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COGwriter

China has responded to Donald Trump’s escalation of tariffs:

China refuses to back down on tariffs after Trump threatened tougher measures

April 8, 2025

China is refusing to back down from President Donald Trump’s “blackmail,” as a global trade war sparked by Trump’s new tariffs rages on.

This comes after Trump threatened to increase tariffs on U.S. imports from the Asian country to more than 100% if Beijing refuses to reverse its move to match the “reciprocal” duties announced last week by the American president.

Trump said he would impose an additional 50% duty on U.S. imports from China if Beijing did not drop the 34% tariffs it imposed on U.S. products last week, which would bring the total levies against China to 104%. Beijing retaliated after Trump announced 34% tariffs against China on top of the 20% already imposed against the country earlier this year.

“The U.S. side’s threat to escalate tariffs against China is a mistake on top of a mistake, once again exposing the American side’s blackmailing nature,” China’s commerce ministry said.

“If the U.S. insists on having its way, China will fight to the end,” it added. https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/china-refuses-back-down-tariffs-trump-threatened-tougher-measures

8 April 2025

China has hit back with tit-for-tat levies – 34% – and Trump warned that he would retaliate with an additional 50% tariff if Beijing doesn’t back down. …

“What we are seeing is a game of who can bear more pain. We’ve stopped talking about any sense of gain,” Mary Lovely, a US-China trade expert at the Peterson Institute in Washington DC, told the BBC’s Newshour programme.

Despite its slowing economy, China may “very well be willing to endure the pain to avoid capitulating to what they believe is US aggression”, she added. …

China has a “wide toolkit” for retaliation, he adds, such as depreciating their currency further or clamping down on US firms.

“I think the question is how restrained will they be? There’s retaliation to save face and there’s pulling out the whole arsenal. It’s not clear if China wants to go down that path. It just might.” https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg51yw700lo

Before going further, let me add that these increases in tariffs for goods imported from China into the USA will be inflationary–prices will go up.

Michael Snyder posted the following related to that:

Are You Ready To Pay A 104% Tariff On All Products From China?

April 7, 2025

How many products do you have in your home right now that were made in China? If you are like most Americans, that number is very high. We should have never allowed ourselves to become so dependent on cheap Chinese goods, but we did. Walmart, Target and our dollar stores are absolutely teeming with products that were manufactured in China, and now those products are about to get much more expensive. The 34 percent “retaliatory tariff” that the Trump administration recently imposed on the Chinese was on top of a 20 percent tariff that the Trump administration had already imposed on them. The White House has confirmed this. Unfortunately, the 54 percent tariff that we were potentially facing will now rise to 104 percent thanks to an additional 50 percent tariff that will go into effect on April 9th. …

No matter how the pundits try to spin this, the truth is that we will be paying this tariff if we continue to purchase Chinese products.

It is easy to say that we should just switch to products made in the U.S., but in thousands of cases there simply are not any similar products manufactured here. …

I am particularly concerned about what these tariffs will do to the pharmaceutical industry, because Google AI says that the vast majority of the active ingredients in our pharmaceutical drugs are imported from China…

We are in so much trouble. https://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/are-you-ready-to-pay-a-104-tariff-on-all-products-from-china/

As I mentioned last week, tariffs are a type of tax that increases the cost of goods–hence they tend to be inflationary.

There will be many unintended consequences of Donald Trump’s statements and policies, including relating to trade and tariffs.

That said, notice the following headlines:

The nuclear option China could take in trade war with the US

Retaliatory tariffs may only be the beginning of Beijing’s counter attack https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/04/07/nuclear-option-china-could-take-in-trade-war-with-us/

Related to China and the ‘nuclear option,’ notice something from my latest book available at Amazon Kindle: Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? as well as Amazon print Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?:

No nation has ever been in as much total debt as the USA

The “U.S. is highly vulnerable to loss of confidence by foreign creditors.”[i] U.S. government debt is “extremely vulnerable to foreign attack because of the high percentage of foreign ownership.”[ii]

Interestingly, in the past, one foreign creditor, China, has raised concerns about the U.S. debt that are so serious, that its potential dumping of that debt has been called China’s “nuclear option”[iii] against the USA—an option that involves no military intervention, but that could greatly harm the USA.

European leaders have been working for years to establish a new reserve currency for the world, partially with the intent to remove the USA dollar from its current position as a reserve currency.

Those in Russia, Iran and some of the Arab lands, along with nations such as Brazil and India have discussed plans for the removal of the dominance of the USA dollar in global trade as well. Many are now working on that, along with China, in what is called the BRICS alliance.[iv] While Donald Trump did not cause all of this, an unintended consequence of the use of sanctions in the Trump-Pence Administration (as well as by the Biden-Harris Administration) is that more nations are looking to bypass the dollar. …

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

[i] Rickards J. Axis of Gold. The Daily Reckoning, December 20, 2016

[ii] Ibid

[iii] Gertz B,  China Debt Threat.  Washington Times, March 2, 2011

[iv] ^{BRICS Expansion, the G20, and the Future of World Order. Carnegie Endowment for the International Peace, October 9, 2024}

(Thiel B. Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? Nazarene Books, 2025, pp. 38-39, 52)

What is the nuclear option?

Yahoo posted the following:

In theory, Xi is sitting on a potentially nuclear option as he turns the screws on Trump.

China is the second-largest holder of US debt, known as treasuries, in the world. If it opted to dump this government debt, the blow to the US would be seismic.

According to the US Treasury, in January, China held $761bn (£592bn) in American government bonds. …

If China embarked on a mass sale of its US treasuries, the value of the debt would plunge and yields would soar. This would drive up US government borrowing costs and hammer the public finances in a highly destabilising move.

But the scenario is highly unlikely, not least because the pain for China would be huge. …

The Chinese state and its banks own around $3 trillion in dollar assets. “That’s roughly the value of UK GDP,” says Williams. “There is no way to offload $3 trillion of assets in a hurry.”

If China started selling, it would trigger a plunge in dollar values, immediately hammering the value of all of its remaining dollar holdings. 04/07/25 https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nuclear-option-china-could-trade-150000821.html

I saw Bill O’Reilly on News Nation last night mention China’s holding of US treasuries. He saw this as a point of leverage that China has.

China does have that, but realizes it needs to be cautious about it.

To reduce risks to itself, the Chinese have reduced its government’s holdings of US treasuries over the years–but it still has a lot.

One day, if it does not slowly reduce its holdings to a negligible amount, I expect China to utilize its nuclear option–dumping its US assets, which will help eliminate the US dollar as the primary reserve currency for the world.

That will NOT end well for the USA.

China is also facing risks:

8 April 2025

China’s political system – where state power and social control are dominated by the ruling Communist Party – could give Beijing an edge in a new trade war with the United States compared with other countries, experts and insiders have said.

But they warned that Chinese companies and local governments may lack the creativity to respond to a tariff war, as they rely on directives from the powerful central government. …

Zhu Feng, dean of the School of International Studies at Nanjing University, said China’s state-led administrative system had more room for “macroscopic prevention, adjustment and shifting to deal with the huge impact of the trade war on its economy and industry”.

If the trade war led to a sharp drop in China’s exports to the US, it would “have a catastrophic impact on the economy and damage people’s livelihoods and social stability”, Zhu said. …

Experts agreed that a trade war between the world’s two largest economies would most likely worsen China’s domestic economic situation.

Shi Yinhong, a professor at the School of International Studies at Renmin University in Beijing, said China’s internal unity was “not very solid” because of the economic downturn and high unemployment.

“People’s livelihoods are the most real things, and weak employment and incomes are big problems,” said the political scientist in eastern China.

But it would be unlikely that China would see mass protests over issues such as rising prices, as in the US, he added. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3305713/beijings-political-system-could-give-it-edge-trade-war-trump-experts-say

That said, there is another ‘nuclear option’ for China. This one would involve massively devaluing its currency as Newsweek reported last May:

Here’s How China’s Economic ‘Nuclear Option’ Would Impact US

May 24, 2024

China’s insatiable appetite for gold, copper, and other commodities has led to a debate over whether Beijing is gathering resources to hedge against the consequences of devaluing its currency.

If Beijing invoked the “nuclear option” and intentionally weakened the yuan (RMB), this would likely draw a fiery response from Washington, …

Weakening a currency relative to others has benefits, such as boosting exports by making them cheaper. This may be tempting to China’s leadership amid a manufacturing glut and low consumer confidence.

But there are also notable risks to such a move, including pricier imports, higher inflation, destabilization in the global currency market, and trade wars with nations suddenly flooded with Chinese goods that outcompete domestic industries. This has led economists to dub devaluation a “nuclear option.”…

The move would bring down the prices of myriad made-in-China products and put pressure on U.S. companies to do the same. https://www.newsweek.com/how-china-economic-nuclear-option-would-impact-us-1898488

If China were to devalue its currency in half, that would pretty much mitigate the 104% tariffs it may now be facing from the USA.

