Church of God News

Jerusalem

COGwriter

In his latest update, ICG’s Mark Armstrong wrote the following:

Although there is little in the way of video (the media has reportedly been banned), demonstrations ongoing in Syria are beginning to look a lot like Cairo. But just as in Libya, the Syrian government is not shy about mowing down a bunch of demonstrators with gunfire and that’s exactly what has happened in recent days. Will the “international community” now declare that Bashir Assad must go?…

And what about Jordan? Demonstrations are gathering strength there as well, and there are reports of “youths” being injured! Will the “international community” get busy and demand that King Abdullah get out too? His has been a comparatively benevolent dictatorship, but then Mubarak’s was too. Whoever thinks that anarchy leading to a power vacuum will turn out ok in any of those countries is crazy…

And how has democracy worked out for Gaza, since Israel wrenched its citizens out of the territory and turned it over to the Palestinians. They elected Hamas, a terrorist entity advised and funded by Iran to lead their “government”, such as it is. Missiles continue to fly out of Gaza into Israel’s southern cities. A Jerusalem bus stop was just bombed, killing one woman, critically injuring three or four others and wounding another 39 unsuspecting civilians. Terrorists still sneak out of Gaza into Israel, as happened recently to knife a mother, father and three of their children to death including a three year old toddler and a one month old infant.

Then the residents of Gaza streamed into the streets to celebrate this evil, despicable act, distributing candy to their children and praising the perpetrators. Does this sound like a people that can rule themselves with justice and equity, or for that matter, make peace with Israel? It’s the furthest thing from their minds!

Israel is talking tough. The letter which has just been printed quotes Prime Minister Netanyahu saying that Israel must take aggressive actions to deprive the terrorists of their ability to continue murdering Israelis. That ought to put the UN into a tizzy, and surely will. Will the United States now begin to do the bidding of “the international community” at unbelievable expense? Is making life safe for rebels and demonstrators the world over now the number one priority of the U.S. government?

It’s a mixed up world. Nothing makes good sense anymore. Except perhaps that the radical Muslim Middle East is expanding rapidly, apparently with all kinds of “international” assistance, including our own.

Shake-ups are happening in the Middle East.  And they are setting the stage for the rising up a the final King of the South that Daniel wrote about (Daniel 11:27;40).  This seems to be the same leader as the final Caliph that many Sunni Muslims anticipate and the Imam Mahdi that the Shi’ite Muslims are trying to encourage to appear.

To me, at least, the events make perfect sense.  And we all should be watching.

As Jesus said,

35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming–in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning– 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! (Mark 13:35-37)

And the goings on in Israel and the Middle East are certainly areas that He was referring to (cf. Mark 13:14).

The Bible shows that the USA and Israel will not have too long to survive after the final King of the South will make a deadly deal with the coming King of the North (Daniel 11:27; Psalm 83)–a deal to cut the USA, Israel, and their Anglo-allies off from being a nation (Psalm 83:3-4; Daniel 11:39).

Prophetic events continue to line up.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
The Arab 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?
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? What will happen to the nation of Israel?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies 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 Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.
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.
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Are there biblical and non-biblical prophecies about Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? This is the longest and most detailed of the articles here related to prophecy and Barack Obama.
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? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2011, 2012, or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?

Hiroshima After the Atomic Bomb Was Detonated

COGwriter

The Hindu of India reported the following:

26 March 2011

Radioactive iodine—131 at a concentration 1,250.8 times the legal limit was found on Friday morning in a seawater sample taken around 330 metres south of Fukushima 1 nuclear power station, which was damaged in the March 11 earthquake and resulting tsunami, the government’s nuclear safety commission said…

On Saturday, authorities have identified eight radioactive substances in stagnant water in the basement of the plant, an analysis released by the commission showed.

