Church of God News

Front Cover of the First (1949) Edition of ‘1984’

COGwriter

Are we seeing things that George Orwell’s 1984 book warned of?

Yes.

Consider the following:

March 13, 2025

George Orwell’s 1984 is one of those works that seems to become more relevant as time goes on. …

The silent creep of mass surveillance

One of the most famous concepts from 1984 is the idea that “Big Brother is always watching.” This phrase has become a shorthand for the sense that our every move is monitored.

While most of us don’t have literal telescreens in our homes, we do carry pocket-sized tracking devices—our smartphones.  …

The manipulation of language

In 1984, Orwell introduces “Newspeak,” a constructed language aimed at limiting the range of thought. …

Doublethink in everyday life

Orwell’s concept of “doublethink” is the ability to hold two contradictory beliefs at once and accept both as reality. …

The dangers of constant censorship

In 1984, the Thought Police are tasked with sniffing out dissenting ideas, effectively controlling what citizens can think or say.

In today’s world, outright censorship might not always come from a menacing, uniformed agency.

Instead, it can emerge through social media bans, intimidation, or platforms that use opaque algorithms to filter out certain viewpoints—sometimes with the best intentions, but not always transparently. …

Fear as a tool of control

Orwell’s regime uses fear to keep citizens in line …

George Orwell wrote 1984 more than seven decades ago, but its warnings seem uncannily relevant. https://dmnews.com/kir-9-chilling-warnings-from-george-orwells-1984-that-are-eerily-relevant-today/

While a lot of that is relevant to the USA, are the Europeans, like those in Germany, implementing ‘1984’ controls or something like the totalitarianism of communism?

Some see signs that this is so.

For example, notice the following:

Report Your Family For Wrong Think, Says German Government Initiative

March 3, 2025

Germany’s Interior Ministry, headed by Nancy Faeser – known for banning media outlets – and the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth have launched a project dubbed, “Advice Compass on Conspiracy Thinking.”

The center is there to provide advice to anyone who “suspect their friends or family members have fallen victim to conspiracy theories,” according to the Interior Ministry. …

“Holistic” is how Faeser chose to describe this approach and the inclusion of the “advice” center into Germany’s overall fight against what the authorities consider to be extremism and disinformation.

Faeser chose to justify the project by linking the issue of conspiracy theories with disinformation and lies, and as has become the habit over these last years, assigning immense power to these phenomena (“They are spread deliberately to divide our society and destroy trust in independent science, free media or democratic institutions.”) …

Faeser observes that people know their family members and friends the best, and are therefore uniquely positioned to know what they think (this is, after all, about policing citizens’ thinking, not actions).

But what to do if a person in your life thinks differently, and cannot be persuaded to change their mind and agree with you? Maybe let them think about what they like?

Not according to Faeser and her political and NGO allies. Hence – “the Compass on Conspiracy Thinking contact point,” is now available to citizens across Germany.

“The first appointment is for anonymous initial advice and assessment of individual needs,” a statement explained, adding, “If the initial consultation reveals a longer-term need for advice, the subsequent advice process is passed on to a local advice center.” https://reclaimthenet.org/germany-advice-compass-conspiracy-theories-reporting

The above sounds a lot that was warned about in George Orwell’s book 1984. Here are some quotes from it:

1. “It was almost normal for people over thirty to be frightened of their own children. And with good reason, for hardly a week passed in which the Times did not carry a paragraph describing how some eavesdropping little sneak—’child hero’ was the phrase generally used—had overheard some compromising remark and denounced its parents to the Thought Police.”
2. “Your worst enemy, he reflected, was your own nervous system. At any moment the tension inside you was liable to translate itself into some visible symptom.”
3. “The family had become in effect an extension of the Thought Police. It was a device by means of which everyone could be surrounded night and day by informers who knew him intimately.”

Also, in places like East Germany, people were encouraged to turn in friends and relatives, as were people in the old Soviet Union, the old Soviet block, and various other communist nations.

Now, the supposedly “free” government of Germany wants that done now.

Jesus warned:

53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. (Luke 12:53)

The government in Germany is now encouraging that.

Notice also:

The EU’s Ministry of Truth: A Globalist Power Grab Disguised as a Fight Against ‘Disinformation’

January 10, 2025

In a chilling move that reads like a page from Orwell’s 1984, the European Union is formalizing its role as a gatekeeper of information with the creation of an “Information Sharing and Analysis Center” under the European External Action Service (EEAS). The declared purpose? To combat so-called “disinformation” campaigns from foreign actors like Russia and China. But make no mistake—this is not about protecting truth or democracy. It is a brazen attempt by the EU’s globalist elite to control opposition to narratives, silence dissent, and reshape public opinion to align with their own agenda.

A Veil of Legitimacy for Authoritarian Censorship

The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell cloaked the initiative in noble rhetoric, declaring that disinformation undermines democracy by distorting public perception. According to Borrell, democracy cannot function if citizens lack access to “accurate” information—defined, of course, by the very institutions that stand to benefit most from this censorship apparatus.

Under the guise of protecting democracy, the EU has positioned itself as the arbiter of truth. This centralized platform seeks to monitor, analyze, and counter “manipulated” information in real-time, coordinating with NGOs, member states, and cybersecurity agencies. In reality, this infrastructure risks becoming a weapon to stifle independent journalism, dissenting voices, and any narrative that challenges the EU’s policy positions. …

By framing the “struggle for narrative” as an ongoing battle, the EU justifies ever-expanding surveillance and regulation of online platforms and pressuring companies like Twitter to align with its goals. This centralization of control over digital spaces threatens to erode the freedoms of expression and access to diverse viewpoints.

The Real Targets: You and Me

While the EU claims to combat “foreign actors,” its focus on “toxicity” in information opens the door to policing domestic dissent. The language of combating “biased choices” and ensuring the “quality of information” is a thinly veiled justification for narrative engineering. If information contrary to the EU’s worldview is deemed “toxic,” how long before ordinary citizens become the targets of censorship? How long before critics of EU policies are labeled agents of “disinformation”? https://rairfoundation.com/eus-ministry-truth-globalist-power-grab-disguised-as/

Yes, the EU is taking steps to control information and yes, this will impact individuals and not just foreign nations.

A reader sent me a link to the following by Michael Snyder back in 2023:

…  Signs That the Futuristic Control Freak Agenda of the Globalists Is Rapidly Moving Forward

The future is here, and if you enjoy being dominated by control freaks you are going to love it.  “Digital identification” is one of the primary areas the globalists are focusing on right now, and as you will see below, the radical changes that are now being proposed are extremely scary.  But most Americans have no idea that any of this is happening.

Instead, many of them are obsessing over the relatively meaningless dramas that our corporate news outlets are constantly pushing.  Meanwhile, the globalists are achieving their goals at lightning speed, and there is hardly any resistance at all.   …

#1 Starting in September, the EU will “mandate” that all member states offer a “digital identity wallet” to all of their citizens and businesses…

The European Union will mandate digital identity under eIDAS 2.0, which will go into effect in September 2023 and ensure all Member States offer a digital identity wallet (DIW) to citizens and businesses. According to the European Commission, “At least 80% of citizens should be able to use a digital ID solution to access key public services by 2030.”

#2 A system of “digital fingerprints” for Americans has suddenly become Barack Obama’s biggest issue…

Former President Barack Obama suggested in a new interview the development of “digital fingerprints” to combat misinformation and distinguish between true and misleading news for consumers.

Obama sat down with his former White House senior adviser David Axelrod for a conversation on the latter’s podcast, “The Axe Files,” on CNN Audio. During the interview, Axelrod noted he’s seen “misinformation, disinformation, [and] deepfakes” targeting Obama.

#3 A UN policy brief that you can find right here is proposing a global system of digital identification that is linked to our bank accounts…

Digital IDs linked with bank or mobile money accounts can improve the delivery of social protection coverage and serve to better reach eligible beneficiaries. Digital technologies may help to reduce leakage, errors and costs in the design of social protection programmes.

#4 The World Health Organization has adopted “the European Union (EU) system of digital COVID-19 certification” and plans to transform it into a “global system”…

In June 2023, WHO will take up the European Union (EU) system of digital COVID-19 certification to establish a global system that will help facilitate global mobility and protect citizens across the world from on-going and future health threats, including pandemics. This is the first building block of the WHO Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN) that will develop a wide range of digital products to deliver better health for all.

“Building on the EU’s highly successful digital certification network, WHO aims to offer all WHO Member States access to an open-source digital health tool, which is based on the principles of equity, innovation, transparency and data protection and privacy,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “New digital health products in development aim to help people everywhere receive quality health services quickly and more effectively”.

#5 Federal agencies in the United States have been purchasing massive amounts of information about U.S. citizens from data brokers, and we are being warned that such information could potentially be used for “blackmail, stalking, harassment and public shaming”…

Federal agencies are secretly accumulating mountains of data that could be used for “blackmail, stalking, harassment and public shaming” of American citizens.

That allegation doesn’t come from a pink-haired civil-liberties fanatic — it’s in a new report for the nation’s chief spymaster, Avril Haines. 06/25/23 https://discernreport.com/8-signs-that-the-futuristic-control-freak-agenda-of-the-globalists-is-rapidly-moving-forward/

Yes, moves towards totalitarian globalism are taking place–particularly in Europe, where we know they are prophesied to take place (cf. Revelation 13).

While the digital wallet is not yet fully in place, steps towards that have also been happening.

Coming Soon: The European Digital Identity Wallet

26 February 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

None of this a hypothetical, by the way. …

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Christel Schaldemose: Thank you.

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

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

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

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

Let me add that the European Public Prosecutor’s Office officially started operations on 1 June 2021 (https://www.eppo.europa.eu/en/background). It was established to be able to prosecute what it considers to be financial crimes.

So, there is an office to prosecute, there is a ‘Ministry of Truth’ agency, and Europe has been working on supercomputers, a digital currency, and Artificial Intelligence–all of those types of things are leading to the fulfillment of the 666 and other totalitarian prophecies for Europe.

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

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

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

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

A few years back, Matt Taibbi posted the following:

Orwell Was Right

March 13, 2022

This weekend I re-read 1984, a book I tend to reach for when I get Defcon-1 depressed about the state of the world. Deep in the novel, Winston ponders the intricacies of doublethink:

To know and not to know, to be conscious of complete truthfulness while telling carefully constructed lies, to hold simultaneously two opinions which canceled out, knowing them to be contradictory and believing in both of them… To forget whatever it was necessary to forget, then to draw it back into memory again at the moment when it was needed, and then promptly to forget it again… that was the ultimate subtlety.

In the last weeks, Russia took an already exacting speech environment to new extremes. A law was passed that would impose 15-year prison sentences for anyone spreading “fake news” about the Ukraine invasion; access was cut to Facebook and Twitter; …

On the flip side, a slew of actions have been taken to crack down on “fake news” and “misinformation” in the West. The big one was the European Union banning RT and Sputnik:

Google Europe @googleeurope

Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, we’re blocking YouTube channels connected to RT and Sputnik across Europe, effective immediately. It’ll take time for our systems to fully ramp up. Our teams continue to monitor the situation around the clock to take swift action.

March 1st 2022

4,546 Retweets18,649 Likes

Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube also cut access to all Russian state media, because the EU sanctions also required that internet platforms delist any RT or Sputnik content, even from individuals. The statute reads, “As regards the posts made by individuals that reproduce the content of RT and Sputnik, those posts shall not be published, and if published, shall be deleted.”

Other governments across the West, from Australia to Canada, have taken similar actions. In the U.S., Google and YouTube disallowed Russian state media ads (following a request by Senator Mark Warner) and demonetized “a number of Russian channels,” including RT but also many non-Russian individuals, before proceeding to demonetize all individual Russian content creators, even the individuals opposing the invasion. Even DuckDuckGo, the speechier, more pro-privacy alternative to Google, announced it was de-ranking “sites associated with Russian disinformation.” A growing list of Westerners have seen accounts frozen for supposed parroting of Russian talking points or “abusive” commentary.

