Church of God News

The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

COGwriter

In a move that I have warned about, a few hours ago, the organization known as the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) made a change:

GRAPEVINE, Texas — The Boy Scouts of America voted on Thursday to end its controversial policy banning gay kids and teens from joining one of the nation’s most popular youth organizations, ditching membership guidelines that had roiled the group in recent years.

Over 60 percent of The National Council of 1,400 delegates from Scouting across the country voted to lift the ban, BSA officials said. The ban on gay leaders was not voted on, and will remain in place…”The resolution also reinforces that Scouting is a youth program, and any sexual conduct, whether heterosexual or homosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting. A change to the current membership policy for adult leaders was not under consideration; thus, the policy for adults remains in place. The BSA thanks all the national voting members who participated in this process and vote.”  http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/23/18447459-boy-scouts-vote-to-lift-ban-on-gay-youth?lite

Various ones believe that this is really another step that encourages homosexuality:

The new policy goes into effect Jan. 1, 2014.

For Theodore Anderson, an 18-year-old Springfield Scoutmaster, the vote means the end of 12 years in the program. The policy, he said, “goes against what my Bible and religion states are pleasing to the Lord.” Anderson plans to help his church launch a new youth program — but without openly gay members.

“You’re bringing into scouting a whole new aspect that isn’t part of the program,” Anderson said. “Parents would have to explain certain things to youth of certain ages they don’t need to know about or worry about yet. It would slowly take the fun out of it.”

Jay Mechlingauthor of ‘On My Honor: Boy Scouts and the Making of American Youth,’ said the organization is bowing to pressure by donors. said the organization knew it was facing losing members either way.

“They are attuned to the demographics and understand that everything we know about young people is that that cohort doesn’t care about sxual orientation,” he said. “If you want to understand these decisions, you have to understand the Boy Scouts is first and primarily a business. It has been all along.”  http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/boy-scouts-vote-to-allow-openly-gay-scouts-maintain-ban-on-gay-adult-leaders/2013/05/23/dcb7ee08-c359-11e2-914f-a7aba60512a7_story.html

Back during the presidential election in the USA, this topic did come up and both presidential candidates endorsed the homosexual agenda, at least to a degree, here (see Romney and Obama Agree on Having ‘Gay’ Boy Scouts).  Boy Scouts are supposed to be “morally straight” as that is part of the Boy Scout oath.  Remaining a homosexual is not being morally straight.

While the Bible recognizes that some have homosexual tendencies, it also teaches that those with them must change, and not stay in that condition:

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

The Boy Scouts of America apparently does not agree that homosexuals need to change or “be washed.”   It appears that this new policy is a compromise, and one that will likely lead to more compromises in the future.

There were other societies that have had their own issues of openly advocating sin relationships that their residents seemed to view as acceptable. Notice what happened in a couple of such towns between three thousand and four thousand years ago:

24 Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens. 25 So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. (Genesis 19:24-25)

And why did it happen?

7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 7)

Why mention this in the 21st century? Because God turned:

6…the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6,
NKJV)

National repentance is the only real long-term hope for the Anglo-peoples (and it seems to be too late for that).

Keeping the Ten Commandments reflects love. Breaking them and/or condoning those that do is evil. This should be clear to those who believe the God of the Bible. Thus, the BSA should not consider allowing the homosexuals in.

But many in the USA and other Anglo-dominated lands seem inclined to truly listen to those who are strongly advocating wrong changes in the moral direction of the land.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality? Can homosexuals change?
Love, Marriage, and Sex It is important to get them in the right order.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
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?
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.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

Al-Shabaab Flag

COGwriter

The grisly hacking murder in the UK is being portrayed as a warning by Al-Shabaab:

23 May 2013

Woolwich attack: Somalian terrorists warn Britain: ‘Your chickens are coming home to roost’

Britain was warned to expect further terrorist outrages as an Islamist group in Somalia said the chickens were “coming home to roost”.  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/10077426/Woolwich-attack-Somalian-terrorists-warn-Britain-Your-chickens-are-coming-home-to-roost.html

London (CNN) — British police have arrested two more people as part of the probe of the brutal cleaver attack that killed a soldier.

A man and a woman, both 29, were arrested Thursday on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, London’s Metropolitan Police said…And the words of one suspected attacker — holding a meat cleaver and large kitchen knife in his bloody hands — were likewise jarring, and raised questions about Islamic extremism within and outside Britain. “The only reasons we killed this man … is because Muslims are dying daily,” one man said, as his victim lay mutilated in the street behind him, in video aired by CNN affiliate ITN.  http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/23/world/europe/london-attack/index.html

The Somalia-based militia group al-Shabaab has posted a series of tweets in which sympathy for the Woolwich attackers is expressed and David Cameron’s subsequent comments are criticised.

“What Cameron describes as a “sickening” attack is what innocent Muslim woman and children are subjected to every day by British troops,” the group’s Twitter account wrote.

“It is not a “betrayal” of Islam as he’d put it but rather a “portrayal” of Islam. Don’t expect Muslims to simply turn the other cheek!

“It’s a timely reminder to the repugnant lot at No.10 that Muslims are fully conscious of their heinous atrocities against Islam and Muslims.