The highest levels found in the water in reactor 1 of the plant were of caesium 137, a radioactive isotope that was released into the environment in the Chernobyl disaster. It appeared at levels of 1.8 million becquerel…Seventeen workers at the plant have been contaminated since it was damaged in a March 11 earthquake and resulting tsunami. That figure includes only those who have been exposed to more than 100 millisieverts of radiation, the maximum allowed exposure for a nuclear plant worker for an entire year.  http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article1573912.ece

Some in China are wondering about this danger as well:

China bans imports of some Japanese foods

Xinhua – ‎5 hours ago‎

BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhuanet) — China has announced an immediate ban on the import of some Japanese food and agricultural products…The ban covers dairy, seafood, fruit and vegetables from five Japanese prefectures. The regulator did not say how long the ban would remain in effect.

Radiation spreads as crisis likely to continue for “a long time”

Xinhua – ‎27 March 2011 (in USA, 26 March 2011)

TOKYO, March 26 (Xinhua) — Low levels of radioactive material iodine-131 were detected Saturday in Heilongjiang Province, north of Beijing, China’s National Nuclear Emergency Coordination Committee said.

Voice of America reported that “At one of Japan’s busiest fish markets, Yasumichi Tanaka said the daily catch is dwindling. “Fish supplies from the radiation contaminated regions have been totally halted.””  The USA and Singapore have also banned the imports of certain foods from certain areas in Japan.

The world is changing. Radiation will cause problems in the future, and apparently is causing some now.

The death toll in Japan from the earthquake and tsunami stood at 10,418 on Saturday, while 17,072 people were listed as missing, the National Police Agency said (http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article1573912.ece).

But what is clear is that Jesus warned about a time with such issues:

8 … And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be…troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)

11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.  (Luke 21:11)

As I reported before (see Record Number of Major Earthquakes) the number of large (“great”) earthquakes seems to have increased in the past seven years.  Prophecies are being fulfilled.  Speaking of major earthquakes, here is something from the Chinese and Indian press on the one in Myanmar:

Relief operations launched in Myanmar quake-hit areas

Xinhua – Yang Lina – ‎

TARLAY, Myanmar, March 26 (Xinhua) — Relief operations were launched Saturday extensively in northeastern part of Myanmar following a 7.0-magnitude quake hit the country’s border area on Thursday…According to the latest death toll released by the authorities Friday night, 73 people were killed and 125 others injured in Thursday’s quake.

India offers assistance to quake-hit Myanmar

The Hindu – ‎26 March 2011

India on Saturday offered help to Myanmar, hit by a powerful earthquake causing loss of lives and damage to property.

“As your government rallies to provide relief and other assistance to the people in the earthquake—affected region, I would like to assure you that India stands ready to render any assistance that your government may require of us,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said.

Myanmar has always been a troubled nation and this earthquake is adding to its troubles.

As we are seeing from Japan, great earthquakes seem to cause more problems than simply the destruction of buildings and roads.  There is fear in Japan that simply was not there before its 9.0 earthquake.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2011, 2012, or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? What is “the beginning of sorrows”? Have we begun or are we about ready for “the beginning of sorrows” to begin.
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? Where did the Japanese people come from? Have they had any witness?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan? Will God save the Japanese?
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them?
India, Its Biblical Past and Future: Any Witness? The Bible discusses the origins of those of Indian heritage and discusses some of the witness to them (including those in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka).
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters Where did the Chinese people come from? This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?

“I will break the pride of your power” (Leviticus 26:19)

COGwriter

In today’s TW News & Prophecy E-Zine, LCG reported:

America’s foreign creditors.

A recent article highlighted how much of the U.S. debt is held by foreign creditors (approximately 30%). China and Japan combined hold about 40% of the foreign-owned debt. Other creditors include the UK, Russia, Canada, Hong Kong, and many oil-exporting nations in the Middle East.

The article ended with the question: “Obviously, these creditors won’t actually take states from us as payment on our debts, but it’s fun to imagine what states and national monuments they could assert a claim to.” The article then goes on–in a joking way–to discuss the debt owed to different creditors and which states and national monuments could possibly be used for repayment (finance.yahoo.com, February 28, 2011).

Although much of the article is written in a humorous tone, it is a sobering reminder of the crumbling state of affairs in America and other Israelite nations today. However, Bible prophecies warn that when God’s people turn away from Him, foreign nations [the alien] will “lend to you…he shall be the head, and you [the Israelite nations] shall be the tail” (Deuteronomy 28:43-44). The prophet Jeremiah mourned for his nation in words that have prophetic implications for Israelite nations today, “Our inheritance has been turned over to aliens, and our houses to foreigners… The crown has fallen from our head…” (Lamentations 5:2, 16).

