes on the day before Lent to fill themselves with pancakes.

Why pancakes? In medieval Europe, Christians often gave up eating rich foods like meat, eggs, and milk for the 40-day period of penance, prayer, and preparation leading to Easter. The practice and duration of the ritual corresponded to Christ’s 40 days of fasting in the desert.

During Lent, perishable goods would spoil, so pancakes—traditionally just eggs and milk mixed with flour—were the ideal meal for consuming Lenten no-no foods. …

During the Reformation, many Protestants, especially my English Puritan ancestors, dismissed Lent and Shrove Tuesday as superstitious Catholic observances aimed at earning God’s favor through human works. …

But the palate proved mightier than the Puritans. Most Britons didn’t want to give up pancakes—even if, without an austere Lent, there wasn’t any real reason to use up all the eggs and milk. Eating pancakes was reason enough for a party. To this day, people all over Britain and in scattered Anglophone countries eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday.

But with the underlying religious motivation largely gone, the occasion is now more commonly known as Pancake Tuesday. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2015/february-web-only/he-is-risen-so-i-am-shriven.html

No, eating pancakes today does not show that one is a Christian exercising biblical piety. Pancake desire is not a sign of faith. Shrove Tuesday, of course, is not in the Bible. Consistent with the current ecumenical movement, more and more Protestants are observing practices that they once realized were improper.

Observing non- biblical holidays as religious festivals is not the way God wishes to be worshiped. Notice something that Jesus taught:

23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:23-24)

The truth is that most who profess Christianty will not worship God in truth and worship Him as He commands.

Mardis Gras and Shrove Tuesday do not honor the God of the Bible. True worshipers do not take part in such false worship. Do you really believe what Jesus taught?

Some items of related interest may include:

Mardi Gras: The Devil’s Carnival? Is Mardi Gras Christian? Do you know that in Bolivia the carnival/Mardi Gras time is part of a celebration known as the Devil’s Carnival? Where did it come from? There is also a related YouTube video Mardi Gras & Carnaval: Are they for Christians?
Is Lent a Christian Holiday? When did it originate? What about Ash Wednesday? If you observe them, do you know why? Here is an old, by somewhat related, article in the Spanish language by Dr. Hoeh: ¿Por Qué Se Observa la Cuaresma? Here is a link to a related sermon: Lent, Ash Wednesday, Carnaval, and Christianity?
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.
Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! What is going on in the Protestant world? Are Protestants turning back to their ‘mother church’ in Rome? Does the Bible warn about this? What are Catholic plans and prophecies related to this? Is Protestantism doomed? See also World Council of Churches Peace Plan.
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.
Should You Observe God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays? This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history shows about God’s Holy Days and popular holidays. A related sermon is Which Spring Days should Christians observe?
Why The Continuing Church of God Does Not Wear Green on St. Patrick’s Day Should non-Catholics observe a Catholic holiday?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
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?
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?
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?
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.

Chuuk Islands (Aotearoa at pl.wikipedia)

COGwriter

It is reported that a portion of Micronesia would like to be sovereign and break from the United States:

Micronesia: Activists push for Chuuk islands’ independence

The US’ new and seemingly erratic foreign policy has sent out waves across the Pacific Ocean — to the Chuuk islands in Micronesia, where local independence campaigners say it’s time to start as a new sovereign nation.

1 March 2025

The Chuuk islands — a seemingly idyllic spot in the Pacific Ocean, northeast of Indonesia and north of Australia and Papua New Guinea — is one of the four states making up the Federated States of Micronesia, an island nation strategically aligned with the US.

Despite Micronesia’s small population, (around 113,000 in 2024) the island chain allows for control of vast swathes of the Pacific. And its alliance with the US runs deep — Washington provides millions of dollars in assistance every year to help with administration, education and health care as well as meeting other critical needs.

But former Chuuk State attorney general Sabino Asor fears Micronesia is too reliant on America. …

Asor has spent decades campaigning for Chuuk islands to separate from Micronesia and become an independent state, though he admits that the population is still very much divided on the issue. …

Asor thinks that it is only a matter of time before the US turns its attention to the islands of Micronesia. Then, the decades-long “special relationship,” based on the deal known as the Compact of Free Association, could be unceremoniously axed.

“Ideally, if we were independent from the rest of [Micronesia], then we could negotiate our own compact with the US, but we cannot be sure that the US would agree to that,” 66-year-old Asor said.

Yet he insists that Chuuk cannot continue as it is at present.

“An association with the broader global community would also appeal to us, perhaps to some of the nations that were colonial powers here, Spain, Germany or Japan, but it would have to be a concrete agreement that would benefit our people.”

The only other alternative, according to Asor, is an economic relationship with China, which is already ramping up its influence in other Pacific states such as the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati and Nauru. …

Lawyer and politician Johnny Meippen told DW that there were “clear benefits of remaining with the FSM while that agreement is in place, but we have to be prepared.”

“When someone as erratic as Trump is in charge, the compact could be unilaterally cancelled with little or no warning,” he said.

And if Chuuk were to become a sovereign nation, that would allow its people to regain “territorial jurisdiction over our surrounding waters and all the resources they contain,” Meippen said. https://www.dw.com/en/micronesia-activists-push-for-chuuk-islands-independence/a-71783010

Yes, there is a vast amount of sea territory associated with the Chuuk Islands.

Here is some information from Wikipedia related to the Chuuk Islands:

Chuuk Lagoon, previously Truk Atoll, is an atoll in the central Pacific Ocean. It lies about 1,800 kilometres (970 nautical miles) northeast of New Guinea and is part of Chuuk State within the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). A protective reef, 225 kilometres (140 mi) around, encloses a natural harbour 79 by 50 km (43 nmi × 27 nmi), with an area of 2,130 km² (820 sq mi).^[1] It has a land area of 93.07 square kilometres (35.93 square miles), with a population of 36,158 people^[2] and a maximal elevation of 443 metres (1,453 ft). Weno city on Weno (formerly Moen) Island functions as both the atoll’s capital and the state capital, and is the largest city in the FSM with its 13,700 people.

Chuuk Lagoon was the Empire of Japan‘s main naval base in the South Pacific theatre during World War II. It was the site of a major U.S. attack during Operation Hailstone in February 1944, and Operation Inmate, a small assault conducted by British and Canadian forces during June 1945. …

Chuuk Lagoon is part of the larger Caroline Islands group. The area consists of eleven major islands (corresponding to the eleven municipalities of Truk lagoon, which are Tol, Udot, Fala-Beguets, Romanum, and Eot of Faichuk group, and Weno, Fefen, Dublon, Uman, Param, and Tsis of Nomoneas group) and 46 smaller ones within the lagoon, plus 41 on the fringing coral reef, and is known today as the Chuuk islands, part of the Federated States of Micronesia in the Pacific Ocean. (Chuuk Lagoon, Wikipedia, accessed March 2, 2025)

Yes, ultimately the Chuuk Islands as well as all the Federated States of Micronesia will no longer be controlled by the USA.

Why do I write this?

Because of biblical prophecies.

Let’s begin by looking at a promise given to Abraham;

16 “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son — 17 blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” (Genesis 22:16-18)

Enemy gates were promised to Abraham’s descendants.

Notice what was told to Rebekah who had just agreed to become the wife of Abraham’s son Isaac:

60 “Our sister, may you become The mother of thousands of ten thousands; And may your descendants possess The gates of those who hate them” (Genesis 24:60).

And many “sea gates” were later in the hands of her descendants. But many no longer are.

We in the Church of God have been teaching for decades that the United Kingdom and USA would ultimately lose many of their sea gates–we believe they possessed them because of blessings from God and would lose them because of blatant disobedience.