“The British army has a woeful record of abuses against unarmed Muslims across the globe.”   http://www.itv.com/news/update/2013-05-23/al-shabaab-tweets-about-woolwich-its-inevitable/

The group is an off-shoot of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), which splintered into several smaller factions after its defeat in 2006 by the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the TFG’s Ethiopian military allies. Al-Shabaab describes itself as waging jihad against “enemies of Islam”, and is engaged in combat against the TFG and the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM)…Al-Shabaab has been designated a terrorist organization by several Western governments and security services…

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8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)

3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” 4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword. (Revelation 6:3-4)

Terrorism and attempts at it certainly qualify as troubles.

But an even worse hour of trial is coming later (Revelation 3:10; Jeremiah 30:7).

As Jesus said:

37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! (Mark 13:36-37)

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2013 or 2043? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What is the “beginning of sorrows”? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
Is Tony Blair Apocalyptic? The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom converted to Catholicism shortly after leaving his office and has been active in European affairs. What role might he play?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.
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? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
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?
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
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.

COGwriter

The fallout from the Oklahoma tornadoes has remained in the news and thunderstorms are now affecting Oklahoma:

23 May 2013

MOORE, Okla. (AP) — A band of thunderstorms battered the Oklahoma City area Thursday, slowing cleanup operations in the suburb where a tornado killed 24 people and destroyed thousands of homes this week…Authorities estimated that as many as 13,000 homes were damaged or destroyed and 33,000 people were affected — an especially traumatic toll for a city that had already suffered three other tornados since 1998.  http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Thunderstorms-slow-Oklahoma-tornado-cleanup-4541058.php

Hundreds were also injured this week.  This helped persuade me to do additional scriptural research into the subject of tornadoes (cyclones).

While the terms ‘tornado’ and ‘cyclone’ are not in the NKJV, KJV, or the DRB (Douay Rheims Bible), some translations of the Bible (like THE MESSAGE) do use them, and those that do not tend to use the term ‘whirlwind,’ which is basically what a tornado/cyclone is.

The Bible shows that whirlwinds are one of the forms of weather that God controls:

3 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,
And will not at all acquit the wicked.

The Lord has His way
In the whirlwind and in the storm,
And the clouds are the dust of His feet. (Nahum 1:3)

God teaches that because of disobedience He will scatter people and use a whirlwind:

8 Then the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying, 9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts:

‘Execute true justice,
Show mercy and compassion
Everyone to his brother.
10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless,
The alien or the poor.
Let none of you plan evil in his heart
Against his brother.’

11 But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. 12 Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the Lord of hosts. 13 Therefore it happened, that just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen,” says the Lord of hosts. 14 “But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations which they had not known. Thus the land became desolate after them, so that no one passed through or returned; for they made the pleasant land desolate.” (Zechariah 7:8-14)

21 A cyclone sweeps them up — gone!
Not a trace of them left, not even a footprint.
22 Catastrophes relentlessly pursue them;
they run this way and that, but there’s no place to hide —
23 Pummeled by the weather,
blown to kingdom come by the storm.’
(Job 27:21-23, THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson.)

12 Woe to the multitude of many people, like the multitude of the roaring sea: and the tumult of crowds, like the noise of many waters.

13 Nations shall make a noise like the noise of waters overflowing, but he shall rebuke him, and he shall flee far off: and he shall be carried away as the dust of the mountains before the wind, and as a whirlwind before a tempest.

14 In the time of the evening, behold there shall be trouble: the morning shall come, and he shall not be: this is the portion of them that have wasted us, and the lot of them that spoiled us. (Isaiah 17:12-14, DRB)

The following is telling of a time when at least some of the descendents of Ephraim (currently dominating lands such as the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) will face a major destruction from a tornado:

5 Even though Ephraim ran wild,
the black sheep of the family.

“God’s tornado is on its way,
roaring out of the desert.
It will devastate the country,
leaving a trail of ruin and wreckage.
The cities will be gutted,
dear possessions gone for good.
16 Now Samaria has to face the charges
because she has rebelled against her God:
Her people will be killed, babies smashed on the rocks,
pregnant women ripped open.
(Hosea 13:15-16, THE MESSAGE)

In the above, notice that Samaria is also affected. This seems to be a reference to the ‘melting pot’ of the USA (Samaria was a melting pot mixture of Babylonians and Israelites).

The following also seems to be directed towards the end time descendents of Israel (Israel, also known as Jacob, places his name on the two sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh in Genesis 48:14-16):

16 You shall winnow them, the wind shall carry them away,
And the whirlwind shall scatter them;
You shall rejoice in the Lord,
And glory in the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 41:16)

6 For from Israel is even this:
A workman made it, and it is not God;
But the calf of Samaria shall be broken to pieces.

7 “They sow the wind,
And reap the whirlwind.
The stalk has no bud;
It shall never produce meal.
If it should produce,
Aliens would swallow it up.
8 Israel is swallowed up;
Now they are among the Gentiles
Like a vessel in which is no pleasure.
9 For they have gone up to Assyria,
Like a wild donkey alone by itself;
Ephraim has hired lovers. (Hosea 8:6-9)

The passage in Hosea 8 is clearly referring to the descendents of Israel, including Ephraim and Samaria. Notice that they are among the Gentiles and some go to Assyria (end time Germany). There are enough references to whirlwinds and the end time descendents of Israel that it seems like one or more major tornadoes are prophesied to affect them. For more details, see Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves?