YouTube banned Oliver Stone’s documentary Ukraine on Fire, while Netflix is going so far as to shelve a production of Anna Karenina. In what might have been the craziest move of all, Meta reportedly followed up a decision to un-ban the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion with a mind-blowing decision to alter its hate speech policies to “allow Facebook and Instagram users in some countries to call for violence against Russians and Russian soldiers in the context of the Ukraine invasion,” according to internal emails seen by Reuters. …

One would hope there would be at least a few Americans left who’d hear about Russia barring the BBC and Voice of America and at least recognize the sameness of the issue involved with banning RT and Sputnik. …

We don’t, however, because we long ago reached the doublethink phase predicted by Orwell, where most of the population is conscious of double standards but ignores them effortlessly.  https://taibbi.substack.com/p/orwell-was-right?token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyODUxMjc5OSwiXyI6InR1U1pyIiwiaWF0IjoxNjQ3MTkzMzU1LCJleHAiOjE2NDcxOTY5NTUsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0xMDQyIiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.oclSppJuChm9f8drCGuW1jxVANBtEisTGUMjMVLy3Wc&s=r

Yes, more and more are seeing the formation of the dystopian world of George Orwell’s book.

The Bible warns:

13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:13)

Sadly, the Bible shows that deception and improper censorship will worsen in the future (cf. Revelation 13:14-18; Amos 8:11-12).

With digital surveillance and electronic financial transactions, more and more governments are watching more and more. And Europe is moving faster than the Americas on this.

(Wikipedia)

(Photo via UnSplash)

COGwriter

Donald Trump’s tariff statements and actions are having a variety of unintended consequences. One of which looks to be a factor in increasing the price of gold, again, as gold hit all time highs today and yesterday:

March 14, 2025

The moment gold investors had long anticipated and many experts had long predicted finally arrived on March 14, when the price of gold broke a landmark price record of $3,000 per ounce. Officially at $3,001.08 as of Friday morning, according to American Hartford Gold, the record price is the latest in a series of highs the precious metal has seen over the past 14 months. And there are strong indications that the price will rise even higher. Priced at just $2,063.73 in January 2024, the metal has gained around $1,000 in price and risen 45% in value, making it one of the hottest assets to invest in right now. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/golds-price-breaks-record-3000-per-ounce-everything-to-know-now-march-2025/

14 March 2025

Gold prices reached a record high on Thursday as investors spooked by mounting concerns over a global trade war seek safe-haven assets. The latest rally comes amid on-off tariff announcements by the US.

Import taxes on steel and aluminum imposed by US President Donald Trump took effect on Wednesday, sparking concerns in export-dependent Asia and prompting immediate retaliatory measures from the EU and Canada. Prior to the tariff imposition, Trump threatened to hike the levy on Canadian metals to 50%, but reversed the plan after Ontario Premier Doug Ford overturned his decision to introduce a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to several US states.

Gold futures for April delivery briefly hit $3,003.90 per ounce Thursday night on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) before retreating to $2,989.50, marking the first time a contract has crossed the psychologically important $3,000 threshold. Prices for the precious metal are up nearly 14% so far this year after making a solid 27% gain in 2024. https://www.rt.com/news/614196-gold-historic-high-trade-war/

March 13, 2025

Between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m., Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke on CNBC regarding tariffs, the economy, and their impact on the stock market. Around the same time, Donald Trump made similar comments. The focus here is on Bessent’s remarks and the subsequent market reaction.

The key takeaway: Bessent reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to tariffs and signaled that additional measures were on the table. …

Shortly after 10:15 a.m., a sharp rally began in gold, silver, and copper, accelerating every 15 minutes.

• S&P 500: Initially spiked but then began a steady decline.
• Gold: Rallied from $2,950 to $2,980, adding $30.
• Silver: Rose from $33.25 to $33.85.
• Copper: Climbed from $4.81 to $4.86 ½.
• Oil: Briefly surged to $67.40, https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2025-03-13/gold-breaks-new-aths-tariffs-drive-market-shifts

As far as gold goes, 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?:

Since many are now questioning the role of the USA dollar as the world’s reserve currency, more are looking into other currencies as well as gold.

Gold will set records in U.S. dollar terms. … gold will set further records in U.S. dollar terms in the relatively near future.

(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. 204, 205)

And we have already seen gold hit a record price at least four times (01/31/25, 02/10/25, 03/13,25, and 03/14/25) since that book came out less than two months ago.

Notice, also, excerpts from my article 25 items to prophetically watch in 2025:

14. Gold

While some economists have called gold a ‘relic,’ it still has value internationally. …

I have repeatedly written that gold will hit record highs against the USA dollar and that keeps happening–and despite ups and downs, that is not over.

Furthermore, yes, many in the world are looking to gold. Fiat currencies, like the USA dollar and British pound are backed by nothing. Many know this and think that will last forever–well the monetary system will not stay as it has been.

The Bible prophesies King of the North will get gold which end time Babylon will trade with:

37 He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. 38 But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things. 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. 40 “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, … 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt … (Daniel 11:37-40,43)

10 … ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’ 11 And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. 14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! (Revelation 18:10-16)

While the Bible is clear that gold will, for a time, not be wanted but tossed (Ezekiel 7:19), it is obvious that into the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21-22), which starts in verse 39 of Daniel 11, gold will have value (see also The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold?).

The old Worldwide Church of God published the following:

Of course, since gold is regarded as a disaster hedge by many investors, prudence might dictate that perhaps a small fraction of your liquid assets be in gold: (Caulkins J. WHEN MONEY FAILS. Good News, October-November 1979) In Revelation 18, we are given a graphic description of Europe at its future economic peak. Remember this prophecy occurs after the United States, Canada and other Israelitish nations have been conquered and brought into subservience. … In verse 11, Europe’s coming economic wealth and scope is described as John sees it, shortly before the final crisis (to occur at Christ’s coming) takes place. “And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her, for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: The merchandise of gold and silver … (Catherwood CA. Europe and Our Prophetic Message. Good News, October-November 1979)

Yes, gold will outlast the US dollar and the European Beast power will have it.

In terms of world events, understand that Germany has been repatriating gold–and even did so ahead of schedule (watch Germany, Gold, and the US Dollar). Europeans have a lot of gold (see The Plain Truth about European Gold) and want more.

The continental European gold reserves (excluding the UK and Russia) collectively hold approximately 12,924.42 tons of gold. –that is more than the official USA (8,133.5) and China (2,264 tons) holdings combined.

Gold will be an item of value in 2025 and at least a few years beyond.

Nations in Asia, Europe, and even Africa will look to increase gold reserves.

Gold will break records in US dollar terms.

There is a growing mistrust of the USA and its dollar.

Part of that is because of Donald Trump.

Part of that is because of massive USA debt.

Part of that is because of the USA’s weaponization of its dollar.

But other parts go back much further–which have been setting the stage for the time to come when the USA dollar will be worthless, and gold will have value.

Because the USA was starting to not have enough gold to back its dollar, way back in 1961, the Plain Truth reported:

Germany, Japan have the largest surpluses of GOLD and DOLLARS…Rich Uncle {Sam} has the greatest deficit in governmental history and a GREATER DEBT than all the REST OF THE WORLD COMBINED!…

Vast foreign aid programs drain the U.S. Treasury … American spending to supply services and to support our troops in foreign countries and military installations around the world amounts to…dollars flowing out of the frightened U.S. Treasury. All of these factors, combined with heavy taxes, gigantic public and private debt, and no gold backing for our own currency if foreign investors demanded gold for their dollars, adds up to the staggering revelation that the U.S., richest nation in the world, is bordering on bankruptcy! (Hill DJ. What the US Gold Crisis Means to You. Plain Truth. February 1961, p. 9).

France did finally cash in dollars and this caused a crisis in the USA. The US answer was to go off the gold standard completely on August 11, 1971. About the same time it made a deal with Saudi Arabia to price oil in dollars. So, while this prevented “foreigners” from being able to redeem US dollars for something from the USA treasury, instead it meant that dollars could be used to by oil. As other (mostly smaller) oil producers followed Saudi Arabia’s lead, this has served to support the US dollar for several decades. However, Saudi Arabia and others are now looking at not only pricing/selling in US dollars. One day in the future, the USA dollar will be worthless.

Gold has increased in value much more than the official government inflation rates since the USA detached its dollar from any type of gold standard. The price of gold will fluctuate, but is prophesied to have value after the USA is gone (cf. Daniel 11:39-43; Revelation 18).

Although the Bible opposes “dross” money (Proverbs 25:4; Isaiah 1:22-25; Ezekiel 22:18-22), modern ‘experts’ have a different view. Back in 1965, the USA decided to turn its silver coinage into dross as the value of its dollar had dropped too much compared to silver. The wrong views on economics will lead to economic problems and ultimately the total crash of the dollar of the USA.

Once the US dollar does fully collapse, I maintain that somehow, Europe will have at least an implied gold backing of its currency (for details see Gold to be used to back European currency?).

Back in 1979, the old Worldwide Church of God also published the following in the old Good News magazine:

Good News, Oct-Nov 1979

Of course, since gold is regarded as a disaster hedge by many investors, prudence might dictate that perhaps a small fraction of your liquid assets be in gold: (Caulkins J. WHEN MONEY FAILS. Good News, October-November 1979)

While gold will help some for a time, gold will not save humanity, only Jesus can do that, but gold may be prudent for people to consider the signs of the times.

That said, the price of gold and silver do not always go up in US dollar terms.

However, as I have written for many years, according to biblical prophecies, gold and silver will have value after the US dollar is out.

For additional information, check out the following articles:

The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? What About Silver? What do economists and the Bible teach about gold? Gold and silver may drop in value. Inflation/deflation? What do Christians need to know about gold and silver? Two videos of related interest may be: Germany, Gold, and the US Dollar and Silver, Science, and Scripture.
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.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here are links to two related videos: The King of the North is Alive: What to Look Out For and The Future King of the North.
The Great Monarch: Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Is the ‘Great Monarch’ of Catholic prophecies endorsed or condemned by the Bible? Two sermons of related interest are also available: Great Monarch: Messiah or False Christ? and Great Monarch in 50+ Beast Prophecies.
The End of US Dollar Dominance Is the USA losing its economic status? What about the petro-gold-yuan? A related video is also available: US Dollar being challenged by Gold-Petro-Yuan.
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something? Here is a version in the Spanish language Escrituras sobre Preparación física para los Cristianos. Here is a link to a related sermon: Physical preparedness for Christians.
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.
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.

COGwriter

Trade issues, brought on by Donald Trump’s tariff proposals, are impacting many nations. The European Union made an attempt to hit back against them with more tariffs of its own:

European Union retaliates against Trump’s tariffs as trade war escalates

As President Donald Trump’s global steel and aluminum tariffs take effect, the E.U. announces it will respond with its own levies, including on bourbon and motorcycles. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/03/12/europe-tariff-retaliation-trump/

Trump metals tariffs draw swift retaliation from Canada and EU

March 12, 2025

Donald Trump’s increased tariffs on all U.S. steel and aluminum imports took effect on Wednesday, stepping up a campaign to reorder global trade in favor of the U.S. and drawing swift retaliation from Canada and Europe.