Notice a couple of prophetic warnings that are consistent with that:

58 “If you do not carefully observe all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, THE LORD YOUR GOD, 59 then the Lord will bring upon you and your descendants extraordinary plagues — great and prolonged plagues — and serious and prolonged sicknesses. 60 Moreover He will bring back on you all the diseases of Egypt, of which you were afraid, and they shall cling to you. 61 Also every sickness and every plague, which is not written in this Book of the Law, will the Lord bring upon you until you are destroyed. 62 You shall be left few in number, whereas you were as the stars of heaven in multitude, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God. 63 And it shall be, that just as the Lord rejoiced over you to do you good and multiply you, so the Lord will rejoice over you to destroy you and bring you to nothing; and you shall be plucked from off the land which you go to possess. (Deuteronomy 28:58-63)

24 ‘Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you. 25 For the land is defiled; therefore I visit the punishment of its iniquity upon it, and the land vomits out its inhabitants. 26 You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations, either any of your own nation or any stranger who dwells among you 27 (for all these abominations the men of the land have done, who were before you, and thus the land is defiled), 28 lest the land vomit you out also when you defile it, as it vomited out the nations that were before you.  (Leviticus 18:24-28)

23 ‘And if by these things you are not reformed by Me, but walk contrary to Me, 24 then I also will walk contrary to you, and I will punish you yet seven times for your sins. 25 And I will bring a sword against you that will execute the vengeance of the covenant; when you are gathered together within your cities I will send pestilence among you; and you shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.  (Leviticus 26:23-25)

So, those that were promised blessings were also told that they would be subject to losing those blessings if they disobeyed God. As far as being plucked from the land, see Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves?

Many people do not realize that the Anglo-descended nations received their wealth and influence partially because of blessings that God had Jacob/Israel give to the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh.

Notice the following blessing that was given to Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph, by Israel/Jacob:

16 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…

19 “…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!’ ” (Genesis 48:16, 19-20).

The British Empire, including the Commonwealth, was the biggest empire in the world and consisted of a company of nations. And while the Chagos islands, Falkland Islands and Gibraltar are not technically separate nations, they are separated from the British Isles, do consider themselves British, and are subject to both the blessings and cursings given to Israel and his descendants.

Consider the following about the old 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. (McCarthy N. The Biggest Empires In Human History. Statista, December 19, 2019)

The United Kingdom now has 93,628 sq miles of land (United Kingdom, Wikipedia, accessed 08/15/24). That is a reduction of size by 99%! And it will lose more territory as well as it will one day be conquered.

Despite British hopes for its future, loss of territories will one day include Northern Ireland and Gibraltar.

Yes, one day, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be no more.

The late Herbert W. Armstrong believed the previous attainment of various “sea gates” helped demonstrate the identity of the modern descendants of Joseph and that they would be lost:

Genesis 22:17. To Abraham God said: “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.” And again, the inspired prophetic parting blessing upon Rebekah, leaving her family to become the wife of Isaac: “And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them” (Gen. 24:60). Earlier we quoted the correct Fenton translation: “… and your race shall possess the gates [plural] of its enemies.”

As explained there, the “gates” of enemy nations are the strategic SEA GATES of entrance to or exit from these nations. Although all wealth comes from the ground, prosperity and affluence on a national scale always have come also by industry and COMMERCE. And commerce between nations has been transacted almost altogether by the SEA- LANES of the world — by SHIPS, and, within a continent, by railroads. How significant, then, that Robert Fulton operated the first steamboat in 1803 — precisely when Britain and America suddenly began to MULTIPLY in national wealth! And also that it was the nineteenth century that saw the development of the railroads! As explained before, since the birthright pertains to NATIONS, the “GATE” of our enemies would be such passes as Gibraltar, Suez, Singapore, the Panama Canal, etc. Britain and America came into possession of every such major “gate” in this world! So we MUST be modern Israel. World War II hinged on these “gates.”

They had become not only strategic passes, but the world’s greatest fortifications. But today, we have lost most of them, most recently, the Panama Canal — and it appears that soon Gibraltar, too, will be lost.

Why? Notice Genesis 39:2, 23: “The Eternal was with Joseph, and he was a PROSPEROUS man ….the Eternal was with him, and that which he did, the Eternal made it to PROSPER.” And God did prosper Joseph’s descendants, Britain and America, with the fabulous birthright promised Joseph’s sons! (Armstrong HW. The United States And Britain In Prophecy. 1980)

More on the identity of the American and British-descended peoples can be found in the 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?

For many years, the major sea gates of the world were possessed/controlled by the United States (Panama Canal and certain locations in the Pacific ocean) and the British Empire (Straits of Malacca, Singapore, Suez Canal, Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Simon’s Town/Cape of Good Hope, etc.). And while that is no longer the case for many of them, they seem to have been prophesied to be taken away for disobedience as well (cf. Deuteronomy 28)—and certainly these nations have disobeyed the God of Abraham, as well as actually lost many of those gates.

Thus, it has been biblically logical to conclude that the remaining “sea gates” that the UK has such as Gibraltar, the Chagos Islands, and the Falkland Islands will be separated from UK control. The same is true of many of the sea gates that the USA controls, such as those associated with Micronesia.

Related to the loss of the Chagos Islands, we put out following related video:

14:36

Prophecy: UK’s Loss of Chagos Islands

On May 28, 2019, Dr. Bob Thiel posted and predicted that the United Kingdom would lose the Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia. He repeated that prediction on October 1, 2024. On October 3, 2024, the BBC reported that the United Kingdom was going to lose the Chagos Islands and give its sovereignty to the nation of Mauritius, thus confirming his predictions. US President Joe Biden praised the UK decision. Why did Dr. Thiel make that prediction? Was it based on several biblical prophecies? Have other predictions related to loss of ‘sea gates’ possessed by the UK and United State of America come to pass? Will the UK one day lose the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, and even Northern Ireland for their disobedience? What are some of the Bible prophecies that pointed to the attaining of sea gates and losses of territories to the end time descendants of Joseph, Ephraim (the company of nations, once the British Commonwealth) and Manasseh (a once great nation, the US). Does the Bible have the “more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19, KJV)? Were prophets and prophecies expected in the ‘last days’ according to Acts 2:17-18? Steve Dupuie and Dr. Thiel discuss these matters. They also referred listeners to a free online book which helps identify various peoples that the Bible prophecies about titled ‘Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America?’ URL: https://www.cogwriter.com/LostTribes.pdf

Prophecies are being fulfilled.

See also Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Will the UK Lose Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands? For many years, the major sea gates of the world were possessed/controlled by the United States (Panama Canal and certain locations in the Pacific ocean) and the British Empire (Straits of Malacca, Singapore, Suez Canal, Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Simon’s Town/Cape of Good Hope, Malta, etc.), and many are no longer under their control. Spain wants Gibraltar and Argentina wants the Falklands (also known as the Malvinas). UK Prime Minister David Cameron says the UK will defend the Falklands Gibraltar. Does the Bible give clues as to what will happen with those ‘sea gates’? Do promises made the Jacob’s mother Rebekah play a role? What about Deuteronomy 28? This is a video.
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?
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.
Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18? Does any church have the confirmed dream and prophetic signs of Acts 2:17-18? Should one? Here is a link in the Spanish language: ¿Tiene la CCOG confirmadas las señales de Hechos 2: 17-18? Here is a link in the French language: Est-ce que l’Église Continue de Dieu confirme les signes d’Actes 2:17-18? A related sermon in the English language is also available: 17 Last Days’ Signs of the Holy Spirit.
21st Century Church of God Prophets Are there any true prophets in the 21st century? What about false prophets? What are scriptures and fruits to identify the true from the false? You you prove all things and test the spirits?
Church of God Leaders on Prophets Have there been prophets throughout the church age? Are any supposed to be around in the last days? What have COG leaders stated or written about prophets? Here is a link to a related sermon: Church of God Leaders on Prophets.
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?

Flags of NATO nations (Pixabay)

COGwriter

RT reported the following:

Could election change protection US offers Europe?