This article may be more accurate than the author intended.

Financial terrorism.

An unclassified 2009 report produced by a U.S. government contractor concluded that the 2008 economic crash may have been perpetrated in part by international financial terrorists.

The report, entitled: “Economic Warfare: Risks and Responses,” noted that both China and Russia have suggested financial terrorism against the U.S. in the past. The report’s author noted: “The new battle space is the economy… We spend hundreds of billions of dollars on weapons systems each year. But a relatively small amount of money focused against our financial markets through leveraged derivatives or cyber efforts can result in trillions of dollars in losses. And, the perpetrators can remain undiscovered.”

Some experts dispute the study findings noting that there is no specific evidence of financial terrorism, while the report soberly noted: “This is the ‘end game’ if the goal is to destroy America…” (The Washington Times, February 28, 2011).

Whether the U.S. and world financial melt-down of 2008 was perpetrated by financial terrorists will remain to be seen. However that possibility appears to be real. God warned the Israelite nations that because of their disobedience, “I will even appoint terror over you” (Leviticus 26:16). He also notes, “I will break the pride of your power…” (v. 19).

Money and wealth have been the pride of nations and people for millennia. What better way to bring modern nations down than to attack their financial infrastructure?

If you…would like to begin receiving your own copy click here to sign up for free.

Of course, the Russians and Chinese are only possibly taking advantage of opportunities that the USA is giving them. People who have faith that the USA will continue and get through all of this should ask themselves,  “Why?”   They also may wish to ask themselves since the Bible talks about end time kings of the north (Daniel 11:40), south (Daniel 11:40), and east (Revelation 16:12), why it does not mention an end time king of the west (the USA is west of Jerusalem)?   The fact that the king of the North eliminates those with the strongest fortresses (Daniel 11:39) should be a clue.

Evangelist Dr. D. Winnail of the Living Church of God wrote about the suddenness of what will happen:

The U.S. and the British-descended peoples have enjoyed living off the resources of the world, but the prophet Habakkuk warns: “… Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. Because you have plundered many nations, all the remnant of the people shall plunder you” (Habakkuk 2:7–8). (Winnail D. Sudden Calamities Ahead! Tomorrows’ World, Volume 10, Issue 5. Sept-Oct, 2008)

Hebrew prophets also warned repeatedly that the future demise of God’s chosen Israelite peoples would come “suddenly” and unexpectedly (Isaiah 9:14–15; 29:5; 30:13; Jeremiah 6:26; 15:8). Modern financial analysts realize this could happen if the nations lending to America decide to dump the dollar and call their loans. The prophet Habakkuk’s warning to the ancient Babylonians, “Will not your creditors rise up suddenly?” (Habakkuk 2:7)—may also ring true for debt-plagued nations like America and its Israelite cousins. Prophetic scripture contains a sobering message: debt and disobedience lead to the demise of nations! (Winnail, D. Debt, Disobedience and Demise of Nations. Tomorrows’ World, Volume 12, Issue 2. March-April 2010, p. 27)

It is the the United States and its Anglo-allies that have loaded pledges of debt in these end times that they really do not expect to pay back. Insolvency will cause bigger problems than even the experts who see it coming normally understand.  But many foreigner creditors will (cf. Habakkuk 2:7).

Prophecy moves forward–significant personal repentance is probably the only way out (as national repentance for the USA seems highly unlikely).

To learn more, please check out the following articles:

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? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? 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?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Are there biblical and non-biblical prophecies about Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? This is a lengthy article with many prophecies that Barack Obama may end up fulfilling.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”. Might Bible prophecy be fulfilled by him?
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters Where did the Chinese people come from? This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?

