Archive for September, 2011

Russia Committed to Increasing Military Might

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

Dmitry      Anatolyevich Medvedev
Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev

COGwriter

Russia’s president announced that Russia is committed to increasing its military spending :

(AP)  MOSCOW — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday vehemently defended plans to increase the country’s military spending, dismissing criticism by an influential finance minister who quit after expressing frustration over the subject.

Alexei Kudrin’s resignation Monday followed the announcement of plans for Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Medvedev to switch positions after next year’s elections. Kudrin said he would not stay as finance minister if Medvedev became prime minister because he disagreed with his military spending plan, among other issues.  http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/09/27/ap/europe/main20112051.shtml

Despite the views of its last finance minister, Russia has been repeatedly trying to become stronger and gain more influence and military cooperation throughout Asia (see also Russia Strengthening Ties to China and India, Russia Strengthening Ties to Pakistan, Russia Strenthening Military Ties with North Korea, and Russia’s Putin Still Working for Eurasian Union). The final time of the Gentiles is rapidly approaching (Luke 21:24).

The Bible indicates that in the end Russia (Jeremiah 50:41-42) apparently will help lead the Kings of the East (Revelation 16:12) against the end-time European Babylonian empire (Daniel 11:44; Jeremiah 50:9). These eastern kings also include China and many other oriental nations and probably will also include India.   Many Asians will be part of the two hundred million man army against the European power that the Bible says will rise up (Revelation 9:13-20)–only Asia has enough the people to be able to put together such an army in modern times.  Perhaps, I should mention for biblical skeptics that when John was inspired to write the Book of Revelation, there were not even 200,000,000 men on the earth at that time, hence the fact that such an army could be produced and supported in these end-times should show all that will consider the facts that Bible prophecy can be trusted.

Politically, the recent announcement that Vladimir Putin wants to regain the presidency is no surprise.  Many of us have expected this since the election of Dmitry Medvedev as president, as right after that election in 2008 Putin was nominated by Medvedev to be Russia’s as prime minister (Putin became Prime Minister on May 8, 2008).

Also the military expenditure decision announced by Dmitry Medvedev is supportive of Putin’s position, so it seems, to me at least, that the decision of Alexei Kudrin to resign as finance minister, perhaps only pointed to that as an excuse to leave his job.  Both Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev have long been committed to a stronger Russian military and have stated that they wanted it funded.  Today’s announcement simply confirms this once again.

Biblical prophecy related to Russia will come to pass.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia? What will it 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?
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?
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? Who are the 144,000?

Nuclear Iran in 2012? If So, Saudis May Want Pakistani Nuclear Support

Monday, September 26th, 2011


Hiroshima After the Atomic Bomb Was Detonated

COGwriter

In not too many month, Iran might become a nuclear-bomb owning power:

Iran just months from N-bomb
IRAN may be just six months away from developing a nuclear bomb, despite international attempts to thwart the program through sanctions and cyber attacks.
Sunday Times – Sept 26, 2011

A new report by the Bipartisan Policy Centre, a think tank set up by US senators, warns: “The Islamic Republic of Iran could be a de facto nuclear power before 2011 is over.” http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/iran-just-months-from-n-bomb/story-e6frg6so-1226145909062

IN the past Saudi Arabia has indicated that it will get nuclear weapons if Iran does (see Saudi’s Say They Will Get Nukes if Iran Does).  Also notice these relatively recent news items:

Saudis ‘eye Pakistani nukes’ to face Iran

UPI – Sept 15, 2011
Saudi Arabia has been beefing up its military links with Pakistan to counter Iran’s expansionist plans and this reportedly includes acquiring atomic arms from the only Muslim nuclear power or its pledge of nuclear cover…Turki, who headed Saudi Arabia’s General Intelligence Directorate in 1977-2001, didn’t spell out what those consequences might be but a senior official in Riyadh observed, “We cannot live in a situation where Iran has nuclear weapons and we don’t.” http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2011/09/15/Saudis-eye-Pakistani-nukes-to-face-Iran/UPI-15881316101921/
Saudi Arabia mulls nuclear cooperation with Pak: Report
MSN News – Sept 8, 2011
(PTI) Concerned by rapid progress made by Iran towards fulfilling its nuke ambitions, Saudi Arabia is mulling “secret” nuclear cooperation with Sunni Muslim ally, Pakistan to counter Tehran’s military designs in the region, an Israeli media report said today. http://news.in.msn.com/international/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5422850

The situation in the Islamic world is getting more and more tense.  Having the Palestinians apply for recognition at the UN last week did not calm the world–and some feel that it may inflame the situation in the Middle East.

