Church of God News

COGwriter

Israel’s Prime Minister is telling the world that Iran is a threat and it should not deceive itself about Iran:

Netanyahu blasts world’s ‘self-deception’ on Iran as intercepted weapons unveiled

March 10, 2014

EILAT, Israel –  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blasted the international community’s “self-deception” regarding Iran as defense officials unveiled an arsenal of weapons the Islamic Republic is accused of trying to smuggle into Gaza.  http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/03/10/israel-says-confiscated-gaza-bound-rockets-had-100-mile-range/

March 10, 2014

JERUSALEM — Israel has displayed weapons from an intercepted ship it says were being sent from Iran to militants in the Gaza Strip — a charge denied by Tehran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu displayed the arms at a news conference Monday in the Red Sea port of Eilat. Flanked by senior defense officials, Netanyahu accused the world of standing by while the Iranian government arms Gaza militants who threaten millions of Israelis.

“There are those who would prefer that we not hold this news conference here today,” he said. “They feel uncomfortable that we show what is really happening inside Iran. They prefer that we continue to nurture the illusion that Iran has changed direction. They are not prepared to recognize that Iran, a brutal regime, has not abandoned its deep involvement in terrorism, its systematic efforts to undermine peace and security throughout the Middle East and its ambition to destroy Israel.”

But, he said, the facts we are showing on this platform prove the exact opposite.

Israel announced the weapons discovery last week after boarding a Panamanian-flagged ship in the Red Sea. The government distributed videos of its soldiers unloading the weapons from containers from the ship. It said the arms were hidden under sacks of cement that originated in Iran.

The Israeli government said it seized 40 M-302 rockets, 181 large mortar shells and 400,000 rounds of Kalashnikov bullets.  It said the rockets have a range up to 160 kilometers, which mean they could reach most urban centers in Israel.

Israel said the arms were made in Syria and flown to Iran where they were loaded onto the ship headed for Port Sudan.  They were then to be transported overland via Egypt and smuggled into Gaza.

The governments of Iran and Sudan have denied the charge.  An official of the Hamas group that controls Gaza, Taher al-Nono, called it a big lie.

He said this is a silly claim and futile fabrication aimed at justifying the blockade of the Gaza Strip.  In reality, he said, Gaza is blockaded and they are talking about a ship that was found in the Red Sea thousands of kilometers away.

Israel has maintained a naval and land blockade against Gaza since Hamas seized power seven years ago.  Gaza residents have used smuggling tunnels from Egypt’s Sinai desert to bring in food, construction supplies as well as arms.

Egypt’s military-backed government has destroyed many tunnels since it seized power eight months ago but some reportedly continue to operate.

Iran and six world powers have negotiated a temporary agreement aimed at ending Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons program in exchange for an easing of sanctions against it. Israel has sharply criticized the negotiations, saying Iran has no intention of abandoning its program. http://www.voanews.com/content/israel-displays-arms-it-says-were-destined-for-gaza/1868202.html

March 10, 2014

Since the operation, which took place during Netanyahu’s visit to the United States, Israel has waged an extensive campaign to present Iran’s “true face” — reinforcing the point that Israeli officials have been making for months as Western powers have negotiated with Iran over its nuclear program.

But, said Netanyahu, the world wasn’t interested.

Not only have international condemnations of the arms shipment been “few and feeble,” Netanyahu said, but at the same time “handshakes and smiles” were seen in Tehran as European policy chief Catherine Ashton met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Netanyahu accused the international community of “hypocrisy against Israel,” keeping largely silent following the exposure of the arms ship but readily issuing “blunt and sharp” denunciations of Israel.

“Not only is this hypocrisy morally wrong, it is also dangerous,” Netanyahu said, making the point that this time Iran’s illicit cargo was rockets threatening Israel, but next time it could be nuclear weapons targeting the world. He urged the world to wake up “before it’s too late.” http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-netanyahu-iran-rockets-20140310,0,166843.story#ixzz2vay7qa00

Much of the world has been hypocritical in its treatment of Israel, and often more so towards it than many other nations.  But Israel also has its own problems.

That being said, Israel’s Prime Minister believes that Iran is a threat.  He believes Iran absolutely is developing nuclear weapons and that it wants to use them against Israel. Iran, itself, has repeatedly stated that it wants to eliminate the nation of Israel. Iran has also made it clear that it wants to rule the Arab peoples and all Islam.  Iran has also been one of many nations knowingly persecuting people that profess Christ.  It has military ambitions and wants to rule all of the Middle East and Islamic world.

Despite its ambitions, Iran will not succeed in eliminating Israel or ruling over all the Arabs.  Yet, Iran is a threat that should be taken seriously.

As regular readers of the COGwriter news page are aware, I have been warning for some time that a regional war involving Iran, Israel, the USA, and/or Syria seems likely. And Israel and Iran keep taking steps which may help it get ready for such a war (Isaiah 22:6-13).

Since Iran, however, is NOT really south of Jerusalem–it is pretty much straight east–it will not be the final King of the South of Bible prophecy (cf. Daniel 11:40-43; though it may support such a king per certain interpretations of the peoples listed in Ezekiel 30:1-9). Because of that, I have tended to believe that Iran may somehow get “neutralized” before this final king rises up. A serious attack by the USA and/or Israel may neutralize Iran and much of its influence. It also may take a regional war for the seven-year confirmation of the deal in Daniel 9:27 to come about. It is also possible that sanctions and other factors could lead to enough civil unrest in Iran to derail it; we will wait and see.

My reading and re-reading of Bible prophecy simply does not show that Iran will be a major player in Daniel 11:21-44 nor the deal of Psalm 83:4-8 (Arabs, Turks, and Europeans are).

“Neutralizing” Iran would allow most of the other Islamic states (like Saudi Arabia and Egypt) to continue to exist (Syria might not do well per Isaiah 17:1) and allow for the rising of the prophesied King of the South to rise up (revolution in Iran, is also another possibility, for its “neutralization”).