2 March 2025

Billionaire Elon Musk has publicly endorsed the idea of the US withdrawing from both the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Responding to a social media post advocating such a move on Sunday, Musk, who leads the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), commented, “I agree.” …Musk has also voiced skepticism about NATO. In February, he labeled the alliance “anachronistic” and called for a full review, questioning its relevance in the post-Cold War era. He also questioned the rationale behind American taxpayers covering a significant portion of Europe’s defense costs, highlighting that the US pays for approximately 67% of NATO’s military expenses, despite spending only 3.5% of its GDP on defense. https://www.rt.com/news/613571-musk-backs-us-withdrawal-from-nato-un/

Here is the tweet from Elon Musk:

I agree https://t.co/ZhjBXCTQfp

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 2, 2025

Europeans are concerned:

Europe’s Moment of Truth

March 2, 2025

The disastrous meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance at the White House on February 28 has led to a stark moment of truth for the Western alliance. In the fallout with Zelensky and the end of U.S. support for the war effort, the Trump administration has not only shaken Ukraine. It has also called into question some of the bedrock assumptions that have undergirded the transatlantic relationship since World War II.

In European capitals, panic has set in. Some policymakers and analysts are speaking of the end of NATO, or the end of the West. They are terrified about U.S. intentions: …

The Trump administration has introduced a fundamental trust problem: for the first time, European leaders are uncertain whether the United States remains committed to NATO and to the American leadership role in it.

But the story is more complicated. It is crucial to remember that Trump has played a vital role in Ukraine’s defense. Ukraine was able to fend off and survive Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 because the United States had started to supply Ukraine with lethal weapons, such as Javelin antitank missiles, during Trump’s first term. …

Above all is the urgent need for a new kind of European leadership. In order to defend their strategic security interests and rebuild the frayed alliance, European powers must show that they are able to shoulder a more substantial burden that enhances the collective power of the alliance. …

Europe needs the United States to end the war in Ukraine permanently. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/europes-moment-truth

Leaders from Europe, Canada and Turkey now meeting in London on Ukraine

2 March 2025

Sir Keir Starmer is now in discussions with over a dozen international leaders invited to London on Sunday for a summit aimed at reviving hopes for a just peace in Ukraine.

Leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Romania, as well as the Turkish Foreign Minister, have now arrived in central London’s Lancaster House.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte are also at the table in London.

Ahead of the summit, Starmer said the UK and France will take the lead in drafting a proposed ceasefire plan with Ukraine to be presented to US President Donald Trump. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/03/01/europe-at-the-crossroads-zelenskyytrump-breakdown-live-updates

Notice also:

Europe’s nightmare is here: They have to fight Putin without the U.S.

Updated 2 March 2025

European leaders are confronting their worst-case scenario: maybe they really are going to be dealing with a bellicose Russia alone. …

French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have all described this moment as a generational challenge for the continent. …

The European Union is aiming to follow up with an emergency package of €20 billion (US$21 billion) in military aid for Ukraine at an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday. …

After Friday’s quarrel in the Oval Office, EU leaders lined up to voice their support for Zelenskiy and make clear whose side they were on. Trump is putting the Europeans into a position where they have to choose between the U.S. and Ukraine, several officials said, and most, if not all, will pick Ukraine. For Europe, it is existential. …

Now the EU is working to strengthen ties with like-minded nations such as Canada that have also been targeted by Trump and will seek new trade relations with countries in Asia and Latin America. The bloc could also be less willing to work with the US on China and elsewhere in the far east. Many of America’s other allies will be wondering if they could be next. …

EU nations should be increasing defense budgets to at least 3 per cent of GDP as soon as next year, a senior European government official told Bloomberg. In extreme scenarios that may have to go as high as 7 per cent, they added. …

But while it will continue to engage with Trump, Europe’s focus is shifting to what it can do without the U.S. https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/europes-nightmare-is-here-they-have-to-fight-putin-without-the-us

As far as Europe shifting to be to be more independent of the USA in trade and in military matters, we just uploaded the following related video:

14:26

European Union wants military independence from the USA

European Union wants to be militarily independent of the USA – check European Union wants a larger military – check European Union wants nukes – check European Union wants this for defensive purposes – Will Europe acquire a great army? Will Europe defeat the Biblical King of the South? Is Europe the King of the North? Will Europe defeat the King(s) from the east? Here’s a big question – will Europe conquer the United States of America? Is the United State of America mentioned in the Bible? These are fascinating questions that will be answered in the very near future. The fact that these conflicts will occur is a certainty as they are a prophesied fact in the Bible in the book of Daniel But when will these conflicts occur? Daniel was told to shut up the words, they were for the time of the end. Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. We are there. This is the time of the end. Dr. Thiel will shine the light on the answers to these questions. One answer, in particular, is sure to stun thousands.

Here is a link to our video: European Union wants military independence from the USA.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1 How lonely sits the city That was full of people! How like a widow is she, Who was great among the nations! The princess among the provinces Has become a slave!

2 She weeps bitterly in the night, Her tears are on her cheeks; Among all her lovers She has none to comfort her. All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; They have become her enemies. (Lamentations 1:1-2)

That will be the end of NATO and the USA.

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

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

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

(Image from Pixabay)

COGwriter

Science Alert posted the following:

Venting Doesn’t Reduce Anger, But Something Else Does, Study Says

August 6, 2024

Venting when angry seems sensible. Conventional wisdom suggests expressing anger can help us quell it, like releasing steam from a pressure cooker.

But this common metaphor is misleading, according to a recent meta-analytic review. Researchers at Ohio State University analyzed 154 studies on anger, finding little evidence that venting helps. In some cases, it could increase anger.

“I think it’s really important to bust the myth that if you’re angry you should blow off steam – get it off your chest,” said senior author and communication scientist Brad Bushman when the results were published in April.

“Venting anger might sound like a good idea, but there’s not a shred of scientific evidence to support catharsis theory.”

That doesn’t mean anger should be ignored. Reflection can help us understand why we get mad and address underlying problems. It can also aid emotional validation, an important first step towards healthily processing emotions.

Venting, however, often goes beyond reflection into rumination. The study suggests that many people also try to exorcize anger with physical exertion, which can offer health benefits but may not lighten the mood in the moment.

The studies reviewed included a total of 10,189 participants, representing a variety of ages, genders, cultures, and ethnicities. The findings show the key to curbing anger is reducing physiological arousal, the authors say, from anger itself or from the otherwise beneficial physical activity it might inspire.

“To reduce anger, it is better to engage in activities that decrease arousal levels,” Bushman said. …

“I wanted to debunk the whole theory of expressing anger as a way of coping with it,” explained Kjærvik. “We wanted to show that reducing arousal, and actually the physiological aspect of it, is really important.” …

“It was really interesting to see that progressive muscle relaxation and just relaxation in general might be as effective as approaches such as mindfulness and meditation,” Kjærvik said. …

Rather than trying to vent anger, the researchers recommend undermining it by turning down the heat. https://www.sciencealert.com/venting-doesnt-reduce-anger-but-something-else-does-study-says

As far as turning down the heat, the Book of Proverbs teaches:

29 He who is slow to wrath has great understanding,
But he who is impulsive exalts folly. (Proverbs 14:29)

1 A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.  (Proverbs 15:1-2)

18 A wrathful man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to anger allays contention. (Proverbs 15:18)

The Bible also teaches self-control:

9 Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry,
For anger rests in the bosom of fools. (Ecclesiastes 7:9)

5 give yourselves to fasting and prayer; … so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (1 Corinthians 7:5)

While Paul did not write that specifically for uncontrolled anger, the principle is still applicable.