That would helps its exports, but could cause problems, including unrest in China itself.

There will be many unintended consequences of Donald Trump’s actions, statements, and threats.

COGwriter

Passover is on the 14th of the month of Abib (also called Nisan) and is to be observed after sunset on April 11, 2025.

Many, though, are confused about the date, even though they should not be.

The following was written around the late second/early third century:

For when we had eaten the passover on the third day of the week at even, we went forth to the Mount of Olives; and in the night they seized our Lord Jesus. And the next day, which was the fourth of the week, (Didascalia Apostolorum, Chapter 21, verse 14. R. Hugh Connolly, version Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1929).

Notice that it was understood in the second century that Jesus’ arrest occurred on the third day, which was Tuesday (with Sunday being the first day, then Monday the second day). That means that the Passover obviously was not on a Sunday–and no scholar I am aware of teaches that Jesus’ last Passover was on a Sunday.

It may be of interest to note that, even in the 21st century, some Roman Catholics seem to realize that this Passover (which they normally call the Last Supper) was kept by Jesus on a Tuesday night and that He was betrayed on a Wednesday (Zanchettin L, ed. Meditations, Tuesday, April 11, Wednesday April 12. the WORD among us–The #1 Monthly Devotional for Catholics. 2006; Volume 25, Number 4, pp. 63-64). That Tuesday, as mentioned earlier, was the 14th of Nisan.

Did the Apostles keep the 14th of Abib/Nisan or did they choose Easter Sunday, a day no one believes the last Passover could have happened?

Is it logical that some of the faithful Apostles actually kept different dates for the observance of the Christian Passover?

Some claim that the Apostles Peter and Paul kept Sunday, while teaching that the Apostles John and Philip kept the 14th of the month of Nisan for the Christian Passover.

But does that make any sense?

Could the date of Passover be at all important?

Many seem to believe the following claim written by the 5th century Eastern Catholic historian Socrates Scholasticus:

Quartodecimans affirm that the observance of the fourteenth day was delivered to them by the apostle John, while the Romans and those in the Western parts assure us that their usage originated with the apostles Peter and Paul. Neither of these parties however can produce any written testimony in confirmation of what they assert. (Socrates Scholasticus. Ecclesiastical History, Book V, Chapter XXII. Excerpted from Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Volume 2. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. American Edition, 1890).

Is this true?

No.

But many believe this and related statements, hence they do not keep Passover on the 14th day of the first month of the biblical year (Exodus 12:2), which is often known as Nisan (Esther 3:7). Instead most who claim Christianity keep Easter Sunday.

Before going further, it may be of interest to note that ‘Easter’ is claimed to be Passover, Notice what the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:

1170 At the Council of Nicea in 325, all the Churches agreed that Easter, the Christian Passover, should be celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon (14 Nisan) after the vernal equinox (Catechism of the Catholic Church. Imprimatur Potest +Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. Doubleday, NY 1995, p. 332).

From this, notice that it is taught that what is now called Easter was originally observed as a change in the date of Passover. It originally was not a Christian resurrection holiday.

Easter itself is not a Christian term, and its celebration contains pagan elements. The Catholic Encyclopedia article on Easter notes:

The English term, according to the Ven. Bede (De temporum ratione, I, v), relates to Estre, a Teutonic goddess of the rising light of day and spring … Since Christ, the true Paschal Lamb, had been slain on the very day when the Jews, in celebration of their Passover, immolated the figurative lamb, the Jewish Christians in the Orient followed the Jewish method…For this observance they claimed the authority of St. John and St. Philip.

(Holweck F. G. Easter. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume V. Copyright © 1909 by Robert Appleton Company. Online Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. Knight. Nihil Obstat, May 1, 1909. Remy Lafort, Censor. Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York).

Thus, the Romans admit that the name Easter is the name of a pagan goddess and that the churches in Asia Minor (which they call the Orient) continued to observe Passover on the date that the Jews did, Nisan 14. But it was not just Jews, but also Gentile Christians who did so.

Now, let’s consider if there is early evidence that the Apostle Paul observed Passover or Easter Sunday.

Obese females (Pixabay)

COGwriter

Obesity remains a major issue for many nations in the West.

About Obesity

Key points

• Obesity is a common, serious, and costly chronic disease.
• In the United States, 1 in 5 children and 2 in 5 adults have obesity. …

Why it matters

Children with obesity are more likely to have numerous health conditions. These include high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Children with obesity are also more likely to have obesity as adults. Adults with obesity have a higher risk of developing many diseases. These include heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. Obesity costs the US healthcare system almost $173 billion a year.

Obesity also affects the nation’s military readiness. Only 2 in 5 young adults are weight-eligible and physically prepared for basic training. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/php/about/index.html accessed 04/07/25

There are now many advertisements for injectable drugs as the solution.

But are they safe?

Notice the following:

New Zealand’s government gives the green light for weight loss injections despite serious health risks reported in the UK and the US

7 April 2025

A 2025 study conducted at Washington University found a doubled risk of pancreatitis, an 11% increase in the risk of arthritis, and elevated risks of low blood pressure and serious kidney disease among 215,000 users of injectable obesity drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.

In the UK at the beginning of this year, it was reported that the number of people who had been hospitalised due to side effects of the injectable weight loss drugs had skyrocketed.

Despite the warning signs that the injections are causing harm, the New Zealand Government has approved the weight loss drug Wegovy, with Associate Health Minister David Seymour calling it a “game changer.”

Note: Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro are injectable medications used for weight management and diabetes control.  Wegovy and Mounjaro are primarily used for weight management, while Ozempic is mainly used for diabetes management.

Wegovy and Ozempic contain semaglutide, an anti-diabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and an anti-obesity medication. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity in adults. …

The results of a 2025 study of 215,000 users conducted at Washington University has been published by Nature Medicine under the title ‘Obesity drugs: huge study identifies new health risks’. Whilst confirming that the injectable drugs can assist weight loss and reduce the impact of a number of associated illnesses such as stroke, heart disease and diabetes, they described the risk reduction as modest. Significantly, researchers found a wide range of serious adverse effects. These included a doubled risk of pancreatitis, an 11% increase in the risk of arthritis and an elevated risk of low blood pressure and serious kidney disease. https://expose-news.com/2025/04/07/nz-gov-approves-wegovy/

First do no harm?

These drugs are harmful.

The USA has decided against having Medicare pay for them:

President Donald Trump’s administration has decided not to cover expensive, high-demand obesity treatments under the federal government’s Medicare program.

CMS said late Friday that it would not cover the medications under Medicare’s Part D prescription drug coverage. Medicare covers health care expenses mainly for people ages 65 and older.

Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, proposed a rule in late November after Trump won re-election that would have extended coverage of drugs like tirzepatide (Zepbound) and semaglutide (Wegovy). The rule was not expected to be finalized until Trump took office. …

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, has been an outspoken opponent of the injectable drugs … 04/05/25 https://www.medpagetoday.com/publichealthpolicy/medicare/114985

There are issues with these drugs. And not just the potential costs to taxpayers.

In my view, what pharmaceutical companies often do is, “First look at the possible market.”

And second, “How much money can we make if we come up with a drug related to it?”

That is based on many things, including my own interactions with a couple of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies in the past.

One reason that we do not seem to hear a lot about the negative effects of these injectable drugs is because the media gets a lot of advertising money from the pharmaceutical industry.

The Bible warns:

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

And sadly the pharmaceutical industry, and much of the mainstream media, is directed by love of money over many things.

Chart of Semaglutide Impacts
(Source Myluckynumber7 via Wikipedia)

Wikipedia has the following:

Semaglutide is an anti-diabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and an anti-obesity medication used for long-term weight management.^[23][24][25] It is a peptide similar to the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), modified with a side chain.^[26][27] It can be administered by subcutaneous injection or taken orally.^{[14][15][16][28]} It is sold by Novo Nordisk under the brand names Ozempic^[14] and Rybelsus^[15] for diabetes, and under the brand name Wegovy for weight management and weight loss.^[13][16] …

Possible adverse effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, indigestion/heartburn, dizziness, abdominal distension, belching, hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) in people with type 2 diabetes, flatulence, gastroenteritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).^[16] It has in the past been suspected to cause pancreatitis, and can cause gastroparesis, and bowel obstruction.^[35] Among people who were prescribed a GLP-1, 0.1% were diagnosed with gastroparesis at least six months later, which equates to a 52% increased risk of being diagnosed with gastroparesis while on a GLP-1 medication.^[36] A 2019 meta-analysis did not indicate a significantly elevated risk of acute pancreatitis.^[37]

The US Food and Drug Administration prescription label for semaglutide contains a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents.^{[14][15][16][29]} It is unknown whether semaglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma, in humans.^{[14][15][16][29][38]} (Semaglutide. Wikipedia, accessed 04/07/25)

Notice that the drugs are SIMILAR to GLP-1–they are not the same. Even when isolate chemicals are supposedly the same, they do not always have the same effect in the human body (An Overview of Vitamin E Efficacy. VERIS Research Information Service, November 1998).

