Church of God News

COGwriter

There was a seminar this past weekend involving certain former students of Bishop Ratizinger (now Pope Benedict XVI).  The keynote speaker was Archbishop Kurt Koch. As of July 1, 2010, he became the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.  He was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI.

Archbishop Koch’s intervention examined “The Second Vatican Council between tradition and innovation” and “Sacrosanctum concilium and the post-Conciliar reform of the liturgy.”  (Pope and Past Pupils Interpret Vatican II.  Vatican Radio.  31 August 2010.  http://www.oecumene.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=419039)

Information about the details of what was actually said at this August 27-30, 2010 seminar have been hard to come by, but yesterday, Archbishop Koch spoke a little about it:

Archbishop Koch told L’Osservatore Romano (LOR) on Wednesday that the meeting of the Pope’s former theology students was “a concrete, lively and positive experience.” He said that the participants’ conclusion after examining the reform of the Second Vatican Council over the weekend was that “(l)oyalty to tradition, openness to the future: is the most correct interpretation of Vatican II, which remains the magna carta of the Church also in the third millennium.”…

Although he shared few details of his audience with Benedict XVI on Monday morning, the archbishop did tell LOR that he and the Pope spoke about his “new ecumenical challenge because the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity is not independent (from the Pontiff) but it has a mandate from the Pope to see how dialogue may develop in the future.”  (Archbishop Koch pledges unity with Pope as he assumes new Vatican post. Vatican City, Sep 1, 2010. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/archbishop-koch-pledges-unity-with-pope-as-he-assumes-new-vatican-post/

Pope Benedict essentially set up the seminar:

The Second Vatican Council and its implementation is the theme of this year’s meeting of the “Ratzinger Schulerkreis,” a group of the Pope’s former students. Benedict XVI will participate in some of their discussions…

In his first address as Pope to the Roman Curia, he pointed to two opposing interpretations of the council, which Archbishop Koch will address in his first lecture…

The Holy Father said…”…there is the ‘hermeneutic of reform,’ of renewal in the continuity of the one subject-Church which the Lord has given to us. She is a subject which increases in time and develops, yet always remaining the same, the one subject of the journeying People of God.”  (Ratzinger Students to Consider Vatican II.  Zenit, 26 August 2010.  http://www.zenit.org/article-30162?l=english).

Based upon what Zenit reported from the Pontiff, it appears that the Vatican is coming up with ways to rationalize how to change yet claim to be “always remaining the same”.  This somewhat contradictory view is likely to be held by whoever becomes the final Antichrist as he will not be truly committed to the faith he will originally profess.   Kurt Koch is someone that I am watching to fulfill or assist in fulfilling that role (for some reasons, please see Swiss Bishop Appointed as Ecumenical Head: Antichrist Role?).

The use of “Vatican II” (a major meeting of the Church of Rome which opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed under Pope Paul VI on 8 December 1965) to justify many things has raised questions for decades amongst those who consider themselves affiliated with the Church of Rome.  Many Catholics have questioned how the Vatican can claim to be the same while making changes.

Now, it appears that Vatican II will be part of the cover being used to promote unity with other faiths.  The Vatican made major efforts towards the Anglicans in October 2009 (see Vatican Announced Plan for Anglicans to Become Part of the Church of Rome) and have have many meetings with the Eastern Orthodox and certain Protestant groups in the past year to attempt reconciliation and unity.

However, theological compromise is expected for such unity to occur.  So much compromise that it appears that it may be possible that the next pope may, according to various Catholic and biblical prophecies, essentially be an antipope who does not really believe the Roman Catholic religion, though he will publicly profess that religion for quite a while.

These ecumenically-related discussions are one of the subjects that prophecy followers should “watch” (cf. Matthew 24:15; Luke 21:20). Orthodox-Catholic unity will not be a good thing according to many biblical, Catholic, and Orthodox prophecies.

Those who wish to learn why this is dangerous may wish to read the following articles:

Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics The talks for unification involve compromise and the apparent rising up of a changed religion that no one should accept.
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”. Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy.
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This also has YouTube videos. This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, many have already started to come to pass.  It also shows in detail from biblical, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and other prophecies explaining why the next pope may be an antipope and the final Antichrist.