Leaders in the USA and Israel have sometimes suggested that they may intervene and attack Iran. But if the USA and/or Israel do hit Iran, Iran would likely not fare well.  However, that does not mean that Israel and/or the USA would not suffer. Israel seems prophesied to possibly be hit by Iran per Isaiah 22:6-13. Benjamin Netanyahu’s various public statements against Iran may increase the desire of some in the Iranian leadership to do so.

Israel’s Prime Minister has made many statements that suggests that when he feels he needs to, he does, some day, intend to attack Iran over the nuclear matter. This is a matter those of us who follow prophecy should watch.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Iran in Prophecy Is Iran in Bible prophecy? If so, what does the Bible teach? What names, other than Persia, may be used to describe Iran? There is also a YouTube video titled Iran in Prophecy. Here is a related video Iran In Prophecy.
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world, discusses Turkey and Iran, and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?
Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated Many want Jerusalem. Who does the Bible teach will control Jerusalem? Will the Jews be forced out of Jerusalem and many made captive? What did Jesus teach about this? Are nations even now considering providing the prophesied armies to surround Jerusalem? What is Jerusalem Day? What is Nakba Day? What events should Christians watch in Jerusalem as signs that the Great Tribulation will begin? What is the solution to Jerusalem? This is a video.
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.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (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-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
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?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2014, 2015, or 2016? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2013 o 2014? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language video The Great Tribulation Will Not Begin Before 2017.
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.

Ukraine with Crimea in Red

COGwriter

Here is information from a BBC article titled Why Crimea is so dangerous:

The peninsula of Crimea in southern Ukraine is at the centre of what is being seen as the biggest crisis between Russia and the West since the Cold War…

Could the Crimean crisis spark a war?

Vladimir Putin has obtained parliamentary approval for troop deployments not just in Crimea, but Ukraine as a whole. Moscow, which regards the new authorities in Kiev as fascists, could send troops to “protect” ethnic Russians in eastern Ukraine.

That would enrage nationalists in western Ukraine, who hold positions in the new government. There could also be international repercussions. Western powers have strongly condemned the Crimea takeover. Nato is unlikely to react militarily, but is beefing up air force cover in the Baltic republics, warning of increased Russian military activity in the enclave of Kaliningrad.

The US and EU are considering sanctions, but President Putin may believe that they will not last – as was the case during the Georgian war.  http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26367786

Notice also the following:

March 10, 2014

British Prime Minister David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel agree that the March 16 referendum in Crimea may violate international law and Russia will likely face “consequences” if it recognizes the vote, a British government spokesman said Monday…

“They agreed that the priority is to reduce tensions and for Russia to participate in a contact group as soon as possible,” the British government spokesman said.  http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2014/03/10/cameron-and-merkel-crimea-referendum-may-violate-international-law/

March 10, 2014

Some militant Tartars may be prepared to fight Russia over potential annexation of Crimea, warn local leaders

A senior Crimean Tartar leader has warned that Russia risks provoking jihadi attacks if it annexes Crimea.

In an interview with the Financial Times on Sunday, Mustafa Jemilev, a member of the Ukrainian parliament, said a number of militant Tartars had approached him to say they would fight the Russians. “We can’t stop people who want to die with honor,” said Jemilev, who reportedly made clear that he himself did not endorse a jihadi campaign.

A referendum on whether Crimea should become part of Russia is set to take place in March, triggered by Russia’s occupation of the peninsula earlier this month. Crimean Tartars, a Muslim minority group who make up roughly 12 per cent of the region’s population, are largely in favour of remaining part of Ukraine.  http://time.com/18076/russia-warned-it-could-face-jihadi-attacks-over-crimea/

Since Russia is NOT the prophesied ‘king of the North,’ even if it is hit by certain Jihadists, this will not be the final war between the king of the north and king of the south of Daniel 11:40-43–Russia does not get involved until Daniel 11:44, and then it is because it will help lead an invasion against the final Babylonian European Beast, King of the North power per Jeremiah 51:11-32.  Many of the Europeans are very concerned about what Russia is doing, but most also do not want to damage their economy if they can avoid it.

As far as war goes, some seem to be concerned that the situation in Crimea could be the start of World War III (WWIII).  I posted an article nearly four years ago (see A Russian and Some “Experts” Predict WWIII in 2014, But…), that had the following in it:

Certain “experts” apparently believe that WWIII will start in 2014 and at least one Russian believes that the preliminaries have began:

Russian Geopolitical Analyst: “World War III Has Already Begun”

NJP – March 28, 2010  By Gilbert Mercier

…The man expressing the idea is Konstantin Sivkov, he is Russian and the Vice President of the Academy for Geopolitical Issues. Sivkov thinks that “World War III will start 100 years after WWI (2014) and will take lives of hundreds of millions people worldwide”. http://newsjunkiepost.com/2010/03/28/russian-geopolitical-analyst-world-war-iii-has-already-begun/

World War III Has Already Begun

Pravda, Russia – March 25, 2010

Some experts believe that World War III will start 100 years after the first one and will take lives of hundreds of millions of people. Some scientists think that the war is already going on, nearing the completion of its first stage.  http://english.pravda.ru/world/americas/25-03-2010/112718-world_war_three-0

If WWIII is defined as a “hot war” that Russia is also engaged in, then 2014 is too early for that to occur…when the Great Tribulation begins, it will be “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7) and will not directly involve a “hot world war” with Russia.

Russia and her allies are prophesied to be at war around the time of Armageddon, but the earliest that could be would be 2017 (one needs to add almost 1290 days to the 3 1/2 years), with 2018 or so perhaps more likely.  Thus, the Russian prediction of a WWIII involving Russia and hundreds of millions dying in 2014 is premature.

The end will come, but not quite that soon–but it could possibly come that early for the USA and its Anglo-allies.  The “experts” that “believe that World War III will start 100 years after the first one ” are in error–if they are referring to a Russian war.  All need to compare their predictions with the Bible.

The above article has become relatively popular this month as people are searching terms like WWIII and Russia.