Trump’s action to bulk up protections for American steel and aluminum producers restores effective tariffs of 25% on all imports of the metals and extends the duties to hundreds of downstream products, from nuts and bolts to bulldozer blades and soda cans. …

The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union charged with coordinating trade matters, responded swiftly, saying it would impose counter tariffs on up to 26 billion euros ($28 billion) worth of U.S. goods – often with more symbolic than economic impact – from next month. …

Canada, the biggest foreign supplier of steel and aluminum to the United States, will announce C$29.8 billion in retaliatory tariffs on Wednesday, a Canadian official who declined to be named said.
China’s foreign ministry said Beijing would take all necessary measures to safeguard its rights and interests, while Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the move could have a major impact on U.S.-Japan economic ties.
Close U.S. allies Canada, Britain and Australia criticised the blanket tariffs, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the move was “against the spirit of our two nations’ enduring friendship”. However, he ruled out tit-for-tat duties, as did Britain.

The other countries most affected by the tariffs are Brazil, Mexico and South Korea, which all enjoyed some level of exemptions or quotas. …

Trump initially threatened Canada with doubling the duty to 50% on its steel and aluminum exports to the U.S. but backed off after Canada’s Ontario province suspended a move to impose a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to some U.S. states. https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/trumps-steel-aluminum-tariffs-take-effect-us-canada-trade-war-intensifies-2025-03-12/

March 12, 2025

Brussels hit back after the US tariffs came into force on Wednesday, as Trump pressed ahead with his trade agenda despite growing concern over the risk of a domestic recession.

As part of its retaliation, Brussels reinstated measures introduced during Trump’s first term on €4.5bn of US exports from April 1. These include levies of up to 50% on products such as bourbon whiskey, jeans and Harley-Davidson motorcycles. That’s right: when you barely imports goods from the US, these are the “essential” products you are forced to crack down on.

The EU has also drawn up levies on a further €18bn of US goods, which could include cosmetics, clothes, wood, soybeans, chicken, beef and other agricultural produce the FT reported. The measures, which could be expanded to include another €3.5bn of goods, require approval by EU countries and would come into force on April 13.

A senior EU official said soybeans were on the list of targets because they are grown in Louisiana, home state of House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson. 

“We’re happy to buy our soybeans from Brazil or Argentina,” they added. “We want to ensure there is pressure within the American system to lift their tariffs,” a second official said.

But in a stark example of just how much Trump has broken the world’s resolve, the UK broke with the European Union and its decision to retaliate immediately, and reaffirmed its commitment to US trade talks even as British exports were also swept up in President Donald Trump’s global steel and aluminum tariffs.

UK leftist Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “disappointed” by the US decision to impose 25% levies on foreign metal products without exemptions on Wednesday morning, telling the House of Commons that his government would keep “all options” on the table in terms of a response. Yet despite the jawboning, Junior Treasury minister James Murray told Times Radio the UK wouldn’t retaliate immediately while reserving the right to do so in due course. 

Despite the US being the UK steel industry’s second-biggest export market, the UK said it was “focused on a pragmatic approach” as it seeks to negotiate a broader economic deal with the White House. https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/eu-retaliates-after-trump-tariffs-take-effect-uk-breaks-europe-and-refuses-respond

The EU moves to protect itself

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement that the bloc “will always remain open to negotiation.”

“As the U.S. are applying tariffs worth 28 billion dollars, we are responding with countermeasures worth 26 billion euros,” she said. The commission manages trade and commercial conflicts on behalf of the 27 member EU countries.

“We firmly believe that in a world fraught with geopolitical and economic uncertainties, it is not in our common interest to burden our economies with tariffs,” von der Leyen said. https://www.newsmax.com/finance/streettalk/europe-tariffs-retaliate/2025/03/12/id/1202452/

As far as the European Union goes, it has been taking steps to increase trade with other nations, partially driven by Donald Trump’s election last November.

Notice also the following report:

A trade agreement with the Latin American bloc – comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – and further integration of Ukraine into the common agricultural market, particularly in light of its potential EU membership, offer opportunities that the EU cannot afford to overlook amid global trade tensions, EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen told Euronews’ Europe Conversation. … a potential trade war with the US strengthens the case for finalising the long-negotiated EU-Mercosur agreement.

Hansen explained that some European agricultural products – such as wines, spirits, and dairy – are particularly strategic, as they serve as the EU’s key “export hammers” and as such require protection.

“If the United States were to target such products, [thanks to an EU-Mercosur deal] we would have alternative ways to sell our products ensuring stability [to our farmers],” he said. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/02/27/trade-ties-with-ukraine-mercosur-can-shield-eu-from-us-tariffs-says-agriculture-commission

The EU is also looking to finalize a trade deal with India (see European Union seeks to improve trade ties with India as it faces Donald Trump’s tariff threats) as well as Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America:

The new EU-Mexico agreement: the EU fast-tracks integration with Latin America

February 3, 2025

These are the questions about the modernisation of the EU-Mexico Global Agreement:  … The renewal of the EU-Mexico FTA updates an agreement that has been in place since 2000, eliminating restrictions in key sectors such as agri-food, services and public procurement, in addition to incorporating regulations on digital trade and data protection.

The EU accelerates its integration with Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC) in response to the geopolitical reconfiguration and the uncertainty and risks of a second Donald Trump presidency. In the last 13 months the EU has modernised key agreements with Mexico and Chile, and finalised the agreement with Mercosur, seeking to strengthen its presence in the region and diversify its alliances in the face of US unilateralism and protectionism and the growing influence of China. …

For LAC, the EU emerges as a large and sophisticated third market, complementing existing trade opportunities and allowing LAC countries to integrate into high value-added value chains and diversify their economic relations, thus reducing their dependence on the two main global powers, the US and China.

The next key step should be the interoperability and regulatory convergence among the network of trade agreements between the EU and Latin America (covering 95% of the GDP of Latin America and the Caribbean) to transform the architecture of EU-LAC trade and Latin American intraregional trade. …

If the EU-Mercosur agreement is ratified, the EU would become the global power with the largest presence and deepest ties in the region: the EU would have agreements with all LAC countries (except Cuba and Venezuela) covering 95% of the LAC’s GDP, compared with 44% for the US and 14% for China

https://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/en/analyses/the-new-eu-mexico-agreement-the-eu-fast-tracks-integration-with-latin-america/

Yes, Europe is looking to increase trade with places other than the USA and many of them are also looking to reduce their dependence on trade with the USA. The UK  has, wisely from a carnal perspective, decided to hold off retaliating–that hesitancy probably will aid it in future trade negotiations with the USA.

In our 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?, we have the following:

Latin America has a lot of ethnic and social ties to Europe, as do many other nations in the Caribbean and South America (which includes a few non-Latin nations—which also have European ties). Though there may be some initial hesitation, those areas are expected to align with the coming Beast power and prosper from it (cf. Revelation 18:15).

We see that Europe and Latin America are now trying to more closely align.

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

Historically, Donald Trump has called for “fair trade” and indicated that various nations, including several in Asia, are not engaged in fair trade, so he has proposed high tariffs.[i]

Donald Trump has called tariffs, “the most beautiful word in the dictionary” and even proposed massive tariffs (up to 2000%) on Mexico if it will not do what he wants.[ii] He has basically also proposed a minimum of 10% tariffs on goods from much of the rest of the world.

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

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

The morning after his reelection, I wrote:

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

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

… Donald Trump’s tariff and other economic policies are getting the Gentile nations of Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia to look to trade more with each other. An unintended consequence of his rhetoric and policies is that they are encouraging the end-time rise of the final time of the Gentiles.

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

• 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.

[i] ^{Trade: Donald J. Trump’s Vision. https://www.donaldjtrump.com/policies/trade accessed December 16, 2016}

[ii] ^{Pan J. Donald Trump calls tariff ‘the most beautiful word,’ threatens up to 2,000% tariff to block Mexican car imports. Yahoo News, November 3, 2024}

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

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

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

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

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

More of the world’s nations are starting to look away from the USA for trade.

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)

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.

The reelection of Donald Trump has accelerated the desire of the Europeans–and others–to secure trade deals outside of the USA.

Biblical prophecies will come to pass.

We continue to see steps that are aligning with them.

Chagos Islands (Wikipedia)

COGwriter

Last year, the UK announced it would give the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. And while that was not a “sea gate” that the old Worldwide Church of God seemed to warn would be lost, it is one that I predicted would be lost back in 2019 (see UK to give up Chagos islands, including Diego Garcia, confirming prediction from COGwriter).

While Donald Trump seems supportive of the decision, others have questioned it:

British plan to cede Chagos Islands sovereignty prompts concerns over China threat

March 10, 2025

Britain is seeking to finalize a deal on handing sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius after U.S. President Donald Trump said last month that he was “inclined” to support the deal. However, critics say the agreement could threaten the security of a joint U.S.-U.K. military base on the islands amid fears of China’s close ties with Mauritius.

Many of the original inhabitants of the islands who were forcibly expelled to make way for the base on Diego Garcia in the 1960s and 1970s are also critical of the agreement and say their voices have been ignored. …

Trump approval

During a visit by Starmer to the White House last month, Trump said that he was “inclined” to approve the deal.

“I have a feeling it’s going to work out very well. They’re talking about a very long-term, powerful lease, a very strong lease, about 140 years actually. That’s a long time, and I think we’ll be inclined to go along with your country,” Trump told Starmer during the visit on Feb. 27. …

China concerns

Politicians in Britain and the United States, however, have expressed concerns over potential security implications of handing sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius amid a growing threat from China in the region.

Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary for Britain’s Conservative opposition party, described the proposed plan as “a strategic disaster for Britain” that represented “an appalling betrayal of the British people.”

Members of Britain’s Shadow Cabinet are responsible for scrutinizing the policies and actions of the government but have no executive power.

U.S. Senator James Risch, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in October that the proposed deal “gives in to Chinese lawfare and yields to pressure from unaccountable international institutions like the International Court of Justice at the expense of U.S. and U.K. strategic and military interests.”

“The U.S. and our allies must take a long-term approach when it comes to making decisions that affect our strategic competition with China, or we will all lose,” Risch told Politico.

China’s burgeoning economic relationship with Mauritius makes the African island nation vulnerable to influence from Beijing, noted Evan Fowler of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China. https://www.voanews.com/a/8005869.html

British colony

The Chagos Islands, officially known as the “British Indian Ocean Territory,” are one of the last vestiges of the British Empire. They comprise more than 60 islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the largest of which is Diego Garcia. Britain officially took ownership of the archipelago from France after the defeat of French leader and Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815.

The islands were administered from Mauritius, which argues it was illegally forced to give up the Chagos Islands in return for its own independence from Britain in 1968. …

Britain should not hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius

Once again, the Chagossians have been denied a say

The Chagos Islands are the site of one of the shabbier episodes from the period when Britain gave up its empire. Their 1,500 or so inhabitants, the Chagossians, were forcibly expelled in the 1960s and 1970s to make way for an American military base on the atoll of Diego Garcia. British authorities blocked families returning from trips, cut off the supply of teachers and doctors, gassed the islanders’ dogs and eventually deported anyone still left. https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/10/09/britain-should-not-hand-the-chagos-islands-to-mauritius

As mentioned above the Chagossians had no say in this last year (see UK to give up Chagos islands, including Diego Garcia, confirming prediction from COGwriter).

Forbes warned:

The U.K. Turning Over The Chagos Islands To Mauritius Empowers China

We live in a world getting ever more dangerous. The inability and unwillingness of the U.S. and the rest of the Free World to adjust to new, ominous realities was on pathetic display a few days ago when Britain announced that it was turning over the Chagos Islands, where we have a crucial military base, to Mauritius, which is off the southeastern coast of Africa.

Mauritius is an ally of China, and Beijing is licking its chops at the prospect of conducting electronic snooping of the base and other nefarious activities.

Amazingly the Biden-Harris Administration encouraged London to go for such an agreement under the illusion that this would preserve the base. https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveforbes/2024/10/10/the-uk-turning-over-the-chagos-islands-to-mauritius-empowers-china/

Notice the following promise to the descendants of Abraham:

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

Enemy gates were promised to Abraham’s descendants. Now, the UK is giving Chagos up to Mauritius, who supports a nation that the UK and USA consider a type of enemy.