Mount Apo in Mindanao, Philippines

COGwriter

While the USA is considered to possibly be on the verge of a “double-dip” recession, many in Asia see growth over there.

The Philippines is sounding upbeat:

The Philippines may narrow its budget deficit next year to the smallest since 2008 as economic growth accelerates, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said.

The 2011 shortfall may shrink to as little as 226 billion pesos ($5 billion), or 2.5 percent of gross domestic product if the economy expands 7 percent, Purisima told reporters in Manila today. Growth this year may reach or exceed the top-end of the government’s 5 percent-to-6 percent goal, Economic Planning Secretary Cayetano Paderanga said.

The Southeast Asian nation is targeting annual growth of as much as 8 percent starting next year, betting that investments in railways, roads and ports will create jobs and boost trade.  (By Max Estayo and Cecilia Yap – Sep 1, 2010. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-01/philippines-says-budget-deficit-may-narrow-next-year-as-growth-accelerates.html)

And while some of the above may be just hopeful thinking, nothing coming out of financial leaders in the USA government sound anywhere near that optimistic for the USA’s economy.

Meanwhile, there is more growth in China:

Manufacturing in China grew at a faster pace in August after the weakest performance since early 2009 in July, signalling that the economy’s slowdown is stabilising.  (Bloomberg / Hong Kong September 02, 2010.  http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/china-manufacturing-growth-rebounds/406607/)

The world is changing.  There is a shift away from the USA and its allies like Canada leading the way in the world (though currently Canada is doing better than the USA).

Russia and India also seem to be improving:

Indian factories expanded apace in August, although slightly slower than in July, after Asia’s third-largest economy grew at its fastest rate in nearly three years in the last quarter.

And the manufacturing sector of Russia — part of the BRIC quartet of new economic powers alongside China, India and Brazil — expanded at its fastest rate in 28 months largely thanks to the strong domestic demand.  (2 Sep, 2010, 12.39AM IST,REUTERS. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/Manufacturing-picks-up-in-India-and-China-slips-in-Europe/articleshow/6477223.cms)

It is not that there is no growth in any parts of the USA’s economy (it had some manufacturing growth), but its debt and other policies seem to provide pressure for the growth to be limited.

Europe is having its ups and downs as well, but ultimately it will end up on top for a while, according to Bible prophecy.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What’s ahead for the Philippines?  What does the Bible prophesy about islands?
India, Its Biblical Past and Future: Any Witness? The Bible discusses the origins of those of Indian heritage and discusses some of the witness to them (including those in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka).
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters Where did the Chinese people come from? This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-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 the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
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?

COGwriter

US President Obama declared an end to the USA’s combat mission in Iraq at a news conference yesterday.

But all is not well in Iraq.  Actually, it still does not have a fully-formed government after its last election.  This lack of unity is a signal that it will have more unity problems in the future.

Iraq is likely to experience civil war.

Over five years ago (January 7, 2005), the late John Ogwyn (of LCG) stated in a commentary titled What Lies Ahead for Iraq?:

You see, Iraq has three roughly defined regions developing on their own paths. The south is under the sway of Shiite Muslim clerics, many of whom want to form an Islamic state. The Sunni Muslims in the center are increasingly influenced by members of the former regime—many of them Arab nationalists. And in the north there is the desire for Kurdish autonomy at the very least—and, most likely, Kurdish independence. In fact, the longer an effective central government is delayed, the longer the country’s three regions will continue on their diverging trajectories. Some have called this “the calm before the storm.”

Now, my friends, did you realize this is actually mentioned in Bible prophecy? It’s interesting when you look in the book of Revelation, chapter 9, as well as Revelation chapter 16, and you find that the Euphrates River plays a major part in future prophecies. Anciently, the Euphrates River was the boundary between the Parthian Empire to the east and the Roman Empire to the west. That was the state of things in the first century when John was writing. Today, if you look at a map, the Euphrates River isn’t a boundary between anything. It just sort of goes down through the middle of Iraq. Yet in Revelation 9:14, we are told that when the sixth trumpet blows, the angels that have been bound in the great River Euphrates are loosed. And in Revelation 16, we find that when the sixth vial is poured out, the River Euphrates is dried up and the kings of the east move across—indicating that the Euphrates is a boundary between east and west.

