Church of God News

Emmanuel Macron

COGwriter

Yesterday morning, I posted:

If Emmanuel Macron wins, this will be seen as a vote of confidence for a united Europe. (Thiel B.  CBS: ‘France chooses new president in vote that could decide Europe’s fate’.  COGwriter, May 7, 2017)

Now that Emmanuel Macron won, notice some news reports:

May 8, 2017

PARIS — France on Sunday shrugged off the siren call of right-wing populism … choosing as its next president Emmanuel Macron, a centrist political neophyte who has pledged to revive both his struggling country and the flailing continent.The landslide was just the latest blow in 2017 for far-right movements that had seemed to be on the march last year but have suffered setbacks in recent months across continental Europe. …

In a pointed endorsement of European unity, Macron strode to the stage at his raucous victory party in the grand central courtyard of Paris’s Louvre Museum on Sunday night to the strains of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” theme, the European Union’s anthem.

“The task that awaits us, my fellow citizens, is immense and it starts tomorrow,” Macron said as thousands of supporters cheered and waved French flags. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/with-europe-on-the-line-polarized-french-voters-choose-between-macron-and-le-pen/2017/05/07/ccf8e5e2-31d9-11e7-9534-00e4656c22aa_story.html?utm_term=.fe907d5300ab

8 May 2017

Emmanuel Macron is the right man for the job. He has what it takes to lead France out of crisis and keep it firmly anchored in the European Union. … The European Union needs to help this man if it wants to survive. He might turn out to be the last-chance president for a France at the heart of Europe. http://www.dw.com/en/france-help-this-man/a-38745307

May 8, 2017

Former U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson and New York mayor Bill de Blasio, among others, congratulated Macron and the people of France for the presidential election result.

“Your victory is a victory for a strong and united Europe and for French-German friendship,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman said in statement.

Macron spoke with Merkel after his victory was announced, telling her that he would travel to Berlin “very quickly.” …

European Union leaders also offered congratulations to Macron: “Happy that the French chose a European future,” European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker wrote on Twitter.

EU Council President Donald Tusk said the French had chosen “liberty, equality and fraternity” and “said no to the tyranny of fake news.” http://www.voanews.com/a/world-leaders-reaction-france-macron/3842193.html

May 8, 2017

Macron has a head full of supply side policy cliches about sorting the labour market, and some catchy soundbites on Franco-German European hegemony …

When Europe looks calm and sorted, its not. Nothing is actually fixed.. For all the happy posts this morning about Euro strength, which stocks to buy on the basis of French recovery, and the rest… I doubt it.

Although there is apparently nothing to worry about in Euroland anymore – we’ve still got the festering pustule that is Italy, episode 47 of the Greek Crisis on our doorsteps, and the who knows what coming from the Brexit negotiations. Europe will continue to amuse, fascinate and frustrate..

I don’t normally spend my Sundays watching the TV wallpaper paste that passes as “political comment” but as I supped my coffee, one soundbite caught my ear: “the aim of Europe is to ensure the economic collapse of the UK to make clear leaving the EU is never an option.”

Oh dear…. http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-05-08/bill-blain-macron-will-prove-disappointment-nothing-actually-fixed-europe

May 8, 2017

PARIS — … the election victory of Emmanuel Macron, a 39-year-old liberal (in American parlance, anyway) has drawn a sigh of collective relief from all corners but the far-right. Even American centrists and more conservative Washington Republicans may take comfort that the Old World has not lost all perspective.

Many feared the anti-immigration, protectionist and isolationist tide that recently swept over the U.S. presidential and British European referendum votes could spread to mainland Europe, but in this era of polarization — for now, at least — the political center has held.

As a result, from a defense and economic perspective, the U.S. can still rely on its European Union (EU) ally.

Trade

Macron supports staying in the EU, while his defeated opponent, Marine Le Pen, was adamantly against it. With some 500 million consumers, the EU is a massive market for U.S. goods, and the bloc remains the biggest single U.S. trading partner.

President Trump’s Commerce Secretary Wilber Ross has prioritized opening trade talks with the EU.