The injectable drugs somewhat remind me of many synthetic vitamins that are SIMILAR to the real thing, but not the real thing. Folic acid, to name one, comes to mind. While folates are natural, folic acid is not–and folic acid has been implicated in various human cancers (see Folic Acid Dangers).

Let me also add that my clinical experience is that there are safer and better ways to deal with blood sugar matters than prescription drugs as well.

But financial considerations have long pushed the pharmaceutical industry.

That said, many years ag0, the Continuing Church of God put out a video about concerns about eating to much on our YouTube channel called Bible New Prophecy. Here is a link to our video: Eating Right, Eating Too Much, and Prophecy.

But yes, losing weight can be very, very difficult. But real Christians should believe the following:

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

With prayer and proper determination, breaking away from being obese can happen.

The Bible teaches:

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8)

32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)

Do not let fear stop you from moving ahead.

Take proper action (cf. Galatians 6:9-10; Revelation 3:7-13; Zephaniah 2:1-3).

Interested in a spiritual ‘five second’ rule?

Tell yourself and pray:

I will act on the truth and not put it off because I do not feel like it. Jesus help me.

Most people can quietly pray that in 5 or so seconds.

And physically if it will help, you can count backwards from five or use some other technique to motivate you to do what is right–including with your diet. But then pray for God’s assistance.

You can eat less–take it one day at a time consistent Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:34, which when you are trying to lose weight may also mean one meal or snack desire at a time.

We also have a related video on changing your life. Here is a link to the video: ‘How to Change Your Life in 5 Seconds’.

Of course, some things take longer than 5 seconds. But asking Jesus to help you not overeat is something everyone can do.

While it may not help your weight much, exercising is good for you and your innate immune system. Related to exercise, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put out the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel: The Plain Truth About Exercise.

Related to food, we put out the following video: Let’s Talk About Food.

Related to Christian health, we put out the following video: Let’s Talk About Health.

We also have the following obesity related video:

14:55

Is Obesity OK with Scripture?

In March 2024, the BBC reported that research was pointed to over a billion people being obese worldwide. Professor Majid Ezzati, of Imperial College London, said “In many of these island nations it comes down to the availability of healthy food versus unhealthy food. In some cases there have been aggressive marketing campaigns promoting unhealthy foods, while the cost and availability of healthier food can be more problematic.” Does the Bible teach to eat what is good? While millions are dying from hunger, over a billion are obese. What are diseases that the obese are more susceptible to? Since the obese tend to die sooner than others, should obesity be accepted or encouraged? What did Bill Maher state about the ‘body positive movement’? Does the Bible condemn gluttony (overeating) and obesity? Did Jesus say to ‘come as you are’ or to ‘repent and believe’? What are some ways to help lose weight? Is losing weight very difficult? Can Jesus help? If you fail, should you give up? What about the five second method of changing? Should the obese eat less? If that does not work, what should they do? What about exercise? Steve Dupuie and Dr. Thiel address these issues.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Christian Health Matters Should Christians be concerned about their health? Does the Bible give any food and health guidelines? Here are links to two related sermons: Let’s Talk About Food and Let’s Talk About Health.
Obesity, processed foods, health risks, and the Bible Does the Bible warn about the consequences of being obese? Is overeating dangerous? Is gluttony condemned? What diseases are associated with eating too much refined foods? Two related video would be Is Obesity OK with Scripture? and Eating Right, Eating Too Much, and Prophecy.
Should Christians Exercise? What does the Bible teach? What are some of the benefits and risks of exercise? Here is a link to a related video: The Plain Truth About Exercise.
Ten Simple Rules that Lead to Health Herbert Armstrong gives his opinions on this.

COGwriter

Donald Trump is boasting that leaders of nations around the world want to negotiate trade with his Administration:

April 7, 2025

President Trump on Monday urged Americans not to panic over tariff-driven turmoil in the markets, and said that “Countries from all over the World are talking to us.”

“The United States has a chance to do something that should have been done DECADES AGO. Don’t be Weak! Don’t be Stupid! Don’t be a PANICAN (A new party based on Weak and Stupid people!). Be Strong, Courageous, and Patient, and GREATNESS will be the result!” Trump posted Monday morning … https://www.zerohedge.com/political/dont-be-weak-dont-be-panican-trump-urges-americans-hold-tight-countries-all-over-world

“I spoke to a lot of leaders, European, Asian, from all over the world,” Trump said. “They’re dying to make a deal. And I said, we’re not going to have deficits with your country. We’re not going to do that, because to me a deficit is a loss. We’re going to have surpluses or at worst, going to be breaking even.” 04/06/25 https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-recession-financial-markets-negotiations-retaliation-860760cdc1aa2cc58853c9aab987e36d

And while many nations do want to negotiate, consider Isaac Newton’s third law of motion that :For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”

While nations want their trade to continue with the USA, they are also taking other steps. Steps consistent with predictions I have stated for years.

Consider that in the January-March 2018 edition of the Bible News Prophecy magazine, I wrote the following:

European leaders have stated that they no longer want ‘subservience’ to the USA and want to put “Europe first” (in contrast to the “America first” campaign slogan that Donald Trump has used).

As far as subservience goes, the Europeans realize that they have been subservient to the USA as they have depended upon the military of the USA for protection since World War II ended …

Europe now wants to strengthen its own military, while also increasing its international trade. Europe expects to set the standards for various goods and services as well as the rules for much of the world’s trade.

Related Europe and its military, check out the following: European Union reveals Readiness 2030 program–its way for Europe to be a military superpower–‘EU slams the door on US in colossal defense plan’ and European Army: Final nail in EU coffin or a prophesied reality?

Related to trade, in December 2024, I predicted the following as part of of my list of 25 items to prophetically watch in 2025:

Europe will reach out to various ones in Asia and Africa, as well as Latin America. … in 2025 Europe will work on getting more of the world to accept its standards and trading matters. …

The Europeans will work with many nations to secure stronger trade agreements.

There will be many unintended consequences of Donald Trump’s statements and policies, including relating to trade and tariffs. Notice something from my latest book available at Amazon Kindle: Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? as well as Amazon print Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?:

Trade …

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

Europe will get more serious about trade deals with others internationally …

• Pushing tariffs and other policies that foreign nations do not like is contributing to other nations looking to bypass the USA dollar, as well as trade more with each other and less with the USA. This will further push various globalist’s moves forward without the USA. This is also helping set the stage for the coming European Babylonian Beast to dominate international trade.

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

So, is the European Union taking actions consistent with those predictions?

Yes.

Notice the following:

7 April 2025

EU trade chief calls for ‘paradigm shift’ in international trade

The European Union’s trade chief has said that Monday’s meeting will focus on the “paradigm shift” in international trade.

“What we are going to discuss is how to position Europe in what I would describe as the paradigm shift of the global trading system,” Maros Sefcovic told reporters before meeting with the bloc’s 27 trade ministers.

Ahead of the 20% tariffs against the EU coming into effect on Wednesday, Sefcovic said “our next move in relation vis-a-vis the United States but also how to prepare our trading system back in the European Union to prevent eventual trade diversion.” https://www.dw.com/en/trump-tariffs-eu-ministers-to-meet-as-global-markets-tumble/live-72157811

What the above means is that Europe will try to deal with USA, but at the same time look to export elsewhere. Yes, a paradigm shift in trade is in the process of happening and is consistent with biblical prophecies (e.f. Revelation 18).

Notice several significant examples of Europe looking to trade with other nations:

7 April 2025

Central Asia is suddenly winning friends and attention. …

With transatlantic ties under stress and the war in Ukraine raging, the European Union has been shifting focus toward the five post-Soviet states of Central Asia. Last week, the inaugural EU-Central Asia Summit was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attended and met with each Central Asian leaders, with von der Leyen declaring that “for Europe, Central Asia was a partner of choice”. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/what-explains-europe-s-interest-central-asia

NEW DELHI, April 7 (Reuters) – The European Union wants India to eliminate tariffs on car imports under a long-pending trade deal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is willing to sweeten its current proposal to seal the talks, sources told Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/after-trump-eu-seeks-zero-tariff-india-car-imports-sources-say-2025-04-07/

Senior European Union officials were in South Africa for a summit Thursday with President Cyril Ramaphosa that centers on bolstering trade and diplomatic ties as both feel the impact of the Trump administration’s confrontational foreign policy. … The summit in South Africa will “explore new avenues for economic, trade and investment cooperation, as well as address any challenges and trade irritants,” the European Council said. https://www.africanews.com/2025/03/13/south-africa-eu-summit-focuses-on-trade-ties-amid-trump-effect/

BRUSSELS, April 4 (Reuters) – Striking a trade deal with Latin America’s Mercosur bloc would be a “massive opportunity” for the European Union given uncertainties triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to introduce a new round of tariffs, an EU spokesperson said on Friday. “We will be investing a lot of time and energy with member states to finalize the deal,” he added. https://www.reuters.com/world/eu-says-trade-deal-with-mercosur-is-massive-opportunity-given-us-tariffs-2025-04-04/

So, that is Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Remember, last year I predicted:

Europe will reach out to various ones in Asia and Africa, as well as Latin America. … in 2025 Europe will work on getting more of the world to accept its standards and trading matters.