The following, presuming it is intended literally, indicates that there will be a very major tornado in the time of the end:

9 Behold, a whirlwind of the Lord has gone forth in fury —
A violent whirlwind!
It will fall violently on the head of the wicked.
20 The anger of the Lord will not turn back
Until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart.
In the latter days you will understand it perfectly. (Jeremiah 23:19-20)

23 Behold, the whirlwind of the Lord
Goes forth with fury,
A continuing whirlwind;
It will fall violently on the head of the wicked.
24 The fierce anger of the Lord will not return until He has done it,
And until He has performed the intents of His heart.

In the latter days you will consider it. (Jeremiah 30:23-24)

The fact that this is predicted at least twice in Jeremiah suggests that this will whirlwind will be a major event.

Notice, also the following:

13 God’s Message:

“Because of the three great sins of Ammon
— make that four — I’m not putting up with her any longer.
She ripped open pregnant women in Gilead
to get more land for herself.
14 For that, I’m burning down the walls of her capital, Rabbah,
burning up her forts.
Battle shouts! War whoops!
with a tornado to finish things off!
(Amos 1:13-14, THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language)

6 And it shall be at an instant suddenly. A visitation shall come from the Lord of hosts in thunder, and with earthquake, and with a great noise of whirlwind and tempest, and with the flame of devouring fire. (Isaiah 29:6, DRB)

30 And the Lord shall make the glory of his voice to be heard, and shall shew the terror of his arm, in the threatening of wrath, and the dame of devouring fire: he shall crush to pieces with whirlwind, and hailstones.

31 For at the voice of the Lord the Assyrian shall fear being struck with the rod. (Isaiah 30:30-31, DRB)

23 He brings the princes to nothing;
He makes the judges of the earth useless.

24 Scarcely shall they be planted,
Scarcely shall they be sown,
Scarcely shall their stock take root in the earth,
When He will also blow on them,
And they will wither,
And the whirlwind will take them away like stubble. (Isaiah 40:23-24)

Thus, though some of these passages may also have a figurative sense, major tornadoes are forecasted in biblical prophecy.

Now, does this mean that those most affected by tornadoes are necessarily worse sinners than those less affected?

The biblical answer is no.

Notice the words of Jesus:

45…He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:45)

4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13:4-5)

God uses weather and other events to try to get people’s attention.

God does not want people to suffer, but to turn to Him:

10 “Therefore you, O son of man, say to the house of Israel: ‘Thus you say, “If our transgressions and our sins lie upon us, and we pine away in them, how can we then live?”‘ 11 Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’ (Ezekiel 33:10-11)

God wants people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). He uses weather for correction and for His mercy (Job 37:13).

Will you heed the weather warnings?

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done?  Here is a new YouTube video titled Does God Use Weather?
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
Do Christians Sin? This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong.
Overcoming Sin What is sin? How are Christians suppose to overcome it? Here is also a link to a video titled How to Overcome Sin.
How to Prevent Sin This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong.
Just What Do You Mean Conversion? Many think that they are converted Christians. But are they? Would you like to know more about conversion. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
False Conversion Have you really been converted? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this article on this important subject.
All About Water Baptism What is baptism? Would you like to know more about it. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject. As far as early history, see also Baptism and the Early Church.
God’s Grace is For All Is being Jewish a hindrance to salvation? What about not being a descendant of Israel? What does the Bible really teach?

COGwriter

Thailand has put together a draft bill on recognizing homosexual marriage:

May 22, 2013

BANGKOK, THAILAND — As the debate on same-sex marriage continues in Western nations, including the United States, Thailand could become the first country in Asia to legalize gay marriage.  Thailand is known for its liberal acceptance of sexuality, but the draft same-sex marriage law is not without controversy…Thailand has never outlawed homosexuality and many people say the Buddhist culture promotes more acceptance of sexual differences.

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But, a survey conducted last year indicates 58 percent of the Thai public still holds traditional beliefs that same-sex marriage is not natural and sets a bad example for children.

Wirat Kalayasiri is a member of the Thai parliament and deputy director of the committee drafting the same-sex law.

He says the average age of lawmakers, older than 45, has made the promotion of the law more difficult.

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“There are groups that do not agree, elderly people who do not understand the feelings of those people.  A second group are those with strict religious beliefs such as Roman Catholic or Islam which are quite strict on this issue,” he said.  http://www.voanews.com/content/thailand-same-sex-marriage-controversy/1666220.html

The trend in many parts of the world has been to legalize homosexual marriage.

This negative trend seems consistent with the following biblical prophecies:

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

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:18-32)

The fact is that he world is moving towards a time of great tribulation and destruction. The trend towards the greater acceptance of homosexuality is accelerating the pace to cause the end to come.