For now, stanching the risk that France might have followed in the U.K.’s path and headed for the “Frexit” should negate any serious impact on global trade. …

“Those Americans ready to write off Europe as a dream gone sour may be disappointed that the nationalist and populist wave has been halted,” notes Alan Riding, an author and former New York Times Paris bureau chief. He also has a word of caution, however: “Macron’s victory brings enormous relief to those who want the European Union to survive, but it does not resolve Europe’s problems: it merely averts a catastrophe.” http://www.cbsnews.com/news/emmanuel-macron-french-election-matters-to-us-donald-trump/

Lat month, I posted the following:

Presuming that Emmanuel Macron wins, this will demonstrate that France is committed to the European project. (Thiel B. Some French election ‘relief,’ but parts of Europe are arming. COGwriter, April 24, 2017)

My position here, while consistent with that held by the old Radio and Worldwide Church of God, differs from some in the current Living Church of God:

French Influence in Europe Waning

Bible prophecy reveals the Israelite-descended nations will go into captivity under the European “beast” power at the time of the end. But, will France be inside or outside the “beast” power? The increasing EU frustration with France will be interesting to watch. (French Influence in Europe Waning. TW News & Prophecy, March 27, 2015).

France’s Tumble from the Top

France has been a major player in the development of the EU. However, France is an Israelite-descended nation. (France’s Tumble from the Top. TW News & Prophecy, June 30, 2014).

Whom Will France Support?

As core nations in the EU seek to form a European military, Britain and France are formulating other plans. …

For decades the Church of God has taught that a European Beast power composed of 10 nations or kings will emerge at the end of the age and play a dominant role in the world (Revelation 17 and 18). Bible prophecies indicate that most Israelite nations will not be a part of this empire (Ezekiel 23:9, 22-27; Hosea 11:5-7; Amos 5:3). The question is, will France support Europe or join with “brother” England? Time will tell. (Whom Will France Support? TW News & Prophecy, November 11, 2013).

Will France Exit the EU? …

While France may not leave the EU in the immediate future, the Front National’s win highlights changing political winds in France and the growing unrest with the Brussels-centered EU. Some experts suggest this recent local election win is just the “tip of the iceberg”…

For decades the Church of God has understood that the end-time European Beast power will be ten kings or nations who give their power to that Beast (see Revelation 17). Bible prophecies indicate that most Israelite-descended nations will be overcome by that Beast and not be part of it (Ezekiel 23:9, 22-27; Hosea 11:5-7; Amos 5:3). It will be interesting to see what France will do. (Will France Exit the EU? TW News & Prophecy, October 21, 2013)

A coming “world political authority”? …

The Bible predicts that, at the time of the end, ten kings will temporarily give their authority in an uneasy alliance to the “King of the North” (Daniel 2:41-43; Revelation 17:12-13)! The result will be a German-dominated European economic, military and religious superpower. It will reign for a short time, and it will not be friendly to the United States, England or France. A coming “world political authority”? TW News & Prophecy, November 3, 2011)

So, what’s ahead for France?

Notice something that the late evangelist Dibar Apartian wrote over 50 years ago:

A Striking Parallel

There may be a striking parallel between Reuben’s behavior in the past and that of France today. Indeed, in a few years, Reuben’s modern descendants will be at the side of the prophesied “beast” of Revelation when the Anglo-Saxons (the descendants of Joseph) are taken captive. France, like her forefather Reuben, will probably seek a compromise to prevent her former allies – the very SONS of Joseph – from being taken captive by the enemy. But what good will that really do? What good did it do to Joseph?

A compromise never relieves one from one’s own responsibilities. Without a doubt, Reuben loved his brother; he exerted himself in his own ways, through his own human reasoning, to save him. But the fact remains that he ended up by acting like a foe! France today also likes her “kin,” her natural allies. But, unless she repents, France will end up BEING a foe!

(Apartian D. France: The Enigma of our Time. Plain Truth, August 1966, p. 32)

Like all nations today, France has turned away from God. Catholic by faith, 9 out of 10 Frenchmen have never read their Bible, nor do they believe that, in its entirety, it represents the WORD OF GOD. What then will happen to France? Will she win the next WAR? She is presently a member of the “Common Market” which is already becoming a POLITICAL union. It will eventually include TEN nations or kingdoms.

Will this union win the third WORLD WAR?