The loss of territory was also prophesied:

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

Allow me to add that since the UK announcement to turn sovereignty to Mauritius, Argentina has since asked for the Falkland Islands again, and the UK again said no (see After Chagos announcement, Argentina pushes for Falkland, UK says no, but …). However, things will not go as the UK hopes.

The Continuing Church of God put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel related to Chagos and other British-controlled territories:

14:36

Prophecy: UK’s Loss of Chagos Islands

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

Here is a link to our video: Prophecy: UK’s Loss of Chagos Islands.

Prophecies are being fulfilled.

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

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Will the UK Lose Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands? For many years, the major sea gates of the world were possessed/controlled by the United States (Panama Canal and certain locations in the Pacific ocean) and the British Empire (Straits of Malacca, Singapore, Suez Canal, Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Simon’s Town/Cape of Good Hope, Malta, etc.), and many are no longer under their control. Spain wants Gibraltar and Argentina wants the Falklands (also known as the Malvinas). UK Prime Minister David Cameron says the UK will defend the Falklands Gibraltar. Does the Bible give clues as to what will happen with those ‘sea gates’? Do promises made the Jacob’s mother Rebekah play a role? What about Deuteronomy 28? This is a video.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be: Are Chinese threats against Australia for real?
Will the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about the peoples of Africa, Asia, South America, and the islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon;  When Will the End of the Age Come?;  Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18? Does any church have the confirmed dream and prophetic signs of Acts 2:17-18? Should one? Here is a link in the Spanish language: ¿Tiene la CCOG confirmadas las señales de Hechos 2: 17-18? Here is a link in the French language: Est-ce que l’Église Continue de Dieu confirme les signes d’Actes 2:17-18? A related sermon in the English language is also available: 17 Last Days’ Signs of the Holy Spirit.
21st Century Church of God Prophets Are there any true prophets in the 21st century? What about false prophets? What are scriptures and fruits to identify the true from the false? You you prove all things and test the spirits?
Church of God Leaders on Prophets Have there been prophets throughout the church age? Are any supposed to be around in the last days? What have COG leaders stated or written about prophets? Here is a link to a related sermon: Church of God Leaders on Prophets.
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?

Mark Carney (From ‘X’ Twitter page)

COGwriter

Canada’s new Prime Minister designee has concerns about the USA and Donald Trump:

There’s only one thing in Mark Carney’s in-tray: Trump

10 March 2025

When Mark Carney becomes Canada’s prime minister later this week, a list of simmering crises across the country will demand his attention: housing is unaffordable, healthcare is breaking, living costs keep rising and the climate crisis is ransacking livelihoods.

But most – if not all – of those concerns will be pushed aside, supplanted by a far greater threat to the country: the US president, Donald Trump.

The potential effects of Trump’s economic attack on Canada are so wide-ranging and so damaging that they are likely to overshadow all other issues in Carney’s in-tray. US trade tariffs, if held in place for an extended period of time, could push Canada’s fragile economy into a recession and unleash a cascading chain of knock-on upheavals. …

Carney, who won an overwhelming majority in the Liberal leadership race, used his victory speech on Sunday evening to warn the “greatest crisis of our generation” came in the form of Trump, leader of Canada’s closest ally and largest trading partner.

“The Americans want our resources, our water, our land, our country. Think about that for a moment. If they succeed, they will destroy our way of life,” he said, pledging to supporters that Canada would remain unbowed to US threats.

“America is not Canada. And Canada never, ever, will be part of America in any way, shape, or form. We didn’t ask for this fight, but Canadians are always ready when someone else drops the gloves.”

Carney’s predilection for a hockey metaphor was in full view on Sunday as he promised to keep Canada’s retaliatory tariffs in place until the American ones were fully removed, adding the country’s southern neighbor needed to show “respect” to one of its largest trading partners.

“So, Americans should make no mistake … In trade, as in hockey, Canada will win.” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/10/canada-mark-carney-trump

March 10 2025

Canada will soon have a new prime minister in Mark Carney as the country grapples with a trade war launched by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Carney, a former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor, was selected to replace outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the leader of the Liberal Party on Sunday night. …

In his first speech after winning the Liberal leadership contest Sunday night, Carney called the U.S. a “country we can no longer trust” and had a warning for Trump. … Carney said Trump is trying to weaken the Canadian economy with “unjustified tariffs” as he warned about “dark days” brought on by the U.S. move. …

“The Canadian government has rightly retaliated with our own tariffs that will have maximum impact in the United States and minimum impact here in Canada,” he said.

“And my government will keep our tariffs on until the Americans show us respect and until they can join us in making credible and reliable commitments to free and fair trade.”

He praised the provinces, which have issued their own suite of retaliatory measures, for “stepping up to the fight.” https://globalnews.ca/news/11074431/donald-trump-tariffs-mark-carney-plan/

Canada is in a precarious position these days and Donald Trump seems willing to try to cause Canada a lot of economic pain to get it to accede to his demands. Canada’s economy is highly dependent upon the USA’s economy, not the other way around.  Some American’s see Donald Trump’s actions as overdue, whereas others see bullying and other unsavory tactics being used.

Someone, other than myself, who has advised caution about Donald Trump, sent me an article by Nick Catoggio. Here are portions of it:

Foreigners Have Feelings Too

March 6, 2025

Imagine you’re the leader of a (rapidly imploding) global superpower.

There’s a large, resource-rich, strategically important island off your northeast coast. The bad news is that enemies are angling to gain access to it, which would place them on your doorstep militarily.

The good news is that the island happens to belong to a close ally, one that’s willing to prioritize your strategic interests.

Question: How should you go about increasing your country’s presence in and around the island? Maybe you dial up that ally and ask?

Or should you berate them, demand that they cede their sovereignty over the island to you, and threaten them with severe economic penalties if they resist? …

But browbeating plainly isn’t the right way to go. That’s because foreigners are patriotic too.

One would think Donald Trump and his nationalist lackeys, of all people, would understand that. …

So it’s strange that since Election Day he’s proceeded to insult one American ally after another, seemingly oblivious to the predictable effect doing so would have on nationalist sentiment in those countries and how that sentiment would limit their ability to work with him.

Take Denmark. Soon after Trump grabbed that nation by the lapels and demanded that it fork over Greenland, the Danish king changed the royal coat of arms to feature his country’s claim to the island more prominently. A subsequent poll found 78 percent of Danes opposed selling the island to the U.S. and 46 percent said they considered America a “fairly big threat”—higher than the share who said so of North Korea or Iran.

Perhaps, with a little diplomatic charm and a very big check, Trump might have persuaded the Danish government to sell Greenland. (Although it remains unclear why American ownership, not merely American access, is so important to him.) But once he undertook to bully Denmark into doing his bidding, the Danes’ national pride swelled. To accept that check and sign away the island now would be seen as a dishonorable capitulation, not a mutually beneficial exchange.

Why is our nationalist kakistocracy so bent on offending America’s allies, despite having every reason to know that doing so will leave them less likely to cooperate with Trump? …

So why does he keep insulting Canada, America’s closest ally and one of its biggest trading partners?

I don’t understand what he wants from Canadians—and neither do his own advisers, apparently, or else they wouldn’t need to justify Trump’s policy by resorting to insane accusations about Mexican cartels taking over the country. But whatever it is the president wants, he’s plainly making them less willing to deal by babbling about Canada becoming the 51^st state. https://www.yahoo.com/news/foreigners-feelings-too-235440219.html

Polling had long shown Canada’s Conservative Party routing Justin Trudeau’s Liberals, but the last two months of Trump’s bullying has driven Canadians to the left. An Ipsos survey published last week found the Liberals suddenly up 2 points; as recently as six weeks ago the Conservatives led by … 26.

A new Canadian government elected on a wave of nationalist hostility to Trump will not lightly make concessions to him, needless to say. How did the president foresee his “keep on insulting them” approach working out?

A Ukrainian quisling.

Canada isn’t the only nation whose continued existence as an independent country has irritated the White House into a series of moves practically engineered to stoke patriotic antipathy to the United States.

On Thursday, Politico reported that four members of Trump’s “entourage” have held not-so-secret talks with two of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s political rivals back home. Meddling that way in Ukraine’s politics would be risky under the best of circumstances given the country’s sensitivity to being ruled by puppets propped up by domineering world powers. But at this moment in particular, why would any Ukrainian candidate want to be known as Donald Trump’s choice?

So tell me: In this context, with the White House forming an alliance in all but name with the fascist butchers in Moscow, how would you like to be a Ukrainian politician known as Donald Trump’s pick to replace Volodymyr Zelensky? Do you think that would boost your chances at the polls if an election were called?

Or would you be viewed as a Ukrainian quisling?

It speaks volumes about how gravely Trump has offended Ukrainian patriotism that the one man with a realistic chance of unseating Zelensky sounds more hostile to the United States than Zelensky does. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s former top general and now its ambassador to the United Kingdom, accused Trump on Thursday of nothing less than “destroying” the world order. “Washington is taking more and more steps toward the Kremlin regime at a time when Russia and the Axis of Evil are attempting to dismantle the global order,” he said in a tweet, entirely accurately. …

A few days ago, our ostensibly intelligent vice president babbled his way into an international incident when he scoffed at the idea of European peacekeepers being sent to Ukraine. …

The strategic theory of nationalist callousness is this: The more enmity there is between the United States and liberal nations like Canada, Ukraine, Denmark, and the U.K., the easier it’ll be to convince Americans to stop viewing those countries as allies. The postliberal project won’t succeed as a purely logical exercise, you see, as there’s simply no intellectual case to be made that America will benefit more by partnering with an economic backwater like Russia than with a relative powerhouse like the European Union. …

If U.S. foreign policy turns into a theater of ruthlessness that makes the country broadly hated across the civilized world, let’s not pretend that we didn’t ask for it.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/foreigners-feelings-too-235440219.html

Let me add that Nick Catoggio does not seem to recognize that the Bible warns of a militaristic leader rising up in Europe who will conquer the USA (Daniel 11:39), its British-descended allies (cf. Daniel 8:23-25), and a coming confederation of nations in the Middle East and North Africa (Daniel 11:40-43).

Statements and policies from the Trump-Vance Administration are motivating many in Europe to become more militaristic (e.g. EU meets to militarize and ask/discuss ‘Should Europe still consider itself a US ally?’) and this will not turn out well for the USA.

Regarding the current Donald Trump presidency, here is something I wrote that was published BEFORE he took office and it is 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?:

Donald Trump is Fulfilling End Time Prophecy

Donald Trump is clearly an apocalyptic leader (cf. 2 Timothy 3:1-5). Although he is not the final Antichrist that the Bible warns about, Donald Trump has been helping fulfill many aspects of prophecy. Donald Trump is expected to help enable the rise of the final Antichrist—so will any possible successor to him.

Donald Trump has supported Islamic goals for an Arabic-confederation indirectly, and sometimes more directly, which will lead to a leader rising up over certain Islamic lands (Daniel 11:40; Ezekiel 30:1-8).

While I believe that he believes he wants to help, certain of his actions are pointing to destruction.

Donald Trump has made political, economic, and military statements which will ultimately help the rise of the upcoming Beast power in Europe. Donald Trump seems to think the relationship between Europe and the USA is better than it really is.

This European Beast power will, after it has a prophesied reorganization and rises up, destroy the United States (Daniel 11:39). And the leader of this power is supposed to rise up “When the transgressors have reached their fullness,” (Daniel 8:23).