To see more examples, as well as various scriptures related to future trade, we put together the following video:

14:49

Trade Wars – and the Winner will be …

US President Trump imposed tariffs on a global scale. Those tariffs were imposed on friend and foe alike. It seems as if President Trump is no respecter of nations. But how will this work out for the United States? Will these tariffs result in other nations drawing closer together that have had rather cold, and even not so cold, relations in the past? Will global tariffs result in trade wars? Were the events which are happening predicted by any in the Continuing Church of God? Is Europe drawing closer to China? Is Europe drawing closer to Latin and South America? With the exception of a few of America’s allies, is the net result of these tariffs a worldwide scramble to create new alliances and new trading partners to the exclusion of the United States? What will be the future result of these new alliances? Many of the nations that are now seeking new alliances were just recently America’s allies. They were her friends. Dr. Thiel brings to light the fate of America and her allies at the hands of her former friends, as revealed in the book of Lamentations. As we rapidly approach the end times listen in as Dr. Thiel brings to light world events. Then listen as he shines the light of Bible prophecy directly on the questions raised from these world events.

Here is a link to our video: Trade Wars – and the Winner will be …

Church of God warnings on trade are coming to pass.

In the Continuing Church of God:

19 We have also a 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)

We continue to see international affairs that are aligning with properly explained biblical prophecies.

COGwriter

Are Christians supposed to use wine or grape juice for Passover?

Someone sent me the following:

My son, a baptist, and I, a member of God’s Church, had a discussion about wine and Passover. He believes that grape juice is ok during communion service. I believe that wine is necessary because that’s what Jesus used when He changed the Passover observance.

What I would like to know is: scriptures that refer specifically to wine as being an important part of the service.

Also, another point of our conversation was about pregnant women.

I told him that a pregnant woman could take the small amount of wine

during Passover services with no harmful effects.

Later I searched the Bible for instructions to pregnant women about wine consumption. The only thing that I could fine was Judges 13:3-4 This was about Samson becoming a nazirite.

In my opinion this is one specific case and doesn’t apply to all women.

So, I’m just wondering; is wine during Passover services ok for pregnant women?

So, I provided some answers. I was also asked about this at the Africa Conference 2017 in Nairobi.

In CCOG we use a small amount of wine for Passover, and yes, even for pregnant women. I am unaware of any scientific evidence that the amount of wine we use during Passover is possibly harmful (unless one has allergies)–and for the more sensitive one drop would suffice.

The Greek word commonly translated as “wine” in the New Testament (oîνος) means “a beverage from fermented grape juice” a different word (τρúέ) refers to unfermented grape juice (Danker FW. A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Christian Literature, 6th edition. 2000, p. 701). Jesus’ first recorded miracle was to make wine (John 2:3-11).

Jesus introduced the use of the wine cup:

20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:20)

The cup symbolized His blood. As blood is red and grape juice back then was not, this was a reference to red wine, not juice. The Bible teaches that wine is the blood of the grape (Deuteronomy 32:14).

As far as scriptures proving that it is wine as opposed to grape juice, notice something that the old WCG taught:

Dear Friend:

Does “wine” in the Bible mean “grape juice”? What is the answer to this perplexing question? Does it really mean fermented wine?

Prohibitionists object saying, “But how do you know that the original Hebrew and Greek words mean fermented wine? Certain historians say the wine used was nothing more than molasses — that this grape drink was nonintoxicating and the ordinary drink of people in Christ’s time.”

Here is the truth about this false idea!

There are thirteen original Hebrew and Greek words for “wine” in our English Bible. How can we know which one means fermented wine? To find the answer, do not go to Aristotle or Pliny, but go to the Bible itself. By comparing its usage, the scriptural meaning of wine can be defined.

One of the original Hebrew words for wine is yayin. This word is first used in Genesis 9:21 where Noah “drank of the wine and was drunken.” This wine caused drunkenness! Was it just grape juice or was it molasses?

In Genesis 14:18 we read of Melchizedek — Jesus Christ — who “brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.” God Himself here gave wine to Abraham. And again, the original Hebrew word was yayin which always means fermented wine. This same Hebrew words used in Amos 9:14 speaking of the coming Millennium when the people will “plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof.” They will drink the same kind of wine that Noah, by overindulgence, became drunk on.

In the New Testament, one original Greek word for wine is oinos. Proof that it is alcoholic is given in the story of the good Samaritan. The Samaritan poured oil and wine on the man’s wounds (Luke 10:34), showing that the wine had enough alcoholic content to be used as an antiseptic. Would you pour grape juice or molasses on a wound?

The Greek word oinos is also used in John 2 where Jesus turned water into wine by a divine miracle. It is used in I Timothy 5:23, the command of Paul, “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.” This Greek word is also used in Ephesians 5:18, “And be not drunk with wine wherein is excess.”

In ancient times it was impossible to preserve grape juice. Except :for a short season the “fruit of the vine” was either made into a thick molasses or into wine. Check Hastings Bible Dictionary for the full proof.

“Taken intelligently and with discretion, alcohol (in wine and other drinks) can prolong life expectancy… However, even temporary excess or prolonged overdrinking can lead to disaster” (Pasadena Medical Society). It is for our welfare and happiness that God has commanded us not to use alcoholic beverages IN EXCESS and for a wrong purpose. Most people don’t know where to draw the line between temperance and excess. Such people better abstain totally until they know they can “be temperate in all things.”

LETTER ANSWERING DEPARTMENT

Letter Number: 939

Now since some will argue about the Greek, there is something else I want to add that the old WCG did not seem to emphasize.

Which is?

It was not proper to conclude that they were drinking grape juice at Passover in Jesus’ time as grapes are NOT in season then.

I have lived in ‘grape country’ for decades, in a climate similar to the land of Israel. Grapes ripen in the late summer or early fall.

Having been to Israel once, it occurred to me that the ancient Israelites would not have had any way to store the juice of grapes. They did not have refrigeration nor sterilization. Plus, there was not enough freezing there to freeze very much for very long.

Passover is usually in the Roman calendar month called April. Raw grape juice spoils fairly quickly and would not be drinkable months after harvest.

Despite the fact that Jesus turned water into wine (John 2:3-10) and the Greek term used in the New Testament (oinos) refers to wine (cf. 1 Timothy 3:8), various ones have claimed that it was grape juice, and not wine, that was used for Passover.

The Jews themselves though, use wine at Passover (Hisrch EG, Eisenstein JD. Wine. Jewish Encyclopedia. 1907, pp. 532-535). Jesus would have followed that practice.

Others have also noted that it was IMPOSSIBLE for Jews to have stored grape juice from the time of grape harvest until Passover (Cf. Kennedy ARS. Hastings Bible Dictionary. C. Scribner Son’s, 1909 p. 974).

Therefore, only wine, which can remain unspoiled for even many years would have been used. (The use of alcohol, like wine, is endorsed during the Feast of Tabernacles in Deuteronomy 26:14, but not required.)

Christians are not to be “drunk with wine, wherein is excess” as Paul wrote (Ephesians 5:18, KJV).

Only a very small amount of wine is normally consumed at Passover.

It is not logical to conclude that grape juice was used by Jesus in His final Passover.

Jesus used wine for Passover.

We in the Continuing Church of God use wine for Passover too.

Here is a calendar for Passover and the holy days

Passover services should commence after sunset on 11 April 2025.