Homosexuality, itself, is something that the God of the Bible does not approves of:

7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 7)

6…the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6)

God had the example of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah recorded in the Bible so that people would realize that promoting homosexuality is not appropriate and is dangerous.  Of course, Thailand has never been known to put much faith in the Bible, even though many its people realize that homosexuality is not natural and does not set a proper example.

Yet, the trend in the world is not good.  The Great Tribulation is coming and the trend towards more acceptance of homosexuality is likely to accelerate its arrival.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality? Can homosexuals change?
God Created Marriage Some falsely claim that God did not create marriage and that fornication is fine. What does the Bible really teach?
Why Marriage? Soon Obsolete? This is a booklet from Herbert Armstrong on this important topic.
Love, Marriage, and Sex It is important to get them in the right order.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
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?
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.
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? A YouTube video of interest may be Is China THE Threat to the United States of America?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2013, 2014, or 2015? 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? See also the video Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2013?

Ben Bernanke

COGwriter

U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke wants to continue current $85 billion dollar per month dollar creation “stimulus”:

May 22, 2013

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke defended the central bank’s record stimulus program under questioning from lawmakers, telling them that ending it prematurely would endanger a recovery hampered by high unemployment and government spending cuts.

“A premature tightening of monetary policy could lead interest rates to rise temporarily but would also carry a substantial risk of slowing or ending the economic recovery and causing inflation to fall further,” Bernanke said today in testimony to the Joint Economic Committee of Congress in Washington…the pace of purchases from $85 billion a month… http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-22/bernanke-says-premature-fed-tightening-would-endanger-recovery.html

What the US Federal Reserve has been doing is known as “quantitative easing.” It is form of ‘money creation’ and is sometimes called an “asset repurchasing” program. Yet, this is mainly a sham operation that debases the value of the U.S. dollar (mainly the government prints up money electronically and the “asset” purchased is a U.S. treasury note, not a real asset like, let’s say, an oil well; yes there are also some mortgages purchased which have ties to real assets, but there are problems there as well). Calling if counterfeiting is not too far off of a description of it.

Hyperinflation will ultimately hit the US dollar. Even though the Euro and other currencies have been involved, the one that has been the most affected is the US dollar.

Inflating the money supply through currency debasing (QE1, QE2, and QE3) and debt is not something advocated in the Bible. Notice:

4 Take away the dross from silver (Proverbs 25:4a).

25 I will turn My hand against you, And thoroughly purge away your dross, And take away all your alloy. (Isaiah 1:25)

22 Your silver has become dross, Your wine mixed with water. (Isaiah 1:22)

Dross is a cheaper metal that is normally placed inside a covering of a precious metal like silver. Governments began to do this thousands of years ago when they had financial problems. Putting dross into silver cheapens currency, just like putting water into wine dilutes the wine’s value. In modern times, government spending in excess of revenues and quantitative easing programs (QE1, QE2, and QE3, from the Fed Chairman) are a way to dilute the value of currencies. This is not the biblical solution to US economic problems.

Quantitative easing programs are a form of “dishonest profits” that the U.S.A. is improperly reaping because of its position in the world, but that is not good:

13 “Behold, therefore, I beat My fists at the dishonest profit which you have made, and at the bloodshed which has been in your midst. 14 Can your heart endure, or can your hands remain strong, in the days when I shall deal with you? I, the Lord, have spoken, and will do it. 15 I will scatter you among the nations, disperse you throughout the countries, and remove your filthiness completely from you. 16 You shall defile yourself in the sight of the nations; then you shall know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 22:13-16)

This statement by the Federal Reserve Chairman is sending a strong signal to the world that the USA does not know how to truly fix its economy, but that it hopes because its dollar is the primary world’s reserve currency that it can get away with currency debasement and the rest of the world will put up with it–and while that may be true in the short run, it is sending a signal to the rest of the world that the US dollar needs to be replaced as the world’s primary reserve currency. Now, the real cause of why all of this is happening to the USA is sin. Because of it’s increasing secularism, greed, and tolerance for sexual, abortive, and other sins, the USA is getting closer to reaping more what it has sown:

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (Galatians 6:7-8)

One of the many cursings that were prophesied in the Bible to be reaped for disobedience was that of accumulation of debt:

43 The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. 44 He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail. 45 Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you (Deuteronomy 28:42-45).

As the Anglo-American nations have not kept God’s commandments, they have become the greatest debtor nations of all time. And while some do not count quantitative easing as “debt,” it is an improper “solution” to the USA’s economic woes.

Since legalizing abortion, the USA has gone from creditor nation to the largest debtor nation of all time.

However, since Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will not advocate that the USA turn to God, he seems to think that diluting the currency is the best choice. The signal that continuing quantitative easing is sending is that the USA does not intend to truly fix it problems, but is a sign of major underlying weakness.