Muslim Brotherhood
الإخوان المسلمون
Al-Ikhwān Al-Muslimūn

COGwriter

The situations in Egypt and the Middle East continue to be of prophetic interest:

Muslim Brotherhood gains power in Egypt

UPI – March 25, 2011

The Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamic group once banned by Egypt, has become a force as the country undergoes a change in government, observers said.Because of its organization and network, the Muslim Brotherhood was expected to have an advantage while the post-Hosni Mubarak government takes shape, The New York Times reported Friday. What is surprising to some are the ties the organization has with its adversary, the military.

“There is evidence the Brotherhood struck some kind of a deal with the military early on,” said Elijah Zarwan, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group. “It makes sense if you are the military — you want stability and people off the street. The Brotherhood is one address where you can go to get 100,000 people off the street.” http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/03/25/Muslim-Brotherhood-gains-power-in-Egypt/UPI-86451301057128/

Egypt Vote Shows Islamist Influence

Wall Street Journal – March 22, 2011…

The powerful Muslim Brotherhood, a once-illegal Islamist political group, was joined in supporting the amendments by leaders of the Salafi Islamist movement—which follows the ultra-conservative brand of Islam widely practiced in Saudi Arabia—and residual elements of the former ruling National Democratic Party, or NDP.

Opponents of the amendments, which included many in the youth movement, said the Muslim Brotherhood allied with the NDP as part of a cynical power grab: The approval of the amendments has set the stage for parliamentary elections this summer, for which only the Brotherhood and the NDP have the organizational structures to compete.  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704355304576214611275129754.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Earlier this week I reported that the Muslim Brotherhood seemed to be making gains in Libya (see Muslim Brotherhood May Rise Up in Libya).

We in the Living Church of God (LCG) expect a pan-Arabic leader. Here is a recent LCG writing from Wyatt Ciesielka that demonstrate this:

The fact is that food prices, the Muslim Brotherhood or any number of other political or religious factors are only contributing reasons for the current Arab-world turmoil. The underlying reason is that the Almighty Creator God is allowing geopolitics to align according to His will, and according to His time! Scripture is clear that God supremely reigns over all nations and all empires (2 Chronicles 20:6, Daniel 4:25), and He sometimes allows demonic principalities to influence people, nations, and rulers (Daniel 10:20, Ephesians 6:12).

Is the current Arab crisis setting the stage for a future king of the South? While the timing is entirely up to God, the simple answer is that yes, Arab geopolitics are moving ahead exactly as Bible prophecy has long foretold! Read more

The timing seems to be right for such a leader to start rising up. The events in primarily Sunni Egypt, Lebanon, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Jordan, and Yemen seem to be setting the stage of the Arabic peoples to be willing to consider some type of confederation with a strong leader to represent them.–but there may be interim governments first.  Even Syria is having significant problems.

If protests continue to expand in the Middle East, this could trigger other events which will possibly contribute to both the King of the South and the King of the North rising up and/or gaining power.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? 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?
Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans?
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.

Gerald Flurry

COGwriter

PCG’s Gerald Flurry, who has declared himself both a prophet and apostle, has the following in the April 2011 edition of the Philadelphia Trumpet: (bolding mine)

Just look at what has happened in the first couple of months of this year: 1) The Tunisian government has fallen, probably into the hands of the radical Muslims; 2) Lebanon has fallen to the Hezbollah terrorists, controlled by Iran—the number-one terrorist-sponsoring nation in the world by far; 3) the government of Egypt has fallen, and its replacement will form some kind of an alliance with Iran, the king of the south. We have been prophesying this for about 20 years!…

Here is what I wrote in the Trumpet magazine, July 1993—nearly 18 years ago: “So when does the king of the south ‘push’ at the king of the north? It must happen after the book of Daniel was revealed to Herbert W. Armstrong in this end time. Daniel 12:9 tells us the time of the end begins when Daniel was revealed. [The book can only be understood in this end time (Daniel 12:4, 9).] So the king of the south must arise after Daniel was revealed to God’s end-time Church—specifically to Herbert W. Armstrong. These verses point to a king of the south that is yet future. And I believe all indications point to radical Islam, headed by Iran, as this king.”

How could I have known so long ago that Iran would be the king of the south and clash with the Holy Roman Empire? Because of what was happening in Iran and the Middle East, coupled with Bible prophecy…

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

How could he know a falsehood about Iran being the final King of the South?