It continues to look to me that, despite whatever else happens, Iran’s plan is to provoke an attack by Israel and/or invade Israel.  Iran’s goal seems to be to show the rest of the Islamic world that Iran should be looked upon as its leader–and it seems to want this sooner than later.

Back in February 2011, Iran’s President Ahmadinejad said that according to him, the traditional and outdated world order is now on the verge of collapse and that the Imam Mahdi is behind the uprisings in the Middle East. The next month, March 2011, a group with ties to his government put out a video (with him in it).

That video quotes someone as saying this Imam Mahdi leader arrives after a time of great earthquakes and sedition. It shows photos of American, Jewish, and European leaders that it does not approve of. It says that, according to the Hadith, Iran is to be among the “preparers” for the arrival of the Imam. It blames the USA and its allies for causing Islamic fear-mongering since 9/2001.  The video indicates that Islamic writings have warned that westerners would invade the Middle East first and its suggests that Iraq and other western military interventions are proof that the Imam Mahdi is about to appear. It tells that a time of Arab cooperation is prophesied, while also claiming that annihilation of the “Zionist regime” needs to happen prior to the arrival of the Mahdi.

It also essentially tries to explain who is Seyed Khorasani (the current top leader of Iran). It also says that 72 months prior to the arrival of the Imam Mahdi that Seyed Khorasani will appoint Shoeib to assist. It then asks if “Doctor” Ahmadinejad could be the Shoeib. It shows Ahmadinejad making various speeches and discusses him taking over Jerusalem in the future–and prior to the arrival of the Imam Mahdi. It basically ends with stating that the Imam Mahdi will rise up soon and that all should praise God with Jihad.

If so, that would be consistent with the 2012 belief that some in Iran have about the Imam Mahdi coming in late 2012 (Islamic year 1434).

Last week at the UN, Iran’s President Ahmadinejad publicly stated that Iran would not recognize Israel’s right to exist, even if the UN would recognize a Palestinian state.

As I have written before, I suspect that there may need to be a war in the Middle East for a prophesied peace deal (Daniel 9:27) to take place, though a specific war is not absolutely required.  There are leadership protests in Syria, who is a major ally of Iran.   At this time, it is possible that Syria, for example, may launch with Iran’s concurrence and or direct cooperation, an attack against Israel, which could result in Syria (Isaiah 17:1-6) becoming devastated and Iran at least weakened (if not worse).

With the unrest in Syria, the Arab Spring, and Palestinian statehood being looked at, it may not be a coincidence that Iran wants to have atomic bombs by 2012, as attacking Israel would fulfill some of its stated goals.

Since Iran, however, is NOT really south of Jerusalem, we in the Living Church of God do not believe that it will be the final King of the South of Bible prophecy (cf. Daniel 11:4-43).  Because of that, I have tended to believe that Iran may somehow get “neutralized” before this final king rises up.  And it may be that provoking some type of conflict with Israel (through an attack or through simply possessing nuclear bombs) may result in Israel hitting Iran hard enough militarily to greatly reduce Iran’s influence in the Islamic world.

Something like this would, thus, allow the other Islamic states (like Saudi Arabia and Egypt) to continue to exist and allow for the rising of the prophesied leader (revolution in Iran, is also another possibility).

We will watch and see (Mark 13:37).

Some articles (and books) 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?
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, at 17 have already started to come to pass.
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect- Kindle edition
Dr. Thiel’s book is available via Amazon Kindle.
2012 y el surgimiento de la secta secreta Nuevo libro del Dr. Thiel en Español.
2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Edition) 2012 Buch von Dr. Thiel in deutscher Sprache.
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Edição em português do Brasil) Da Amazon.com
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Edição em português do Brasil) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel. Edição em português do Brasil. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 17 já começaram a acontecer.
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 17 já começaram a acontecer.

The Fall Holy Days Begin Wednesday: Did Early Christians Keep Them?