The Federal Reserve officials and others may wish to consider studying the following prophetically-oriented writings:

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?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality?  Can homosexuals change?
CG7 on Pornography This is an article excerpt from the Church of God, 7th Day-Denver about the pre valance of pornography.
British and American Moral Decay Public nudity is becoming more prevalent in the Anglo-lands. What are some of the consequences?
Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? Has the Roman Catholic Church allowed abortions? What about the real Church of God? Some may also, or instead, wish to view the YouTube video Abortion, the Bible, and US Debt.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

John Kerry, Official Portrait

COGwriter

The ‘Friends of Syria’ is meeting today.  Leaders from the USA and UK are there:

May 22, 2013

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is to meet in Jordan Wednesday with top diplomats from 10 other nations as part of a U.S.-Russian push to end Syria’s civil war.

Kerry will address the Friends of Syria, a group of countries that back the Syrian opposition, as he tries to build consensus for a proposed international peace conference…

A senior U.S. official told reporters the talks will include many of the same foreign ministers who met in Istanbul last month to voice support for the opposition and Assad’s departure…

The issue of Iran’s involvement in the proposed meeting has divided the United States and Russia.  Moscow says Iran should take part, while the United States has in the past objected to Iranian involvement.

However, U.S. officials say no delegations have yet been ruled in or out of the conference.  France said last week it does not want Iran there.  http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-to-address-syrian-opposition-supporters/1665811.html

In Friends of Syria meeting in Amman, UK’s foreign secretary Hague says Iran and its militant Shi’ite Lebanese ally Hezbollah are “propping up” Assad…

“It is very clear that Syrian regime is receiving a great deal of support, increasing support in recent months from outside Syria from Hezbollah and Iran. This is a regime that is increasingly dependent on external support,” Hague said in a news conference with his Jordanian counterpart Nasser Judeh…

His comments echo those of an EU diplomatic source late on Tuesday.

“Since November the regime has been able to go on the offensive not because it is stronger, but because those backing it – Iran, Russia, Hezbollah – are directly helping it either through weapons, planning of operations or financial assistance,” the source attending the meeting in Amman said.  http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Britain-Iran-Hezbollah-increasing-support-for-Assad-313973

Who are the ‘Friends of Syria’?

The Friends of Syria is an international diplomatic collective of countries and bodies convening periodically on the topic of Syria outside the U.N. Security Council… American president Barack Obama has stated that it was organized by the United States. (Wikipedia, viewed 05/22/13)

It has dozens of countries as members, and held its first meeting in February 2012.

It does not include Syria, Russia, China, or Iran as members.

Representing Syria in the ‘Friends of Syria’ is a group called the Syrian National Council, which is a major opposition group to Syria’s President Assad.   The Syrian National Council is mainly a Sunni Muslim group, and many of its leaders have ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.

While most people in Syria are Sunni Muslim, its President Assad is Shiite Muslim.  Iran and a significant part of Hezbollah are Shiite Muslims.  Hezbollah is believed to get a significant amount of its arms and funding from Iran.

It is interesting to note that the British Foreign Secretary realizes how dependent the Assad regime now is on external support.  I have been writing for a long time that the time may well come when Syria’s Assad will have no choice but to support Iran militarily.  This could happen if Iran or Israel attack one another.

It is also interesting to note that the USA has fairly consistently supported groups with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood since the Arab Spring began a couple of years or so ago.  The Obama Administration has taken many steps to support the rise of an Islamic power in the Middle East and North Africa.

This is of prophetic interest, because until the Arab Spring the Muslim Brotherhood was illegal in places like Egypt, and now Egypt’s President came from the Muslim Brotherhood.

Why is that of prophetic interest?

Because the Muslim Brotherhood apparently wants as its top priority a pan-national Islamic caliphate ruled by an Imam. This is basically an Islamic confederation or empire.  The Muslim Brotherhood wants all the Arab states and other lands as well.

Though some may dismiss that goal of the Muslim Brotherhood as wishful thinking, this idea of an Arabic confederation is consistent with biblical prophecies.

Notice that the Bible talks of a coming confederation of nations that are composed of peoples from North Africa and the Middle East, and it calls the leader the King of the South:

40 “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. (Daniel 11:40-44, NKJV)

2 ‘Son of man, prophesy, and thou hast said: Thus said the Lord Jehovah: Howl ye, ha! for the day!

3 For near [is] a day, near [is] a day to Jehovah! A day of clouds, the time of nations it is.

4 And come in hath a sword to Egypt, And there hath been great pain in Cush, In the falling of the wounded in Egypt, And they have taken its store, And broken down have been its foundations.

5 Cush, and Phut, and Lud, and all the mixture, and Chub, And the sons of the land of the covenant with them by sword do fall,

6 Thus said Jehovah: And — fallen have supporters of Egypt, And come down hath the arrogance of her strength, From Migdol to Syene, by sword they fall in her, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah.

7 And they have been desolated in the midst of desolate lands, And its cities are in the midst of wasted cities.

8 And they have known that I [am] Jehovah, In My giving fire against Egypt, And broken have been all her helpers.

9 In that day go forth do messengers from before Me in ships, To trouble confident Cush, And there hath been great pain among them, As the day of Egypt, for lo, it hath come. (Ezekiel 30:2-9, Young’s Literal Translation)

Notice that Egypt is mentioned by name in both Daniel 11 and Ezekiel 30, it will be prominent in the coming confederation. Since Syria is located in the Middle East, the above prophecies appear to be referring to a confederation of mainly Arabic nations that will include Syria. Hence, despite some issues, Syria will end up with some type of Islamic confederation–but one that will not be good for it or its people.  And Syria’s capital Damascus, at some point in time, will be destroyed (Isaiah 17:1).