WWI is believed to have began on 28 July 1914.  But WWIII will NOT begin in 2014.  Nor can the Great Tribulation begin for several years from now.

That being said, the situation in Ukraine and Crimea remains tense and difficult. The Bible shows that war is in the prophesied future for some or all of Ukraine/Crimea (watch the new video Ukraine in Prophecy?).

As I have written before, those in Ukraine need our prayers and the kingdom of God.  But WWIII will not begin in 2014.  Yet, because of Russian actions, 2014 may well prove to be the year that the Europeans decide to get more serious about developing a credible military deterrent to Russia, and also the USA.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Russia and Ukraine: Origins and Prophesied Future 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? You can also watch the new video Ukraine in Prophecy?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? A booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom.
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? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
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? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2021 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2014, 2015, or 2016? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2013 o 2014? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language video The Great Tribulation Will Not Begin Before 2017.
Blood Moons and Prophecy There are four ‘blood moons’ expected in 2014 and 2015. Do they signal the Day of the Lord or the return of Jesus Christ? A related YouTube video is also available: Blood Moons, Prophecy, 2014, and 2015.
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

Where does the Bible actually begin?

In terms of time order, it would John 1:1, and not Genesis 1:1 as many assume.

Here is an explanation from the late Herbert W. Armstrong:

If one should ask, where do you find the actual beginning of events in the Bible, most who possess even a slight knowledge of the world’s “best seller” would say, “Why in Genesis chapter one verse one, of course.” WRONG!

The real beginning, in order of time sequence, is found in the New Testament, in the first chapter of John, verse one. The events portrayed in Genesis occurred later – possibly even millions of years later. But the event recorded in John 1:1 reveals an existence perhaps long prior to the time God created the earth and the material universe. Note it: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” It continues, “The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.” The term “all things” is translated in Hebrews 1:3, in the Moffatt translation, as “the UNIVERSE.” The entire UNIVERSE was made by Him!

The fourteenth verse of John 1 says: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” The Personage called the Word was the one who ultimately-yet more than 1900 years ago-was born Jesus Christ. The name, “the Word,” is translated from the original Greek text, and means, literally, just what is translated into English -”Spokesman.” But He was not the Son of God “in the beginning.” Yet the Scriptures reveal that He has always existed, and always will – “from eternity to eternity.” He was “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life . . .” (Heb. 7:3).

So think on this, if you will! Originally there existed only these two Spirit Personages, self-existent. They had creative powers – they had perfect supreme minds – they possessed perfect, holy and righteous CHARACTER.

But THERE WAS NONE ELSE – NOTHING ELSE! There was no matter – no material universe – YET! No other living being or thing. Only these two, equal in mind and powers, except that God was supreme in authority, and the Word in perfect harmony under that authority. They were of one mind, in absolute agreement.

But ALL THINGS – the universe and everything existing in it – was made by the Personage called the Word. Yet, as we read in Ephesians 3:9: “God. . . created ALL THINGS by Jesus Christ.” And prior to becoming Jesus Christ, He was “the Word!” Also, in His human life Jesus said He spoke only as the Father directed. Yes. THINK!

In the eternity even prior to “prehistory” there were these two Supreme Beings. Alone! In the emptiness of space! No other life forms – no other living beings! Nothing else!…

The Perfect Creation

The original Hebrew words (the words originally written by Moses) imply a perfect creation. God reveals Himself as Creator of perfection, light, and beauty. Every reference in the Bible describes the condition of any completed phase of God’s creation as “very good” – perfect. This first verse of the Bible actually speaks of the original PHYSICAL creation in its entirety – the universe – including the earth, perhaps millions of years ago – as a perfect creation, beautiful and perfect as far as its creation was a finished, completed work. God is a perfectionist!In Job 38:4,7, God is speaking specifically of the creation of this earth. He said all the angels (created “sons of God”) shouted for joy at the creation of the earth. This reveals that angels were created before the creation of the earth – and probably before the material universe.

The suns, planets, and astral bodies are material substance. Angels are individually created Spirit beings, composed solely of Spirit. It will come as a surprise to many to learn that angels inhabited this earth BEFORE the creation of man. This passage from Job implies it.

Angels on Earth Sinned

Other passages place angels on earth prior to man. Notice II Peter 2:4-6. First in time order were “angels that sinned.” Next in time sequence, the antediluvian world beginning with Adam, carrying through to the Flood. After that, Sodom and Gomorrah.This Book of books, containing the revealed knowledge of the Creator God, tells us that God created angels as composed of Spirit. But can you imagine angels becoming sinning angels? Angels were created with power of thought, of decision and of choice, else they have no individuality or character. Since sin is the transgression of God’s law, these angels rebelled against God’s law, the basis of God’s government.Notice carefully what is revealed in II Peter 2:4-5:

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.

These verses show that universal sin brings universal destruction to the physical earth. The antediluvian sin, culminating with the flood, was worldwide, universal sin. Notice: “…the earth was filled with violence …. for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth …. for the earth is filled with violence.” (Gen.6:1 1-13). “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the [Eternal]…. Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God” (verses 8-9). All flesh had sinned – over the whole earth. But only Noah “walked with God.” So, the Flood destroyed the whole earth – all but Noah and his family.The homosexual and other sins of Sodom and Gomorrah spread over the territory of those two cities. And physical destruction came to their entire area. The sin of the angels was worldwide; the destruction of the physical earth was worldwide. The verses quoted above place the sinning of the angels prior to the antediluvian sins that started with Adam, prior to the creation of man. And that should be a surprise revealing of one phase of the missing dimension in knowledge! Angels inhabited this earth before the creation of man. And the government of God was administered on earth until the rebellion of the sinning angels.