Monday, September 26th, 2011

John Chrysostom on Ceiling in Constantinople

John Chrysostom (Istanbul, Turkey. May 2008)

COGwriter

The biblical Fall Holy Day season is just about upon us.  At sunset Wednesday, September 28th, 2011 is the first day of Tishri in the biblical calendar.  That will be begin what we in the Living Church of God refer to as the Feast of Trumpets and what the Jews tend to call Rosh Hashanah.

Was this, and other Holy Days, kept by early Christians?

Yes, and like a lot of evidence about the most faithful Christians, some of the proof of this is related to someone who did not care for them.

Over 1600 years ago, God’s Holy Days were condemned by a racist, John Chrysostom, who is now considered to be a Catholic and Orthodox saint and “doctor of the church”. A few years ago, the Protestant Christianity Today named John Chrysostom the person of the week and Benedict XVI praised (see Christianity Todays’ “Person of the Week”).

Here is what their John Chrysostom publicly preached in 387 A.D.:

The festivals of the pitiful and miserable Jews are soon to march upon us one after the other and in quick succession: the feast of Trumpets, the feast of Tabernacles, the fasts. There are many in our ranks who say they think as we do. Yet some of these are going to watch the festivals and others will join the Jews in keeping their feasts and observing their fasts. I wish to drive this perverse custom from the Church right now…If the Jewish ceremonies are venerable and great, our are lies…Does God hate their festivals and do you share in them? He did not say this or that festival, but all of them together. (John Chrysostom. Homily I Against the Jews I:5;VI:5;VII:2. Preached at Antioch, Syria in the Fall of 387 AD. Medieval Sourcebook: Saint John Chrysostom (c.347-407) : Eight Homilies Against the Jews. Fordham University. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/chrysostom-jews6.html 12/10/05).

The wicked and unclean fast of the Jews is now at our doors. Thought it is a fast, do not wonder that I have called it unclean…But now that the devil summons your wives to the feast of the Trumpets and they turn a ready ear to this call, you do not restrain them. You let them entangle themselves in accusations of ungodliness, you let them be dragged off into licentious ways. (John Chrysostom. Homily II Against the Jews I:1; III:4. Preached at Antioch, Syria on Sunday, September 5, 387 A.D.).

So also the Law fixed the feast of Tabernacles (John Chrysostom. Homily IV Against the Jews IV:3. Catholic Christians of Antioch Turning to Sabbath and The New Moon Day and Other Holy Days. 387 A.D.).

John Chrysostom preached against the Fall holy days, because some who professed Christ were observing them. Specifically he mentioned the Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement (Fasts above), and the Feast of Tabernacles.  It is interesting to note that John Chrysostom must have realized that the second century church kept Passover the same time as the Jews did (this was even true in the early second century in Rome). And that the Catholic Church still kept Pentecost. Thus by preaching what he did, John Chrysostom is preaching against his own church as the Roman and Orthodox Catholics claim to keep both Passover (though on a different date, and with a different name) and Pentecost–as both of those festivals would be part of “all of them together.”

It should be noted that the basic reason that John Chrysostom preached against the holy days was due to antisemitism. In demonstrates this in his Homily Against the Jews (of which there are at least eight of) as he calls the Jews by a variety of names. Here are a few of his statements:

But do not be surprised that I called the Jews pitiable. They really are pitiable and miserable (I:II:1).

So the godlessness of the Jews and the pagans is on a par. But the Jews practice a deceit which is more dangerous (I:VI:4).

Do you see that demons dwell in their souls and that these demons are more dangerous than the ones of old? (I:VI:7).

Since it is against the Jews that I wish to draw up my battle line, let me extend my instruction further. Let me show that, by fasting now, the Jews dishonor the law and trample underfoot God’s commands because they are always doing everything contrary to his decrees. When God wished them to fast, they got fat and flabby (VI:IV:2).

Indeed, the fasting of the Jews, which is more disgraceful than any drunkenness, is over and gone (VIII:I:5).

But the facts are that the Holy Days were kept by Jesus, the New Testament Church, and those faithful to their teachings. And the other fact is that no where in the Bible do we see hatred against the Jews. Jesus taught we were to love our neighbor (and most the of “neighbors” He was then talking to were Jewish).

Furthermore, the New Testament calls one of the so-called “Jewish” holy days “great”. Notice the following from both a Protestant and a Catholic translation:

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out (John 7:37, NKJV)

And in the last, the great day of the festivity JESUS stood, and cried (John 7:37, Rheims New Testament).