My reading of the scriptures do not suggest that Iran will lead such a confederation, hence this is one reason why I do not believe that Iran and Syria will ‘win’ in the Middle East.  Nor will Hezbollah (though the possibility of having opposition, of various types, to the King of the South does exist, hence groups like Hezbollah may still have further roles in the geopolitics of the region).

A coming confederation of Islamic lands is something that the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood is hoping to bring to pass. And, despite some military advances and support from Shiite sources, a regular review of the news shows that it is the Muslim Brotherhood that is making progress towards its confederation goal.  A goal that will, temporarily, be achieved according to Bible prophecy.

Some links of related interest may include:

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.
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? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
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?
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future What does the Bible say about Jerusalem and its future? Is Jerusalem going to be divided and eliminated? Is Jesus returning to the area of Jerusalem? There is also a related YouTube video you can watch titled Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated.
Barack Obama in Islamic Prophecy? There is actually a 17th century Shiite prophecy that some believe that Barack Obama will fulfill that will lead to a rising up of Islam.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

COGwriter

An article I wrote, titled Read the Bible has been translated into Mandarin Chinese.  In Mandarin it begins with:

当身体饥饿和受撒旦的试探，耶稣引用申命记的书，

“人活着，不是单靠食物，乃是靠神口里所出的一切话。”（马太福音4:4）。

他回答撒旦的其他问题也引用圣经上的话（马太福音4:7,10），而不是根据人的推理（或是相矛盾的人间遗传）。

为什么要给我们圣经？

“圣经都是神所默示的（或作：凡神所默示的圣经），於教训、督责、使人归正、教导人学义都是有益的，叫属神的人得以完全，预备行各样的善事。”（提摩太后书3:16-17 ）。

因此，圣经本身就是这些道理的来源使得神的信奉者完善自身并且做神想要他们做的事情。

读圣经是必要的，因为：

“因为时候要到，人必厌烦纯正的道理，耳朵发痒，就随从自己的情欲，增添好些师傅，并且掩耳不听真道，偏向荒渺的言语。”（提摩太后书4:3-4）。

It is fantastic that those associated with the Continuing Church of God are making more and more COG literature available in more languages.

In English, the article begins with:

When physically hungry and tempted by Satan, Jesus quoted the book of Deuteronomy,

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

His other responses to Satan also relied on an application and quoting of scripture (Matthew 4:7,10) instead of human reasoning (or conflicting traditions of men).

Why were the Holy Scriptures given to us?

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17).

Thus the Bible itself states that it is the source of doctrine so that God’s followers can be complete and do what God wants.

It is necessary to read the Bible, because,

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires they have itching ears, they will heap up to themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth and, and be turned aside to fables” (II Timothy 4:3-4).

All should read and study the Bible.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Read the Bible Christians should read and study the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading. Here is a link in Mandarin Chinese: 读圣经

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? A YouTube video of interest may be Is China THE Threat to the United States of America?

The Dramatic Story of Chinese Sabbathkeepers This reformatted Good News article from 1955 discusses Sabbath-keeping in China in the 1800s.

COGwriter

Some believe that Pope Francis performed a quick exorcism in public, and days earlier he called for a new financial system:

 VATICAN CITY May 21, 2013 (AP)

Is Pope Francis an exorcist?

The question has been swirling ever since Francis laid his hands Sunday on the head of a young man after celebrating Mass in St. Peter’s Square. The young man heaved deeply a half-dozen times, convulsed and shook, and then slumped in his wheelchair as Francis prayed over him. The television station of the Italian bishops’ conference said it had surveyed exorcists, who agreed that Francis either performed an exorcism or a prayer to free the man from the devil.

The Vatican was more cautious Tuesday, saying Francis “didn’t intend to perform any exorcism. But as he often does for the sick or suffering, he simply intended to pray for someone.”

Fueling the speculation is Francis’ obsession with the devil, a frequent subject of his homilies.  http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/pope-devil-francis-exorcist-19223208#.UZt54Zxkl1Y

Pope Francis has blasted economists, financiers and politicians for a lack of ethics, rooted in a rejection of God, which has led to dire circumstances for the majority of mankind.

In a speech, given to a group of new ambassadors to the Holy See on Thursday, the pontiff exhorted world leaders to look to God in order to design an ethical financial system that benefits everyone.

“While the income of a minority is increasing exponentially, that of the majority is crumbling,” said the Pope…Pope Francis said the economic imbalance is due to ideologies which uphold the absolute autonomy of markets and financial speculation and take control away from States, which he said are charged with providing for the common good…

Pope Francis encouraged politicians in particular to change their attitude and take the lead in economic reform.  http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/pope-francis-rebukes-finance-leaders-for-rejection-of-god-ethics-22203

COGwriter

Tornadoes and violent storms are again in the news, but the numbers of confirmed deaths from yesterday’s storm have been reduced (see second headline, which came out within an hour of the first one):

20 children among 51 victims in Okla.; toll could hit 90

May 21, 2013

MOORE, Okla. — The grim work of search, rescue and recovery spun into a second day Tuesday in central Oklahoma after a massive and murderous tornado blasted through the area, killing at least 51 people, flattening neighborhoods and destroying two elementary schools.