Also, do not sin when angry:

26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil.  (Ephesians 4:26-27)

The Continuing Church of God put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel discussing various views and scriptures about that:

15:21

Anger and Rebellion

Anger and rebellion have been issues throughout history. Do scientific studies point to venting one’s anger has the answer or something else? What does the Bible say about anger? Is anger ever a sin? Can people repent of rebellion? Do those that harden their hearts risk a root of bitterness? Does the company you keep affect you? Can relaxation and meditation help with anger? Did Jesus teach that we are to to love and do good even to those that hate us? Steve Dupuie and Dr. Thiel discuss these matters and more.

Here is a link to the video: Anger and Rebellion.

Despite our personal flaws, we all need to be striving for perfection–which includes controlling anger.

Some items of possible interest may include:

SIXTH COMMANDMENT: Anger, Murder, Abortion, Sports, Self-Control, & Kindness Is there more to the 6th commandment than not murdering? What about abortion, hate, and violent sports? What is the attitude real Christians should have? Here is a link to a related sermon: Murder, anger, kindness, and love.
Meditation for Faithful Christians Meditation is a tool that can support Christian growth. This free online book goes into meditation from a biblical perspective. It, also, however, discusses Eastern meditation and why faithful Christians would not practice that. A related sermon video is available: Christian Meditation.
Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach? People talk a lot about prayer. Many pray in public. Does God listen? What does the Bible teach about prayer? How can your prayers be more effective? Does the Bible give particular positions to pray in? What does God want you to pray for? What if what you want is difficult? What if what you want is humanly impossible? Why doesn’t God seem to answer all prayers? This free booklet answers all those questions and more. This contains 28 biblically-based tips on improving the effectiveness of your prayers. This is a pdf. A related two part sermon is available: What Does the Bible Teach About Prayer? and What does the Bible Teach About Prayer (& Healing)? There is also a single sermon available: 28 Tips on Prayer.
Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian This is a scripture-filled booklet for those wishing to live as a real Christian. A related sermon is also available: Christians are Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God.
The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Was it hierarchical? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had? What are some of the scriptural limits on ecclesiastical authority? Do some commit organizational idolatry? Here is a Spanish language version La Biblia, Policarpo, Herbert W. Armstrong, y Roderick C. Meredith sobre el gobierno de la Iglesia. Here is are link to two sermons: Hierarchical Governance and Corruption and Church Governance.

(Unslash photo)

COGwriter

Notice the following:

‘The free world needs a new leader’, EU foreign chief warns after explosive row between Trump and Zelensky

1 March 2025

“The free world needs a new leader”, the EU’s foreign policy chief has warned, hitting back at Donald Trump after his explosive Oval Office clash with Volodymyr Zelensky.

EU leaders threw their weight behind the Ukrainian president on Friday evening after the shocking confrontation between the two leaders, which saw Mr Trump claim Mr Zelensky is not “ready for peace”, as well as accusing him of “gambling with world war three”.

But Kaja Kallas, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, went one step further, suggesting that Mr Trump is no longer fit to lead the free world. …

“Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge”. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/trump-zelensky-ukraine-russia-b2707132.html

Many people will jump on that bandwagon.

But let’s look at one questionable way that Europe is trying to lead right now:

Coming Soon: The European Digital Identity Wallet

he elite are already running large-scale pilot schemes for the future they want and we don’t. They are not being subtle about this. They are not hiding it.

The plan is a single government-issued app that holds your medical records, employment records, travel records, education records, vaccination records, tax records, financial records as well as (potentially) copies of your signature, fingerprints, facial scans, voice samples and DNA.

All stored handily on your phone…and shared with the governments of nineteen countries (plus Ukraine) and over 140 other public and private partners. Everyone from Deutsche Bank to the Ukrainian Ministry of Digital Progress to Samsung Europe.

You will use this app to make payments, apply for loans, pay your taxes, pick up your prescriptions, cross international borders, start businesses, book doctor’s appointments, apply for jobs and even sign digital contracts online.

Businesses and government agencies would access this data from the back-end to conduct “automated background checks”.

The German Federation of Consumer Organizations (Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband, VZBZ) has raised concerns that such an app would “pose privacy and data risks”, to which the only response is “duh, that’s what it’s for!”.

None of this a hypothetical, by the way. …

Just one of the pilot schemes “building prototypes and testing use-cases” for the European Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet, there are three others at least.

This is the latest development in a roll-out dating back to the birth of Covid and beyond, with the EUID wallet being touted since 2021. https://off-guardian.org/2025/02/26/coming-soon-the-european-digital-identity-wallet/

What has been Europe’s and the USA’s basic positions on this?

This transcript is from a CSIS event hosted on February 26, 2025:

EU’s Perspective on Digital Regulations with the Lead Negotiator of the Digital Services Act

Since taking office, the Trump administration has increasingly scrutinized European digital legislation, particularly the Digital Services Act (DSA), on the grounds that it encourages digital censorship. …

Laura Caroli: The Trump administration has been putting European legislation increasingly under scrutiny, especially laws on digital services, claiming it almost amounts to a form of digital censorship. This only – this not only puts transatlantic relations at strain, but also makes enforcement of European laws increasingly difficult. … We are talking about the Digital Services Act, the law that is under the highest scrutiny from the Trump administration. …

Christel Schaldemose: Thank you.

Dr. Caroli: And from the Danish Social Democrats. You have been the lead negotiator of this law, the Digital Services Act. …

Dr. Caroli: Thank you. So, indeed, the Digital Services Act is just a continuation, if I understand correctly, of what was already in place in Europe, this E-Commerce Directive of 20 years ago. But so how much would you say the Digital Services Act is about transparency, as opposed to imposing practices to platforms?

Ms. Schaldemose: Well, it’s a combination of many things. What we’re doing is that we’re, in fact, regulating the level playing field for intermediates. It could be Amazon, you know, online marketplaces, it could be search engines, or it could be social media, et cetera. 02/26/25 https://www.csis.org/events/eus-perspective-digital-regulations-lead-negotiator-digital-services-act

No, it does not ‘level the playing field,’ the Digital Services Act is a platform that involves censorship, control, and surveillance.

And according to the Bible, more and more censorship and surveillance is coming.

The Digital Services Act is a partial prelude to the coming ‘666’ controls the Bible prophesies in the following:

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

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

Related to plans for control and surveillance, we put together the following video:

As mentioned here numerous times, the ability to monitor buying and selling like the 666 prophecy foretells was not possible when Jesus had the Apostle John pen the Book of Revelation.

But not only does the technology exist now to do so, governments and globalist organizations are pushing for the implementation of tools that will help fulfill those prophecies.

Do not fall for it as it will lead to destruction and a totalitarian society. Things like the Digital Service Act will lead to censorship which will also lead to the coming ‘famine of the word’ (cf. Amos 8:11-12).

Related to the DSA and similar moves, here is part of number 23 of my list of 25 items to prophetically watch in 2025:

23. Totalitarian Steps

The 13th chapter of the Book of Revelation tells about a totalitarian leader called the Beast rising up, controlling buying and selling (cf. Revelation 13:16-18). …

Participating in society includes the ability to use a computer, communicate, buy goods, and travel, to name just a few–and the EU’s Digital Services Acts can affect all of that and more.

The globalists want to be able to monitor who is buying or saying anything.

Furthermore, if there were to be carbon passports, that would likely be tied in with your purchases so you could be monitored by some official view of how much harm your purchases cause the environment.

This is helping set the stage for the rise of the Beast who will gain power after the 4th seal of Revelation (which is the ride of the pale horse of death) is opened.

Expect to see various new totalitarian steps implemented and/or proposed in 2025.

Meetings in Europe are promoting ways that will lead to more totalitarian controls.

A while back, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel related what many groups are working towards:

14:31

Globalism Conspiracy or Convergence?