So who is right?

Those who follow Jesus’ practices or those who condemn them?

Recall that John Chrysostum, in this case, somewhat correctly stated,

If the Jewish ceremonies are venerable and great, ours are lies.

So which days should be observed? Which have a “great day” according to the Bible? Which days are lies? (John Chrysostom supported days with pagan ties such as Christmas and Easter.)

Perhaps it might be helpful to realize that Catholics do admit that early Christians did observe the Feast of Tabernacles:

St. Jerome (PL 25, 1529 & 1536-7) speaking of how the Judaeo-Christians celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles…tells us that they gave the feast a millenarian significance (Bagatti, Bellarmino. Translated by Eugene Hoade. The Church from the Circumcision. Nihil obstat: Marcus Adinolfi. Imprimi potest: Herminius Roncari. Imprimatur: +Albertus Gori, die 26 Junii 1970. Franciscan Printing Press, Jerusalem, p.202).

We in the Living Church of God also keep the Feast of Tabernacles and believe that it foreshadows the coming millennium.

Notice also that the Catholic, Orthodox, and Living Church of God Saint Polycarp of Smyrna kept the Fall Holy Days:

I will give the narration in order, thus coming down to the history of the blessed Polycarp…

So also he pursued the reading of the Scriptures from childhood to old age, himself reading in church; and he recommended it to others, saying that the reading of the law and the prophets was the forerunner of grace, preparing and making straight the ways of the Lord, that is the hearts, which are like tablets whereon certain harsh beliefs and conceptions that were written before perfect knowledge came, are through the inculcation of the Old Testament, and the correct interpretation following thereupon, first smoothed and levelled, that, when the Holy Spirit comes as a pen, the grace and joy of the voice of the Gospel and of the doctrine of the immortal and heavenly Christ may be inscribed on them. And he said that they could not otherwise receive the impression of the seal which is given by baptism and engrave and exhibit the form conveyed in it, unless the wax were first softened and filled the deep parts. So also he thought that the hearts of the hearers ought to be softened and yield to the impress of the Word. For he said that it unfolded and opened, like closed doors, the minds of recent comers; and accordingly the prophet was bidden by God, Cry out mightily and spare not, Raise thy voice as a trumpet. What must one say, when even He that was gentler than all men so appeals and cries out at the feast of Tabernacles? For it is written; And on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried saying, If any man thirsteth, let him come to Me and drink. (Pionius, Life of Polycarp (1889) from J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 3.2, pp.488-506.)

Polycarp, according to the above, seems to have endorsed the Fall Holy Day season which begins with the Feast of Trumpets, includes the Feast of Tabernacles, and ends on The Last Great Day.  And while the Day of Atonement was not specifically mentioned above, it was mentioned in the Book of Acts, where it is referred to as the Fast (Acts 27:9).

The biblical Holy Days (both Spring and Fall) were kept by early, faithful Christians, and this is clear from both scripture and early church records.

The first Holy Day this Fall season is the Feast of Trumpets (called Rosh Hashanah by the Jews) which begin September 28th, 2011 at sunset until sunset September 29th.

The second Holy Day this Fall season is the Day of Atonement (called Yom Kippur by the Jews) which begin October 7th, 2011 at sunset until sunset October 8th.

The seven day Feast of Tabernacles begins at sunset October 12th and is followed by the Last Great Day, which ends October 20th, 2011 at sunset. (Most people travel to attend the Feast of Tabernacles, you can click here to see LCG 2011 Feast of Tabernacles’ Information).

Then, other than the weekly Sabbaths, there are no Holy Days until Passover in the Spring.

The early, faithful, Christians kept what many now refer to as “Jewish” holidays.  Jesus, Paul, and the apostles did.  They were part of “the faith once for all delivered unto the saints” (Jude 4).

Perhaps you should look into them more?

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? Did they? Did Jesus? Did the Apostle Paul? Should you?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by 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.
The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets? Are they related? Is so how? If not, where not?
The Day of Atonement–Its Christian Significance The Jews call it Yom Kippur, Christians “The Day of Atonement”. Does it have any relevance for Christians today?
The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today’s Christians?
LCG 2011 Feast of Tabernacles’ Information Here is information on many Feast of Tabernacles locations for this October feast.
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?
Holy Day Calendar This is a listing of the biblical holy days through 2017, with their Roman calendar dates. They are really hard to observe if you do not know when they occur 🙂
Michael’s Feasts and Fasts Quiz 15 questions, amusing wrong answer screens.
Michael’s Day of Atonement Quiz Another free on-line Bible quiz by my son Michael.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

TW: End Time Scoffers

Sunday, September 25th, 2011

COGwriter

Notice the following from the latest TW News & Prophecy from the Living Church of God:

End-time scoffers.