My friends, if you look at a map and you look these three ethnic groups, you realize that as Iraq moves toward disintegration into three major components, you will find that the Euphrates River is going to emerge as a boundary. That is the natural boundary there, and very likely we are going to see, in the time ahead, the disintegration of Iraq—and ultimately the emergence of the Euphrates River as a prominent boundary just as indicated in the book of Revelation.

What’s going on in today’s world news is setting the stage for the final fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

The US and its allies attempted to do the best that they humanly can, but overall, things will change in the Middle East and will NOT be as the US, etc. hopes.

Civil unrest is likely for Iraq, and it may break out with civil war.  Ultimately, I expect much of Iraq to align with the soon coming Islamic King of the South, and that may somewhat minimize Iraq’s disintegration–but such disintegration may happen prior to this leader being accepted.

Some articles of possibly-related interest may include:

Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
The Bible and the Arab World In 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?
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
Prophecies of Barack Obama? This article has eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. It includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? This is the longest and most complete article at the COGwriter website on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”. Might Bible prophecy be fulfilled since he is to be the USA president?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

COGwriter

Peace talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are about to resume:

JERUSALEM, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday morning left for Washington to attend an U.S.- proposed peace summit, which would be the first direct negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians since late 2008.  http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-08/31/c_13471930.htm

Yet, all is not good:

JERUSALEM — The Israeli military says a Palestinian gunman has killed four Israelis in an attack in the West Bank.

The shooting comes just a day ahead of a White House summit relaunching Mideast peace talks…

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Tuesday the success of talks aimed at forging a peace deal with Israel within a year will depend on how hard U.S. mediators push to break any deadlocks…

President Barack Obama is hosting Abbas and Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, followed a day later by a first negotiating session, to be headed by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Obama hopes to see a peace deal within a year. Expectations are low, given that Abbas and Netanyahu are far apart on key issues and face internal opposition.  http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iDqGHEOAOLoXtaPxa6q_YKsfdyxAD9HUJATO0

A near term peace deal seems slim.  2011, for many reasons, may better fit with end time prophecy than 2010.  And a deal simply between the Israelis and Palestinians may not be enough to fulfill Daniel 9:27–though a timed one (one with a term, like seven years) might.

There may be more violence and wars before there is the prophesied peace deal.

If the red horseman rises up (Revelation 6:3-4) and one or more wars break out on or shortly after the Day of Atonement this year, we may seem warfare in places like Iran, the Middle East and even South America.   Africa & Asia (many places there including Afghanistan, Korea, and elsewhere) have some potential; as does civil unrest in Europe and North America.

It may take one or more wars in the Middle East to end up with the peace deal that the Bible seems to be referring to in Daniel 9:27.  But that deal may happen as soon as 2011 or 2012.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2018 or 2019?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? 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? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This also has YouTube videos. This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, many have already started to come to pass.
2012 y el surgimiento de la secta secreta Nuevo libro del Dr. Thiel en Español.
2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Edition) 2012 Buch von Dr. Thiel in deutscher Sprache.

COGwriter

Gold has been over USD$1200 per ounce for much of the past several months.  This is primarily because many feel that the US dollar has problems as well as the US economy.

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 for gold and this caused a crisis in the USA.

The US answer was to go off the gold standard completely in 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.

Back in 1971, the Plain Truth mentioned gold and that a currency coming out of Europe would replace the USA dollar:

FOR 40 YEARS, (1931 to 1971) the American dollar reigned supreme in world trade and finance. From 1945 to 1958, the dollar was considered better than gold to most developing economies…

On August 15, 1971, President Nixon revealed his new economic plan. One part of the strategy was to cut loose the dollar from gold, in effect letting it “float” in foreign transactions until natural market pressure would decide its best value…

The European Common Currency appears to be the most likely successor to the dollar in this long line of monetary dynasties. Europe is the only continent with sufficient gold backing…

… and What About Gold?

The gold standard is not sacred. It is only about 100 years old in the history of man, a product of evolution as much as any social institution. But in a world of sovereign powers, there must be some standard to finance international trade and domestic currency. Gold has the confidence of more people than any other standard, especially in Europe. (Alexander G. America faces “The Dollar Crisis”. Plain Truth magazine, October 1971, pp. 3-4)

Other articles from the old WCG also predicted that the Europeans would end up with their own European currency and that it would be expected to replace the dollar.