In May of 2022, the World Economic Forum held a conference where thousands of the world’s elites attended, essentially in support of a ‘great reset’ to change society. In June 2022, the Bilderberg Group met essentially to do the same thing. In June 2022, Pope Francis told a group invited by Cardinal Kurt Koch, “Unity does not come about by standing still.” Whereas the Roman Catholic group, whose co-president in Marc Stengel, called for more cooperation with the United Nations and apparently supporters of Gandhi. The World Council of Churches also supports the globalist agenda as do the Freemasons and others. Could Satan be the real conspirator behind this? Will humanity be able to bring about utopia? Or can true Christian unity and utopia only come about with the return of Jesus and the Kingdom of God? Will the globalist agenda succeed for a time? Dr. Thiel addresses these and other issues.

Here is a link to that video: Globalism Conspiracy or Convergence?

Digital identification systems are not the answer. A totalitarian system is coming.

The ONLY real solution for the problems facing humanity is repentance, the return of Jesus, and the good news of the coming Kingdom of God.

COGwriter

In his newsletter today, former Roman Catholic, now evangelical Protestant, Mike Gendron had the following:

How Can Sinners Escape Divine Justice?

Divine justice is a central theme in the Bible because it reflects God’s holy and righteous character and His commitment to uphold moral order. Justice is a foundational characteristic of God’s relationship with humanity. His punishment of sin is necessary for justice to be upheld according to His perfect and righteous standards. Everyone needs to know that they are accountable to their Creator, who requires us to be perfect as He is perfect (Mat. 5:48). Since this is impossible, our only hope is to trust the crucified Savior, who died as a substitute for sinners to satisfy divine justice (Isaiah 53:4-11). His resurrection assures us that divine justice was satisfied (Rom. 4:25). There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1). His righteousness has been given as a gift to all who believe (Rom. 5:16-18).

 

Divine Justice Must Be Satisfied

Divine justice must be satisfied because our holy and righteous judge in heaven must punish every sin that has been committed by everyone who has ever lived. We know that any judge who pardons law-breakers and lets the guilty go free is not a righteous judge. But God, in His profound wisdom, provided one specific way to pardon sinners that would not violate His righteous and holy attributes. In His love and mercy, He graciously provided a sinless substitute to die in the place of sinners to satisfy divine justice. The same God whose justice demands satisfaction for our sin made satisfaction by offering Himself for those who trust Him. The world needs to know that divine justice for sin must be satisfied and there is only one way to escape it.

 

How Can God Be Just and Justify the Unjust?

Jesus was born to die. “The Son of Man came…to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). This was to demonstrate His righteousness so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus (Rom. 3:26). Since all have sinned and broken God’s laws, divine justice had to be satisfied by Christ before forgiveness could be applied to sinners. By dying as a substitute for sinners, the Lord Jesus paid the eternal debt for sin and satisfied all the demands of divine justice so that He could extend mercy and grace to those who trust Him. Man can never DO what Christ has Done. He died “once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit” (1 Pet. 3:18).

 

Divine Justice at the Great White Throne

Those who reject the Lord Jesus as their substitute will come face to face with Him at the Great White Throne judgment (Rev. 20:11-15). Since they did not trust Him as a gracious and loving Savior, He will be their holy and righteous judge. Divine justice will be dispensed in the eternal fires of hell. The punishment and separation from God will be everlasting because every sin is committed against an infinitely holy and majestic God. There will be no escape because God is “a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29).

Let’s look at some of the above in the light of scripture.

First of all, the main theme of the Bible is NOT justice per se, but love.

In John 3:16-17, Jesus said:

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Notice that love was the motivator for God to send His Son to die so that the world may not be condemned but may be saved.

Furthermore, Mike Gendron quoted 1 Peter 3:18 which shows that Jesus did die for the unjust.

Secondly, what about mercy?

Notice some scriptures and comments in our free online e-book Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation:

Mercy is so important, that the English term ‘mercy’ is shown 282 times in the NKJV of the Bible and 289 in the Douay-Rheims Bible.

Notice, for one other example, how Jesus referred to it in Matthew 23:23:

²³ … the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith.

Mercy is one of the weightier matters of the law. It is more important than most realize.

It has been claimed that “The Mercy Seat of the Holy of Holies was the earthly representation of the very Throne of GOD in heaven” (Armstrong HW. Plain Truth, June 1967). The expression ‘mercy seat’ is used 28 times in the Bible (NKJV). It is shown as a place that God speaks from (Exodus 25:22).

Does God have a mercy seat because He expects to mainly provide eternal condemnation at the white throne judgment of Revelation 20 like many seem to think?

Obviously, since there is a mercy seat (cf. Exodus 25:17-22; Hebrews 9:5), this is a clue that God plans to have mercy.

While judgment will happen in Revelation 20:11-12 and people will be found guilty (as “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” per Romans 3:23), it will not be for eternal condemnation.

Why? Because, God will plead with His handiwork (Jeremiah 25:31), and mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).

Is not that what mercy is for?

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines mercy as:

compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one’s power

also: lenient or compassionate treatment …

a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion

Furthermore, mercy is not just for those who are truly Christians in this age.

While God has mercy on those called now, God will also have mercy on those not called to be firstfruits in this age.

But, this teaching is hard for many to understand now as Romans 11:30-33 teaches:

³⁰ For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, ³¹ even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. ³² For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. ³³ Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

Notice that God’s plan ‘has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all’. Also notice that Paul is teaching that God’s mercy and judgment is apparently not easy for most to figure out.

Is it someone’s fault that they were born in an area that no one knew or taught Christ? Or if Christ was taught, He and God’s plan were not properly taught?

God knew that most would not at first obey, but that He has a plan to have mercy on them.

Thus it should be clear that God INTENTIONALLY is allowing some to be disobedient now, so that they will get mercy later and that those called now (the firstfruits) will have mercy now.

And God has done this so that He might have mercy on all–this apparently could not have happened any better way. The only way for God to have mercy on ALL is for salvation to be offered to all in a manner they can properly comprehend.

Yet, these concepts are offensive to many.

Because of their traditions, miseducation, biases, and pride, many cannot accept that God is so merciful.

Most who followed Jesus were offended after He spoke and turned away from Him, despite seeing miracles (see John 6:1-66). Most will not believe what we in the Continuing Church of God point out that the Bible teaches–this includes most who claim to believe the Bible.

Yet, it is only those who intentionally reject God’s mercy, who will be destroyed in the lake of fire, the second death (Revelation 20:14) to put them out of their misery (cf. Revelation 21:4).

Thirdly, does the Bible teach that the unrepentant will continue to burn in eternal torment?

No.

While Mike Gendron referred to the fact of a “consuming fire” in Hebrews 12:29, he seems not to consider that a CONSUMING FIRE, consumes, burns things up.

[C]onsistent with Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:28, the wicked who will not repent and support God’s Kingdom will be condemned (John 5:28-29), burnt up (Revelation 20:14), annihilated, totally destroyed:

¹ Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. ² For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. …

⁹ For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth. ¹⁰ For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more. …

²⁰ But the wicked shall perish; And the enemies of the Lord, Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away. …

³⁸ But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; The future of the wicked shall be cut off. (Psalm 37:1-2,9-10,20,38)

⁴ You love all devouring words, You deceitful tongue. ⁵ God shall likewise destroy you forever; (Psalm 52:4-5)

² As smoke is driven away, So drive them away; As wax melts before the fire, So let the wicked perish at the presence of God. (Psalm 68:2)

¹ “For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” Says the Lord of hosts,
“That will leave them neither root nor branch. ² But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves. ³ You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this,” Says the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 4:1-3)

The Bible calls this the ‘second death’:

¹¹… He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death. (Revelation 2:11)

⁶ Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)

¹⁴ Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Revelation 20:14)

⁸ But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)

Thus, it is a type of death, but permanent. Note: The fact of the boy God had Elijah raise (1 Kings 17:17-22), Lazarus who Jesus raised from the dead, (John 11:11-44), and all those who were raised after Jesus was executed (Matthew 27:52-53) shows that human beings can physically die more than once. For those who have been resurrected to physical life prior to the 21^st century, their experiencing physical death again is NOT the second death of Revelation 20:14 and Matthew 10:28. THE SECOND DEATH IS DEFINED IN REVELATION 20:14 AS WHEN DEATH AND HADES ARE CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE. It is not a reference to any humans who, after being resurrected, die again.