Well, since Iran is mainly east of Jerusalem, it was not from geography or the Bible.   Iran might be a king of the East, but it is not the King of the South.

Since Herbert W. Armstrong believed that king would be Egypt and/or an Arabic Muslim leader, as that is what was published while he was alive by the church he was the physical leader of (see Is There A Future King of the South?), Gerald Flurry did not get this from Herbert W. Armstrong.

So, in my view, he got it from his own imagination.

Gerald Flurry’s boasting does not make his assertion about Iran correct.

The Apostle Paul Paul warned that there would be false apostles as he wrote:

12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:12-13, NKJV)

And I consider that Gerald Flurry is a false apostle and not God’s prophet. Nor have I ever considered that PCG is Philadelphian.  Of course, I do not consider any of those who have declared themselves apostles this century, thus far, are true apostles.

No matter how much they boast.

Anyway, Iran is not the final King of the South.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include the following:

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?
Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans?
Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God Simply calling oneself ‘Philadelphia’ does not make one so (see Revelation 3:7-9), nor does Gerald Flurry calling himself “that prophet” or a variety of other titles make it so. This article provides many quotes from this group which tries to look faithful.
What is a True Philadelphian? Many claim to be part of the Philadelphia era of the Church, but is claiming enough? This article has biblical and historical evidence about who really are the Philadelphians.
Are the Laodiceans the Modern Sadducees and Pharisees? Discusses similarities of the Sadducees and Pharisees to various COGs in this end-time.
Samaritans: Old and New Who were the Samaritans? Do the represent true Christianity or something else?
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now best essentially represented by the Living Church of God.
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.

COGwriter

Unusual weather has caused disasters in many places this year. Although it has been raining here today in California, drought is Texas and other places:

Worst Texas Drought in 44 Years Hits U.S. Wheat, Beef Supply

Bloomberg – March 24, 2011

The worst Texas drought in 44 years is damaging the state’s wheat crop and forcing ranchers to reduce cattle herds, as rising demand for U.S. food sends grain and meat prices higher.

Texas, the biggest U.S. cattle producer and second-largest winter-wheat grower, got just 4.7 inches (12 centimeters) of rain on average in the five months through February, the least for the period since 1967, State Climatologist John Nielsen- Gammon said. More than half the wheat fields and pastures were rated in poor or very poor condition on March 20.

Dry conditions extending to Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado may cut crop yields in the U.S., the world’s largest exporter, as too much moisture threatens fields in North Dakota and in Canada. Wheat futures in Chicago are up 50 percent in the past year, after drought in Russia and floods in Australia hurt output and sent global food prices surging.  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-24/worst-texas-drought-in-44-years-eroding-wheat-beef-supply-as-food-rallies.html

Famines, of course, along with earthquakes, are biblically expected:

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

Speaking of earthquakes, there was a powerful earthquake today in Myanmar that will likely hurt the suffering people in that nation even more than they have been:

Myanmar rocked by powerful earthquake

Los Angeles Times – 24 March 2011

The northeastern part of Myanmar was hit with a magnitude 6.8 earthquake Thursday night. One woman was reported killed when a roof collapsed in Chiang Rai. The quake was felt in Bangkok, 480 miles to the south of the epicenter…

People in Myanmar pretty much always need our prayers.

The weather situations around the world affect many things, including the economy, people’s lives, and the food supply. The fact that so much is happening now, may be consistent with certain end time prophecies. But the end is not yet.

LCG has long had a booklet of possibly related interest titled “Who Controls the Weather? ” that is available for those interested in more on the weather and Bible prophecy.

Gold, which is priced in USA dollars, hit an all-time record high today, before retreating downward:

Gold in New York jumped to a record of $1,448.60 an ounce, before declining, as turmoil in Libya, Japan and Europe spurred demand for the precious metal as an alternative investment. The previous record was $1,445.70 on March 7.  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-24/gold-surges-to-record-on-haven-demand-amid-turmoil-in-libya-japan-europe.html

Many are growing concerned about what is happening.