Donald Trump has specifically caused people of the United States to err further away from biblical morality, which will lead to destruction (Isaiah 3:12; 9:16). Instead of advocating what should be considered as biblical morality, he has pushed positions that are clearly opposed to the laws of God (e.g. Romans 1:18-32).

He has advocated policies (as have others) which are expected to increase the debt of the USA, hurt its military superiority, lead to civil unrest (cf. Deuteronomy 32:25), and set the USA up for ruin (Habakkuk 2:6-8).

Unintended Consequences

While Donald Trump seems to believe that his policies are best for the United States, notice some unintended consequences of them:

• While promoting peace is good, once the Middle East deal is confirmed by a European leader (called a prince in Daniel 9:26), the 3 ½ year countdown to the start of the Great Tribulation and the conquering of the USA and its British-descended allies will begin.
• Pushing tariffs and sanctions on other countries is contributing to the rise of the final time of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24; Ezekiel 7:24).
• 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.
• Although national repentance could delay the coming conquering (cf. Daniel 4:27) of the USA (Daniel 11:39), Donald Trump instead is focused more on economic matters. Since that repentance is not expected, a European will end up in charge (cf. Hosea 11:1a, 3a, 4b, 5b-7).
• Focusing on Bitcoin, instead of gold, will not provide the USA with the financial stability that it wants. Instead it looks to be another reason other nations will accumulate gold. Gold which will outlast the dollar of the USA.
• The Bible warns against condoning sexual immorality as deadly (Romans 1:18-32), and that is something that Donald Trump does not seem to realize.
• Pushing debt increasing policies will put the USA into a position where it will be conquered, consistent with Habakkuk 2:6-8. This will lead to the land of the USA being divided (cf. Daniel 11:39; Lamentations 4:16; Amos 7:17).
• Pushing against Europe’s unity is encouraging the Europeans, which are prophesied to have unity difficulties (cf. Daniel 2:41-43), to try harder to unify, which will happen after at least two reorganizations (Revelation 17:12-13).
• By breaking political norms and acting like a ‘strong man’ this will help Europeans being more accepting of their beast ‘strong man’ (Revelation 13:1-10; 17:13).
• Donald Trump’s statements will help promote the rise of stronger European leaders like Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.
• Although, overall, the European nations have not paid for their defense to the amount they have suggested they would, pressuring them to spend more will 1) encourage them to be independent of the USA and 2) put Europe in a position where it has a great army (Daniel 11:25), many ships (Daniel 11:40), and access to nuclear weapons (cf. Deuteronomy 29:23-25; Isaiah 9:19-21;Ezekiel 6:6), which will help it conquer the USA, which is the military power with the strongest fortresses (cf. Daniel 11:39).

Christians are to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). By faith we trust the prophecies in the word of God over plans of humans (cf. Psalm 118:9).

That is one way for Christians to avoid negative “unintended consequences.”

There will be many unintended consequences of the Trump-Vance Administration. Do not deceive yourself that Donald Trump was sent by God to save America.

Now look at part of number 22 of my 2024 list of 25 items to prophetically watch in 2025:

22. Reelection of Donald Trump and His Adminstration

In the Bible News Prophecy magazine, October-December 2024 edition, number 22 was listed as “The Incoming US Presidential Administration”

So, it was renamed.

The reelection of Donald Trump has sent shockwaves throughout the world as well as through the legacy media of the United States.

It has brought both hope to some and worry to others.

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 offend the Europeans, cause international trade concerns, push many nations further away from the United States, change matters in Ukraine, affect matters in the Middle East, impact US energy production, impact immigration, impact the move away from the US dollar, and further divide many in the United States.

Notice the last statement above.

ALL of those things have happened since he came back into office.

Although secular writers like Nick Catoggio recognize that the EU is a powerhouse, he and those like him also fail to see the real risk a powerfully militarized Europe will have on the USA (cf. Daniel 11:39).

There have been many unintended consequences of the Trump-Vance Administration. Offending many nations is one of them–and there will be more.

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

(Pixabay image)

COGwriter

In what seems to be a reversal, Iran is suggesting it will speak with the Trump Administration:

Iran Open to Talks on Nuclear Militarization Concerns

March 10, 2025

Iran said Sunday it would consider negotiations with the United States if the talks were confined to concerns about the militarization of its nuclear program.

In a statement posted on X, the country’s U.N. mission said: “If the objective of negotiations is to address concerns vis-à-vis any potential militarization of Iran’s nuclear program, such discussions may be subject to consideration.”

A day earlier, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had rejected talks with the U.S., because he said they would be aimed at imposing restrictions on Iran’s missile program and its influence in the region. Khamenei’s remarks came a day after President Donald Trump acknowledged sending a letter to him seeking a new deal with Tehran…

Trump’s overture comes as both Israel and the United States have warned they will never let Iran acquire a nuclear weapon, leading to fears of a military confrontation as Tehran enriches uranium at near weapons-grade levels — something only done by atomic-armed nations. https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/iran-us-khamenei-nuclear-trump/2025/03/10/id/1202114/

Yes, Iran is concerned about Donald Trump and his proposed actions.

Michael Snyder posted the following:

Why Does Hardly Anyone Seem To Realize That We Are Literally On The Brink Of War With Iran?

What do think Iran is going to do once we start bombing their nuclear facilities?  They know that it is coming, and they have been preparing to respond.  When Iranian missiles are raining down on Israeli targets and U.S. military bases throughout the Middle East, there will be no turning back.  We will officially be at war with Iran.  Needless to say, a war with Iran would be far different from our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The Iranians have the 8th largest military on the entire planet, and they are armed to the teeth with highly advanced missiles.  It would take a “shock and awe” campaign that is unlike anything we have ever seen before to subdue Iran, and full-blown regime change would probably require an invasion.

Most people simply do not realize how close we are to an apocalyptic scenario in the Middle East.  On Friday, President Trump revealed that he has issued a very chilling ultimatum to the Iranians…

President Donald Trump on Friday revealed that he has sent a letter to Iran warning that it can either “make a deal” with Washington, D.C., on its nuclear program or face the U.S. “militarily.”

“I said, I hope you’re going to negotiate, because it’s going to be a lot better for Iran,” Trump told FOX Business’ Maria Bartiromo on “Mornings with Maria,” in reference to a letter he sent to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“There are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal,” he said. “I would prefer to make a deal, because I’m not looking to hurt Iran.”

Subsequently, President Trump informed reporters that were gathered in the Oval Office that “something’s going to happen” with Iran “very, very soon”… https://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/why-does-hardly-anyone-seem-to-realize-that-we-are-literally-on-the-brink-of-war-with-iran/

Regarding Iran, Donald Trump, and prophecy, the following is 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?:

Iran and Prophecy

Prior to his first election, Donald Trump stated that he wants to eliminate or at least change the “nuclear deal” with Iran. [i]

And that he did.[ii]

However, the Biden-Harris Administration tried to revive it, though never fully did. However, the Biden-Harris Administration did release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets back to Iran[iii] as well as it, apparently intentionally, did not enforce sanctions which allowed Iran to nearly triple its oil revenues 3 years after Donald Trump left office.[iv]

In the June 27, 2024 debate with Joe Biden, Donald Trump then blamed the Biden-Harris Administration for assisting in Iran’s ability to provide more funding to proxies such as Hamas and Hezbollah.[v] It is believed that Donald Trump will likely use some type of “maximum pressure” strategy again against Iran during his next Administration.[vi]

Because Bible prophecy indicates  that it  will  be  primarily Arabic nations that support the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:1-8), though with some support (probably temporary per Daniel 11:25-26) from Turkey (and possibly Pakistan), it is not biblically possible that Iran can truly be the leader of the Islamic world as it seems to want to be. Also, because it is basically due east of Jerusalem, Iran should not be considered to be a candidate to be the final ‘King of the South’ of biblical prophecy.

Despite its posturing and relative military strength, Iran will be somehow effectively neutralized (cf. Ezekiel 32:24). This could perhaps be from an attack involving Israel and/or internal civil unrest — this could also include electromagnetic (EMP) or similar weapons used against Iran (Jeremiah 49:34-39).

It is of prophetic interest to note that the small nation of Israel is prophesied to one day be attacked by some that seem to have a connection to Iran (Isaiah 22:1-14).

Iran may decide to strike out against Israel, and possibly Jerusalem (cf. Isaiah 22:7-8) if a Trump Administration and/or Israel takes actions it does not like.

Iran has weapons that can cause damage. Furthermore, the USA itself (as well as is the State of Israel) is vulnerable to EMP type attacks and items such as biological weapons, chemical weapons, terrorism, nuclear weapons, dirty bombs, etc. because of a conflict involving Iran, Syria, and/or others.

But should this occur, this would NOT be the final destruction of the USA. Prophetically, Iran would not end up faring well (cf. Ezekiel 32:24-25).

[i] Wilkinson T. Trump’s plans to scuttle or amend the Iran nuclear deal remain a work in progress. Los Angeles Times, November 14, 2016

[ii] ^{Trump DJ. President Donald J. Trump is Ending United States Participation in an Unacceptable Iran Deal. White House Fact Sheet, May 8, 2018}

[iii] ^{Knickmeyer E, et al. Americans released by Iran arrive home, tearfully embrace their loved ones and declare: ‘Freedom!’ Associated Press, September 19, 2023}

[iv] ^{Steil B. Biden is Giving Up Powerful U.S. Financial Sanctions on Iran | Opinion. Newsweek, August 13, 2021; Cohen A. Joe Biden’s Iran Oil Sanctions Failure. National Interest, November 2, 2024}

[v] ^{READ: Biden-Trump debate transcript. CNN, June 28, 2024}

[vi] ^{What is Trump’s ‘maximum pressure policy’ that could drive up costs for China’s Iranian oil imports? Times of India, November 6, 2024; Strobel WP, et al. Trump to Renew ‘Maximum Pressure’ Campaign Against Iran. Wall Stree Journal, November 8, 2024}

Iran may strike out at Israel before Israel attacks it, or may wait to strike after it is hit again by Israel.

What if Israel hits Iran hard?

Israel has already been accused of ‘war crimes’ related to its war against Hamas in Gaza (e.g. see ‘Bolivia severs diplomatic ties with Israel over Gaza war’ and ‘Open hatred of Jews surges globally, inflamed by Gaza war’).

Israel may conclude that if it has the go-ahead from Donald Trump, it can go all-out to attempt to destroy the Iranian regime.

With that in mind, consider the following Roman Catholic writings:

Abbot Herman of Lehnin (died 1300) Towards the end of the world “Israel will commit a terrible crime for which it will suffer death.” (Culleton, R. Gerald. The Prophets and Our Times. Nihil Obstat: L. Arvin. Imprimatur: Philip G. Scher, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno, November 15, 1941. Reprint 1974, TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 151)

Roman Catholic priest and writer R. Gerald Culleton (20th century): After the birth of Anti-Christ and shortly before the rise of the Great Monarch, the false doctrines were to multiply … In the last days before Anti-Christ, there are to appear many anti-christs… Towards the end of the world the Jews are to commit some atrocious crime for which they will be greatly persecuted … the Great Monarch … This Lion Monarch … together with the Great Pope or Angelic Pastor, shall appear after socialism … (Culleton, pp. 25,27,28,50)

Some have suggested that “after socialism” may mean after communism falls, like it mainly did in the late 20th century. True Church of God Christians with “Jewish practices,” who could be considered a type of “Anti-Christ” by Greco-Romans (see Do Certain Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus? ), are to be greatly persecuted around the time of the Great Catholic “Lion” Monarch (see Persecutions by Church and State).

The “atrocious crime” could refer to an attack (possibly nuclear) by Israel or some other Israeli action. Or perhaps a combination of factors.

Speaking of terrible crimes, many have been killed in Syria:

March 10, 2025

The wave of violence that has killed hundreds of civilians across Syria reached the major cities of Damascus and Aleppo on Monday, hours after interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa vowed to bring those responsible to justice.