The Days of Unleavened Bread run from sunset 12 April to sunset 19 April in 2025.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Keeping Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread How should Christians keep Passover, especially if they are by themselves. Why does the Church of God not require lambs for Passover? How does one keep the Days of Unleavened Bread? For a step-by-step video for Christians to keep it, here is a link to a Continuing Church of God Passover Service; here is a link to a service in Spanish: Servicion de Pascua CCOG. Here is a link to a related article in the Spanish language: Guardando la Pascua y los Días de los Panes sin Levadura.
Examine Yourself before Passover This article goes into some of why real Christians are to do this. Two related sermons are Really examine yourself before Passover and Passover Examination.
Preparing for Passover The Apostle Paul taught that Christians should examine themselves prior to taking Passover. This YouTube video sermon gives suggestions on how to prepare.
Passover and the Early Church Did the early Christians observe Passover? What did Jesus and Paul teach? Why did Jesus die for our sins? There is also a detailed YouTube video available titled History of the Christian Passover.
The Passover Plot What was the first Passover plot? Which plots have Islam and the Greco-Roman faiths perpetuated about Passover? A sermon video of related interest is The Passover Plots, Including Easter.
Melito’s Homily on the Passover This is one of the earliest Christian writings about the Passover. This also includes what Apollinaris wrote on the Passover as well. Here is a related sermon, also titled Melito’s Homily on the Passover.
TPM: Passover on the 14th or 15th? While the real COG observes Passover on the 14th, some observe it on the 15th. Why is the 14th correct? A related sermon is titled Is Passover on the 14th or 15th for Christians?
Unleavened Bread recipes A Serbian COG member, now CCOG elder, sent these recipes for those who would like more ways to prepare unleavened bread. Here is a link to recipes in Spanish: Recetas de Recuerdo.
The Night to Be Observed What is the night to be much observed? When is it? Why do Jews keep Passover twice and emphasize the wrong date? A related animation is available and is titled: Night to Be Observed.
Should Christians Keep the Days of Unleavened Bread? Do they have any use or meaning now? What is leaven? This article supplies some biblical answers. Here are two YouTube videos intended to be viewed for the first day of unleavened bread:Leaven and Sin and Christians and the Days of Unleavened Bread.
Early Christianity and the Eucharist? What does ‘eucharist’ mean? Did early Christians tie it in with Passover? Should it be a rounded host? Here is a link to a related sermon: Eucharist, Passover, and Easter.
Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian This is a scripture-filled booklet for those wishing to live as a real Christian. A related sermon is also available: Christians are Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God.
Living as a Christian: How and Why? In what ways do Christians live differently than others. What about praying, fasting, tithing, holy days, and the world? There is also a YouTube video related to that also called: Living as a Christian: How and Why?
Should You Observe God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays? This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history teach about God’s Holy Days and popular holidays.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
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.

Holy Day Calendar This is a listing of the biblical holy days through 2033, with their Roman calendar dates. They are really hard to observe if you do not know when they occur 🙂 In the Spanish/Español/Castellano language: Calendario de los Días Santos.

Symbol of European “Babylon”

COGwriter

Does the European Union want the world to follow its global standards?

Yes.

Here is something related to that:

The EU attempts to control the world economy — again – Pushing Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive to impose ESG

Most Americans probably assume that the European Union is a benign organization that merely advocates for the broad interests of its member countries. Although this may have been the case in the decades after the birth of the EU following the end of World War II, it certainly is not the case today.

Today, the EU is a 27-member bloc with a collective GDP of $18.6 trillion, which aims to update the global economic order by inflicting its radical leftist agenda upon the United States and countries throughout the world. This is not speculation — it is already happening.

Unbeknownst to nearly all Americans, the EU recently passed one of the most far-reaching laws in modern history: the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).

In short, the CSDDD seeks to impose European Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards upon nearly all businesses and entities involved within the vast EU economic universe. …

Fortunately, the European Union bureaucracy moves at a glacial pace. https://www.climatedepot.com/2025/04/05/the-eu-attempts-to-control-the-world-economy-again-pushing-corporate-sustainability-due-diligence-directive-to-impose-esg/

The idea of Europe pushing the world to accepts its standards is not new.

Here is a link to something from 2022: EUO: EU Commission wants to set world’s first digital standards.

Here is a link to something from 2020: UK’s Raab supports COGwriter prediction related to trade and EU standards.

Notice something I added to my Europa article back in 2007 and 2008:

It was reported that it is the EU’s intent to make its standards the standards that the rest of the world should follow:

EU wants rest of world to adopt its rules

Financial Times – Feb 18, 2007

Brussels wants the rest of the world to adopt the European Union’s regulations, the European Commission will say this week . A Commission policy paper that examines the future of the Union’s single market says European single market rules have inspired global standard-setting in areas such as product safety, the environment, securities and corporate governance.“Increasingly the world is looking to Europe and adopts the standards that are set here,” the paper, seen by the Financial Times, says.

The paper calls on the EU to encourage other jurisdictions to follow suit – for example by “promoting European standards internationally through international organisation and bilateral agreements.”

This strategy, it claims, will help European businesses beat their rivals abroad since it “works to the advantage of those already geared up to meet these standards”.

The EU’s drive to establish itself as the pacesetter for worldwide business regulation could well lead the bloc into conflict with the US and other trading partners…

Some critics of the European approach argue that the Union’s stance on issues such as GM foods may also reflect a desire to protect the region’s commercial interests.

However, as the Commission paper points out, the sheer size and wealth of the Union’s single market mean that few corporations can afford to ignore it. By harmonising the rules for a market boasting 500m consumers, the Union has set standards “which partners then have to meet if they are to benefit from the single market”, it says.

“[The single market] gives the EU the potential to shape global norms and to ensure that fair rules are applied to worldwide trade and investment. The single market of the future should be the launch pad of an ambitious global agenda.” The Commission paper forms part of an ambitious review of the Union’s single market – widely seen as one of the proudest achievement of European integration. Thanks to product harmonisation, common business rules and the erosion of national trade barriers, the single market means that goods, services, capital and people can move freely among the EU’s 27 member states.http://www.ft.com/cms/s/af609b2c-bf72-11db-9ac2-000b5df10621.html 

The above standards and developments will help the stage for the EU to fulfill many prophecies. Notice the following that this type of system may help fulfill:

“Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:4)

17 … 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 (Revelation 13:17).

3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury (Revelation 18:3)…

Many of the “standards” of the European Union will be adopted by nearly all of the countries of the world.

However, over time, it will become increasingly clear that the British will be in more agreement with the Canadians and Americans and that the European Union in more agreement with the Mexicans than the EU will have with the English-speaking nations.

Trade wars and/or serious trade disputes will most likely arise.

The European Union has gotten producers around the world to accept many of its manufacturing and other standards.

The picture at the beginning of this post is of Europe representing itself as the modern Tower of Babel. The term Babylon is believed to have derived from that.

The Bible tells of the end time Mystery Babylon the Great.

Revelation 17 has warnings about that and specifies an end-time Babylon:

1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”

3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. 5 And on her forehead a name was written:

MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.

7 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. 11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.

12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

15 Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 17:1-18)

So, there is a tie in with Babylon, the great city of seven-hills (Rome), and a woman riding a beast.

Here is a view of a two Euro coin I pick up in Greece:

That coin clearly depicts a woman riding a Beast. The “woman” is called Europa, which is where the word in English, Europe, comes from.

Now let’s see some of what the Bible says about the original tower of Babel in the Book of Genesis.

1 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. 3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth. (Genesis 11:1-9)

The European Union has 24 official languages. It also uses something like the Tower of Babel for some of its symbolism. In addition to the EU poster shown at the beginning of this post, notice the European Parliament building:

European Parliament building, Stasbourg, France

The above building was left intentionally unfinished by the Europeans. It should be of interest to note that the Tower of Babel was also an unfinished building. The EU said the building was unfinished, basically because they wanted more nations in it.

Yes, right now the European Union is working on the top floor as they want Switzerland, the Balkans, and even lands outside the continent of Europe whether in it or supporting it.

Why?

To try to put in their human view of utopia–which will be destructive and frightening (cf. Revelation chapters 13 and 18).

However, like God eventually stopped the Tower of Babel, He will also eventually stop Europe’s end time Babylon:

1 After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.”

4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her. 7 In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ 8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day — death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her. (Revelation 18:1-8)

Europe has many ties to the Beast and the woman who rides it and this is reflected in official European coinage and art.

While just having the symbols that the Bible warns about does not completely prove that Europe will fulfill various end time prophecies related to the end time Babylonian Beast power, Europe certainly has many symbols that are consistent with it.

Mystery Babylon the Great will rise again.

Europe has hundreds of millions of people and has a consumer market similar to that of the USA.

With the USA pushing tariffs around the world, many will see Europe as the logical replacement market.

This will end up with many accepting European standards.

There will be many unintended consequences of Donald Trump’s statements and policies.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here are links to three related videos: The King of the North is Alive: What to Look Out For, The Future King of the North, and Rise of the Prophesied King of the North.
Trade Wars – and the Winner will be … US President Trump imposed tariffs on a global scale. Those tariffs were imposed on friend and foe alike. It seems as if President Trump is no respecter of nations. But how will this work out for the United States? Will these tariffs result in other nations drawing closer together that have had rather cold, and even not so cold, relations in the past? Will global tariffs result in trade wars? Were the events which are happening predicted by any in the Continuing Church of God? Is Europe drawing closer to China? Is Europe drawing closer to Latin and South America? With the exception of a few of America’s allies, is the net result of these tariffs a worldwide scramble to create new alliances and new trading partners to the exclusion of the United States? What will be the future result of these new alliances? Many of the nations that are now seeking new alliances were just recently America’s allies. They were her friends. Dr. Thiel brings to light the fate of America and her allies at the hands of her former friends, as revealed in the book of Lamentations. As we rapidly approach the end times listen in to this video as Dr. Thiel brings to light world events. Also listen as he shines the light of Bible prophecy directly on the questions raised from these world events.
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.
25 items to prophetically watch in 2025 Much is happening. Dr. Thiel points to 25 items to watch (cf. Mark 13:37) in this article. Here is a link to a related sermon video: 25 Items to Watch in 2025.
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.
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?