Now, the permanent second death, is not eternal torturing like many claim. Jesus came so we would not have to PERISH, but have eternal life:

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

²⁷ And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, (Hebrews 9:27)

Jesus did not come so that people would not experience physical death—He came to help prevent the second death (Revelation 20:14).

And since the Apostle Paul was inspired to write that it is appointed for people to die (Hebrews 9:27), the PERISHING in John 3:16 has to do with what happens after the resurrections.

James 5:11 states:

¹ 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.

Permanent torment is not merciful nor very compassionate–but putting the wicked permanently out of their misery is. God is very compassionate and merciful.

Nahum 1:12 teaches:

¹² Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more;

Thus, this prophetic book is teaching that there is not a permanent, torturing affliction.

Revelation 21:4 teaches:

⁴ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” ⁵ Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

There will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. Thus, there will not be an ever-burning torment and torture of sinners throughout eternity. All things will become new.

Remember that Malachi 4:1-3 teaches that the wicked (those who will not repent) will be burned up and will be ashes (see also Luke 13:1-3; Matthew 10:28). This is not an everlasting torment, but a destruction of those that refuse God.

Fourthly, here is some information on the Great White Throne Judgement from the free e-book Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation:

The Great White Throne Judgment and the One Hundred Year Period

The Bible tells of a time when the saints of the house of God—the Christians—will be resurrected and be part of the Millennium, but that the rest of the dead will be resurrected later:

⁴ And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. ⁵ But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. ⁶ Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4-6)

Satan will not be a problem for one thousand years as he will be bound (Revelation 20:1-2). After that thousand years, he will be released for a “little while” (Revelation 20:3,7-10; which could be consistent with the idea of a time gap that Jewish sage Rabbi Joshua ben Levi placed between the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles and the next day in Midrash Pesikta Rabbati 30, Tanchuma, parshat Pinchas). And after the “little while,” but before the second resurrection, Satan will be put into the “lake of fire” (Revelation 20:10).

Those who live during the Millennium will have their opportunity to participate in the salvation process. They will have their opportunity to grow spiritually toward spiritual birth into the God Family.

However, what happens to those who had already died without having truly understood God’s truth?

The Bible then tells of a time called the great white throne judgment, which happens after the second resurrection:

¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. (Revelation 20:11-12)

So, the Bible tells of judgment for those not judged by God in this life. And that books would be opened.  Yes, people will be found guilty of sin (cf. Romans 3:23), but remember, that eternal life will be granted to repentant sinners who accept Jesus (Romans 6:23).

Now, according to David Jeremiah, a well-known evangelical minister, all who come before the white throne judgment are essentially doomed. Here is some of what he wrote:

Revelation 20. The Great White Throne Judgment is an event where those that did not know Jesus as their Savior during their life will come before the Lord and be judged by Christ. …

We see Buddhists and Muslims and Hindus and Protestants and Catholics and Baptists and Presbyterians. … What will happen to these religious people when they stand before God? … Let the Lord Jesus answer that question. “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:21-23) …

 If we come to the end of our life and we haven’t accepted Him, the Bible says our name is blotted out of the Book of Life …  (Jeremiah D. What is the Great White Throne Judgment in Revelation? https://davidjeremiah.blog/what-is-the-great-white-throne-judgment-in-revelation/ accessed 06/26/19)

Despite David Jeremiah’s last claim, the Bible does NOT say those who were not called in this age are automatically “blotted out” of the Book of Life. Now it is true that many religious people practice lawlessness. To learn more about that, David Jeremiah (and others) should read our free online book: The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast.

Sadly, many have been given wrong teachings about the Great White Throne Judgment. Its purpose is not to permanently doom those who had not known the true Christ.

The Bible teaches:

² … You are a gracious and merciful God (Jonah 4:2)

And that mercy “triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13).

Now let’s notice something in contrast to David Jeremiah’s view from the old Radio Church of God:

Revelation 20: 11-12 says about this RESURRECTION:  “. . . and I saw a great white throne . . , and I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God . . .” these people are STANDING-A RESURRECTION–”. . . and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books.” JUDGMENT! Even the WORST of the sinners who never had a chance will be in this RESURRECTION, for even the inhabitants of SODOM will be there! “When thy daughters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former estate, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former estate . . . then thou (Jerusalem) shall return to your former estate.” (Ezekiel 16:55.) Isaiah 65:20 indicates ALL will live to be a hundred years old in this age at this time. (When Will the UNCONVERTED Be Resurrected? Plain Truth, February-March 1954)

And we in the CCOG concur that sinners will get their opportunity during the time of the great white throne judgment. Notice, also what the Apostle Paul wrote related to one who was sexually immoral:

⁵ deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (1 Corinthians 5:5)

Yes, the Apostle Paul pointed out that sinner—and by implication others—still had an opportunity for salvation.

Furthermore, while some will consider these teachings as “unorthodox,” let me show quotes from their leaders also found in the book Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation:

Notice something from an Eastern Orthodox bishop from the late 20^th century:

There is no terrorism in the Orthodox doctrine of God … several of the Fathers have none the less believed that in the end all will be reconciled to God. It is heretical to say that all must be saved, for this is to deny free will; but it is a legitimate hope that all may be saved. Until the Last Day come, we must not despair of anyone’s salvation, but must long and pray for the reconciliation of all without exception (Ware, 262).

So, the belief that the Last Day, which is considered the time of the White Throne Judgment, salvation may still be available is held by at least some of the Eastern Orthodox. The comment about ‘the Fathers’ is referring to the fact that Eastern Orthodox saints and leaders taught it over a thousand years ago.

As far as the timing goes, scripture is clear that the white throne judgment happens after the resurrection of ‘the rest of the dead’:

⁵ But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. … ¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. (Revelation 20:5, 11)

Thus, at least some of the Eastern Orthodox agree that there is a possibility of salvation after one has died in this age.

Orthodox Archpriest George Florovsky observed:

St. Gregory of Nyssa anticipated a kind of universal conversion of souls in the afterlife, when the Truth of God will be revealed and manifested with compelling evidence …

God respects human freedom, as St. Irenaeus once said … The Last Judgment remains a mystery. (Florovsky G. The last things and the last events. Originally written no later than 1979. Missionary Leaflet # E95h Holy Protection Russian Orthodox Church. Los Angeles. Editor: Bishop Alexander (Mileant) http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/last_events_florovsky_e.htm#n3 viewed 06/07/09).

Orthodox priest Thomas Hopko stated:

There is no clear dogmatic teaching of our Orthodox Church on death and what happens when we die. … Furthermore, there are questions about the soul after death and the intermediate state (i.e. the period between when we die and the world’s end). (Life after death … Mysteries beyond the grave. Transcript of a talk given in Brisbane Australia during October, 1999)

Dr. Amir Azarvan wrote:

The orthodox have little assurance concerning the age to come. They do, however, have a profound hope in the resurrection from the dead … (Azarvan A. Re-Introducing Christianity: An Eastern Apologia for a Western Audience. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2016, p. 185)

Orthodox eschatology (prophetic teachings) remains a mystery to the Orthodox as they tend to admit that they do not understand much of it–but at least some of them do realize that God’s plan of salvation is not limited the way that most Protestants seem to believe that it is.

Now, if the Eastern Orthodox observed all the biblical holy days, including the Last Great Day, God’s plan of salvation would not be such a mystery to them (for some details, check out the free online book: Should You Keep God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays?).

God’s plan of salvation does not need to be a mystery to you.

Finally, while the Bible does teach of judgment, it teaches love and mercy.

The Apostle James was inspired to write:

13 … Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:13)

Oddly, most who profess Christianity seem not to understand what that means–but you can!