The reported fighting in the capital, Damascus, and the second city of Aleppo marked the first such clashes there since the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad. The short-lived violence in the capital followed days of clashes concentrated in former Assad strongholds along Syria’s Mediterranean coast.

More than 1,300 people were killed in Syria in the three days to late Sunday, with civilians comprising 973 of the dead, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said in a statement. The death toll as of early Monday was not immediately clear. …

The outbreak of violence raises the question of whether Sharaa can deliver on his promise to lead a more unified and inclusive nation representative of the country’s myriad religious and ethnic groups. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/syria-sharaa-assad-damascus-aleppo-killed-violence-tartus-kurd-latakia-rcna195580

Since Thursday, more than 1,000 people—including Christian minorities and Alawites, the sect to which Assad belongs—have been killed, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) and local reports. 03/08/25 https://www.newsweek.com/hundreds-minorities-including-christians-killed-syria-reports-2041764

That is terrible. But more death is likely to come.

For example, Israel attacks, what might Iran and Syria do?

The Bible shows that God will allow someone, like an Iranian-Syrian confederation, to strike the nation of Israel:

1 The burden against the Valley of Vision.

What ails you now, that you have all gone up to the housetops, 2 You who are full of noise, A tumultuous city, a joyous city? Your slain men are not slain with the sword, Nor dead in battle. 3 All your rulers have fled together; They are captured by the archers. All who are found in you are bound together; They have fled from afar. 4 Therefore I said, “Look away from me, I will weep bitterly; Do not labor to comfort me Because of the plundering of the daughter of my people.”

5 For it is a day of trouble and treading down and perplexity By the Lord God of hosts In the Valley of Vision — Breaking down the walls And of crying to the mountain. 6 Elam bore the quiver With chariots of men and horsemen, And Kir uncovered the shield. 7 It shall come to pass that your choicest valleys Shall be full of chariots,And the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.

8 He removed the protection of Judah. You looked in that day to the armor of the House of the Forest; 9 You also saw the damage to the city of David, That it was great; And you gathered together the waters of the lower pool. 10 You numbered the houses of Jerusalem, And the houses you broke down To fortify the wall. 11 You also made a reservoir between the two walls For the water of the old pool. But you did not look to its Maker, Nor did you have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago.

12 And in that day the Lord God of hosts Called for weeping and for mourning,For baldness and for girding with sackcloth. 13 But instead, joy and gladness, Slaying oxen and killing sheep, Eating meat and drinking wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

14 Then it was revealed in my hearing by the Lord of hosts,”Surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you, Even to your death,” says the Lord God of hosts.  (Isaiah 22:1-14

This could happen in 2025.

That said, a while back, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following Bible News Prophecy video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel related to Iran and Israel:

15:03

Iran and Israel Conflict

European Union foreign policy chief, Josep Borrel, has been brokering the nuclear negotiations involving Iran and said that he thinks the deal is “in danger.” Iran blames the United States, whereas the USA says they are not delaying it. Israeli sources stated that Israel will stop Iran from getting a nuclear bomb. Joe Biden says the USA would use its own military power to prevent Iran from getting such a bomb if need be. In 2021, Iranian lawmakers have submitted a bill seeking the government by law to commit to Israel’s destruction by the year 2040. Does the 22nd chapter of Isaiah point to damage coming to Israel from Iran and possibly Syria? Might Iran be concerned enough about limited progress with the USA to launch some type of attack? Is Iran the prophesied ‘King of the South’? Is it reasonable to think that the prophesied peace deal of Daniel 9:27 will not happen until after a military conflict. like a regional war? Should Christians watch the Middle East? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie discuss these matters.

Here is a link to our video: Iran and Israel Conflict.

We are in a time of wars and rumors of wars as Jesus foretold (Matthew 24:4-8).

Iran is not pleased with Donald Trump and may choose to militarily respond very soon.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Iran in Prophecy Is Iran in Bible prophecy? If so, what does the Bible teach? What names, other than Persia, may be used to describe Iran? There is also a YouTube video titled Iran in Prophecy. Here are links to two related videos Iran In Prophecy and  Iran and Israel Conflict.
Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future What does the Bible say about Jerusalem and its future? Is Jerusalem going to be divided and eliminated? Is Jesus returning to the area of Jerusalem? There are also two related YouTube videos you can watch: Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated and God’s and Satan’s Plan for Jerusalem.
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?
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.

French Dassault Rafale jet (Tim Felce Airwolfhound)

COGwriter

The ‘Trump Effect’ is getting more and more in Europe wanting nuclear weapons. Notice the following:

Germany’s Merz Wants European Nuclear Weapons to Boost US Shield

9 March 2025

German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz on Sunday said he would like talks with France and Britain about sharing their nuclear weapons, but not as a substitute for U.S. nuclear protection of Europe.

“Sharing nuclear weapons is an issue that we need to talk about…we have to become stronger together in nuclear deterrence,” he said in an interview on Deutschlandfunk radio, a day after agreeing cornerstones of a coalition deal between his conservative party and the Social Democratic SPD party.

“We should talk with both countries (France and Britain), always also from the perspective of supplementing the American nuclear shield, which we of course want to see maintained.”

Germany, due to its Second World War past, has bound itself to non-nuclear defense in a number of international treaties but participates in NATO weapons-sharing arrangements. …

“We want European solidarity…but Germany also naturally has a right to defend its own security and order,” he said. …

Merz said he would press for the outgoing parliament to pass two major financial packages on infrastructure and defense and changes to state borrowing rules known as the ‘debt brake’. https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/merz-nuclear/2025/03/09/id/1202051/

Probable future German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that he would like to hold talks with France and the UK on the joint use of their nuclear weapons. At the same time, he added that the nuclear umbrella of France and Britain should be a “complement” to the existing US nuclear shield.

Merz said this in an interview with Deutschlandfunk, The Guardian quoted him as saying, Censor.NET reports.

“The sharing of nuclear weapons is an issue we need to talk about… We have to become stronger together in the area of nuclear deterrence,” said the likely next German Chancellor. … The leaders of Poland and Denmark have said they are open to French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to discuss how France’s nuclear deterrent could protect Europe. Source: https://censor.net/en/n3540162

It should be pointed out that Friedrich Merz also said:

9 March 2025

In an interview with Deutschlandfunk radio broadcaster on Sunday, Merz stressed that “Germany will not be able or allowed to possess nuclear weapons itself,” noting that Berlin is banned by law from doing so.

“The most recent [document] is the 2+4 Treaty of 1990, in which Germany explicitly renounced possessing nuclear weapons. And that will remain the case.” …

However, Merz has signaled his willingness to explore greater nuclear cooperation with NATO allies, calling for discussions with Britain and France. “We must also become stronger together in nuclear coverage in Europe,” he said. https://www.rt.com/news/613942-merz-nuclear-cooperation-uk-france/

Despite limitations, having nukes from other nations looks to be a way to have them without claiming to have them. Germany also has some USA nukes at its disposal now, so the prospect of it attaining European ones is consistent with that, irrespective of what is stated in Germany’s constitution.

In a video we put out earlier this month, we cited others in Europe who wanted nuclear weapons, as well as military independence from the USA.:

14:26

European Union wants military independence from the USA

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

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

As far as Europe and nuclear weapons go, notice a news item from last Spring:

France tests a nuclear-capable missile: “To demonstrate our deterrence”

May 23, 2024

France has carried out the first test launch of an upgraded nuclear -capable missile , the Asmpa-r, designed to be launched from a Rafale fighter. The test, carried out yesterday, comes after Russia said it had begun nuclear exercises in its southern military district. …

French Defense Minister, Sebastien Lecornu … said the exercise aimed to bolster ” the credibility of the airborne nuclear deterrent element.”  https://www-rainews-it.translate.goog/amp/articoli/2024/05/francia-effettua-test-di-un-missile-con-capacita-nucleare-per-dimostrare-la-nostra-deterrenza-il-giorno-dopo-i-test-della-russia-ac99f33e-81cf-45b3-8f7b-5e500a77efee.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en

Last Spring, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put out the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

14:32

Donald Trump, Europe, and Nuclear Weapons?

Are European leaders quite concerned about a possible second Donald Trump presidency? Have any European leaders publicly proposed developing ‘Euronukes’ because of Donald Trump? Do European leaders believe that Europe should have nuclear weapons independent from the United States of America? Does the Bible prophesy anything like nuclear destruction coming to the USA and its British-descended allies? Do biblical prophecies really point to the USA being destroyed by its European friends in places like Daniel 11:39 and Lamentations 1:1-2? Do Europeans think they need to have nukes whether or not Donald Trump gets into office again? Did the late Herbert W. Armstrong state back in 1989 that the Great Tribulation could actually begin with a nuclear attack by the coming European King of the North Beast power against cities in the USA, UK, and Canada? Are the Europeans now increasing their military spending and considering adding their own nukes? Is there hope from the coming Kingdom of God and the return of Jesus? Steve Dupuie and Dr. Thiel address these matters.

Here is a link to our video: Donald Trump, Europe, and Nuclear Weapons?

Yes, Europe is interested in more nuclear weapons.

This is another unintended consequence of Donald Trump’s statements and policies.

Biblical prophecies will come to pass.

This will not end well for the USA (Daniel 11:39) and many others (cf. Daniel 11:40-45).

Some items 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 two related videos: The King of the North is Alive: What to Look Out For and The Future King of the North.
The Great Monarch: Biblical and Catholic Prophecies Is the ‘Great Monarch’ of Catholic prophecies endorsed or condemned by the Bible? Two sermons of related interest are also available: Great Monarch: Messiah or False Christ? and Great Monarch in 50+ Beast Prophecies.
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.
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? What about other peoples? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon;  When Will the End of the Age Come?;  Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?  Is Donald Trump going to save the USA or are there going to be many disastrous unintended consequences of his statements and policies? What will happen. The link takes you to a book available at Amazon.com.
Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? Kindle edition is available for only US$3.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?

(Facebook image)

COGwriter

A reader sent me a link to the following from Harbingers Daily (HD):

What Does America’s Change Of Direction Mean In View Of Biblical Prophecy?

March 9, 2025

President Donald Trump has brought a much-needed change of direction to our nation. …

It’s tempting to think that way. I have found myself wondering if perhaps there’s been a pause in the parade of events leading to Jesus’ soon appearing. However, two thoughts bring me back to reality.

First, I remember Jesus’ assertion that the fulfillment of Bible prophecy will happen at the time sovereignly set by the Father (Matthew 24:36; Acts 1:7). God knows the precise time when He will send His Son to get His Bride and bring her to glory. He already took into consideration all that we see happening today when He long ago set the time of our departure from this world.

Second, I’m aware that a strong undercurrent in world affairs remains, … The lawlessness of those who seek to destroy our nation remains on full display.

So, does that mean that world events are accelerating toward Jesus’ appearing? I prefer to put it this way: the stage-setting for the future one-world government has not ceased or slowed down in any way. …

Israel Will Become Vulnerable to an Invasion …

The Most Deadly Wars in History Will Occur …

The Restrainer Will No Longer Restrict the Man of Lawlessness …

While it might be tempting to think there’s been a pause in the mad rush of events leading up to the start of the Tribulation period, the elite powerbrokers of our world remain busy. They are working behind the scenes to quickly set the stage for when they can openly enslave the world under their domain. https://harbingersdaily.com/what-does-americas-change-of-direction-mean-in-view-of-biblical-prophecy/

“America’s change of direction” essentially has accelerated the desires of the Europeans to arm and look at how to distance themselves from the USA. That is consistent with various prophecies for this time.

Now, the following has the only mention of Europe in the HD article:

The Most Deadly Wars in History Will Occur …

Many European leaders are rallying to Zelenskyy’s cause with promises of weapons and soldiers on the ground.