Amy Elliott of the state medical examiner’s office said the death toll could rise by as many as 40 as rescue workers pick through rubble from Monday’s monster, which cut a path more than a mile wide through this Oklahoma City suburb of 41,000 people. The National Weather Service said the tornado spent 40 minutes on the ground, a 20-mile swath of death with winds approaching 200 mph.  http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2013/05/21/oklahoma-tornadoes/2344923/

Oklahoma tornado: Authorities lower death toll to 24; number of injured hits 240

Coroner’s office has ‘good news’: Death toll lowered to 24 because of double counting, rescuers frantically search rubble

Rescuers searched frantically for survivors Tuesday as the death toll from the massive tornado that leveled suburban Oklahoma City was dropped to 24.

The sharp decline from the original fatality list of 51 names was likely caused by double counting of victims, authorities said…The number of injured was placed at 240, with 60 of them being children. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/terrifying-footage-shows-twisters-tearing-america-heartland-video-article-1.1349229#ixzz2Tw7g6nEd

More severe weather expected after monster tornado

May 21, 2013

More severe weather is in the forecast for parts of the central United States already reeling from powerful tornadoes this week.

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., says golf ball-sized hail, powerful winds and isolated, strong tornadoes could strike areas of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma on Tuesday. The area at risk does not include Moore, Okla., where dozens of people were killed in a monstrous tornado Monday.

Severe weather warnings extend through most of the central United States, with conditions ripe for large storms from Michigan to Texas, reports meteorologist Larry Mowry with CBS affiliate KTVT in Dallas.

Forecasters say the greatest risk for severe weather Tuesday includes the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The National Weather Service is predicting flash flooding in parts of Arkansas and Louisiana as the storm system dumps several inches of rain in a short time frame Tuesday afternoon.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57585431/more-severe-weather-expected-after-monster-tornado/

Irrespective of the actual number killed, my prayers go out to those affected.

This is what a tornado can do to a house:

Tornadoes can be very destructive.

While humans often seem to think otherwise, God is in charge and controls the weather. Notice the following:

17 He casts out His hail like morsels;
Who can stand before His cold?
18 He sends out His word and melts them;
He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow. (Psalms 147:17-18)

Fire and hail, snow and clouds; stormy wind, fulfilling His word” (Psalm 148:8 , RAV).

17 I struck you with blight and mildew and hail in all the labors of your hands; yet you did not turn to Me,’ says the Lord. (Haggai 2:17)

3 He sends it forth under the whole heaven, His lightning to the ends of the earth. 4 After it a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard. 5 God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. 6 For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength. 7 He seals the hand of every man, That all men may know His work. 8 The beasts go into dens, And remain in their lairs. 9 From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind, And cold from the scattering winds of the north. 10 By the breath of God ice is given, And the broad waters are frozen. 11 Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds; He scatters His bright clouds. 12 And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance, That they may do whatever He commands them On the face of the whole earth. 13 He causes it to come, Whether for correction, Or for His land, Or for mercy. (Job 37:3-13)

And while tornadoes are common in the US Mid-West this time of year, weather-problems are one way that God uses to try to get peoples’ attention to repent (cf. Haggai 2:17).  It seems that the severity of destruction from tornadoes has increased in the past few years.

Jesus taught:

7…And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:7-8).

8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)

Surely, many who have experienced weather-related problems this year consider them to be consistent with troubles and sorrows, that Jesus predicted.

Back in 2009, my book, 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, I wrote that the following was about to happen:

Odd weather patterns result in food shortages and natural disasters.

Matthew 24:7

The world is actually in a berserk transition, as the real age of peace is not yet here. It may be a period of chaos. It is the beginning of sorrows.

Matthew 24:8

Severe and odd weather problems should serve as a wake-up call. It was also reported that 2012′s “huge drought was a freak of nature that wasn’t caused by man-made global warming, a new federal science study finds” (Heat, drought, and flooding).

And when you see headlines such as 2012: The year of extreme weather and LA Times: 2012 hottest year on record, you know this is happening.

But the points of many of the weather-related problems is to get people to change before worse disasters befall them.

We seem to be in the time that Jesus referred to as the beginning of sorrows, a time just before the Great Tribulation. A time that will be worse than any on this planet.

God wants people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). He uses weather for correction and for His mercy (Job 37:13).

Will you heed the weather warnings?

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done?
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
Do Christians Sin? This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong.
Overcoming Sin What is sin? How are Christians suppose to overcome it? Here is also a link to a video titled How to Overcome Sin.
How to Prevent Sin This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong.
Just What Do You Mean Conversion? Many think that they are converted Christians. But are they? Would you like to know more about conversion. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
False Conversion Have you really been converted? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this article on this important subject.
All About Water Baptism What is baptism? Would you like to know more about it. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject. As far as early history, see also Baptism and the Early Church.
God’s Grace is For All Is being Jewish a hindrance to salvation? What about not being a descendant of Israel? What does the Bible really teach?