Professor Richard Dawkins is well known for his philosophical conjecture that life came into existence by chance evolutionary processes. As a scientist, Dr. Dawkins prefers to lecture on philosophy, ridiculing people for their “irrational” belief in God. He usually “… declines to talk in San Francisco and New York; these cities are too gloriously godless, as far as he is concerned. ‘As an atheistic lecturer, you are rather wasting your time,’ he says. He prefers the Bible Belt, where controversy is raw.”

In a recent interview, Dr. Dawkins commented, “Religion teaches you to be satisfied with nonanswers. It’s a sort of crime against childhood.” Yet he also admits, “I did not end up as broadly educated as my Cambridge colleagues, but I graduated probably better equipped to write a book on my chosen subject” (The New York Times, September 19, 2011). Perhaps that is why elements of his arguments ignore basic understandings of other scientific disciplines.

Dr. Dawkins is highly intelligent, yet apparently refuses to even consider arguments for the intelligent design of the universe–a stance he has taken since he was a youth. He admits there could be all-powerful god-like beings “out there” who came to that point through evolution, yet he refuses to admit an Eternal God could have created the universe and humanity.

Evolutionary theory fails to give “meaning” to life and cannot explain the real future of all mankind. The Bible states, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God'” (Psalm 14:1). The Apostle Paul warned about those who are “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7).

Dr. Dawkins made a very revealing statement when he said about a respected colleague’s belief in a personal God, “I just don’t get it.” The Bible reveals that an understanding of spiritual things must come from God (1 Corinthians 2:7-14). One of the keys to gaining that understanding comes from humility and being willing to learn from the word of God (Isaiah 66:2). The apostle Peter prophesied “that scoffers will come in the last days” and they would ridicule God and the Scriptures (2 Peter 2-3).

For more information on the reality of God, see our booklet, The Real God: Proofs and Promises.

As a scientist, I have long known that proponents of evolution treat the subject more like a religious view than a scientific theory. This is somewhat also what the Ben Stein movie Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed revealed (see Ben Stein’s Expelled).

Which was?

Scientists who challenge too many claims associated with evolution are shunned by many academic institutions, as there is a tremendous amount of pressure at most “leading” academic institutions to squelch research that is not in support of evolution because it will affect their beliefs.

Evolution, as the explanation for the origin of life, is unscientific and false. It also requires students to accept a belief that violates other known laws of biological science, and it develops a scoffer’s attitude towards truth.

Perhaps I should add that when the world does not end in 2012, around December 22, 2012 I expect scoffers to abound related to prophecy (2 Peter 2-3).

Some articles of possibly related interest include the following:

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.
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 by Wallace Smith which answers what many really wonder about it.
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?
The Bible: Fact or Fiction? This is a booklet written by Douglas Winnail that answers if the Bible is just a collection of myths and legends or the inspired word of God.
Read the Bible Christians should read and study the Bible. This article gives some rationale for regular bible reading.
What is the Appropriate Form of Biblical Interpretation? Should the Bible be literally understood? What do the writings of the Bible, Origen, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Augustine show?
Bible and Historical Resources on the Internet Electronic bibles, Two Babylons, early Christian literature, photos, and even links to old Herbert W. Armstrong materials.
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012? How might Barack Obama be involved in 2012?

Peace Deal in 2012?