How long these angels inhabited the earth before the creation of man is not revealed. It might have been millions – or even billions – of years. More on that later. But these angels sinned. Sin is the transgression of God’s law (1 John 3:4). And God’s law is the basis of God’s government. So we know these angels, apparently a third of all the angels (Rev. 12:4), sinned – rebelled against the government of God. And sin carries penalties. The penalty for the sin of the angels is not death, as it is for man. Angels are Immortal Spirit beings and cannot die. These Spirit beings had been given dominion over the PHYSICAL EARTH as a possession and an abode. The universal, worldwide sin of the angels resulted in the physical destruction of the face of the earth…

Now back to Genesis 1: 1-2. Verse 1, as stated above, implies a perfect creation. God is the author of life, of beauty, of perfection. Satan has brought only darkness, ugliness, imperfection, violence. Verse 1 shows the creation of a perfect earth, glorious and beautiful. Verse 2 reveals the result of the sin of the angels.

“And the earth was [became] without form, and void.” The words “without form and void” are translated from the Hebrew tohu and bohu. A better translation is “waste and empty” or chaotic and in confusion.” The word “was” is elsewhere in Genesis translated “became,” as in Genesis 19:26. In other words, the earth, originally created perfect and beautiful, had now become chaotic, waste, and empty, like our moon, except its surface was covered with water.

David was inspired to reveal how God renewed the face of the earth: “Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth” (Ps. 104:30).

Now another surprise for most readers. Here is another bit of the missing dimension in knowledge, actually revealed in the Bible, but unrecognized by religion, by science, and by higher education. From verse 2 of Genesis 1 on, the remainder of this first chapter of the Bible is not describing the original creation of the earth. But it is describing a renewing of the face of the earth, after it had become waste and empty as a result of the sin of the angels.

What is described from verse 2 on, in the supposed “Creation chapter” of the Bible, did occur, according to the Bible, approximately 6,000 years ago. But that could have been millions or trillions of years after the actual creation of the earth described in verse 1! I will comment later on the length of time it might have taken before all earth’s angels turned to rebellion.

The earth had become waste and empty. God did not create it waste and empty, or in confusion. God is not the author of confusion (I Cor.14:33). This same Hebrew word – tohu – meaning waste and empty, was inspired in Isaiah 45:18, where it is translated “in vain.” Using the original Hebrew word, as originally inspired, it reads: “For thus saith the [Eternal] that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain [tohu], he formed it to be inhabited.”

Continue now with the remainder of verse 2 (Gen. 1) (the earth had become chaotic, waste, and empty): “And darkness was upon the face of the deep [the ocean or fluid surface of the earth]. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness” (verses 2-4).

Satan is the author of darkness. The rebellion of the angels had caused the darkness. God is the author of light and truth. Light displays and enhances beauty, and also exposes evil. Darkness hides both. The verses which follow in this first chapter of the Bible describe the renewing of the face of the earth, yielding beautiful lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetation – then the creation of fish and fowl, animal life, and finally man. (Armstrong HW. Incredible Human Potential, 1978)

So, yes God and the Word existed from the beginning and before anything else was made (John 1:1).

And while there was a creation in Genesis 1:1, there was a gap between that and the recreation that was needed in Genesis 1:2. Thus, this explanation (which, in my view, is the one that bests agrees with the records, despite flaws, of science) is commonly referred to as the gap theory. And yes, I hold to it (see How Old is the Earth and How Long Were the Days of Creation? ).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is God’s Existence Logical? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true?
Is Evolution Probable or Impossible or Is God’s Existence Logical? Part II This short article clearly answers what ‘pseudo-scientists’ refuse to acknowledge.  Here is a link to a YouTube video titled Quickly Disprove Evolution as the Origin of Life.
How Old is the Earth and How Long Were the Days of Creation? Does the Bible allow for the creation of the universe and earth billions of years ago? Why do some believe they are no older than 6,000 years old? What is the gap theory? Where the days of creation in Genesis 1:3 through 2:3 24 hours long?
Where Did God Come From? Any ideas? And how has God been able to exist? Who is God?
How is God Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient? Here is a biblical article which answers what many really wonder about it.
Has time been lost? It Saturday the seventh day of the week?
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? There is also a video titled What is the meaning of your life?

Statue at Fatima Chapel and Image of That the Children Saw

COGWriter

A reader sent me a link to a YouTube video about ‘Marian’ apparitions appearing in Ukraine, which I decided to watch.  Basically, the video claims that a 12 year-old girl saw ‘Mary’ in Ukraine on April 26, 1987.  The announcer claims that since then, thousands have seen ‘Mary’ appear throughout Ukraine.

The announcer claimed that because of these appearances many Jews, Lutherans, and Muslims converted and became Catholic.

The announcer also claimed that this is related to the message of Fatima related to Russia needing to be converted (Ukraine was part of the old Soviet Union and Russia has a presence in the eastern end of Ukraine).  A female voice, pretending to be Mary, in the video, said that she (allegedly Mary) was the mother and essentially all others are her children.

Of course, the ‘Lady of Fatima’ was not Jesus’ mother Mary, for many reasons, including the fact that Jesus’ mother Mary would not have violated cultural norms for modesty (cf. 1 Timothy 2:9-10) as the ‘Lady of Fatima’ did.

Getting back to the video, related to various Marian beliefs and Ukraine, the male announcer said:

She is here to show us the way.

Yet, the Bible does not teach that.

Who is the way and who shows the way?

Notice what even a Catholic translation of scriptures teaches:

6 Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.  (John 14:6, Douay-Rheims)

44 No man can come to me, except the Father, who hath sent me, draw him; and I will raise him up in the last day.  45 It is written in the prophets: And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard of the Father, and hath learned, cometh to me. (John 6:44-45, DRB)

The Bible is clear that the Father draws people to Jesus and that Jesus is the way to turn people to the Father.  There is no such statements directly or indirectly related to Jesus’ mother Mary.

I have been warning for a long time that claimed Marian and other apparitions will likely be used as part of the ecumenical plans of Satan.  The ecumenical movement is moving forward, and not just in Ukraine, and not just with apparitions–various Protestants are already being taken in by it (see Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! and/or watch Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware!).