COGwriter

The USA announced that religious freedom reduced in 2012:

May 20, 2013

The United States said the right to global religious freedom was challenged last year, with governments often creating a “climate of intolerance” leading to hatred and violence.In an annual report, the State Department said Monday government officials worldwide are often allowed to act with impunity while violating the religious rights of their countrymen. It said there often is uneven enforcement of religious freedom laws and introduction of new restrictions.

Secretary of State John Kerry said religious freedom is “the birthright of every human being,” but is often restricted.

The chief U.S. diplomat said religious freedom throughout the world is a national security concern for the U.S.

“When countries undermine or attack religious freedom, they not only unjustly threaten those who they target, they also threaten their countries’ own stability.
And we see that in so many places,” said Kerry. “Attacks on religious freedom are therefore both a moral and a strategic national security concern for the United States.”

He said the State Department found a “troubling” increase in anti-Semitism and named a new aide to monitor the problem. The report cited abuses in several countries, particularly in Venezuela, Egypt and Iran.

Kerry said there is a growing number of blasphemy and apostasy laws that often violate religious freedoms and are applied in a discriminatory manner. The report singled out Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Iran and Eritrea for its pursuit of cases against individuals accusing them of blasphemy.

The report called Christians “a leading target of societal discrimination and abuse” in some parts of the world. But it also said Muslims, especially minority branches of Islam, also suffered, especially if they were considered by the majority to be “heretical or foreign.”

The U.S. law on religious freedom calls for naming other countries it considers to be committing “particularly severe violations of religious freedom.” Under the law, the State Department two years ago named eight nations as “countries of particular concern” – Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Uzbekistan.

The report said the respect for religious freedom declined in China and Iran in 2012 and stayed the same in the other six countries.  http://www.voanews.com/content/us-sees-climate-of-intolerance-on-global-religious-freedom/1664681.html

I would add that in the USA, religious freedom deteriorated last year in many areas. The USA needs to look into a mirror on this and not just point the finger at other nations.

In 2012, for example, the Obama Administration took steps to attempt to requiring some people to violate their religious beliefs related to funding abortion and/or birth control (see Cardinal: White House is Strangling the Catholic Church).  President Obama has also been hinting that part of the purpose of the “Affordable Care Act (AKA Obamacare) is to make abortion access better–and this is not what was originally promised to some who were persuaded to support that Act.

Furthermore, with more and more legalization of homosexual marriages, more people will be required to provide “benefits” that they would not wish to pay for because of moral reasons.

Also, we are starting to see an increased intolerance of various forms of Christianity, not just in the Islamic world, but in places such as the USA and parts of Europe.

And, according to the Bible, the time will come that all will either worship the Beast power, be persecuted/flee/hide, or be protected by God (Daniel 7:25; Revelation 12:14-17; 13; 14).

But before then, 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 the internet was down and/or internet content related to the truth of God was no longer permitted.  Governments are taking steps, including “hate speech” rules, which could bring that about.

In my article on the King of the North, I have the following quote from the late Herbert W. Armstrong:

And the abomination that maketh desolate set up.” What is this abomination? This refers to Daniel 11:31 and Matthew 24:15…From this time (Daniel 12:11) to Christ’s coming will be 1290 days. Now, verse 12, “Blessed is he that waiteth, and comes to the 1335 days.” Never before have we understood these periods of 1260, 1290. and 1335 days. But it seems evident, now, a blessing is pronounced on us–GOD”S CHURCH–who wait and endure until the 1335 days–approximately 1335 days prior to Christ’s coming. But since no one can know the day or hour of His coming, we probably shall not be able to know the exact day this 1335 days begins. But apparently that is the time when OUR WORK SHALL END. That will be a time when the UNITED Europe shall appear–the revival of the medieval “Holy Roman Empire.” (Armstrong HW. Personal. Good News magazine January 1980).

As the above shows, Herbert W. Armstrong clearly wrote that there would be a future fulfillment of Daniel 11:31 and other verses in Daniel. And as the above shows, he taught that something would stop the work forty-five days prior to Daniel 11:31.

Most likely this occurs because the people of the holy covenant are proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 24:14, as that immediately precedes “the end”) and teaching that the King of the North is fulfilling prophecies in Daniel 11.  It is my belief that after the peace deal in Daniel 9:27 has been made and/or confirmed by “the prince to come,” that the group that best represents the “sect of the Nazarenes” (the remnant of the Philadelphia era of the church per Revelation 3:7–11) in the 21st century (currently best represented by the Continuing Church of God) will begin to publicly identify the person who confirmed the deal (“the prince”) as the one who fulfilled Daniel 9:27.  This apparently enrages the King of the North so much that he initially tries to eliminate these people through political pressure and selected persecution.

Less religious freedom is coming.  But, the work of God, including the final phase of the work, will be done.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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.
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?
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.
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.
Why Bob Thiel Left the Living Church of God Several have speculated reasons, but here is the truth.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.