COGwriter

Donald Trump’s tariffs and threats have sparked a trade war. But could this spark a military war?

SOTU seems to thinks so:

WARNING! Tariff & Trade Wars Always Precede World Wars

April 4, 2025

The … warmongers … know exactly how to trigger World War III.  They know that the citizenries of every country on Earth need to feel a sufficient degree of pain and suffering so that two key dynamics will naturally unfold.

First, that national economies will collapse to the point where joining the military looks real good compared to the inevitable unemployment and pervasive joblessness caused by the deliberately manufactured Energy Wars and Trade/Tariff Wars.

Secondly, that the populace will reach a level of visceral anger toward their nation’s perceived enemies, who they wrongfully blame for their worsening economic plight and financial destitution, so that every countryman will be psychologically committed to and emotionally invested in fighting and/or supporting a World War scenario. https://stateofthenation.info/?p=16360

Could trade wars and tariffs be factors leading to WWIII?

Yes.

Back in 1971, the late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God Herbert W. Armstrong wrote the following:

Trade War Looming to Trigger World War III?

Either we start raising high tariff barriers against other countries, starting a TRADE WAR which in time will trigger the nuclear war that will DESTROY US – or, American workers are going to have to MEET the competition of the workers in other countries, by lowering living standards. Obviously American workers are not going to choose to do the latter. And if they don’t – well, THE HANDWRITING IS ON OUR NATIONAL WALL. (Armstrong HW. Trade War Looming to Trigger World War III? Plain Truth, March 1971)

And while this has taken longer than he figured, we have had stagnation of real wages for American workers from that time to present. Now, we have the type of tariffs that he warned about.

Consider further that he looks to be correct that trade issues will be a factor that will trigger WWIII. A war that will be against the USA, Canada, and UK by a power that will reorganize (Revelation 17:12-13; Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?) and then rise in Europe (watch also Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?).

What about a nuclear risk?

Last century, the late Herbert W. Armstrong taught:

The indication is the armies of the “beast” of Revelation 17, entering Jerusalem…From this time (Daniel 12:11) to Christ’s coming will be 1290 days. … Forty-five days later “the beast’s armies” will surround Jerusalem. Thirty days later the Great Tribulation will probably start with a nuclear attack on London and Britain–and possibly the same day or immediately after, on the United States and Canadian cities. (Armstrong HW. The Time We Are In, Now. Pastor General’s Report-Vol 1, No. 15, November 20, 1979, Page 2)

Do any verses in the Bible support the idea of something like a nuclear war?

Yes.

Consider the following:

23 ‘The whole land is brimstone, salt, and burning; it is not sown, nor does it bear, nor does any grass grow there, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in His anger and His wrath.’ 24 All nations would say, ‘Why has the Lord done so to this land? What does the heat of this great anger mean?’ 25 Then people would say: ‘Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord God of their fathers, which He made with them when He brought them out of the land of Egypt; 26 for they went and served other gods and worshiped them, gods that they did not know and that He had not given to them. 27 Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against this land, to bring on it every curse that is written in this book. 28 And the Lord uprooted them from their land in anger, in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.’ 29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:23-29).

The whole land being “brimstone, salt, and burning” is consistent with a nuclear type of attack.

Consider also the following from the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel:

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

6 In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste (Ezekiel 6:6).

Nuclear and certain other modern attacks tend to burn land up and make waste cities.

Jesus said that the time was coming when “there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened’ (Matthew 24:21-22).

Devastation that is consistent with at least a nuclear war and probably something worse is coming according to Jesus.

Do you believe that?

So now, we are at a time when Europe is seriously in the process of spending more on its military while also looking to develop its own nuclear arsenal.

Regarding trade leading to WWIII and the conquering of the USA, here are some excerpts from my free e-book Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America?:

Political issues, climate change, trade policies, communication’s deals, and other events are pushing the U.S.A. to a position that will encourage its takeover someday. …

It is likely that trade issues will be a factor in Europe ultimately turning against the U.S.A. …

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

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

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

God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for their pride and sexual immorality (Ezekiel 16:49-50; 2 Peter 2:6).

God’s word points out that what will happen to the Anglo-lands will actually be worse than what happened to Sodom:

⁶ The punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people Is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, Which was overthrown in a moment, With no hand to help her! (Lamentations 4:6)

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

Daniel 11 …

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

The “he” is the King of the North. The two Hebrew words translated as “the strongest fortresses” in verse 39 do not appear together anywhere else in the Bible.

Thus, something is unique here. Notice another translation which is similar:

³⁹ Claiming this foreign god’s help, he will attack the strongest fortresses. He will honor those who submit to him, appointing them to positions of authority and dividing the land among them as their reward. (Daniel 11:39, New Living Translation, 2007)

Who has the strongest fortresses?

Looking further down in this chapter in Daniel, we must eliminate the King of the South, because that King is not attacked until later (the next verse). We must also eliminate those in the North and East, as they do not get involved until later (verse 44).

Neither the rest of Africa nor Latin America has anything resembling “the strongest fortresses.” The strongest fortresses belong to the United States, and to a much lesser degree, its English-speaking allies. Thus, in current times, Daniel 11:39 looks to be describing when the Anglo-English-American nations are being destroyed. Some might refer to this as WWIII. …

The dividing of the Anglo-American lands for gain will prosper the European Babylonian power, which in turn, will increase prosperity to the Asians, Africans, Latin Americans, and others consistent with the following prophecy:

² … Babylon the great … ³ … all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury. (Revelation 18:3)

Yes, much of the world will prosper through trade for a time after the U.S.A. and its British-descended allies are conquered.

The old Radio Church of God published the following:

TRADE WAR!

TRADE war! These electrifying words will send a chill of apprehension over you when you realize their full meaning! …

For years, listeners of the World Tomorrow program and readers of The Plain Truth magazine have been frankly warned of the growing industrial and military resurgence of Western Germany, and of the coming United States of Europe as a real political entity! … It’s time you KNEW what the prophecies of your Bible say about this great TRADE WAR that is underway! (Armstrong GT. TRADE WAR! Plain Truth, August 1960)

The Bible shows that Europe will, temporarily, dominate trade, which means that the USA will not:

3 … all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury. (Revelation 18:3)

9 The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her … 19 in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! (Revelation 18:9,19)

1 The word of the Lord came again to me, saying, 2 “Now, son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyre, 3 and say to Tyre, ‘You who are situated at the entrance of the sea, merchant of the peoples on many coastlands, thus says the Lord God: ..

12 “Tarshish was your merchant because of your many luxury goods. They gave you silver, iron, tin, and lead for your goods. 13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your traders. They bartered human lives and vessels of bronze for your merchandise. 14 Those from the house of Togarmah traded for your wares with horses, steeds, and mules. 15 The men of Dedan were your traders; many isles were the market of your hand. They brought you ivory tusks and ebony as payment. 16 Syria was your merchant because of the abundance of goods you made. They gave you for your wares emeralds, purple, embroidery, fine linen, corals, and rubies. 17 Judah and the land of Israel were your traders. They traded for your merchandise wheat of Minnith, millet, honey, oil, and balm. 18 Damascus was your merchant because of the abundance of goods you made, because of your many luxury items, with the wine of Helbon and with white wool. 19 Dan and Javan paid for your wares, traversing back and forth. Wrought iron, cassia, and cane were among your merchandise. 20 Dedan was your merchant in saddlecloths for riding. 21 Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your regular merchants. They traded with you in lambs, rams, and goats. 22 The merchants of Sheba and Raamah were your merchants. They traded for your wares the choicest spices, all kinds of precious stones, and gold. 23 Haran, Canneh, Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Assyria, and Chilmad were your merchants. 24 These were your merchants in choice items — in purple clothes, in embroidered garments, in chests of multicolored apparel, in sturdy woven cords, which were in your marketplace.

25 “The ships of Tarshish were carriers of your merchandise.
You were filled and very glorious in the midst of the seas.
26 Your oarsmen brought you into many waters,
But the east wind broke you in the midst of the seas.

27 “Your riches, wares, and merchandise,
Your mariners and pilots,
Your caulkers and merchandisers,
All your men of war who are in you,
And the entire company which is in your midst,
Will fall into the midst of the seas on the day of your ruin.  (Ezekiel 27:1-3, 12-27)

Europe does not have to be perfect to do this, but perceived for a time, as the best economic option for the world.

Although it does not look like that now to most people, Europe is prophesied to do so.

It is Europe, not the USA, that will ultimately–though temporarily–“win” this trade war (though Europe will have problems before it does so).