The ecumenical use of ‘Mary’ is not good.  It will be neither be good for the Ukrainians, the Vatican (Revelation 17:15-17), nor for the rest of the world (Revelation 18; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

For more information, please check out the following:

Russia and Ukraine: Origins and Prophesied Future 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? You can also watch the new video Ukraine in Prophecy?
Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! What is going on in the Protestant world? Are Protestants turning back to their ‘mother church’ in Rome? Does the Bible warn about this? What are Catholic plans and prophecies related to this? Is Protestantism doomed?   Watch also the video Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware!
Fatima Shock! What the Vatican Does Not Want You to Know About Fatima, Dogmas of Mary, and Future Apparitions. Whether or not you believe anything happened at Fatima, if you live long enough, you will be affected by its ramifications (cf. Isaiah 47; Revelation 17). Fatima Shock! provides concerned Christians with enough Catholic-documented facts to effectively counter every false Marian argument.
Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good? Here is a link to a related video Should you be concerned about the ecumenical movement?
Fatima Shock! YouTube Dr. Thiel highlights a few points of why no one would support Fatima, etc. as discussed in the documented book Fatima Shock!
Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What might they mean for the rise of the ecumenical religion of Antichrist? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How do the Orthodox view Mary? How might Mary view her adorers?
Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy? Pope Francis has taken many steps to turn people more towards his version of ‘Mary.’ Could this be consistent with biblical and Catholic prophecies? This article documents what has been happening. There is also a video version titled Pope Francis: Could this Marian Focused Pontiff be Fulfilling Prophecy?
Jesus: The Son of God and Saviour Who was Jesus? Why did He come to earth? What message did He bring? Is there evidence outside the Bible that He existed? Here is a YouTube sermon titled Jesus: Son of God and Saviour.
The Malachy Prophecies and “Peter the Roman” An Irish bishop allegedly predicted something about 112 popes in the 12th century. Pope Benedict XVI was number 111. Francis would be number 112–if he is that one–and if so, he is to reign until Rome is destroyed. May he be an antipope/final Antichrist? Here is a related YouTube video The Malachy Prophecies and “Peter the Roman”.
Could Pope Francis be the Last Pope and Antichrist? Former Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio is now Pope Francis. According to some interpretations of the prophecies of the popes by the Catholic saint and Bishop Malachy, Pope Francis is in the position of “Peter the Roman,” the pontiff who reigns during tribulations until around the time of the destruction of Rome. Do biblical prophecies warn of someone that sounds like Peter the Roman? This is a YouTube video.
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.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. [Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja do deus?]

Rand Paul, Official Senate Photo

COGwriter

CPAC and Rand Paul are in the news:

March 9, 2014

National Harbor, Maryland (CNN) — It would be a mistake to read too much into the speeches, breakout sessions and late-night parties that took place at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference.

And yet: The confluence of big name Republican speakers — many of them potential White House contenders — makes the three-day event impossible to ignore…

This is Rand’s house: Rand Paul’s blowout win in the presidential straw poll Saturday — he won more than a third of the vote, easily besting second-place finisher Ted Cruz — cemented his place as the King of CPAC.Paul’s address here on Friday, unapologetically heavy with libertarian sentiment, was far and away the best-received speech of the weekend. The room was packed and Paul, wearing jeans, was interrupted repeatedly by standing ovations. After his appearance, he joined his wife, Kelley, across the street from the convention center at a packed restaurant for an open bar happy hour with fired-up supporters.

Does his showing mean that Paul will be the GOP nominee in 2016? No. But it does affirm what reporters here had been saying all week: that CPAC is now, without question, his turf.

The face of CPAC has become younger in recent years — it feels a little like spring break for College Republicans — and more libertarian in the process. Paul also won the straw poll in 2013, and his father, Ron Paul, won in 2010 and 2011. The younger Paul was aided in his win this year by Young Americans for Liberty, which boasted that it recruited almost 500 activists to come to the event and cast ballots. Almost half of the straw poll vote came from 18- to 25-year-olds.

Paul’s showing this weekend will only add to the perception that he’s a top-tier Republican presidential contender who should be taken much more seriously than his father if he runs (and no one thinks he isn’t running).  http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/09/politics/hamby-cpac-5-things-we-learned/

On the news last night, I saw an amusing rendition of Dr. Seuss‘ Green Eggs and Ham by Sarah Palin, given at CPAC, that was amusing and basically aimed against Barack Obama and his policies (and in particular Obamacare).  Here is a news report about it:

Republican star Sarah Palin closed out the Conservative Political Action Conference today, taking on both President Obama and the GOP establishment in her speech to the conservative crowd.

Palin took aim at the president’s foreign policy strategy, specifically how he has dealt with Russian President Vladimir Putin…

Palin noted that Cruz read “Green Eggs and Ham” during his 21-hour filibuster, and she provided her own rendition of the children’s classic, crediting “the Internet” for some of the lines.

“I do not like this Uncle Sam. I do not like his healthcare scam,” Palin said. “I do not like these dirty crooks or how they lie and cook the books. I do not like when Congress stills. I do not like their crony deals. I do not like the spying man. I do not like ‘Oh yes we can.’ I do not like this spending spree. We’re smart we know there’s nothing free. I do not like reporters’ smug replies when I complain about their lies. I do not like this kind of hope. And we won’t take it, nope, nope, nope. Hat tip the Internet.”  http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/03/in-cpac-speech-sarah-palin-channels-dr-seuss-to-knock-obama/

Sarah Palin, interestingly, warned in 2008 that if Barack Obama was elected that Russia could invade Ukraine.  Here is what she said:

After the Russian army invaded the nation of Georgia, Senator Obama’s reaction was one of indecision and moral equivalence, the kind of response that would only encourage Russia’s Putin to invade Ukraine next.  http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/hannity/2014/03/04/did-sarah-palin-predict-ukraine-crisis-back-2008

Ii should be noted that I am not saying, nor implying, that I believe that a John McCain presidency (he ran against Barack Obama in 2008 with Sarah Palin as his Vice-presidential running mate) would not have caused various international problems.  Nor do I blame Barack Obama personally for the most of what is happening with Ukraine, Russia, and Crimea.   As far as the future of Ukraine and Russia go, you may wish to read Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future and/or watch Ukraine in Prophecy?

