Islamic State, ‘homegrown terrorists,’ the internet, and the work of Matthew 24:14
(Борис У.)
Government officials are growing increasingly concerned about the Islamic State, its use of the internet, and what are called ‘homegrown’ terrorists:
How Islamic State is wielding the Internet in new ways
September 17, 2014New York — American law-enforcement officials have expressed growing concern about the threat of homegrown terror this week as federal prosecutors announced the indictment of a New York man, Mufid Elfgeeh, who is accused of having offered support to the rogue Islamic State, which is creating havoc in Iraq and Syria. …
New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said the nation’s largest police force has been trying to stay ahead of an “evolving world of terrorism” – especially terror groups’ growing sophistication with the use of social media to promote their message and recruit potential “lone wolf” American terrorists.
On the one hand, experts caution that terrorist propaganda and recruitment efforts online is nothing new. But even as a handful of Americans attempt to get more engaged with extremist groups, media observers say IS has become one of most sophisticated social media operations yet seen. …
“I think that what’s new is the sophistication and focus of the groups like ISIS,” says Nicco Mele, a lecturer at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government in Boston, who focuses on the intersection of media, politics, and power in the digital age. “The frequency and quality and quantity of what’s happening here is significant – it’s sophisticated, clearly planned, and executed with a well-oiled team.” http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Security-Watch/Cyber-Conflict-Monitor/2014/0917/How-Islamic-State-is-wielding-the-Internet-in-new-ways
September 15, 2014
The Department of Justice and the White House have launched a program in some U.S. cities to identify and apprehend violent extremists and homegrown terrorists before they strike.
The effort brings together community representatives, public safety officials, religious leaders, and federal law enforcement in support of the nation’s counter-terrorism effort, according to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.
Holder said the emergence of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, where some American have attempted to go in order to join the extremist militants, underscores the urgent nature of the threat Americans face from violent extremists.
The new security program is a coordinated effort of the U.S. Department of Justice, the White House, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Counterterrorism Center. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-launches-program-to-apprehend-homegrown-terrorists-/2450449.html
My concern is about the growing tendency of the government of the USA to collect massive data on its residents as well as it trying to categorize more and more people, groups, and beliefs as those held by terrorists. The fact that the USA will consult with ‘religious leaders’ is a concern as many tend to be opposed to Church of God teachings–they may brand certain teachings a cultic or potentially terroristic.
This may well be one of the ‘unexpected’ consequences of this government action.
Lest those statements seem sound far-fetched, a year or so ago, I saw an academic leader on television teach that those who believe in the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the millennial kingdom of God on earth as potential terrorists. This leader stated that it did not matter if those who believed that were peaceful. He then said something to the effect, that because millennialists feel that the human governments are not properly solving all problems, that they all could turn violent and should be considered as at least potential terrorist groups. So, he was indicating that the Christ’s gospel of the kingdom was a terrorist message. Furthermore, former Pope Benedict XVI has endorsed the view that the millennial teaching was a doctrine of antichrist, so much so that it is in the official Catechism of the Catholic Church (see Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism?).
As the government of the USA increases monitoring of potential terrorists, it will also be under increased pressure from some of the ‘politically correct’ crowd to emphasize that believers of Islam and Islamic groups are not the only (or primary) homegrown’ potential terrorists that they are monitoring.
Since being against killing unborn children and being in favor of biblically-sanctioned marriage are now considered by the government to be political, as opposed to religious or moral, issues, a line has already been crossed on freedom of speech and freedom of religion in the USA. When more potential ‘homegrown terrorists’ are to be watched, the expansion of the idea of terrorists to include non-violent religions is well within the likelihood of reality.
The Bible indicates that some of the persecution in the future may come from hidden or secret sources, such as governmental surveillance and God’s people are to pray for protection from that:
2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,
From the rebellion of the workers of iniquity,
3 Who sharpen their tongue like a sword,
And bend their bows to shoot their arrows — bitter words,
4 That they may shoot in secret at the blameless;
Suddenly they shoot at him and do not fear. (Psalms 64:2-4)
Yet, notice something else that is supposed to happen that leads to the end:
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:9-14)
Notice that there is persecution, the gospel is finally preached enough to the world (to God’s satisfaction), and then the will end come. That ‘end’ is the Great Tribulation which begins in verse 21 of Matthew 24.
Notice also that the Bible shows a coming persecution near the time of the end:
28 While returning to his land with great riches, his heart shall be moved against the holy covenant; so he shall do damage and return to his own land…32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time (Daniel 11:32-35).
The persecutions above are by one called the King of the North (Daniel 11:40; 7:25a)–the King of the North will NOT like the message that the faithful Philadelphia Christians are proclaiming at least of part of which will likely be the Continuing Church of God identifying him to the world as the prophesied King of the North. We in the Continuing Church of God also expect to state that this leader has made a bad deal for the USA with the Arabs and Turks (Psalm 83:2-8), will destroy the USA (Daniel 11:39), and will ultimately destroy and North African/Middle Eastern confederation (Daniel 11:40-43).