We just put together the following video:

14:49

Trade Wars – and the Winner will be …

US President Trump imposed tariffs on a global scale. Those tariffs were imposed on friend and foe alike. It seems as if President Trump is no respecter of nations. But how will this work out for the United States? Will these tariffs result in other nations drawing closer together that have had rather cold, and even not so cold, relations in the past? Will global tariffs result in trade wars? Were the events which are happening predicted by any in the Continuing Church of God? Is Europe drawing closer to China? Is Europe drawing closer to Latin and South America? With the exception of a few of America’s allies, is the net result of these tariffs a worldwide scramble to create new alliances and new trading partners to the exclusion of the United States? What will be the future result of these new alliances? Many of the nations that are now seeking new alliances were just recently America’s allies. They were her friends. Dr. Thiel brings to light the fate of America and her allies at the hands of her former friends, as revealed in the book of Lamentations. As we rapidly approach the end times listen in as Dr. Thiel brings to light world events. Then listen as he shines the light of Bible prophecy directly on the questions raised from these world events.

Here is a link to our video: Trade Wars – and the Winner will be …

Church of God warnings on trade are coming to pass.

In the Continuing Church of God:

19 We have also a 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)

We continue to see international affairs that are aligning with properly explained biblical prophecies.

Rembrandt’s Return of the Prodigal Son

COGwriter

Will all sins be forgiven? Can all YOUR sins be forgiven? Is forgiving even more sins part of God’s plan?

Does God want YOU saved?

Yes!

The Apostle Paul was inspired to write:

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

Now, because of Satanic deception (Revelation 12:9), human society being cut off from God (1 John 2:15-17; 2 Peter 1:4), and personal selfishness (James 1:14-15), all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

However:

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. (John 3:16-17)

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)

Yes, God will forgive you if you will truly confess your sins and repent.

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

14:22

Does God Want to Forgive You?

There are many of us that think our own personal sins are so grievous that God wouldn’t even want to forgive us. Some of us may even think our sins are so evil that God couldn’t possibly forgive us, even if He wanted to. Dr. Thiel points out that those thoughts are just what Satan wants us to think. But is that what God thinks? No matter how grievous and hideous we think our sins are, is God capable of forgiving us? Does God want to forgive us? The answer, directly from the Bible, will bring relief to your soul. But is there anything required from us in order to receive God’s forgiveness? If so, we need to know what that requirement is! Still, even if our sins are forgivable, is there a sin that is so terrible that it really is unforgivable? If so, what is it? How can we avoid it? Is the possibility of committing a sin that is so horrible that God will refuse to forgive us? The answers to these questions are literally a matter of eternal life and eternal death. Let Dr. Thiel shine the light of Bible prophecy directly on these answers from the verses of the Bible that will teach us what God requires of us and show us His love toward all His creation.

Here is a link to our video: Does God Want to Forgive You?

Since God wants all saved (1 Timothy 2:4) and would not want humans to commit the unpardonable sin, this explains why only few are called and chosen in this age (Matthew 20:16) while nearly all others will be forgiven in the age to come (Matthew 12:32).

Passover services for 2025 begin after sunset on April 11th.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

What is the Unpardonable Sin? What is it? Can you repent of it? Do you know what it is and how to avoid it? Here is a link to a related sermon: The Unpardonable Sin and the Prodigal Son.
About Baptism Should you be baptized? Could baptism be necessary for salvation? Who should baptize and how should it be done? Here is a link to a related sermon: Let’s Talk About Baptism and Baptism, Infants, Fire, & the Second Death.
Is God Calling You? This booklet discusses topics including calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond? Here is are links to related sermons: Christian Election: Is God Calling YOU? and Predestination and Your Selection; here is a message in Spanish: Me Está Llamando Dios Hoy? A short animation is also available: Is God Calling You?
Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? Two related sermons about this are also available: Real Repentance and Real Christian Repentance.
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
When You Sin: Do You Really Repent? This is an article by Charles F. Hunting. A related sermon is Confess to God and truly repent.
Building Character: Going on to Perfection Once you have accepted Jesus, do you need to strive for perfection and build character? A related video sermon is available: Going on to perfection and building character.
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.
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.
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’.
Keeping Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread How should Christians keep Passover, especially if they are by themselves. Why does the Church of God not require lambs for Passover? How does one keep the Days of Unleavened Bread? For a step-by-step video for Christians to keep it, here is a link to a Continuing Church of God Passover Service; here is a link to a service in Spanish: Servicion de Pascua CCOG. Here is a link to a related article in the Spanish language: Guardando la Pascua y los Días de los Panes sin Levadura.

Hands Off promotional flyer from Mobilize.us

COGwriter

There have been numerous protests against Donald Trump and his Administration. According to USA Today, there were reportedly 2085 protests against the Trump Administration in February alone (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/05/trump-protest-rallies-hands-off/82868543007/).

This is not unexpected. Notice some excerpts from my article 25 items to prophetically watch in 2025:

15. Unrest, Terror, and the Dividing of the USA …

Jesus taught:

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

Expect protests, including violence, in the USA. …

Donald Trump will be apocalyptic. At least 20 warnings/predictions I made before his last Administration assumed office came to pass (for details see Donald Trump in Prophecy).

Look for Donald Trump and His Administration to … further divide many in the United States.

Now one such divisive protest that has covered much of the USA today is called the ‘Hands Off’ protest.

Here is some information about it:

5 April 2025

What are ‘Hands Off’ Protest?

The nationwide protests are aimed at holding President Trump accountable for his controversial actions. The “Hands Off” protests aim to protect democratic institutions and processes from what many believe to be Trump’s harmful policies and power grabs. https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/hands-off-protest-anti-trump-posters-viral-on-social-media-ahead-of-nationwide-demonstrations-101743857103134.html

US citizens rally at nationwide “Hands Off” protest against Trump administration’s agenda

April 5, 2025

Jessica Sato attends the “Hands off” protest in Washington, DC, on April 5, 2025. Sato, 36, was visiting Washington from Detroit and decided to come to the protest on the National Mall with friends. “To be honest, I’ve had the privilege of not being directly affected by a lot of policy changes (in) really any administration. But I care about people, and I think that’s what Americans need to do. We need to care about our fellow Americans, and I’m here to stand up for the rights of everyone who can’t stand up for themselves, or just to show support and make it clear that our rights are everyone’s rights,” Sato said. https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/nation/2025/04/05/hands-of-protests-50-states-photos/82870935007/

April 5, 2-25

Thousands of protesters gather for the “Hands Off!” rally around the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, April 5, 2025. …

Demonstrators march as part of a nationwide “Hands Off!” anti-Trump protest in New York City, April 5, 2025. …

Protesters gather outside the Minnesota State Capitol building during the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in St. Paul, Minnesota, April 5, 2025. …

Thousands of demonstrators gather on Boston Common during the “Hands Off!” rally in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 5, 2025. …

Demonstrators rally against President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk during a “Hands Off!” protest, in Asheville, North Carolina, April 5, 2025. https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/hands-off-americans-across-country-protest-trump-musk-doge-photos/44/

5 April 2025

Left-leaning organizations say that more than 500,000 people are expected to take to the streets to protest in Washington DC, Florida and elsewhere around the country on Saturday to oppose Donald Trump’s “authoritarian overreach and billionaire-backed agenda”.

MoveOn, one of the organizations planning the day of protest they’re calling Hands Off along with dozens of labor, environmental and other progressive groups, said that more than 1,000 protests are planned across the US, including at state capitols.

“This is shaping up to be the biggest single-day protest in the last several years of American history,” Ezra Levin, a founder of Indivisible, one of the groups planning the event, said on a recent organizing call. …

The protests come after the stock market plummeted this week following Trump’s 1 April announcement of tariffs. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/05/anti-trump-protests-hands-off

I decided to ask Meta AI who funded the Hands Off protest today, April 5, 2025. Here is the response I got:

So, this looks like it is somewhat being funded by those who are opposed to biblical sexual morality and those who want more babies to be killed. It is my understanding that the majority opinion of all of those groups is pro-abortion and pro-LGBTQ.

As far as the mainstream media goes, it tends to emphasize that the protests it likes are peaceful or “mostly peaceful.” With “mostly peaceful” meaning that there was violence and/or destruction but that most protesters were not involved. But abortion is not at all peaceful.

It should be pointed out that the mainstream media has long downplayed or ignored violence against anti-abortion activists or facilities, as well as much of the violence from Antifa or BLM.