While Jesus foretold on a time of natural disasters, including famines, as part of “the beginning of sorrows”, the Book of Revelation (16:8-11) tells of a time of even greater disturbances during “the Day of the Lord”. These will go beyond what normally have occurred in the past century. World events are aligning towards the fulfillment of biblical prophecies.

Now there is good news as ultimately, God’s kingdom will come and those issues will be gone (Revelation 7:16). But a terrible hour of trial is coming first (Revelation 3:10).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
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 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?
The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? What do economists and the Bible teach about gold? Gold and silver may drop in value. Inflation/deflation? What do Christians need to know about gold?

COGwriter

The 2010 census information in the USA has been of interest:

New census portrait: Number of Hispanics and Asians skyrocketed over past decade

Washington Post – Carol Morello, Dan Keating – ‎24 March 2011

The nation’s racial and ethnic mix shifted sharply over the past decade, driven by soaring numbers of young Hispanics and Asians and an aging white population that was essentially stagnant.

This seems to be consistent with Bible prophecy:

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.  (Deuteronomy 28:43-44).

If one continues to read the related prophecies in Deuteronomy (many of which apply to the USA), it becomes clear that the USA is on the road to destruction:

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. 46 And they shall be upon you for a sign and a wonder, and on your descendants forever.

47 “Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, 48 therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you. 49 The Lord will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies, a nation whose language you will not understand, 50 a nation of fierce countenance, which does not respect the elderly nor show favor to the young. 51 And they shall eat the increase of your livestock and the produce of your land, until you are destroyed; they shall not leave you grain or new wine or oil, or the increase of your cattle or the offspring of your flocks, until they have destroyed you.  (Deuteronomy 28:45-51)

Now I am not faulting Hispanics and Asians who come to the USA in search for a better life.  But they may wish to consider that when the USA is attacked and taken over, that they will themselves be affected by those events.

Even having a president that is half Kenyan also seems to be consistent with the prophecy about aliens rising up in Deuteronomy 28:43.  And being in debt to non-Americans is also consistent with Deuteronomy 28:44.

To solve its real problems, the USA needs national repentance right now.   As this does not seem likely, the days of the USA are numbered.  If you are in the USA, or even if you are not, you personally can repent.  And perhaps be counted worthy to escape all these things.

Notice what Jesus said:

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.  35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.  36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36)

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Are You Saved? Do You Love Jesus? What is a True Christian? What is the Gospel? Evangelist Richard Ames answers those important questions.
Prophecies of Barack Obama? This article has eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. It includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? This is the longest and most complete article at the COGwriter website on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”. Might Bible prophecy be fulfilled since he is to be the USA president?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? 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?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Does God Have a 6,000/7,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2018 or 2019?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2011, 2012, or 2013? 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?

UCG’s Logo for its Beyond Today television program

COGwriter

The United Church of God (UCG) produces a magazine titled the Good News and a television program titled Beyond Today. Comparisons with past magazine issues show a dropping of impact for both of those public proclamation tools for UCG.  Additionally, UCG produces a periodical for its membership called United News.

Last night I saw the March-April 2011 edition of United News.  The back page showed a graph titled UNITED STATISTICS, with its sub-headline GOOD NEWS PRODUCTION RUNS 2007-2011.

The graph shows that at its peak, which seems to have been its March-April 2008 issue, UCG was producing about 545,000 copies of its Good News magazine.  The graph shows a steady decline in production of the magazine since that date.  UCG’s Good News magazine circulation was listed as 328,000 for its latest issue (Good News Magazine, March-April 2011, p. 2). It was 339,000 for its January-February 2011 issue. And this is down from 362,000 a few issue before (Good News Magazine, October 2010, p. 2).

As I reported before, the November-December 2010 edition of its Good News magazine listed that its Beyond Today was on 215 television stations. Yet, according to the latest issue, Beyond Today is on no more than 35 television stations (Good News Magazine, March-April 2011, p. 29). As it turns out, most of the stations that were dropped were public access ones with limited audiences. But it is still on superstation WGN.

For those unfamiliar with UCG, perhaps it should be mentioned that UCG lost over 1/2 of its paid USA ministry and most of its Latin American ministry since June 2010 (174 ministers/elders in total). Most of them went with a new group that formed called COGWA, who claims to have 170 ministers/elders. The split mainly had to do with personality matters and not doctrine.