The chess pieces are rapidly moving into place for the start of deadly wars and fulfillment of Revelation 6:3-4, 7-8.

As far as several prophecies related to wars, Europe, and the USA go, check out our latest BibleNewsProphecy video:

Here is a link to our video: Should Europe Still Consider Itself a US Ally?

The fact that leaders in Europe are wondering if the USA is still an ally is a change in direction that will NOT turn out well for the USA.

By the way, the HD article states:

The Rapture, however, will decimate the US as a world power and provide the perfect opportunity for the antichrist to step in as the protector of the Jewish people.

There are several issues with that including the FACT that Jesus returns AFTER the USA is destroyed. For details, check out the 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?

For more scriptural information regarding the myth about the “Rapture” occurring before the Great Tribulation, check out the detailed article: Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected?

That said, yes, Israel is vulnerable to invasion. But HD has the scriptures wrong on that and its timing. The HD article states:

Israel Will Become Vulnerable to an Invasion …

Ezekiel 38-39 … I suspect that the Gog/Magog attack will occur between the Rapture and the antichrist’s seven-year peace accord with Israel.

Two points. No, Ezekiel 38 and the Gog/Magog attack are NOT for this age. Notice a few verses in the 38th chapter of Ezekiel:

10 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan: 11 You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’ — 12 to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land. 13 Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, ‘Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?’”‘

Israel has its walls and “iron dome” and military weaponry. Notice that it is against a ‘peaceful people’ in unarmed villages that the prince of Rosh is going against. This cannot happen until AFTER the return of Jesus. Furthermore, there simply is not a plan to take a lot of gold and silver out of Israel right now by the power of the far north, nor does the current nation of Israel have enough of it to likely justify an attack for that purpose (unless perhaps some hidden gold/silver mines or remaining treasure of David).

Notice the following:

Israel holds no gold reserves at all, according to a Bank of Israel spokesman. (Kopf S. Jerusalem of Gold. Jerusalem Post, February 16, 2011. http://www.jpost.com/Jerusalem-Report/Israel/Jerusalem-of-Gold viewed 07/21/14)

Israel Gold Reserves

1950 – 2018 | Monthly | USD mn | CEIC Data

Israel’s Gold Reserves was reported at 0.00 USD mn in Feb 2019.  https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/israel/gold-reserves accessed 03/09/25

According to Index Mundi, the nation of Israel was not among the top 48 producers of silver in the world, so its supply of this would also seem to be limited–it also confirmed that Israel does not have gold reserves (though there is some gold and silver in coins, etc. in Israel). Israel in the 21st century is NOT the target of Ezekiel 38.

Ezekiel was further inspired to write:

14 “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? 15 Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. 16 You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.” (Ezekiel 38:14-16)

So, a power from the far north, which would seem to have to be Russian-led as it is the only major military power in the far north now and may be the only one also in the future, will come. But again, notice that this happens when Israel is dwelling safely.

Notice the following observation by the old Worldwide Church of God:

The events of Ezekiel 38 and 39 are without question still future – for the “latter days” (38: 16) and “latter years” (38:8). Moreover, Ezekiel 38:14 describes the time setting as being “in that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely.” This is certainly not the situation in the State of Israel to- day! The Israel described by Ezekiel is a nation that dwells in security, in unwalled villages, totally unprepared for war (38:8, 11, 14). (Southeast Asia in Prophecy. Ambassador College Press, 1985)

It should be plain to those who will believe the Bible over traditions that the tiny nation of Israel is not now a “land of unwalled villages” with “a peaceful people who dwell safely” (Ezekiel 38:10-11). We are not particularly close to the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38. Those who believe otherwise are in error. For more on this, check out the article: Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day?

Now, as far as Israel being invaded, here is 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?:

Despite its posturing and relative military strength, Iran will be somehow effectively neutralized (cf. Ezekiel 32:24). This could perhaps be from an attack involving Israel and/or internal civil unrest — this could also include electromagnetic (EMP) or similar weapons used against Iran (Jeremiah 49:34-39).

It is of prophetic interest to note that the small nation of Israel is prophesied to one day be attacked by some that seem to have a connection to Iran (Isaiah 22:1-14).

Iran may decide to strike out against Israel, and possibly Jerusalem (cf. Isaiah 22:7-8) if a Trump Administration and/or Israel takes actions it does not like.

So, while Israel will be attacked in this age, this is NOT related to prophecies in Ezekiel 38 or 39.

Getting back to the HD article, it also stated:

The Restrainer Will No Longer Restrict the Man of Lawlessness …

As far as the Restrainer goes, here is a link to an article: What is Restrained and Who is Restraining in 2 Thessalonians 2:7? See also Mystery of Iniquity/Lawlessness.

That said, HD is correct when it posted:

While it might be tempting to think there’s been a pause in the mad rush of events leading up to the start of the Tribulation period, the elite powerbrokers of our world remain busy. They are working behind the scenes to quickly set the stage for when they can openly enslave the world under their domain.

Donald Trump is NOT pausing the events leading up to the start of the Tribulation.

He and his Administration have made statements and taken steps that those in Europe and elsewhere have seen, which is inadvertently motivating them to take steps that will lead to the Great Tribulation and the end of the United States.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected? What does the Bible really teach? Does the Church flee or is it taken up just prior to the great tribulation? Who really is left behind? Here are links to threerelated videos Fleeing or Rapture?, Rapture or Fleeing? Which is Great Tribulation Protection? and Did Jesus Teach a Pre-tribulation Rapture?
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Near Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety,’ Zephaniah 2 to ‘gather together,’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on fleeing to a place–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory. Two sermon-length videos of related interest are available Physical Protection During the Great Tribulation and Might Petra be the Place of Safety?  Here is something related in the Spanish language: Hay un lugar de seguridad para los Filadelfinos. ¿Puede ser Petra?
What is Restrained and Who is Restraining in 2 Thessalonians 2:7? Are sorceries, signs, and lying wonders being restrained until the future? What is the mystery of lawlessness? Could the archangel Michael be the restrainer? Here is a related article in Spanish: ¿Qué es lo que se restringe y quién lo está restringiendo en 2 Tesalonicenses 2:7?
Mystery of Iniquity What is the mystery of iniquity? How did it start? How will it end? Two related sermons are also available: The Mystery of Iniquity and The Mystery of Lawlessness.
Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fulfilled? Are we close to the battle with Gog and Magog? Four related videos are available: Ezekiel 38 Gog and Magog War: Is it Soon?, Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now?, Russia, Iran, Syria, & the Bible (Code), and Gog, Magog, Vladimir Putin, and Ezekiel 38?
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?

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

COGwriter

Related to what the relationship between Europe and the United States is leading to, the Continuing Church of God put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel discussing various views and scriptures about that:

14:26

European Union wants military independence from the USA

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

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

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

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

Some items of related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is are links to related videos: European history and the Bible, Europe In Prophecy, The End of European Babylon, and Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: El Fin de la Babilonia Europea.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous.
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. A related sermon is titled: Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here are links to two related videos: The King of the North is Alive: What to Look Out For and The Future King of the North.
The Great Monarch: Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies Is the ‘Great Monarch’ of Greco-Roman Catholic prophecies endorsed or condemned by the Bible? Two sermons of related interest are also available: Great Monarch: Messiah or False Christ? and Great Monarch in 50+ Beast Prophecies.
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people? Here is a link to a video Is the USA Pushing Germany to Start WWIII?
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? What about other peoples? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon;  When Will the End of the Age Come?;  Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?  Is Donald Trump going to save the USA or are there going to be many disastrous unintended consequences of his statements and policies? What will happen. The link takes you to a book available at Amazon.com.
Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? Kindle edition is available for only US$3.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?

 A logo representing the Organisation of the Islamic  Conference (Government of Egypt FREE Community  Edition ### on 2023-03-17)

COGwriter

Although the Trump-Vance Administration and Israel’s Netanyahu Administration rejected it, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference and several European nations now endorse an Arab plan for Gaza:

Muslim nations, European leaders back Arab proposal for Gaza

8 March 2025

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and several European nations have backed the recently unveiled Arab plan for Gaza following 15 months of Israel’s devastating war on the besieged enclave.

The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom said in a joint statement on Saturday that they supported a plan for the reconstruction of Gaza at a cost of $53b.

“The plan shows a realistic path to the reconstruction of Gaza and promises – if implemented – swift and sustainable improvement of the catastrophic living conditions for the Palestinians living in Gaza,” the statement said.

It added that Hamas “must neither govern Gaza nor be a threat to Israel any more” and that the four countries “support the central role for the Palestinian Authority and the implementation of its reform agenda”.

The plan was drawn up by Egypt and adopted by Arab leaders at an Arab League summit in Cairo this month. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/8/muslim-nations-european-leaders-back-arab-proposal-for-gaza

8 March 2025

France, Germany, Italy and the UK said on Saturday they supported an Arab-backed plan for the reconstruction of Gaza. …

“The plan shows a realistic path to the reconstruction of Gaza and promises — if implemented — swift and sustainable improvement of the catastrophic living conditions for the Palestinians living in Gaza,” the foreign ministers of the four countries said in a joint statement.

Arab leaders on Tuesday endorsed the post-war plan, which was put forward by Egypt, to rebuild the Paelstinian enclave.

The Arab Summit in Cairo took place after US President Donald Trump floated a widely condemned proposal to turn the Gaza Strip into what he called the “Riviera of the Middle East” and displace its residents. …

Arab plan welcomed by Europe, rejected by the US

Earlier this week, the Trump administration dismissed the $53 billion counter proposal after it was adopted. …

What’s in the Arab plan to rebuild Gaza?

The phased reconstruction plan consists of three major stages over five years.

An initial six-month recovery phase is aimed at removing debris, de-mining and building temporary housing.

In the first phase, the plan calls for the building of 200,000 housing units in Gaza over the next two years. A second stage will see 200,000 more housing units.

By 2030, the plan foresees hundreds of thousands of new homes housing up to 3 million people as well as an airport, industrial zones, hotels and parks.

Under its proposal, Gaza would be governed by a reformed Palestinian Authority. https://www.dw.com/en/france-germany-italy-uk-hail-arab-backed-gaza-plan/a-71866984

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has 57 member nations. Notice also that the Europeans are endorsing the Arab plan, whereas the USA rejected it.

Over the years, the Europeans have often taken positions closer to the Arabs than the USA has.

The Bible tells of a time when a European leader will confirm some type of a seven year deal:

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

The “prince” is a European leader who is later called the King of the North in Daniel 11:40. The ‘one week’ has generally been understood by prophecy watchers to mean a seven year deal, that is broken in the middle of it (after 3 1/2 years). This break is also confirmed in the following scripture:

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

The “him” is the European King of the North.

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

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

In the 21st century, the European Union includes much of the land and peoples that were part of the ancient Roman Empire. And it is the “prince” coming from that people that verse 27 of Daniel 9 is referring to. Thus, this prophecy tells us that a lower level European leader will somewhat officially start to rise up about 3 1/2 years before the great tribulation (and yes, according to Jesus, some “tribulation” does happen prior to the start of the Great Tribulation). Another is the fact that the “beast of the sea” of Revelation 13:1 fits with the beasts from the “great sea” of Daniel 7:2–and that sea is the Mediterranean Sea according to the Old Testament. Hence a power in Europe the only region that could have an empire geographically like the old Roman one (for more details, please see Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation).

The fact that Europe and the USA differ so much on the future of Gaza again is pushing the Arabs to want to work more with the Europeans in some areas than the Americans.

That said, I objected to Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza when it came out last month as it was not consistent with end time biblical prophecies (see Trump and Netanyahu Administrations want to relocate Gazans, but . . .).