That said, the Bible warns that more problems will hit a corrupt people:

5 They have corrupted themselves; They are not His children, Because of their blemish: A perverse and crooked generation. … 25 The sword shall destroy outside; There shall be terror within (Deuteronomy 32:5,25)

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

6 You have forsaken Me,” says the Lord,
“You have gone backward.
Therefore I will stretch out My hand against you and destroy you;
I am weary of relenting!
7 And I will winnow them with a winnowing fan in the gates of the land;
I will bereave them of children;
I will destroy My people,
Since they do not return from their ways.
8 Their widows will be increased to Me more than the sand of the seas;
I will bring against them,
Against the mother of the young men,
A plunderer at noonday;
I will cause anguish and terror to fall on them suddenly. (Jeremiah 15:6-8)

Consider the following as applicable to the many today:

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality…30…violent, proud, boasters,…31…unmerciful; (Romans 1:28-31)

We are in a generation that the Bible warns about:

11 There is a generation that curses its father,
And does not bless its mother.
12 There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes,
Yet is not washed from its filthiness.
13 There is a generation — oh, how lofty are their eyes!
And their eyelids are lifted up.
14 There is a generation whose teeth are like swords,
And whose fangs are like knives, (Proverbs 30:11-14)

This is a generation that thinks filth is pure.

Notice another generational warning:

5 “They have corrupted themselves; They are … A perverse and crooked generation. (Deuteronomy 32:5)

Protests, per se, like we are seeing are not the answer for the USA.

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

For additional information, check out the following items:

Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? Two related sermons about this are also available: Real Repentance and Real Christian Repentance.
Why Terrorism? Is Terrorism Prophesied? What does the Bible teach? Which nations may be affected? Here is a link to a related sermon: Terrorism, Christianity, and Islam. Here is a shorter video: Afghanis: Potential terrorists?
Crime can be stopped…here’s how! This was a booklet that was edited with some updates by Dr. Thiel. Here is a link to a related sermon: Crime and How it Will be Stopped!
25 items to prophetically watch in 2025 Much is happening. Dr. Thiel points to 25 items to watch (cf. Mark 13:37) in this article. Here is a link to a related sermon video: 25 Items to Watch in 2025.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. It is available in over 1,500 languages at ccog.org. Here are links to four kingdom-related sermons:  The Fantastic Gospel of the Kingdom of God!, The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill?  Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill?  Is a Donald Trump presidency proving to be apocalyptic?  Three related videos are available: Donald: ‘Trump of God’ or Apocalyptic? and Donald Trump’s Prophetic Presidency and  Donald Trump and Unintended Consequences.

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COGwriter

EuroNews reported the following:

Brussels, my love? Europe’s declarations of independence

5 April 2025

Energy bars, water, medication – the EU Commission wants citizens to have a 72-hour survival kit at home. Why? To be better prepared for possible crises such as natural disasters, industrial accidents or cyber and military attacks.

But this is only on an individual level. Politically, Europe is currently taking steps to become more independent and to arm itself on all fronts. …

Friedrich Merz, Germany’s next chancellor, said … on election night: his “absolute priority” would be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible “in order to become truly independent from the USA”.

The openly hostile attitude of the Trump administration has abruptly accelerated discussions about strategic autonomy – an idea that French President Emmanuel Macron has had since 2017. …

The continent sees itself as the lone torchbearer of liberal democracy. …

Massive German spending on armaments and infrastructure, as well as Brussels’ plans to mobilize more than 800 billion euros, will only become apparent over time. But will this change Europe’s global role and its perception of the role it should play forever?

Second topic: trade. The global economy is struggling to come to terms with the latest volley of Donald Trump’s tariffs – and it is businesses and consumers everywhere who are likely to end up footing the bill, one way or another. …

How bad can it get? https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/04/05/brussels-my-love-europes-declarations-of-independence

Many European leaders want Europe to change and rise up and pressure from Donald Trump is accelerating that process.

One American writer posted his recipe for that at NewsMax:

Don’t Break Apart EU, Rebuild It with Democracy in Mind

April 4, 2025

The European Union was founded on the dream of cooperation between sovereign nations. Today, that dream is in danger of becoming a bureaucratic nightmare. …

The European Union needs a federal system like the United States, with three co-equal branches of government — executive, legislative, and judicial — each accountable to the people. …

The members of the European Commission are not directly elected by EU citizens. Each member state should directly elect its own European commissioner.

The presidency of the European Commission should rotate every six months among the 27 members. …

The EU doesn’t need to be broken apart. It needs to be rebuilt — with democracy at its core. The future of the EU must be shaped by its citizens, not imposed by bureaucrats in Brussels. https://www.newsmax.com/robertzapesochny/eu-european-union-democracy/2025/04/04/id/1205700/

Understand that the European Union considers itself a democracy, but it is more of a bureaucracy that allows some voting.

Is Europe’s destiny to change to become a bright democracy?

No.

It likes to think that it is.

As EuroNews reported, it now considers “itself as the lone torchbearer of liberal democracy.”

This is partially because it no longer considers the USA a democracy as it is outraged by many statements and actions of its President Donald Trump.

But let me add that despite its disdain for Donald Trump, Europeans are also seeing that having a leader like him helps cut through bureaucracy and gets world attention.

Europe is prophesied to reorganize and put in power a man who is even more bold and egotistical than Donald Trump.

He is called the man of sin in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. The Continuing Church of God has a sermon of related interest on its ContinuingCOG channel:

1:18:15

The Man of Sin will deceive most ‘Christians’

In 2 Thessalonians 2, the Apostle Paul writes about one called the man of sin, the son of perdition, the lawless one. Is this person the beast of the sea or the beast of the earth of Revelation 13? Is he the King of the North or the False Prophet? Is he the Antichrist or the papacy? Is he someone in the Church of God? What are various Catholic, Protestant, and Church of God views? Are those views based upon tradition or scripture? Are some views at least partially right? Are the radical preterists right? What about Millennialists and Hal Lindsey? What about ties to the Great Monarch of Catholic and Eastern Orthodox prophecies? What types of signs and lying wonders might accompanying him? Will he advocate the breaking of all ten of the commandments? Why will most who profess Christianity be deceived? Will most non-Philadelphians be misled? What are the biblical facts about the man of sin? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more by covering numerous scriptures and other writings.

Here is a link to the sermon: The Man of Sin will deceive most ‘Christians’.

Notice that the Bible shows that the time will come when Europe will reorganize and turn power over to a dictator called the beast below:

12 “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. (Revelation 17:12-13)

This will NOT be a democracy.

And we see that this Beast will arise with support of ten who will have been given power in a reorganization.

In the Book of Revelation, let’s look at the following verses which precede the reorganization:

8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. 11 The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition.  (Revelation 17:8-11)

Could the European Union be the sixth king that now is, but is not? Related to that, we put out the following sermon:

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

Europe will, for a 42-month time, become a global dictatorial power consistent with prophecies in the 13th, 17th, and 18th chapters of the Book of Revelation.

Related to change and prophecy in Europe, we put together the following sermonette video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

14:47

Europe to Expand and Reorganize?

In September 2023, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gave her annual State of the European Union speech. It was a motivational speech to push Europeans to support bold moves for expansion, trade, and international influence. She also mentioned Europe’s Global Gateway project as well as her involvement in getting the G20 to go for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Several days after her speech, a report titled Sailing on High Seas: Reforming and Enlarging the EU for the 21st Century put out by Europeans from Germany and France, called for an overhaul of the European Union so that it could manage expanding to over 30 nations. Will Europe reorganize? What does the Bible teach in Revelation 17:12-13? Will this involve more than 10 or 11 currently existing nations? Will this end up being a dictatorship? Could any of this have to do with the coming ‘King of the North’ of Daniel 11? Could a Bavarian ‘strongman’ possibly be involved in the future? Could the year 2030 be relevant? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie discuss these matters and more.

Here is a link to our video: Europe to Expand and Reorganize?

Since the Donald Trump tariff announcements on Wednesday, the European Union is even more focused on being its own power independent of the United States.

Europe will reorganize per Revelation 17:12-13 and become a military power per Revelation 13:3-4 and Daniel 11:39-43.

It will not end up as a democracy as many there now hope.

Several items of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is are links to related videos: European history and the Bible, Europe In Prophecy, The End of European Babylon, and Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: El Fin de la Babilonia Europea.
The European Union and the Seven Kings of Revelation 17 Could the European Union be the sixth king that now is, but is not? Here is a link to the related sermon video: European Union & 7 Kings of Revelation 17:10.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation.
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 Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2? Is this the King of the North, the ten-horned beast of Revelation 13:1-11, or the two-horned Beast of Revelation 13:12-16? Some rely on traditions, but what does the Bible teach? Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Quién es el Hombre de Pecado de 2 Tesalonicenses 2? Here is a version in Mandarin: N;ÿ Œ
f/’Y’jNº’ÿ Here is a link to a related English sermon video titled: The Man of Sin will deceive most ‘Christians’.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here are links to three related videos: The King of the North is Alive: What to Look Out For. The Future King of the North, and Rise of the Prophesied King of the North.
Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill?  Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill?  Is a Donald Trump presidency proving to be apocalyptic?  Three related videos are available: Donald: ‘Trump of God’ or Apocalyptic? and Donald Trump’s Prophetic Presidency and  Donald Trump and Unintended Consequences.
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.