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Last month, the new EU Commission President went to Ethiopia:

6 December 2019

On the occasion of her first official visit outside Europe, the new President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced today in Addis Ababa a significant boost to the EU’s cooperation with Ethiopia.

European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “Ethiopia has given hope to a whole Continent and beyond, showing that peace with one’s neighbours, for the good of the people, is possible, when there is courage and vision. I am here today to show the European Union’s full commitment to supporting Ethiopia and its people on their future path.”

The announcement comes as President von der Leyen and Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa.

European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, added: “Ethiopia plays a central role in promoting stability and economic integration in East Africa, building on the historic opportunity provided by last year’s peace agreement with Eritrea. Today’s announcements reinforce the EU’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia in achieving the ambitious political, social and democratic transition that will not only transform the lives of Ethiopians but inspire change across the region.” https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_19_6679

Europe has interest in Ethiopia.

Today, PCG posted the following:

Will Ethiopia Survive 2020?

January 2, 2020

Ethiopia made Foreign Policy’s list of “10 Conflicts to Watch in 2020,” which predicts, “Elections scheduled for May 2020 could be violent and divisive.” Swelling tension and internal conflict in the nation threaten to thrust Ethiopia into turmoil, possibly even collapse. …

In Libya and Ethiopia in Prophecy (first published in 2012), Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry writes, “What is the immediate future of Libya and Ethiopia? We must go to the Bible for the answer—you will find it no place else.” These two nations are mentioned together in a prophecy in Daniel 11: “And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. … But he [the king of the north] shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, … and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps” (verses 40, 43).

These scriptures prophesy about the rise of radical Islamic group of nations in the time just before the return of Jesus Christ. This end-time power, biblically called the king of the south, will be led by Iran. (For proof, request a free copy of The King of the South, by Gerald Flurry.)

The Soncino commentary defines “at his steps” as either “joining his army or placing themselves at his beck and call.” The Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon defines the expression as “in his company.”

Radical Islam thrives in an environment of civil unrest. When the Egyptian and Libyan governments fell in 2011, radical Islam momentarily gained control of both nations.

If these ethnic and religious conflicts cause the collapse of Ethiopia’s government, the nation, especially the Muslim-dominated regions, will likely fall prey to radical Islam and Iranian control.

Iran has a long history of working in Central and East Africa. In 1993, a few hundred Iranian troops worked in neighboring Sudan. Two years later, thousands of Iranian-educated terrorist trainers were in the country. Though the relationship isn’t as strong as it once was, Iran is still active in the region, supporting various terrorist organizations. It has continued its support for the al-Shabaab terrorist organization in nearby Somalia and the Houthi rebel movement in Yemen.

Mr. Flurry continues in Libya and Ethiopia in Prophecy:

All you need to do is get a good map of the Middle East, with the emphasis on the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Then you can see why the king of the south, or radical Islam, is so interested in an alliance with or control over these two countries (as well as Egypt and Tunisia). They are on the two seas that comprise the most important trade route in the world!

Whoever heavily influences or controls Ethiopia will undoubtedly also control the small areas of Eritrea and Djibouti on the Red Sea coastline. These areas only recently became independent of Ethiopia. Also, I believe the Bible view is that these small areas are included as a part of Ethiopia. …

So you need to watch Libya and Ethiopia. They are about to fall under the heavy influence or control of Iran, the king of the south.

For years, the Trumpet has watched for radical Islam to gain control of this majority Christian nation. Since 2011, Mr. Flurry has been warning that this will happen. Now that Ethiopia is in the limelight as one of the top 10 conflicts to watch in 2020, this prediction rings truer than ever.

For years, PCG‘s leader, Gerald Flurry, has been promoting error related to Ethiopia. Here is something he wrote before:

A Sudden Whirlwind

The Bible tells us that Iran is the “king” of the Middle East. Compared to the Iranian tiger, the Islamic State is merely a mouse! …

The Trumpet has been telling you for over 20 years about the impending clash between Iran and Germany. That forecast is based on this biblical prophecy: “And at the time of the end shall the king of the south [an Iranian-led Middle East power] push at him: and the king of the north [a German-led European power] shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over” (Daniel 11:40). …

Iran has influence in Syria, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq and Sudan, plus control of both points of entry into the crucial Red Sea—the most important trade route in the world. It has surrounded the key oil-producing state of Saudi Arabia. …

Iran’s Allies

In the April 2011 Trumpet, we forecast Libya’s fall into the Iranian camp. At the time, nothing was happening in Libya. The only way we could know this was by looking at that same prophecy in Daniel 11.