This King of the North leader will not like that.
Since the King of the North is European (watch the video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?), and Europe is considered to be an ally of the USA, he will likely pressure the government of the USA to take steps to silence us of the the Continuing Church of God, or at least minimize our reach.
The Bible talks about the fact that God will finish the work and cut it short (Roman 9:28). Notice also the following which could be related to that:
11 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God,
“That I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine of bread,
Nor a thirst for water,
But of hearing the words of the Lord.
12 They shall wander from sea to sea,
And from north to east;
They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord,
But shall not find it. (Amos 8:11-12)
The above could only happen in the 21st century if something like the internet was down and/or internet content related to the truth of God was no longer permitted. Governments are taking steps, including espionage and cyber warfare research, which could bring that about. Having a new security program.
I believe that the warning in Amos 8:11-12 is a reference to at least a coming internet censorship. This is likely to start just before the start of the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), also called the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21).
Perhaps under the guise of “The Patriot Act,” perhaps under the guise of “public welfare,” perhaps because of alleged “intolerance,” calling parts of the COG message “hate speech” and/or national security threats/terrorism/concerns/issues, something will be done to stop perhaps all of the organized media efforts to proclaim biblical truths. A short work will be done (Romans 10:14-15), which will trigger the end (Matthew 24:14), and likely then the famine of the word (Amos 8:11-12).
Those on Satan’s side will try to silence those who stand for the Bible (cf. Daniel 7:25), and while there will be some ‘successes’ that way, God’s plan will be implemented and ultimately, His kingdom will come (cf. Daniel 7:26-27).
The ‘political correctness’ movement has already affected the UK and USA, but, sadly, has more steps to go (see also The Final Phase of the Work and Persecutions by Church and State).
Even though the Islamic State is a terrorist threat, the end result of items such as the new coordinated security program that the USA is implementing to monitor potential ‘homegrown terrorists’ will be an improper use of government authority. Part of this will ultimately hurt the USA and UK as those governments will also take steps in the future to discredit more and more of the message of the Bible.
We are getting closer to the time of the final fulfillment of Matthew 24:14 and the ‘famine of the word’ that Amos the prophet described. Until then, we in the Continuing Church of God will continue to work to get the message of Christ’s coming kingdom out–and that will also come to pass.
Some items of related interest may include:
The Prophesied ‘Islamic’ Confederation Where is an Islamic caliphate prophesied? Will one happen? Should you be concerned about it? Here is a link to a related video video: Will an Arabic Calphiphate Destroy the West?
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.
How Will Middle East Peace be Brought About? Can humans bring peace to the Middle East? Here is a link to a related video: Middle East Peace? When?
Iraq, the King of the South, Armageddon, and Prophecy What will happen to Iraq? Is it the prophesied Mystery Babylon? What is Armageddon and how does that have to do with Iraq? Here is a related video Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy.
What Should You Know About Turkey in Prophecy Do you know the Turkish people descended from? Did the Ottoman Empire possibly fulfill a promise in Genesis? Will Turkey support the European King of the North or Arabic King of the South? Will it betray one of them? Will Turkey be involved in the encouraging the destruction of Israel? Is Turkey going to become Catholic? Is Turkey mentioned in Psalm 83, Daniel 11, and elsewhere in the Bible? This video provides answers.
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
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 is a related video Iran In Prophecy.
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising. The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
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.
The Snowden Leaks are Leading to the Destruction of the USA Can what happened with the leaks of what the NSA has done help the USA to be taken over? What does the Bible teach that seems to be related to this? Here is a related YouTube video titled Are the Snowden NSA leaks leading to the destruction of the USA?
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer. There is also a YouTube video sermon you can watch: The Coming Persecution of the Church. Here is information in the Spanish language: Persecuciones de la Iglesia y el Estado.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near? A related sermon is titled The Millennium.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? A booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2014, 2015, or 2016? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2013 o 2014? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from lower level leaders? A related sermon is available titled Priority of the Philadelphia Work.
The Final Phase of the Work What is the final phase of the work? Who will lead it? Do you have the courage to support it? Here is a related YouTube video titled The Final Phase of the Work. The written article has been translated into Spanish La Fase Final de la Obra.
Leading the Final Phase of the Work Matthew 24:14 teaches “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come ” will be fulfilled and RCG is not the group doing this. Who is leading the final phase of the work? What did Herbert Armstrong and the old WCG teach about that and about prophets? Does Bob Thiel meet the criteria that the Bible and the old WCG set? What is the proof? What has the Continuing Church of God been doing? This is a sermonette length video.
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