Although I do not vote nor will I endorse any candidate, I will add that from only the perspective of being a small business owner, Rand Paul has the only remote chance of doing some of what is needed for small businesses, specifically regulatory relief.  Regulatory relief, which is what people like Rand Paul have claimed that they would try to do, could be helpful if actually implemented (though much of that is doubtful).

However, various aspects of ‘libertarianism’ are against biblical morality. And those aspects of libertarianism have tended to be endorsed by Rand Paul, and his father Ron Paul.  They will not end in liberty, but destruction (Romans 1:18-32).

Yesterday, I reported the results of a poll of millennials (those aged 18-33).  Their moral views are more in line with libertarianism, though not necessarily their economic views (see Millennials: Less religious, left-leaning, and in more debt).  Some of these people will tend to support a libertarian message, especially if they decide the libertarian economic message can change their personal situations.  But overall, at this moment, more people seem to support the positions of Hillary Clinton (a Democrat who was not part of CPAC) than Rand Paul or others at CPAC.

I am expecting to see an increased acceptance of marijuana legalization, homosexual marriage, public pornography, etc.  This will likely happen no matter which party gets control of the White House in 2017.  Neither Republicans nor Democrats are what the USA needs–it needs the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the kingdom of God.

In my view, no matter who gets elected as the next USA president, without national repentance (which is almost impossible), the USA will continue down the slope of turning further away from biblical standards of morality and will (most of the time) end up increasing its debt.  It will also make international mistakes, some of which will prove costlier than most in the USA can imagine.

COGwriter

The Continuing Church of God is pleased to announce our latest video on our Bible New Prophecy YouTube channel.

14:21

Ukraine in Prophecy?

What is happening in Ukraine? What is known and what is unsure about its future? What is the origin of those who live in Ukraine? What does the Bible teach about the role of the Medes in the end times? Will Ukraine split? Why might part of Ukraine end up in the European Union? Why might part of Ukraine end up in the Eurasian Union? Is war in the prophesied future for Ukraine? What is the ultimate destiny for nearly all Ukrainians?

Our latest BNP video is titled: Ukraine in Prophecy?

COGwriter

Received a report tonight that John Ross Schroeder of the United Church of God (UCG) died:

From David Fenney on behalf of UCG in the British Isles:

It is with great sadness that I must share the news from Jan and the family that John Ross Schroeder died in the hospital at 4:30 this afternoon, Sabbath, March 8th.

Cards and messages for Jan and the family may be sent to the British Isles office by e-mail to info@ucg.org.uk or by mail to:

United Church of God

PO Box 705

WATFORD

WD19 6FZ

United Kingdom

From David Fenney on behalf of UCG in the British Isles:

John Ross Schroeder, senior writer for The Good News and pastor of two of the congregations in the British Isles, is in the hospital following an incident on the evening of Tuesday, March 4. While traveling home following a business trip to London, he lost consciousness, fell and hit his head. Apparently his heart stopped. He was resuscitated and taken to the hospital, where he is being sedated at a lower temperature for 24 hours before attempts are made to wake him and assess for damage, particularly to his brain. His heart will also be assessed and we understand he has already had two stents inserted.

John’s wife, Jan, manager of the UCG British Isles office, together with son Walter and daughter Stephanie are with John at the hospital.

I am not sure that I ever met John Ross Schroeder, though I was familiar with his writing when he was in the old WCG, then UCG. 

COGwriter

A new study has findings about the generation known as millennials:

March 8, 2014

New poll numbers show big differences in the oft-maligned millennial generation.

The wide-ranging study conducted by Pew shows millenials, or those falling into the 18 to 33 age group, differ from previous generations…Pew notes, ”They are relatively unattached to organized politics and religion, linked by social media, burdened by debt, distrustful of people, in no rush to marry— and optimistic about the future.”Specifically, the research found as many as 50 percent of millennials describe themselves as political independents. Though they also tended to lean left…

According to a writer for The Wire, that could mean bad news for Republicans.

“For the Republican Party, it’s hard to see Pew’s new survey of American millennials as very good news. …  Pew walks through a number of social issues, finding younger people more likely to support same-sex marriage, legal marijuana and immigration reform.”

The study also found millennials tend to differ from previous generations on traditional American institutions like religion and marriage as well.

On religion, 29 percent of millennials said they were not affiliated with any particular faith. According to Pew that’s the highest the number has been in the last quarter-century.

And when it comes to marriage, just 26 percent of millennials have tied the knot…

Though millennials are the most-educated group of young adults in American history, they also have higher levels of student loan debt, poverty, and unemployment than the two generations preceding them.  http://www.ajc.com/news/news/national/poll-millennials-tend-be-less-religious-patriotic/nd8JS/

March 8, 2014

Pew Study:

Millennials are more liberal than their grandparents. This probably goes without saying, but there is a huge gap between how Millennials vote and how their parents and grandparents vote. In general Millennials are very supportive of universal healthcare and don’t really care that much about the size of the government…

In general, Millennials think they are less patriot and less religious.   http://inthecapital.streetwise.co/2014/03/08/pew-study-7-charts-explaining-how-millennials-view-politics/

One chart that I saw related to the Pew Study above showed that 56% or so of millennials favored abortion.–that does not bode well for the USA (watch also Abortion, the Bible, and US Debt).

When debt ends up being a factor that gets foreign creditors willing to take dramatic action against the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies (cf. Habakkuk 2:6-8; Daniel 11:39), the debt-prone millennials may realize that living off of borrowed money was not as good of an option as many seemed to have thought.

As for the more present time and nearer future, some have indicated that the views of the millennials would be expected to affect USA politics.

Those who have hoped that the USA would attempt to decrease the size of its government, become more like how its Constitution seems to define it, and/or wanted to see a change towards more biblical standards of morality,  will likely be disappointed by how the millennials and those that are coming up after them will behave and will tend to vote.