God says that though He will allow it for a short while to conquer the descendants of Joseph (the BRITISH and AMERICAN peoples), He Himself will intervene to deliver His people. Jesus Christ, at His second coming, will fight and destroy those nations who rebel against Him (Rev. 17 : -14). (Apartian D. De Gaulle and the Next World War. Plain Truth, September 1964, p. 41)

At the second coming of Jesus Christ, the TEN KINGS or KINGDOMS-including France-will be of “one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast” (Rev. 17:13).

“These shall make war with the Lamb , (Jesus Christ, and the lamb shall overcome them; for he is LORD of lords, and KING of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful” (Rev. 17:14).

This is the infallible prophecy of the Bible. Unless France wakes up and repents, she and the other nations will fight the Lord at His coming. They will be punished by sword, by famine and pestilence-by the plagues of Almighty God! (Apartian D. Prophecy Reveals the Future of France. Plain Truth, August 1963, p. 22)

Thus, unlike some in LCG, Dibar Apartian realized that some of the Israelitish nations would be part of the Beast and will betray the sons of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh; see also Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel).

The late Pastor General of the old Radio/Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong, agreed:

Poland, and as you know Romania is not really very enthusiastic with the Soviet, and neither is Yugoslavia. And I can begin to see some of those nations breaking loose from the Russian orbit and going in.

Instead of the Scandinavian nations, they will go in with France and Germany; and with Spain and Portugal and Italy, and form the ten … with the Roman…and that will be the same territory that was occupied by the old Roman Empire. That is coming along. (Armstrong HW. Beasts of Daniel and Revelation. Bible Study, Date: November 8, 1980)

Perhaps it should to be pointed out that several of the “Israelite nations’ are ethnically mixed (per Davidiy Y. The Tribes, 4th edition. Russell-David Publishers, 2011 and other sources) and it may take them some time for the actual Israelites to separate out. Including some of Reuben.

The Bible, in the Book of Daniel tells of a military power called the King of the North (Daniel 11:21-44) to come from Europe (not Russia). In Revelation, he is called the Beast of the Sea:

1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”

5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:1-10).

This leader is described as a warring man who essentially changes religion and gets people to ultimately worship him. France will initially support this Beast power. The Bible also shows that this beast Bower will have a “great army” (Daniel 11:25) and specifically eliminate the nominally Protestant USA (Daniel 11:39) and then the predominantly Muslim nations of the Middle East and North Africa (Daniel 11:40-43). Later, Russia will be a problem for him (cf. Daniel 11:44).

The French will be induced to follow the Beast. This Beast will control buying and selling:

14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 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. (Revelation 13:14-17)

The world, including for a time the French, will prosper from this, but it will not last (Revelation 18). Those who think that they are God’s people, French or otherwise, are warned to NOT remain part of this coming Babylonian Beast power:

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

9 “The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’ (Revelation 18:4-10)

And at least some of Reuben will resist (see Revelation 7:1-5). France itself, will end up with problems from the European King of the North Beast power, after a time.

Ezekiel 5 shows that after the USA and probably its Anglo-Saxon descended allies are eliminated, problems will spread to “all the house of Israel”:

1 “And you, son of man, take a sharp sword, take it as a barber’s razor, and pass it over your head and your beard; then take scales to weigh and divide the hair. 2 You shall burn with fire one-third in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are finished; then you shall take one-third and strike around it with the sword, and one-third you shall scatter in the wind: I will draw out a sword after them. 3 You shall also take a small number of them and bind them in the edge of your garment. 4 Then take some of them again and throw them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire. From there a fire will go out into all the house of Israel. (Ezekiel 5:1-4)

Notice that after 1/3 is destroyed by fire (perhaps a reference to nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction), a third struck by other weapons, and one-third will be scattered, then there is other fire and after all of that, “fire will go out into all the house of Israel.” This will affect France!

Some have wondered if Israelitish-descended nations such as France could be part of the final Beast power. Yet, history shows us that France was part of the old Roman Empire and parts of it were part of the so-called ‘Holy Roman Empire.’ The fact that at least part of France was part of the beasts in Daniel 2:40-43 and 7:2-8, should show all that it, for a time, can be part of the final Beast power. But the French will ultimately be hurt by it.

European and world events are moving in the direction of the prophesied rise of the European Beast power.

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This entry was posted on Monday, May 8th, 2017 at 6:00 am and is filed under Prophecy.

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