Here is what I wrote in that issue: “Until now I have not understood much about why the two nations of Libya and Ethiopia are mentioned in verse 43 along with Egypt. These two nations are the key that unlocks the strategy of radical Islam. The strategy is going to shake the U.S. and Europe to their foundations!”

Daniel 11:42-43 read, “He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.”

Think about it: Why would Germany conquer Egypt, Libya and Ethiopia during a war with Iran unless those nations were allied with Iran? …

All Germany needs now is a strong leader to replace Angela Merkel. That man is coming (Daniel 8:23). Once he takes charge, Germany will cause World War iii by engulfing Iran in a whirlwind!

There is not one place in the Bible that tells us Iran is prophetically the king of the Middle East. PCG has been wrong for over 20 years, yet it still has supporters who do not realize this. While the Bible shows that Iran will be broken militarily (Jeremiah 49:34-38), the Bible does not specify that Germany is the cause.

Furthermore, it needs to be understood that Libya and Egypt are NOT allies of Iran, despite Gerald Flurry’s claims. Now related to Egypt, Gerald Flurry wrote the following in the October-November 2012 edition of the Philadelphia Trumpet:

Egypt Unites With Iran and Fulfills a Bible Prophecy…

Over the last 20 years, I have been explaining the prophecy in Daniel 11 which says that Egypt would fall to radical Islam, ally itself with Iran, trash its peace treaty with Israel, and become a violent enemy of Israel and the United States.

In August, that prophecy was fully and totally fulfilled! It is now reality!

Egypt and Iran are now allies…

A Fulfilled Prophecy

In a January 2006 letter to co-workers, I wrote: “We have said for years that Egypt has been a friend to the West, but because of this prophecy [Daniel 11:42], we also said that could change. … As the MB grows more popular it will strengthen its ties with Islamic powers throughout the region—especially Iran. … [W]atch for Cairo to distance itself from America. Should the MB ever take control, there is no doubt that a strong alliance between Iran and Egypt will be built.”

That is a fulfilled prophecy.

Egypt and Iran are not now strong allies. Gerald Flurry’s “prophecy” has not been fulfilled. Simply do a google news search and you will find many articles explaining that Egypt is still a rival to Iran and that they are not strong allies. Gerald Flurry may disagree, but the Iranians mainly support Shi’a Islam and the Egyptians Sunni Islam–and the two groups are not close enough together to consider them “strong” allies.

Seven years after Gerald Flurry claimed he had a fulfilled prophecy related to Egypt and Iran, the reality is that Egypt does not yet even maintain full diplomatic relations with Iran (https://en.radiofarda.com/a/iran-and-egypt-reportedly-in-secret-talks-over-regional-tensions/30008526.html).

To address one of Gerald Flurry’s questions, a reason that the Germanic King of the North will take over North Africa and the Middle East is because the Bible teaches that a leader called the King of the South (who rules over those regions) will push at him. This is understood to be an attack as the following three translations of Daniel 11:40 indicate:

New International Version
“At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood.

New Living Translation
“Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will attack the king of the north. The king of the north will storm out with chariots, charioteers, and a vast navy. He will invade various lands and sweep through them like a flood.

English Standard Version
“At the time of the end, the king of the south shall attack him, but the king of the north shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen, and with many ships. And he shall come into countries and shall overflow and pass through.

The reason that King of the North, therefore, comes as a whirlwind and defeats those associated with the King of the South is because the King of the North is facing attack. This is not a difficult concept.

Gerald Flurry wrote the following about nine years ago:

Until now, I have not understood much about why the two nations of Libya and Ethiopia are mentioned in verse 43, along with Egypt. These two nations are the key that unlocks the strategy of radical Islam…

There are several Middle East nations not mentioned in Daniel 11:40-44 either by their ancient or modern names—for example, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan, etc.

But two more nations are mentioned for a reason I have not understood as I do now.

Libya and Ethiopia

“But he [the king of the north] shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps” (Daniel 11:43). Why did God inspire the mentioning of Libya and Ethiopia? Every word in God’s inspired Bible has significance. God placed two nations in the same verse as Egypt for a definite reason. This verse states that Libya and Ethiopia are also going to be closely allied with Iran!..