Because of the situation with its split, UCG is encountering financial difficulties which may impact further the number of magazines it produces and the number of television stations it remains on. Despite its public attempt to act like it continues to push forward as its has in the past, the reality is that a closer look at its own reported numbers shows that it is having less impact.

On a somewhat related note, UCG again reported that it is making changes to its website that will go into effect in May 2011–presumably this is an attempt to improve the reach of its public proclamation efforts, perhaps on a less costly basis.

UCG is trying to cope with what it has been through, but its impact seems to be lessening in some areas.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Was it hierarchical? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it?
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
Concerns about Church of God, a Worldwide Association Known as COGWA, this seems to be the largest group that came out of the United Church of God. Here is some history and concerns about it. UCG’s former president Clyde Kilough and UK CEO Pater Hawkins are part of it.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.

Muslim Brotherhood
الإخوان المسلمون
Al-Ikhwān Al-Muslimūn

COGwriter

The situation in Libya continues to be of prophetic interest:

Look who’s in line to replace Gadhafi

‘At the right time they will make the move, and we will see Shariah’

WND – March 22, 2011    excerpt…

British cleric Anjem Choudary says al-Qaida and the Muslim Brotherhood have assets on the ground in Libya and are ready to take control if Moammar Gadhafi is removed from power.

The top Muslim cleric accuses the U. S. and French-led coalition trying to topple Gadhafi of working to install a puppet regime, but he says there are al-Qaida operatives in Libya who will stop the West from installing a friendly government.  http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=278105

Most in the West would likely prefer the Muslim Brotherhood to al-Qaida, but that does not mean that the Muslim Brotherhood is supportive of the West.

Wikipedia reports:

In the group’s belief, the Quran and Sunnah constitute a perfect way of life and social and political organization that God has set out for man. Islamic governments must be based on this system and eventually unified in a Caliphate. The Muslim Brotherhood’s goal, as stated by Brotherhood founder Hassan al-Banna was to reclaim Islam’s manifest destiny, an empire, stretching from Spain to Indonesia.

To bring enough Arab nations together, I have felt that some type of “strongman” needed to rise up. One who Arabs would tend to respect. The time may be now and the Muslim Brotherhood may play an important role. They (who tend to be Sunni) want a Caliph while the Shi’ites look for the Imam Mahdi–both of whom sound a lot like final the King of the South.

We in the Living Church of God (LCG) have long expected such a leader. Here are some LCG writings that demonstrate this:

The fact is that food prices, the Muslim Brotherhood or any number of other political or religious factors are only contributing reasons for the current Arab-world turmoil. The underlying reason is that the Almighty Creator God is allowing geopolitics to align according to His will, and according to His time! Scripture is clear that God supremely reigns over all nations and all empires (2 Chronicles 20:6, Daniel 4:25), and He sometimes allows demonic principalities to influence people, nations, and rulers (Daniel 10:20, Ephesians 6:12).

Is the current Arab crisis setting the stage for a future king of the South? While the timing is entirely up to God, the simple answer is that yes, Arab geopolitics are moving ahead exactly as Bible prophecy has long foretold! Read more

Prophecy Fulfilled: God’s Hand in World Affairs

Indeed, a coming “Mahdi” whose arrival Muslims are expecting—in Bible prophecy known as the “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40–45)—will soon arise and have a dramatic impact on world events. This powerful Muslim religious leader will unite many of the more than one billion Muslims. He will pose a genuine threat to the coming European Empire, which will have to crush that threat in order to continue exploiting Middle Eastern oil to further its military ambitions. (Meredith RC. Prophecy Fulfilled: God’s Hand in World Affairs. LCG Booklet, 2007, pp. 16-17)

Conflict Over the “City of Peace”