All of this has been happening.  As the USA continues to increase its debt, the value of the dollar will ultimately drop even more.  This does not mean that gold will not drop in value (it goes up and down all the time).  But unless there is national repentance across the USA, the USA dollar will ultimately be worth less than the cotton it is printed on.  Gold, on the other hand, seems to be prophesied to retain value past that time (cf. Daniel 11:43; Revelation 18).

For additional information, check out the following article:

The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? 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?

Neodymium Magnet on a Hard Drive

COGwriter

The world is starting to become upset by the fact that China controls 95% or so of certain “rare earth elements”(like neodymium ) and has dramatically reduced their export:

Backlash over China curb on metal exports

China’s draconian export curbs on rare earth minerals needed by the rest of the world for frontier technologies is escalating into a serious diplomatic and trade clash with the United States and other leading powers. (Telegraph, August 29, 2010. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/mining/7970872/Backlash-over-China-curb-on-metal-exports.html)

The “official” reason for the ban is apparently for environmental protection.  However, since China does not have a stellar environmental record, most discount that reason.

The real reason seems to be that China may need all it produces, and that control over this resource gives China a lot of power and influence.

The USA recognizes a problem here and has taken several steps, including hopefully having a mine open in California in 2012 (see Rare Earth Elements, China, and 2012).

But despite the protests and steps by the Americans, the Chinese still have major control and expects to for the foreseeable future.  This does not bode well for the USA.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for China? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?  Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests?  This is the longest and most complete article on this page on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.
Large Hadron Collider may result in military applications The Europeans have the largest physics project on the planet. Some scoff, but might it result in military applications? May the Large Hadron Collider help fulfill Revelation 13:4?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This page contains some concepts and prophecies related to 2012 and a book.  This also has YouTube videos related to 2012 and beyond.

Bas-relief at Angkor Wat depicting a demon performing an ancient abortion.

COGwriter

Bob Schieffer, a major voice at CBS, wrote the following which is a CBS’ website:

Stem Cell Injunction Dictated by Doctrine

Schieffer: Critics of Stem Cell Research Are Like Skeptics of Galileo’s Telescope…

I have the greatest respect for those who disagree, but to me putting restraints on stem cell research is not far from those who refused to look through Galileo’s telescope because they believed their doctrines and tradition had already told them what they would see.  http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/08/29/ftn/main6816315.shtml?tag=cbsnewsSectionContent.13

Give me a break!  Bob Schieffer is taking shots against others apparently because of a recent court decision telling the US government that it needs to obey its own laws in regards to stem cell research (see Stem Cell Research Abortion Outrage).  It has nothing to do with what happened to Galileo centuries ago.

Galileo used a physical device to look at the sky.  Because of his reported findings, he was opposed by the Church of Rome.  They essentially forced him to lie about what he discovered.  That was wrong, but it has nothing to do with critics of embryonic stem cell research.

While there may actually be “Critics of Stem Cell Research” like the CBS headline declares, I have never ran across any opposed to stem cell research per se.

There are critics of embryonic stem cell research as it destroys human life, as it is, in a sense, a type of abortion.  Yet, these same critics normally support stem cell research.  Stem cell research can be performed with stem cells from human umbilical cords without the controversy.

Furthermore, various animal tissues can also be used for much of the research.

The truth is, if people such as Bob Schieffer, would have not been so willing to destroy human embryos, that this stem cell matter probably would be further along through increased investigation of umbilical cord stem cells and animal tissues.

Blasting critics for being concerned for the rights of the unborn does not help and is highly misleading.  Abortion remains wrong and trying to justify parts of it the way CBS seems to be hinting at does not help.

Two articles of possibly related interest may include:

Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? What do the Living Church of God and the Church of Rome teach?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?