Sunday, September 25th, 2011

Flag of Palestine

COGwriter

Palestine made its bid for statehood official at the United Nations and others made some suggestions about a deadline for a peace deal:

msnbc.com – ‎25 September 2011

A Palestinian boy holds a flag in front of members of the Palestinian security forces in the West Bank city of Ramallah, before a celebration upon President Mahmoud Abbas’ return from the United States Sunday…Trying to head off a clash in the Security Council, a group of Middle East mediators urged a return to peace talks within four weeks, “substantial progress” within six months and an agreement to be struck within a year.  The Quartet — the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations — asked Friday that Israel and the Palestinians to submit proposals on territory and security within three months.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has submitted his request to the UN for recognition of a Palestinian state…

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he was reaching out to Palestinians and blamed them for refusing to negotiate…

Meanwhile the Quartet of Middle East mediators – the UN, EU, US and Russia – said in a statement it wanted Israelis and Palestinians to meet within one month to agree an agenda for talks, and aim for a peace deal by the end of 2012.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15033357

Palestine wants in U.N.; others seek peace talks

The Tennessean – Lesley Clark – ‎24 September 2011

appeal for full UN membership for an independent Palestinian state, US and European diplomats on Friday proposed a new round of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks to begin within a month, with the goal of reaching a deal by the end of 2012…U.S. officials said that the proposal by the so-called Quartet of mediators — the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia — offered the best chance to restart long-stalled negotiations.

Israel welcomes, PA rejects Quartet’s proposal

Jerusalem Post – Tovah Lazaroff, Khaled Abu Toameh – ‎24 September 2011

A number of Palestinian factions, including Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine also rejected the Quartet plan, saying it was designed to “foil” Palestinian aspirations for independence.

Notice that the EU is one of the “quartet” pushing for this–though Hamas and others oppose it.

A peace deal involving the Middle East has long been believed to be an important step on the timeline in biblical prophecy.  I have long suspected that some type of unrest or war could proceed the peace deal of Daniel 9:27.  It is possible that the result of the UN bid may be increased violence and other tensions in the region.

Whether or not war and/or a peace deal will happen in 2012 can be debated, but one or both very well may be so.

Notice that in the book of Daniel there is a prophecy related to the end times that states:

26 And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate (Daniel 9:26-27).

There are several reasons that this “prince” is referring to the leader of the developing European empire (see King of the North and Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation). But perhaps the main one is that it was the people of the Roman Empire of the 1st century that fulfilled the portion of Daniel 9:26 as they destroyed the city (Jerusalem) in 70 A.D. The European Union includes much of the land and peoples that were part of the ancient Roman Empire.  And it is the “prince” coming from that people that verse 27 is referring to. Thus, this prophecy tells us that a lower level European leader will officially start to rise up about 3 1/2 years before the great tribulation (and yes, according to Jesus, some “tribulation” does happen prior to the start of the Great Tribulation).

While the leader in Daniel 9:27 is only referred to as a prince when he confirms the one week covenant, he probably will not be known as the “King” until shortly before he breaks the covenant at the mid-week point (most likely he will be considered simply one of several leaders negotiating a treaty when this deal in Daniel 9:27 is initially made)–this is the same individual called the King of the North in Daniel 11:31,40. The two witnesses (who are prophets) rise up around the mid-point of the week. The iron and clay mingled together refers to a power (like Europe) that is not totally cohesive.

(It may be of interest to note that within Islam, there does exist the idea that an Islamic leader, Imam Mahdi, will be part of a seven-year golden age and will make a peace deal with the Europeans, that the Europeans will break–for details, please see The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy).

Although he has several events out of sequence, even the famed Protestant theologian John Walvoord understood the importance of the deal in Daniel 9:27:

The seven-year peace treaty with Israel; consummated seven years before the second coming of Christ (Dan. 9:27; Revelation 19:11-16). (Walvoord J. The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook. Victor Books, 1990, p. 551)

Why is this believed to be a peace deal? There are several reasons, but notice some other scriptures that discuss this leader:

25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:25, KJV).

23 And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. 24 He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time. (Daniel 11:23-24, NKJV)

So this leader gives people the impression that there will be “peace” and is involved in some type of deal. Term is translated as “peace” in Daniel 8:25 is from the Hebrew term shalvah and essentially means security. In other words, this leader will destroy “many” who are under the impression that they are secure because of some type of security arrangement. Such arrangements are now commonly referred to as peace deals.

In my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, I discuss that many will claim that 2012 and the Mayan calendar would proclaim that 2012 was showing a shift towards an age of peace.  But I also wrote that biblically, a major time of war and tribulation would come so that people should not be deceived by false declarations that an age of peace would remain.  Watch (Mark 13:37).

For more information, here are three articles of possibly related interest:

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?
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?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 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? What is all this talk about a peace deal?  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?
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?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012? How might Barack Obama be involved in 2012?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This link also has YouTube videos. This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, world events have aligned with at least 17 predictions in the book and many more will 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 16-17 já começaram a acontecer.
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Brazilian Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel.  Edição em português do Brasil. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 17 já começaram a acontecer.