Some items of related interest may include:

Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation Will all get a fair chance at salvation? This free book is packed with scriptures showing that God does intend to offer salvation to all who ever lived–the elect in this age, and the rest in the age to come. Here is a link to a related sermon series: Universal Offer of Salvation 1: Apocatastasis, Universal Offer of Salvation 2: Jesus Desires All to be Saved, Mysteries of the Great White Throne Judgment (Universal Offer of Salvation part 3), Is God Fair?, Will God Pardon the Ignorant?, Can God Save Your Relatives?, Babies, Limbo, Purgatory and God’s Plan, and ‘By the Mouth of All His Holy Prophets’.The Last Great Day: Shemini ‘Azeret What is the ‘eighth day’ of the Feast? What does it help picture? A sermon on this topic is also available: Shemini Azaret: The Last Great Day.
The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you? This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have.
What Happens After Death? Is death like sleep, or is that a cultic idea? Can you speak to the dead? Here is a link to a related sermon: What really happens after death?
The Second Death The New Testament speaks of something called the “second death.” Who will be subject to it? How does it end? Here is a link to a related sermon: First death, Second death.
Study the Bible Course Lesson 15: What is “Hell”? What are the different words translated as “hell” in English? Does Gehenna mean something different than Hades. What happens? What about worms dying not?Is God Calling You? This booklet discusses topics including calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond? Here is are links to related sermons: Christian Election: Is God Calling YOU? and Predestination and Your Selection; here is a message in Spanish: Me Está Llamando Dios Hoy? A short animation is also available: Is God Calling You?
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.
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.

COGwriter

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

1:11:09

Mysteries: Is God Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient?

This is the first part of a multi-part sermon series covering ‘Mysteries of God.’ What is God? What did Jesus teach? Is God omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient? What does the Bible teach? Is God’s existence scientifically logical? What about Charles Darwin and evolution? Does Spirit have physical limits? What about the ‘unknown God’? Is God’s understanding infinite? What about eternity? Is there anything God cannot do? Why would a loving God allow suffering? Are God’s thoughts and plans higher than ours? Does God have a fabulous plan for each and every one of us who will obey Him? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.

Here is a link to our sermon video: Mysteries: Is God Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient?

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Mysteries of God. What is God? Is God omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent? Does the Godhead consist of a closed trinity or an expanding family? Here is a link to a related sermon: Mysteries: Is God Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient?
The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you? This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have, including the biblical meaning of life. Here is a link to three related sermons: Mysteries of God’s Plan, Mysteries of Truth, Sin, Rest, Suffering, and God’s Plan, and The Mystery of YOU.
Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian This is a scripture-filled booklet for those wishing to live as a real Christian. A related sermon is also available: Christians are Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God. Here is a video in Spanish: ¿Qué es un verdadero cristiano?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
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.
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? 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. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
Faith for Those God has Called and Chosen What is faith? Can faith be increased? Are you saved by faith? What about works? Do Christians need to keep the Ten Commandments? What is the ‘faith chapter’? How do the just live by faith? Is faith one of the weightier matters of the law? How does faith come? Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Fe para aquellos que Dios ha llamado y escogido. In German: Glaube für die von Gott Berufenen und Auserwählten. In French: La Foi pour ceux que Dieu a Appelés et Choisis. Here is a link to a related sermon titled: Faith for the Called and Chosen.and here is a link to another sermon Faith and Courage. Here is a link to shorter version of the written article in Mandarin Chinese 一篇关于信仰的小文章. Here are links to the sermons Christian Faith and Increasing Faith.
Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach? This free booklet contains 28 biblically-based tips on improving the effectiveness of your prayers. This is a pdf. A related two part sermon is available: What Does the Bible Teach About Prayer? and What does the Bible Teach About Prayer (& Healing)?
Is God Calling You? This booklet discusses topics including calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond? Here is a link to a related sermon: Could God be Calling You? A short animation is also available: Is God Calling You?
Proof Jesus is the Messiah This free book has over 200 Hebrew prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus. Plus, His arrival was consistent with specific prophecies and even Jewish interpretations of prophecy. Here are links to seven related sermons: Proof Jesus is the Messiah, Prophecies of Jesus’ birth, timing, and death, Jesus’ prophesied divinity, 200+ OT prophecies Jesus filled; Plus prophecies He made, Why Don’t Jews Accept Jesus?, Daniel 9, Jews, and Jesus, and Facts and Atheists’ Delusions About Jesus
Is God’s Existence Logical? Is it really logical to believe in God? Yes! Would you like Christian answers to give atheists? This is a free online booklet that deal with improper theories and musings called science related to the origin of the origin of the universe, the origin of life, and evolution. Two animated videos of related interest are also available: Big Bang: Nothing or Creator? and A Lifegiver or Spontaneous Evolution?
Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation Will all get a fair chance at salvation? This free book is packed with scriptures showing that God does intend to offer salvation to all who ever lived–the elect in this age, and the rest in the age to come. Here is a link to a related sermon series: Universal Offer of Salvation 1: Apocatastasis, Universal Offer of Salvation 2: Jesus Desires All to be Saved, Mysteries of the Great White Throne Judgment (Universal Offer of Salvation part 3), Is God Fair, Will God Pardon the Ignorant?, Can God Save Your Relatives?, Babies, Limbo, Purgatory and God’s Plan, and ‘By the Mouth of All His Holy Prophets’.
The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast This is a free pdf book explaining the what the Ten Commandments are, where they came from, how early professors of Christ viewed them, and how various ones, including the Beast of Revelation, will oppose them. A related sermon is titled: The Ten Commandments and the Beast of Revelation.
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
CCOG.ORG Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God. There are links to literature is about 100 different languages there.
Congregations of the Continuing Church of God This is a listing of congregations and groups of the Continuing Church of God around the world.
Continuing Church of God Facebook page This has news and prophetic information.
Continuing Church of God, Africa, Facebook page This has news and prophetic information.
Continuing Church of God, Canada, Facebook page This has news and prophetic information.
Continuing Church of God, Europe, Facebook page This has news and prophetic information.
CCOG.AFRICA This is a website targeted towards those in Africa.
CCOG.ASIA We in the Continuing Church of God also have the url www.ccog.asia which has a focus on Asia and has various articles in Mandarin Chinese as well as some in English, plus some items in other Asian languages. 我们在继续神的教会也提供此网址 www.ccog.asia, 关注于亚洲并且有各种各样的中英文文章，其中一些用菲律宾语翻译的文章也正在进行中，准备添加到这个网站中。 Here is a link to our Statement of Beliefs in Mandarin Chinese 继续神的教会的信仰声明.
CCOG.IN This is a website targeted towards those of Indian heritage. It has a link to an edited Hindi translation of The Mystery of the Ages and is expected to have more non-English language materials in the future.
CCOG.EU This is a website targeted toward Europe. It has materials in more than one language (currently it has English, Dutch, and Serbian, with links also to Spanish) and it is intended to have additional language materials added.
CCOG.NZ This is a website targeted towards New Zealand and others with a British-descended background.
CCOGCANADA.CA This is a website targeted towards those in Canada.
CDLIDD.ES La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. This is the Spanish language website for the Continuing Church of God.
CG7.ORG This is a website for those interested in the Sabbath and churches that observe the seventh day Sabbath.
PNIND.PH Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos. This is the Philippines website Continuing Church of God. It has information in English and Tagalog.
CCOG Animations YouTube channel. The Continuing Church of God has some animations to teach aspects of Christian beliefs. Also available at BitChute COGAnimations https://www.bitchute.com/channel/coganimations/
Bible News Prophecy channel. Dr. Thiel has produced hundreds of videos for the BibleNewsProphecy channel. You can find them at them on YouTube at BibleNewsProphecy https://www.youtube.com/user/BibleNewsProphecy, plus also on Vimeo at Bible News Prophecy https://vimeo.com/channels/biblenewsprophecy as well as on Brighteon Bible News Prophecy https://www.brighteon.com/channel/ccogbnp and Bitchute Prophecy https://www.bitchute.com/channel/prophecy/
CCOGAfrica channel. This has messages from African pastors in African languages such as Kalenjin, Kiswahili, Embu, and Dholuo. Also available at BitChute COGAfrica https://www.bitchute.com/channel/cogafrica/
CDLIDDSermones channel. This contains messages in the Spanish language
BibleNewsProphecy Podcast. This has audio-visual podcasts of the Bible News Prophecy channgel. It plays on i-Phones, i-Pads, and Windows devices that can play i-Tunes.
Bible News Prophecy online radio. This is an audio version of the Bible News Prophecy videos. It is also available as a mobile app.
Bible News Prophecy International radio. This has links to our non-English language online radio station as well as materials in multiple languages.
ContinuingCOG channel. Dr. Thiel has produced scores of YouTube video sermons for this channel. Note: Since these are sermon-length, they can take a little longer to load than other YouTube videos. Also available at BitChute COGTube https://www.bitchute.com/channel/cogtube/
Study the Bible Course A free online course to help you learn and study the word of God.
Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God “Contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3, NKJV), “Let brotherly love (Philadelphia) continue” (Hebrews 13:1) ” & continuing stedfastly in the teaching of the apostles” (Acts 2:42 YLT). So, what does that really mean in terms of specific beliefs–the Statement gives answers? Here is a related link in Spanish/español: Declaración de las Doctrinas de la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. Here is a related link in Tagalog: Paglalahad ng Mga Paniniwala ng Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos. Here is a related link in Mandarin Chinese ~ç~íy^v„eYOv„OáNðXðf. Here is a related link in Kiswahili: KATIKA LUGHA YA KISWAHILI. Here is a related link in Dutch: Verklaring van geloofspunten van de Continuing Church of God. Here is a related link in Deutsche (German): Glaubenserklärung der Continuing Church of God. Here is a related link in Italiano: Dichiarazione del Credo della Continuing Church of God. Here is related link in the French language: Déclaration des croyances de L’Église Continue de Dieu. Here is a related link in the Chichewa language: ZIKHULUPIRIRO ZA MPINGO WA CONTINUING CHURCH OF GOD. Here is a link in Romanian: Declarația de credințe a continuării Bisericii lui Dumnezeu. Here is a link in Portuguese: Declaração de Crenças da Continuação da Igreja de Deus. Here is a link in Russian: Утверждение верований о продолжении Церкви Божьей. Here is a link to a related English-language sermon: Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God.