COGwriter

LCG reported in its latest World Ahead Weekly Update that it is trying to reach China via television:

Mr. Gerald Weston reports on his and Mr. Stuart Wachowicz’s recent visit to China: The trip was most helpful as we were able to meet face to face with individuals who can put us on the air in a number of Asian markets. We were also able to view some television firsthand to see what techniques are being employed for news programs and what religious programming is currently on the air in Hong Kong and Guangdong province. We were encouraged by the assistance we would be given and by the opportunities currently available to us in several Asian countries…. both Mr. Wachowicz and I were very much encouraged by the potential we have to reach such a large portion of the human race. There are opportunities open to us that we could not have imagined six months ago. Your continued prayers for God to keep open these doors and His guidance and assistance in walking through them are appreciated

Currently, LCG reaches China proper mainly through the internet.  Its Tomorrow’s World telecast is also available on you-tube to the Chinese and others in Asia (and around the world).  Tomorrow’s World on YouTube is very popular and helps to greatly expand LCG’s internet reach beyond its other websites.

I have been praying for some time that LCG would be better able to reach the Asians and have spoken to LCG’s Presiding Evangelist, Dr. R.C. Meredith (and others in Charlotte), about this on more than one occasion. My own series of articles on China and Asia are intended to support LCG’s reach to Asia.

The Apostle Paul talked about doors being opened for him to get the gospel out:

12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord (2 Corinthians 2:12).

8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries (1 Corinthians 16:8-9).

2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains (Colossians 4:2-3).

Perhaps the door into China and other parts of Asia will open a bit wider for a while.  Your prayers may make the difference.

LCG’s Dr. Winnail recently wrote:

The Apostle Paul urged Christians to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  The New Testament reveals that the prayers of the saints are like sweet incense to God (Revelation 5:8), and that the ears of the Lord are open to the prayers of the righteous (1 Peter 3:12).  Peter also admonishes believers, “the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers” (1 Peter 4:7).  As we see the end of this age approaching, let’s follow these examples and heed God’s instructions about the importance of prayer.

Christians need to support the proclamation of the gospel through their prayers, tithes, and how they live their lives.

LCG strongly believes that it needs to work to better fulfill the following:

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 24:14)

Getting its telecast into Asia (other than through the internet, satellite, and/or cable which does reach some now in Asia) is one more step to try to fulfill Matthew 24:14.  Once that verse is completely fulfilled to God’s satisfaction, “then the end will come”.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters Where did the Chinese people come from? This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
The Dramatic Story of Chinese Sabbathkeepers This reformatted Good News article from 1955 discusses Sabbath-keeping in China in the 1800s.
Tithing Questions and Some Answers Addresses some non-biblical arguments against tithing. Should people tithe?
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 evangelists?
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.

Scanning electron micrograph of HIV-1 (in green) budding from cultured lymphocyte. Multiple round bumps on cell surface represent sites of assembly and budding of virions. (Wikipedia)

COGwriter

LCG announced the following today as part of its weekly update:

Plunging Male Circumcision Rates. According to at least one researcher, male circumcision rates in the U.S. dropped from 56% in 2006 to less than 33% at the end of 2009—that is almost a 50% drop in just three years. In a recent interview, pediatric bioethicist Dr. Douglas Diekema cited several factors that may have impacted this steep decline: (1) the American Academy of Pediatrics’ rather neutral stance on the matter beginning about ten years ago, which resulted in insurance companies dropping coverage of the procedure, (2) anti-circumcision activists using emotional pleas—referring to male circumcision as genital mutilation, and (3) increasing Hispanic populations that do not traditionally practice male circumcision of infants. Dr. Diekema went on to highlight the benefits of male circumcision that will likely be lost with the declining trend, such as a significantly decreased risk of infant urinary tract infection—that can be a dangerous condition—and a significantly decreased risk of sexually transmitted disease transmission, including HIV. Dr. Diekema also pointed out that the risks inherent in infant circumcision are far less than those at older ages (NPR, August 22, 2010). As the U.S. moves away from its Judeo-Christian roots, practices that were once commonplace are now becoming taboo. Although God no longer requires circumcision for spiritual reasons (see Acts 15, Romans 2:25-29), the health benefits are still well known in the medical profession. But today, anything associated with biblical beliefs is being rejected—regardless of the benefits to children and adults alike.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Increase in Young British Women. “Almost half a million new cases of [sexually transmitted] infection were diagnosed in Britain last year. Among women, two-thirds were aged between 15 and 24.” These numbers increased by 12,000 over the previous year and indicate increasing promiscuity among adolescents and young adults. Sadly, 11% of young women and 12% of young men experience re-infection after being treated (Express.co.uk, August 25, 2010). Sadly, the types of STIs being contracted usually result in sterility if untreated and can greatly increase the chances of miscarriage among women. God warned that because of the sins of Ephraim (modern British-descended peoples), the nation would experience a time in the future with “… No birth, no pregnancy, and no conception.” This will occur in part through “miscarrying” and “dry breasts” (Hosea 9:10-17). Sexually transmitted diseases could certainly cause these curses. However, The Bible reveals that obedience to God and His ways brings blessings, “I will take sickness away from the midst of you. No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren [sterile] in your land…” (Exodus 23:20-26). God speed the day when all will obey God and experience the rich blessings of obedience!