Lutherans Want Martin Luther’s Excommunication Lifted; Cardinal Koch Wants Lutheran Compromise

Sunday, September 25th, 2011


Kurt Koch

COGwriter

The ecumenical posturing from the Lutherans and the Vatican continues:

…the head of the Lutheran Church council in Germany and the pope’s chief ecumenical officer publicly demonstrated how much is left to discuss.

The Lutheran leader also was asked about the hopes some Lutherans expressed that Pope Benedict would “rehabilitate” Martin Luther or symbolically withdraw his excommunication during the trip, or at least by 2017 when they mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation…Rev. Schneider said he hoped the official Catholic position on Luther would continue to develop and would move toward a re-evaluation of Luther’s theology, not just his personal faith.

Cardinal Koch, however, responded that reconciliation is “a two-way street.” Both Catholics and Lutherans have work to do in evaluating what happened during the Reformation and what has happened since, he said.  http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1103794.htm

Cardinal Kurt Koch is one who claims he has a lot of understanding of the Protestants, and even stated that this is one reason he said he was chosen to be the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity by Pope Benedict XVI.

I have reported about Cardinal Koch several times in the past year (e.g. Kurt Koch Made a Cardinal: Might He Become the Antichrist? and Kurt Koch Spoke on Vatican II: More Compromise Coming?). I believe that if he lives long enough, Cardinal Koch will either become the final Antichrist, support the final Antichrist, or be decide that he will have to oppose him. To take this a step further, yes, this means that I believe that someone who calls himself “Catholic” and somehow may become pope will be the final Antichrist (Some Doctrines of Antichrist). And I also will add that it is NOT “Catholic bashing” to consider that the final Antichrist will call himself “Catholic” as this is the position of certain Catholic mystics and currently living Catholic priests. I also retain my belief that most non-North American-based Lutherans will support this (as well as a significant number in North America).

Now, as I do not personally know Kurt Koch, I am not saying that he is necessarily anything other than a loyal Catholic bishop and cardinal. But historically, those in ecumenical leaderships make statements that suggest compromise–and I think he was telling the Lutherans that they will also have to compromise.

An ecumenical unity for the world is coming (cf. Revelation 13:3-4) and it will not be faithful to the early and true apostolic traditions or sacred scripture.

As I do not believe that Martin Luther ever truly believed in sola Scriptura, I also do not believe that the majority of Lutherans really do as well.  That combined with their nearly Roman Catholic understanding of end-time prophecy has long suggested to me that they would be willing to entertain unity again with Rome.  Most Lutherans and Catholics would do well to truly study early church history and try to understand it primarily in the light of sacred scripture.

More details can be found in the following:

Sola Scriptura or Prima Luther? What Did Martin Luther Really Believe About the Bible? Though he is known for his public sola Scriptura teaching, did Martin Luther’s writings about the Bible suggest he felt that prima Luther was his ultimate authority? Statements from him changing and/or discounting 18 books of the Bible are included. Do you really want to know the truth?
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the Living Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example?
John Calvin, Calvinism, TULIP, and What is Predestination? Who was John Calvin? Did he believe in sola Scriptura or did he hold to unbiblical doctrines? TULIP analyzed.
Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics The talks for unification involve compromise and the apparent rising up of a changed religion that no one should accept.
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Living Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living 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 viva do deus? Tambien Español: Cuál es fiel: ¿La iglesia católica romana o La Iglesia del Dios Viviente? Auch: Deutsch: Welches zuverlässig ist: Die Römisch-katholische Kirche oder die lebende Kirche von Gott?
Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 Do they matter? Most say they must, but act like they do not. This article contains some history about the Church of God (sometimes referred to as the continuation of Primitive Christianity) over the past 2000 years. It also discusses the concept of church eras.
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church.
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Should Christians be Nazarenes today? What were the practices of the Nazarenes.
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
Apostolic Succession What really happened? Did structure and beliefs change? Are many of the widely-held current understandings of this even possible? Did you know that Catholic scholars really do not believe that several of the claimed “apostolic sees” of the Orthodox have apostolic succession–despite the fact that the current pontiff himself seems to wish to ignore this view? Is there actually a true church that has ties to any of the apostles that is not part of the Catholic or Orthodox churches? Read this article if you truly are interested in the truth on this matter!
Early Church History: Who Were the Two Major Groups Professed Christ in the Second and Third Centuries? Did you know that many in the second and third centuries felt that there were two major, and separate, professing Christian groups in the second century, but that those in the majority churches tend to now blend the groups together and claim “saints” from both? “Saints” that condemn some of their current beliefs. Who are the two groups?