CCOG portrayal of the Beast of Revelation 13:1-10

COGwriter

Early this week, Germany held an election and its presumed next chancellor Friedrich Merz pushed independence from the USA:

“My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA,” Merz said Sunday.

Merz added, “I never thought I would have to say something like this on a television program. But after Donald Trump’s statements last week at the latest, it is clear that the Americans, at least this part of the Americans, this administration, are largely indifferent to the fate of Europe.” 02/25/25 https://abcnews.go.com/International/germany-move-independence-us-new-leader/story?id=119115938

He was referring to both trade and military independence. The new reality is that the European Union is now focusing more on military spending and preparation for war without assistance from the USA:

This is how many more soldiers and investments Europe needs to protect itself without the US

28 February 2025

A new report says Europe could face a new aggression within the next decade. Here’s what it needs to defend itself without the Americans.

A new joint report by the Bruegel think tank and the Kiel Institute has warned that new Russian aggression in Europe is “conceivable”, citing NATO claims that Moscow could be “ready to attack within three to ten years”. …

Europe’s national armies have a combined force of about 1.5 million personnel – much more than the current US force in Europe.

The report states that, if Washington does withdraw troops, Europe would need an additional 300,000 servicemen or around 50 brigades. …

With or without America, ‘Europe needs more military capabilities’

But simply raising the number of troops might not be enough, tells Euronews Luigi Scazzieri, from the Centre for European Reform.

“Europeans need to step up their defence whether the Americans leave or not”.

“To generate credible deterrence, you need to have more capabilities, particularly those on which we rely most on the US: Long-range missiles, aerial defences, aerial supply, air surveillance and transportation, for example”, Scazzieri added. …

“With 1.5 million soldiers in service, you don’t need 300,000 more, you need to use them in the right places”, Nicolas Gros-Verheyde, defence and foreign policy journalist, tells Euronews. …

Another way to increase European deterrence would be extending the French nuclear shield, he says. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/02/28/this-is-how-many-more-soldiers-and-investments-europe-needs-to-protect-itself-without-the-

February 28, 2025

• EU foreign policy chief Kallas says “Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to US, Europeans, to take this challenge.” https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/trump-meets-zelensky-says-minerals-deal-be-signed-today-will-use-ukraine-rare-earths

After Donald Trump was elected the first time, Europe formed an alliance called PESCO. Related to that we put out a sermonette video: PESCO and a Great European Army.

Then, a year after Donald Trump left office, Russia began its ‘Special Military Operation’ into Ukraine.

That prompted calls and commitments for more European military spending.

Related to that, we uploaded the following video: Is the European Beast Growing Horns?

After Donald Trump’s re-election, it was reported on 26 November 2024 that:

The Council of the European Union has endorsed conclusions on the Strategic Review of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), a cornerstone of EU defence collaboration.  …

PESCO projects are encouraged to address strategic capability gaps, including those relevant to high-intensity warfare. Collaborative opportunities identified through the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) are to be prioritised for efficient resource utilisation. https://defence-industry.eu/council-of-the-european-union-approves-pesco-strategic-review-to-strengthen-defence-integration/

PESCO is moving forward.

The Bible prophesies that Europe will have a “great army” (Daniel 11:25) and many ships (Daniel 11:40), PESCO and calls for more troops, nuclear weapons, and other weapons by European leaders are consistent with those prophecies.

Europe will be militaristically successful for a time per Revelation 13:3-4 and Daniel 11:39-43.

Europe, itself, will become the aggressor against the USA in the future per Daniel 11:39.

The Medes include people in Russia, Belarus, lands claimed by Ukraine, and other areas.

European leaders, however, do not take biblical prophecies like these seriously.

Basically, they have seen the situation in Ukraine and Donald Trump, and it does not like either. It is scared enough now to support more of the militaristic goals, which in my view will be heavily based on technology.

The news report confirms that Europe wants a great army and more weapons like the Bible prophesies.

Europe’s military goals that will NOT end well for the United States (cf. Daniel 11:39), the Middle East (cf.  Daniel 11:40-43), nor for Europe itself.

UPDATE 03/02/25: We just uploaded the following related video:

14:26

European Union wants military independence from the USA

European Union wants to be militarily independent of the USA – check European Union wants a larger military – check European Union wants nukes – check European Union wants this for defensive purposes – Will Europe acquire a great army? Will Europe defeat the Biblical King of the South? Is Europe the King of the North? Will Europe defeat the King(s) from the east? Here’s a big question – will Europe conquer the United States of America? Is the United State of America mentioned in the Bible? These are fascinating questions that will be answered in the very near future. The fact that these conflicts will occur is a certainty as they are a prophesied fact in the Bible in the book of Daniel But when will these conflicts occur? Daniel was told to shut up the words, they were for the time of the end. Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. We are there. This is the time of the end. Dr. Thiel will shine the light on the answers to these questions. One answer, in particular, is sure to stun thousands.

Here is a link to our video: European Union wants military independence from the USA.

That said, there will be good news as after Europe is defeated by a Eurasian power, Jesus will return to establish the millennial kingdom of God.

But before then, we will have tribulation, totalitarianism, and war.

Some items of 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.
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.
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. A related sermon is titled: Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here are links to 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.
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 Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people? Here is a link to a video Is the USA Pushing Germany to Start WWIII?
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.
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?