Because of her more recent strident support of aspects of the homosexual agenda and her longstanding support of abortion, Hillary Clinton is one politician that many millennials may want for president. Of course, there are other possibilities.  The fact that her husband, former President Bill Clinton, made certain public admissions related to marijuana use may also partially endear Hillary Clinton to them.

I do find the term millennials interesting as those who survive the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord will make it into the actual millennial reign of Jesus Christ.  They may, thus, end up being much more religious than the generations that preceded them.

Several items of possibly related interest may include:

Can those in the USA/UK see the Handwriting on the Wall? Is everything fine in the USA/UK or is it like the days of Noah? Can we learn from the handwriting that appeared on a wall thousands of years ago? Here is a link to a related YouTube video Can you see the ‘Handwriting on the Wall’?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near? A related sermon is titled The Millennium.
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? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2021 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up?
Hillary Clinton in Prophecy Are there prophecies that Hillary Clinton may fulfill? Are there any prophecies that she has already helped fulfill? Could Hillary Clinton be apocalyptic? Could Hillary Clinton be the final Antichrist?
Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president/prime minister? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (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-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. A video of possible interest may be Will Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2014, 2015, or 2016? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2013 o 2014? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language video The Great Tribulation Will Not Begin Before 2017.
Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject.
Marijuana: Should a Christian Get High? There is increasing acceptance of the use of marijuana. How should Christians view this?
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.
Cross-dressing and other assaults against your children. What should you do? Is there an agenda to turn your children and/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on? There is also a YouTube video on this, titled Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children.
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?
Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse Is Barack Obama apocalyptic? Could he be the final Antichrist? Dr. Thiel has been writing about this since 2008 and covers this in this 2014 video. Dr. Thiel quotes statements that Barack Obama made in his 2014 State of the Union address and tied several in with events that are aligning with the warnings in the Book of Revelation also known as the Apocalypse. Is the US “alliance with Europe remains the strongest the world has ever known” as Barack Obama’s State of Union message claims true or very dangerous? This is a video.

COGwriter

Sunday at two a.m., the USA and some other nations change their clocks to go off of Standard Time and back to Daylight Savings Time.

At 2 a.m. on the morning of Sunday, March 9, we in USA and many other nations will need to spring our clocks forward – and losing an hour of the day – for Daylight Saving Time. Sunset will be an hour later.

Because of that, sunset will be over an hour later next Friday.

Those of us who observe the weekly Sabbath from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday may wish to remember that.

Here is a link for Sunset Times for the U.S.A. (and international cities if longitudinal location is known).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is Revelation 1:10 talking about Sunday or the Day of the Lord? Most Protestant scholars say Sunday is the Lord’s Day, but is that what the Bible teaches?
The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church?
The Dramatic Story of Chinese Sabbathkeepers This reformatted Good News article from 1955 discusses Sabbath-keeping in China in the 1800s.
Is God Unreasonable? Some have suggested that if God requires Sabbath-keeping He is unreasonable. Is that true?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by the Tkach WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.

Ouroboros from Greek mythology

COGwriter

Forecaster Gerald Celente made some comments related to what he feels that the USA is trying to do through its position on Ukraine.  A reader sent me a link to the following:

While I will not comment if the USA is trying to destroy Russia per se, I will state that the USA’s position related to Ukraine does seem, at least partially, to be based on how it views Russia.

Russia seems to believe that the crisis in Ukraine was somewhat of a set up:

March 8, 2014

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said the crisis in Ukraine was “created artificially for purely geopolitical reasons”.

He confirmed Russia had contacts with Ukraine’s interim government but said Kiev was beholden to the radical right.

Russia, he said, was open to further dialogue with the West if it was “honest and partner-like”.

Meanwhile, Russia’s deputy foreign minister has held talks with Ukraine’s ambassador in Moscow…

Mr Lavrov warned the US not to take “hasty and reckless steps” in response to the crisis in Crimea…Both the US and EU have threatened Moscow with sanctions.  http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26495378

I received a couple of emails about activities that some feel that Russia has been engaged in against Ukraine as well as a way it supposedly can spy on the USA related to a malware virus known as Ouroboros:

An aggressive cyber weapon called Snake has infected dozens of Ukrainian computer networks including government systems in one of the most sophisticated attacks of recent years.

Also known as Ouroboros, after the serpent of Greek mythology that swallowed its own tail, experts say it is comparable in its complexity with Stuxnet, the malware that was found to have disrupted Iran’s uranium enrichment programme in 2010.

The cyber weapon has been deployed most aggressively since the start of last year ahead of protests that climaxed two weeks ago with the overthrow of Viktor Yanukovich’s government.

Ouroboros gives its operators unfettered access to networks for surveillance purposes. But it can also act as a highly advanced “digital beachhead” that could destroy computer networks with wide-ranging repercussions for the public.

Cyber warfare experts have long warned that digital weapons could shut off civilian power or water supplies, cripple banks or even blow up industrial sites that depend on computer-controlled safety programmes.

The origins of Ouroboros remain unclear, but its programmers appear to have developed it in a GMT+4 timezone – which encompasses Moscow – according to clues left in the code, parts of which also contain fragments of Russian text. It is believed to be an upgrade of the Agent. BTZ attack that penetrated US military systems in 2008.  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/615c29ba-a614-11e3-8a2a-00144feab7de.html

Russian Uroburos Malware Devours American Files

The Ouroboros of classical antiquity was a serpent locked in a perpetual cycle devouring its own tail. Taking a page out of the old wyrm’s book, the Uroburos malware seeks to engulf whole networks, possibly as part of a Russian espionage plot against the United States.

Although Uroburos seems to have been around since 2011, researchers at the German security firm G Data discovered it only recently. In a blog post, G Data describes the Uroburos rootkit, which burrows deep into a Windows operating systems, steals files and transmits them back to its overseers.

What makes Uroburos interesting is that it appears to be built to target high-security installations. The malware requires an Internet connection to transmit data, but not to spread. As long as computers are connected via a network, Uroburos can replicate itself and funnel files back to an Internet-connected system for transmission.