Today this pattern is repeating itself, as a “third wave” of leaders is sweeping across the Middle East. Rejecting both the capitalism of the West and the discredited Marxism of the former Soviet Union, these would-be “third wave” leaders have emphasized a fundamentalist brand of Islam that leaves no room for compromise. Looking back to the glory days of Arab conquest and dominance in the first centuries after Muhammad, they also dream of a pan-Arab union. This will not be a union under a monarch from one of the old Bedouin dynasties, or a secular-educated army officer turned dictator, but rather a new Caliph who will unify the Faithful under the banner of purified Islam. This, they reason, is the only way that Western influence can be expelled from their region, and that Israel can be subjugated…

The yearnings across much of the Middle East for a new Saladin—one who will restore Arab glory by conquering the Jews and expelling Western influence—were foreseen by Bible prophecy. In Daniel 11:40, we read of a future “King of the South” who will ultimately “push at” a coming European superpower at the time of the end. This individual, called in Bible prophecy the King of the South because his center of power is south of Jerusalem, will undoubtedly be a charismatic person who will whip up much of the Muslim Middle East into a frenzy against Israel and Europe. (Ogwyn J. Conflict Over the “City of Peace”. Tomorrow’s World magazine, March-April 2002).

The timing seems to be right for such a leader to start rising up. The events in primarily Sunni Egypt, Lebanon, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Jordan, and Yemen seem to be setting the stage of the Arabic peoples to be willing to consider some type of confederation with a strong leader to represent them.–but there may be interim governments first.

If protests continue to expand in the Middle East, this could trigger other events which will possibly contribute to both the King of the South and the King of the North rising up and/or gaining power.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? 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?
Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans?
Is There an Islamic Antichrist?Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.

COGwriter

Portugal’s government may collapse this week:

SCENARIOS-Portugal’s politics as government faces collapse

Reuters – Shrikesh Laxmidas, Andrei Khalip – ‎23 March 2011

Socrates, in a second term that was set to end in 2013, has threatened to resign if the opposition rejects the measures. Many analysts speculate he will present his resignation to Cavaco Silva on Wednesday at their weekly meeting.Some analysts say he will only quit after attending the crucial European Union leaders’ summit starting on Thursday, while others say the president would only be likely to accept Socrates’ resignation after the summit.

March 23, 2011, 9:49 a.m. EDT

On a knife’s edge in Lisbon as vote nears

Portugal’s PSI 20 index tumbles 1.9%; bonds under pressure

By Barbara Kollmeyer, MarketWatch

MADRID (MarketWatch) — Financial markets were facing intense pressure in Lisbon on Wednesday ahead of a key parliamentary vote on austerity measures on which Portugal’s Prime Minister Jose Socrates has staked his political future.

Europe is prophesied to have problems, despite the fact it is prophesied to rise up.  Portugal is sometimes called one of the PIIGS in Europe.  PIIGS stands for Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece, and Spain, all counties in the EU with major debt problems.  The debt situation in Portugal seems to be behind the potential collapse of its current government.

(While I have never been to Portugal, my wife and I plan to visit there later this year related to another prophetic book we are working on.)

Because of the PIIGS, as well as historical differences between EU nations, many have speculated that the EU will not make it.  And as it currently is structured it will not.  The Bible warns that the nations of the final beast power will not be highly united:

41 Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. 43 As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay.  (Daniel 2:41-44, NKJV)

The reality is that the structure of what is going on in Europe will ultimately result in a more complete union, even more so than most in any part of Europe currently believe according to Bible prophecy:

12 The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.  (Revelation 17:12-13)

Most every crisis and loss of sovereignty within Europe will lead towards that direction.

The increased monetary integration in the eurozone, the increased military cooperation, and other alliances will ultimately make this ungainly union of clay and iron (Daniel 2:41-43) stick together well enough a few years for many prophecies in the Bible to come to pass.

Of course, Jesus will ultimately defeat the Beast power (Daniel 2:45; Revelation 17:14) and His Kingdom will be established.  Until then, there will be a lot of events happening involving European countries.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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”?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies 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? What MUST happen BEFORE the Great Tribulation?
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? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
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?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2018 or 2019?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This also has YouTube videos. This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, many have already started to come to pass.
2012 y el surgimiento de la secta secreta 2012 libro del Dr. Thiel en Español.
2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Edition) 2012 Buch von Dr. Thiel in deutscher Sprache.
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel em Português. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 14 já começaram a acontecer.