In the October-December 2019 edition of Bible News Prophecy magazine, we had the following in an article about Gaza and the Palestinians:

Gaza and the Palestinians in Bible Prophecy

By Bob Thiel

The Palestinian-dominated areas of the West Bank and Gaza have been in the news a lot. A violent-prone group known as Hamas essentially runs the region called Gaza.

What will happen to Gaza? Does the Bible teach anything about the Palestinians?

Does the Bible have anything to say about Gaza and/or the Palestinians?

Gaza, itself, is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments. And some of those mentions involve statements that are prophetic.

Gaza, `Azzah (az-zaw’), is the feminine form the Hebrew word ‘az that means strong, vehement, or harsh (Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.).

As far as the word Palestine goes, notice also the following:

Though the definite origins of the word “Palestine” have been debated for years and are still not known for sure, the name is believed to be derived from the Egyptian and Hebrew word peleshet. Roughly translated to mean “rolling” or “migratory,” the term was used to describe the inhabitants of the land to the northeast of Egypt – the Philistines. The Philistines were an Aegean people – more closely related to the Greeks and with no connection ethnically, linguisticly or historically with Arabia – who conquered in the 12th Century BCE the Mediterranean coastal plain that is now Israel and Gaza.

A derivitave of the name “Palestine” first appears in Greek literature in the 5th Century BCE when the historian Herodotus called the area “Palaistinē” (Greek – Παλαιστίνη). In the 2nd century CE, the Romans crushed the revolt of Shimon Bar Kokhba (132 CE), during which Jerusalem and Judea were regained and the area of Judea was renamed Palaestina in an attempt to minimize Jewish identification with the land of Israel. (Origins of the Name “Palestine”. viewed 07/26/14)

The term Philistines in the Bible refers to people who tended to occupy regions including Gaza. The NKJV uses the term Philistines 252 times and the term Philistine 34 times.

The Bible Tells of Gaza

The NKJV has the term “Gaza” 21 times and “Gazites” twice. …

Bible Prophecy Tells About Gaza and Palestine

Zechariah had a prophecy of change coming to Gaza:

5 Ashkelon shall see it and fear; Gaza also shall be very sorrowful; And Ekron, for He dried up her expectation. The king shall perish from Gaza, And Ashkelon shall not be inhabited. 6 “A mixed race shall settle in Ashdod, And I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. 7 I will take away the blood from his mouth, And the abominations from between his teeth. But he who remains, even he shall be for our God, And shall be like a leader in Judah, And Ekron like a Jebusite. 8 I will camp around My house Because of the army, Because of him who passes by and him who returns. No more shall an oppressor pass through them, For now I have seen with My eyes. (Zechariah 9:5-8)

Some (see Matthew Henry’s Commentary, etc.) believe that this was fulfilled in the past. However, as future prophecies tell of a time Gaza and the Philistines having problems (see below), the above could still have future fulfillment. If so, it shows that some in Gaza/Palestine will be converted.

Bible prophecy tells of calamity coming to Gaza and other lands:

17 Then I took the cup from the Lord’s hand, and made all the nations drink, to whom the Lord had sent me: 18 Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, its kings and its princes, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, a hissing, and a curse, as it is this day; 19 Pharaoh king of Egypt, his servants, his princes, and all his people; 20 all the mixed multitude, all the kings of the land of Uz, all the kings of the land of the Philistines (namely, Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod); 21 Edom, Moab, and the people of Ammon; 22 all the kings of Tyre, all the kings of Sidon, and the kings of the coastlands which are across the sea; 23 Dedan, Tema, Buz, and all who are in the farthest corners; 24 all the kings of Arabia and all the kings of the mixed multitude who dwell in the desert; 25 all the kings of Zimri, all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes; 26 all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another; and all the kingdoms of the world which are on the face of the earth. Also the king of Sheshach shall drink after them.

27 “Therefore you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Drink, be drunk, and vomit! Fall and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you.”‘ 28 And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup from your hand to drink, then you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “You shall certainly drink! 29 For behold, I begin to bring calamity on the city which is called by My name, and should you be utterly unpunished? You shall not be unpunished, for I will call for a sword on all the inhabitants of the earth,” says the Lord of hosts.’ (Jeremiah 25:17-29)

Many of the lands above are listed as supporters of the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43) and/or part of a confederation that will be destroyed that will involve Egypt (Ezekiel 30:3-8).

Some of those lands, Ashkelon (located 50 kilometres south of Tel Aviv, and 13 kilometres north of the border with the Gaza Strip), Ekron (modern Tel Miqne, which is 35 kilometers west of Jerusalem), and Ashdod (located 32 kilometres south of Tel Aviv, 20 km north of Ashkelon, and 53 km west of Jerusalem), are currently dominated by the nation of Israel.

Ashkelon, Tel Migne, and Ashdod are claimed to be part of Israel. They are not in the Gaza Strip (they are all north of it) nor part of the other Palestinian controlled region known as the West Bank. Therefore, it looks like the Palestinians will either control those cities again or be so numerous in it that they are the ones affected in Jeremiah 25. It is my current view that the Palestinians will gain land that the nation of Israel thinks it will continue to control. Since these are not lands currently considered to be ceded in a peace deal, this looks like losses from the State of Israel after the deal of Daniel 9:27 is broken (cf. Daniel 11:31).

The entire 47th chapter of Jeremiah is a prophecy about the Philistines, including Gaza:

1 The word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before Pharaoh attacked Gaza.

2 Thus says the Lord: “Behold, waters rise out of the north, And shall be an overflowing flood; They shall overflow the land and all that is in it, The city and those who dwell within; Then the men shall cry, And all the inhabitants of the land shall wail. 3 At the noise of the stamping hooves of his strong horses, At the rushing of his chariots, At the rumbling of his wheels, The fathers will not look back for their children, Lacking courage, 4 Because of the day that comes to plunder all the Philistines,To cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper who remains; For the Lord shall plunder the Philistines, The remnant of the country of Caphtor. 5 Baldness has come upon Gaza, Ashkelon is cut off With the remnant of their valley. How long will you cut yourself? 6 “O you sword of the Lord, How long until you are quiet? Put yourself up into your scabbard, Rest and be still! 7 How can it be quiet, Seeing the Lord has given it a charge Against Ashkelon and against the seashore? There He has appointed it.” (Jeremiah 47:2-7)

Problems were thus prophesied for Gaza–since there is a duality to some prophecies (e.g. Malachi 4:5 & Matthew 17:10-13), this prophecy Jeremiah recorded may also have future application. This prophecy also suggests that Israel will no longer control Ashkelon.

Amos specifically recorded a prophecy about Gaza:

6 Thus says the Lord:

“For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four,
I will not turn away its punishment,
Because they took captive the whole captivity
To deliver them up to Edom.
7 But I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza,
Which shall devour its palaces.
8 I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod,
And the one who holds the scepter from Ashkelon;
I will turn My hand against Ekron,
And the remnant of the Philistines shall perish,”
Says the Lord God. (Amos 1:6-8)

Ezekiel had a prophecy against Edom (mentioned also above) and then the following about the Philistines:

15 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Because the Philistines dealt vengefully and took vengeance with a spiteful heart, to destroy because of the old hatred,” 16 therefore thus says the Lord God: “I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant of the seacoast. 17 I will execute great vengeance on them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I lay My vengeance upon them.” (Ezekiel 25:15-17)

The Bible is clear that vengeance belongs to God (Romans 12:9; Hebrews 10:30). Apparently (along with the Edomites, Ezekiel 25:15-17, Joel 3:19, Obadiah 8-11, and Psalms 137:7-9), the Palestinians are subject to judgment in the future for their vengeance. Zechariah 9:6 tells of punishment for their pride.

Isaiah seems to speak of this as well:

14 But they shall fly down upon the shoulder of the Philistines toward the west;
Together they shall plunder the people of the East;
They shall lay their hand on Edom and Moab;
And the people of Ammon shall obey them.
15 The Lord will utterly destroy the tongue of the Sea of Egypt;
With His mighty wind He will shake His fist over the River,
And strike it in the seven streams,
And make men cross over dryshod. (Isaiah 11:14-15)

This seems to include not only those in Gaza, but possibly those in the West Bank (“the people of the East”) and beyond.

Also notice what Zephaniah prophesied:

4 For Gaza shall be forsaken,
And Ashkelon desolate;
They shall drive out Ashdod at noonday,
And Ekron shall be uprooted.
5 Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast,
The nation of the Cherethites!
The word of the Lord is against you,
O Canaan, land of the Philistines:
“I will destroy you;
So there shall be no inhabitant. (Zephaniah 2:4-5)

Though there was a partial fulfillment near the time this was written, the time has not yet been when there was no inhabitant in Canaan, hence this prophecy is for the future. Gaza will change and be forsaken! (Years ago, because of what Zephaniah 2:4-5 teaches, I concluded that the place of protection Jesus promised the Philadelphians in Revelation 3:10 would NOT be in the direction of Gaza or the land of the Palestinians.

Now, people like the Protestant Joel Rosenberg have publicly wondered if Zephaniah 2:4 could be fulfilled with Donald Trump’s proposal to remove all the Palestinians from Gaza.

But that is not consistent with what Donald Trump proposed nor the timing of the prophecy.

First, that prophecy says that Gaza will be forsaken. Those in Gaza do not want to forsake it. If they were to leave under Donald Trump’s plan, they basically would be forced out–that is not consistent with Zephaniah 2:4.

Second of all, let’s consider the timing. Let’s look at the preceding verse:

3 Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth,
Who have upheld His justice.
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
It may be that you will be hidden
In the day of the Lord’s anger.  (Zephaniah 2:3)

The timing of the above is several years away, hence, no, it cannot be associated with Donald Trump’s current proposal.

The reality is that, for a time, Gaza will end up controlling lands that Israel now controls.

Related to Gaza and prophecy, we also have the following video:

14:33

Gaza and Bible Prophecy

Israeli officials such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have claimed that all those in Hamas will be killed or eliminated. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen added that the plan is to make Gaza shrink. Where do those of Gaza and other Palestinians come from? Does the Bible show historical animosities between the descendants of Israel and those of the Gazans and the Palestinians? What does the Bible show that Gaza and Hamas mean? Do biblical prophecies in Amos and Jeremiah point to Gaza ending up with territories that Israel now controls? Can Israel lose territory? Will Hamas achieve some of its objectives? What does the 83rd Psalm prophesy? Might terrorism be involved? Steve Dupuie and Dr. Thiel address these issues.

Here is a link to our video: Gaza and Bible Prophecy.

Despite how things may look now, Israel will lose territory to the Palestinians, including the Gazans.

Some items of related interest may include the following:

Gaza and the Palestinians in Bible Prophecy What does the Bible teach about Gaza and the fate of the Palestinians? Here is a link to a related video: Gaza and Palestine in Prophecy.
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation. A short video is also available titled Trump’s Deal of the Century and Daniel 9 27? Here is a link to something related in the Spanish language: Estados Árabes emiratos unidos y el tratado de paz en el medio este.
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future What does the Bible say about Jerusalem and its future? Is Jerusalem going to be divided and eliminated? Is Jesus returning to the area of Jerusalem? There are also two related YouTube videos you can watch: Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated and God’s and Satan’s Plan for Jerusalem.
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? What about other peoples? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon;  When Will the End of the Age Come?;  Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
Islamic and Biblical Prophecies for the 21st Century This is a free online book which helps show where biblical and Islamic prophecies converge and diverge. Here are links to related sermons: Seeing Christianity Through Islamic Eyes, Imam Mahdi, women, and prophecy, and Terrorism, Iran, and Fatima, Dajjal, Antichrist, Gold, & Mark of the Beast?, and Jesus and God’s Plan for Muslims. Here is a link to a sermon in the Spanish language: El Imám Mahdi las mujeres y la profecía bíblica