One slight consolation is that everyday users probably need not worry about Uroburos. Because of its complexity, its designers probably want it to target government and corporate installations rather than individual users. On the flip side, the malware is extremely difficult to detect and researchers are still not certain about how it spreads.

G Data asserts that the advanced rootkit is very similar to another one called Agent.BTZ that made the rounds against the U.S. government in 2008. Combined with a Russian-language piece of Uroburos code, these similarities suggest that the creators of the malware are either Russian, or wish to pin the blame on Russians.  http://www.tomsguide.com/us/russian-uroburos-malware-american,news-18400.html

While it is not certain that Ouroboros is a Russian government sanctioned program, many suspect that it is.  Of course, governments such as the USA have a cyberwar department and have various forms of malware and items inserted in software codes for surveillance.  Countries seem to feel that this type of warfare is acceptable when they often pretend that they get along with others they are spying on.

Throughout the gospels, Jesus repeatedly condemned hypocrites (Matthew 6:2,5,16; 15:7; 16:3; 23:13-29; Mark 7:6; Luke 11:44; 12:1, 56). Hypocrisy was also condemned by various apostles (Romans 12:9; Galatians 2:13; 1 Timothy 4:2; James 3:17; 1 Peter 2:1).

Getting to the immediate crisis in Ukraine itself, the following was in the news today:

March 08, 2014

Ukraine’s acting foreign minister has called for a diplomatic resolution and a peaceful end to the crisis in Ukraine. Andrii Deshchytsia said Saturday in Kyiv a diplomatic resolution is “our priority.”

He said Ukraine was open to any possibility that leads to “concrete results,” but he emphasized that “Crimea is and will be Ukrainian territory.”…

Possible impact on START inspections

Russia may suspend nuclear arms inspections set down in a treaty with the United States in reaction to Western sanctions over Ukraine, Russian news agencies quoted an unnamed Defense Ministry source on Saturday as saying.

The source, according to Reuters, said the ministry was studying the possibility of  suspending on-site inspections agreed in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) between Moscow and Washington.

The United States suspended military cooperation such as
joint exercises and port visits with Russia on Monday as Washington sought ways to punish Moscow over its intervention in Ukraine without escalating the crisis…

Obama discusses situation with Merkel

U.S. President Barack Obama spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel Friday about the crisis in Ukraine.

The White House said in a statement the president agreed with European leaders on the need for Russia to pull back its forces, allow for the deployment of international observers and human rights monitors to Crimea, and support free and fair presidential elections in May…

Also Friday, Ukraine’s Interim President Oleksandr Turchynov signed a decree canceling a planned referendum on Crimea joining Russia.

A day earlier, Crimea’s Moscow-backed legislature voted for the peninsula to become part of Russia and scheduled a referendum on the issue for March 16.

Ukraine’s interim prime minister said that “no one in the civilized world” would recognize the referendum’s results.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk said he wanted to “warn separatists” and others he described as “traitors of the Ukrainian state” that their decisions were “unlawful” and “unconstitutional.” U.S. and European leaders also called the referendum illegal.

Crimean officials fired back Friday, saying the vote will go forward.  http://www.voanews.com/content/ukraine-foreign-minister-peaceful-solution-is-priority/1867021.html

Russia’s view of a peaceful solution seems to be to stay in Crimea and wait for a vote that it hopes will allow it to claim that the Crimeans are sanctioning separation from Ukraine. Notice also the following report from the Russian press, Voice of Russia (VR),quoting someone from Finland:

March 8, 2014

“I am sure that Crimea will now legally through democratic referendum join Russia and it certainly complies with international law. Here we have to understand that in this situation there has been violent coup which has been sponsored by the USA and European Union and the countries of European Union. With this coup they have de facto the constitution of Ukraine that is not enforced anymore.”

This is what Jon Hellevig, a Finnish lawyer, said in an interview with the VR: http://voiceofrussia.com/2014_03_08/Crimean-referendum-to-join-Russia-certainly-complies-with-international-law-expert-8718/

Crimea was Russian territory until about 60 years ago, so the Russians would seem to have a different view than many in Kiev/Kyiv do.  Russia also seems to wish to try to counter sanctions from the USA through a variety of counter moves.  Russia seems very serious about Crimea, but it is not clear that the government of USA holds this issue nearly as important, despite rhetoric.

The Germans, on the other hand, are highly concerned about the situation with Ukraine and Crimea for many reasons, including their relationship with Russia.  I believe that the crisis in Ukraine will result in the Europeans concluding that in the long run, they will want to develop a sufficient military deterrent so that they will not be dependent upon the military might of the USA if they wish to stand up against the Russians.  This, however, will not turn out well for the USA (Daniel 11:39), nor eventually for the Europeans (Jeremiah 51:11-32).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Russia and Ukraine: Origins and Prophesied Future 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? You can also watch the new video Ukraine in Prophecy?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?
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? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
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?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach?
The Snowden Leaks are Leading to the Destruction of the USA Can what happened with the leaks of what the NSA has done help the USA to be taken over? What does the Bible teach that seems to be related to this? Here is a related YouTube video titled Are the Snowden NSA leaks leading to the destruction of the USA?
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? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2021 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2014, 2015, or 2016? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2013 o 2014? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language video The Great Tribulation Will Not Begin Before 2017.
Blood Moons and Prophecy There are four ‘blood moons’ expected in 2014 and 2015. Do they signal the Day of the Lord or the return of Jesus Christ? A related YouTube video is also available: Blood Moons, Prophecy, 2014, and 2015.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (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-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Will the Anglo-Saxon 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? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
British are the Covenant People What do ‘British’ and ‘Britain’ mean in Hebrew? Are the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons people of the covenant? Does the British royal family connect to the throne of David? What does the Bible teach? What does history show us? Is there any DNA evidence related to British-Israelism? When did Christianity make it to the British Isles? Could Jeremiah have made it to the British Isles? What type of Christians made it to the British Isles? Did the last King of England believe in British Israelism?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and 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?  Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies. Watch also the YouTube Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.