So you need to watch Libya and Ethiopia. They are about to fall under the heavy influence or control of Iran, the king of the south…

Whoever heavily influences or controls Ethiopia will undoubtedly also control the small areas of Eritrea and Djibouti on the Red Sea coastline. These areas only recently became independent of Ethiopia. Also, I believe the Bible view is that these small areas are included as a part of Ethiopia…

I did a television program on January 27 of this year. The viewers were asked to watch Libya and Ethiopia because of new understanding I had received the previous day…

We believe that the new understanding we received about Libya was a miracle. We also believe the timing of when we received that understanding was a miracle.

Such miracles are not just coincidence.

You need to continue to watch for Libya and Ethiopia to make a severe and rapid turn into the radical Islamic camp.

So the Bible indicates that Libya and Ethiopia also have to be subdued by the king of the north because they were in the radical Islamic camp. Those two nations were “at his steps.” Both countries have already been influenced by radical Islam. But they are not in the radical Muslim camp—yet. (Flurry G. Libya and Ethiopia Reveal Iran’s Military Strategy. Philadelphia Trumpet, April 2011)

Muslims are only about 34% of the population of the nation of Ethiopia and that nation is not under heavy influence from Iran.

As far as ‘Ethiopia’ goes, PCG also has this wrong in a more significant way. The word improperly translated as ‘Ethiopia’ in the KJV/NKJV is NOT the nation of Ethiopia. The word “Ethiopians” is not in the Hebrew in the Old Testament. The word translated as “Ethiopians” is the plural of the word Kuwshiy, which according to Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary means descendants of Cush. Or in other words, people of dark color–and it is commonly translated as Cush or Cushite in many Old Testament passages. Prophetic interpretation should not be based on mistranslations and faulty traditions, like Gerald Flurry is basing some of his on.

The late WCG evangelist Raymond McNair wrote:

Daniel 11 also mentions some of the Mideast peoples who will be involved in that struggle among the nations at the close of this age. The belligerents will include the “King of the North,” the leader of the European Union (or its final outgrowth, called the “Beast”). The “King of the South” (an Islamic leader—apparently from Egypt {or} some other Muslim state) is also referred to. The following lands/peoples are specifically mentioned: Egypt, the Holy Land (Israel/Palestine), the Ethiopians (modern Cushites, south of Egypt), Libya, Edom, Moab and Ammon. Many descendants of the ancient peoples known as Edomites or Idumeans now live in the West Bank, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Arabia, Yemen, the Persian Gulf states, etc. (McNair R. Solving the Arab-Israeli Impasse! Copyright Raymond F. McNair 2005, Church of God—21st Century).

So, Raymond McNair also realized that the term Ethiopia meant Cushites. The Cushites are also shown to support an Egyptian-based power in Ezekiel 30:2-9.

The King of the South is NOT Iran as PCG continues to push. Iran is due east, not south, of Jerusalem. PCG has many aspects of prophecy wrong.

All that being said, there is a lot concerning Iran in the news as well as other nations PCG mentioned. But it needs to be the Bible, and not faulty interpretations, that is the basis for proper prophetic understanding.

We in the Continuing Church of God “have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19, KJV).”

Many these days ‘pick and choose’ and believe that if they follow what they agree with in one group or the other that they will know what is really going on and that they will then be able to be protected from the coming Great Tribulation. As appealing as this concept is to many, biblically it is in extreme error. Those who do not properly ‘gather together’ as Zephaniah 2:1-3 teaches are deluding themselves as far as protection is concerned (see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra).

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This entry was posted on Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 at 3:00 pm and is filed under COG News, Prophecy.

• PCG Still Insisting Iran is the King of the South
• PCG, Iran is Not the King of the South
• PCG Still Focused on Iran for the Wrong Reasons
• PCG on Syria, Psalm 83, Iran, and the King of the South
• PCG’s On A Limb With Iran
• PCG’s Flurry Proclaims a Prophetic Fulfillment with Egypt and Iran, But…
• ICG and PCG on Iran
• PCG Keeps Uniting Egypt and Iran, But What About the Bible?
• Iran is Not the King of the South (Nor is Ethiopia)
• PCG gives three erroneous ‘reasons’ for why it claims Iran is the King of the South