Male circumcision also seems to have other benefits. One study concluded:

• Male circumcision is associated with reduced risk of genital HPV infection in men whether or not their female partners have cervical HPV or cervical cancer.
• Circumcision is associated with reduced risk of cervical cancer in women with high-risk sexual partners.

There are also various hygiene issues. (Note: The same as the original New Testament church, LCG does not require males to be circumcised, but considers it has physical value since God implemented it in the Hebrew scriptures).

But circumcision is only one aspect of this.  Lust and sin are other aspects related to STDs/SDIs.

Immorality, or in the case many in the USA, UK, and many other places these days, amorality (many do not consider that sexual relations outside of marriage is wrong, hence they do consider the moral ramifications) leads to health problems.

Recall that the Apostle Paul wrote:

18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18)

But sadly, many do not care (or follow) about what the Apostle Paul wrote.  But it was true then, and it is true now.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments? This article quotes what Jesus actually said about them (His words are in red).
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings

COGwriter

US President Obama apparently has a peace plan for the Middle East:

Barack Obama ‘to visit Jerusalem and Ramallah to press for peace’

President Barack Obama will visit Jerusalem in coming months to press for a Middle East peace deal to be signed this year and implemented within a decade, according to a leaked White House report.

Telegraph – Aug 27, 2010  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/7967953/Barack-Obama-to-visit-Jerusalem-and-Ramallah-to-press-for-peace.html

The Bible tells of a time when some type of apparent peace deal will be implemented in the Middle East.

While there could be a peace deal soon, it may be that the deal that fulfills the prophecy in Daniel 9:27 will NOT take place until after their has been another round of war in the Middle East.  One issue for the current situation is that the Europeans expect to be part of any comprehensive peace deal in the Middle East:

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Friday the EU should be at the table when the Israeli and Palestinian leaders resume direct peace talks in Washington on Thursday…

The EU will “still have plenty more opportunities to contribute to the process and will be called upon to help support the talks.”The EU is part of the so-called Middle East Quartet, working along with Russia, the United Nations and the United States to try to bring peace to the region.

AFP, August 28, 2010  http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gVij5PjtdbWbjtGmLoJpLLiUCngg

And this European expectation is consistent with the prophecies in Daniel 9:26-27.

While it is possible that the USA will broker the deal and it will simply be confirmed by a rising “prince” within the European Union, it may be that Europe will play a much greater role.  Because of the prospect that war may happen before peace and the EU’s limited current involvement, these are some of the reasons that I do not believe that the peace deal of Daniel 9:27 is likely to be attained next month–it is remotely possible still, but remote.

Barack Obama essentially expects to ask to bring in European leaders after there is insufficient progress in the current talks, perhaps as early as October according to one report (see Obama’s Back-Up Peace Plan for the Fall of 2010).  And then his plan seems to include putting troops in the Middle East (Will Obama’s Plan Have Jerusalem Surrounded by Armies?) which brings to mind Jesus’ words in Luke 21:20–though I do not believe that the actual surrounding of Jerusalem will happen for a few years (however, some “peace-keeping” troops could be assigned there prior to what will happen to fulfill Luke 21:20).

Obviously, the USA President would like to have a peace deal.  But since the Palestinians and Israelis seem fairly far apart at this stage, this is likely to take time.  But that too, seems consistent with Barack Obama’s plans for the region and could tie into biblical prophecies.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? What about the peace deal in Daniel 9?
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
Prophecies of Barack Obama? This article has eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. It includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? This is the longest and most complete article at the COGwriter website on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”. Might Bible prophecy be fulfilled since he is to be the USA president?