Might Euro Fall in Six Weeks? LCG: Will Europe Come Apart?

Saturday, September 24th, 2011

European Union Tower of Babel Poster

COGwriter

Might the Euro collapse in six weeks?  Notice the following claim from an important UK leader:

Six weeks to save the euro: Chancellor’s warning after another day of financial turmoil

World leaders were warned last night that they have just six weeks to save the euro from collapse.

On another day of gathering economic gloom, George Osborne savaged eurozone leaders for failing to get a grip on their towering debts. The Chancellor set a deadline of six weeks – when leaders of the G20 group of leading countries will meet for crunch talks in France – for action.

George Osborne is is the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom.  Basically, he by the British Cabinet minister who is responsible for all economic and financial matters (Wikipedia).  The UK never adopted the Euro and has tended to look negatively towards it.

FWIW, in my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, a bit over two years ago, I wrote:

Having the European power acquiring a lot more gold to back the Euro (even if the backing is only implied) or possibly other future European currency (that might potentially replace the Euro) may greatly increase European credibility, prosperity, and influence around the globe.

We will see what happens with the Euro.

But what about Europe?

In his commentary today, Wallace Smith of the Living Church of God reported:

The newspapers warn of terrible times ahead for Europe. Last Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal brought a sad story—“Greek Crisis Exacts the Cruelest Toll” — discussing the spike in suicides related to economic woes in Greece, and describing one man’s story in heartbreaking detail. Earlier, the same paper asked, “What Comes After ‘Europe’?” summarizing its own answer to the question: “The riots of Athens will become those of Milan, Madrid and Marseilles. Border checkpoints will return. Currencies will be resurrected, then devalued.”

These writers are among the many who are writing about the demise of the European Union as if it were a foregone conclusion. As author Bret Stephens, points out:

“America will survive this because America is a state. But as Bismarck once remarked, ‘Whoever speaks of Europe is wrong. Europe is a geographical expression.’ The ‘fiscal union’ that’s being mooted will never come to pass: German voters won’t stand for it, and neither will any other country that wants to retain fiscal independence—which is to say, the core attribute of democratic sovereignty.

“What comes next is the explosion of the European project.”

However, there is another way to understand the current economic and political turmoil. What some interpret as the death throes of a continental superpower-wannabe—an entity that had overreached in hubris and arrogance—may not be death throes at all. They may be birth pangs.

As long-time observers of the goings-on in Brussels have often noted, Europe’s bureaucrats, politicians and influence-peddlers always seem to come to the same conclusion: the solution to Europe’s problems is always more Europe! When unification causes difficulties, their solution is simple: more unification!

It is not a new phenomenon to see difficult times in Europe give rise to a powerful leader with the will and the power to unify much of the continent. Though it may seem tactless to mention, only the foolish fail to consider that Germany’s crushing economic woes during the Weimar Republic after World War I were instrumental as a catalyst for the rise of Hitler’s “Third Reich.”

Rahm Emanuel, former Chief of Staff to President Obama, infamously said of the unfolding U.S. financial crisis: “You don’t ever want a crisis to go to waste; it’s an opportunity to do important things that you would otherwise avoid” (New York Times, November 6, 2008). As today’s European Union heads into the greatest crisis of its life, many across Europe will see in that crisis the opportunities of a lifetime. The current turmoil will allow Europe’s power brokers and politicians to craft the next chapters of their continent’s story to suit their own ambitions.

But students of the Bible have the opportunity to know the end of that story in advance.

Bible prophecy has much to say about the final state of things in Europe. In His Word, God paints a picture of Europe’s destiny that does not depend on the whims of politicians or the latest economic panics. It is a picture of a continent’s rise to a position of unheard-of power and global domination. And it is a picture of the demise and devastation of the United States and the nations of the former British Commonwealth.

So, do not confuse Europe’s birth pangs for death throes. And do not wait for the headlines to catch up to the Bible! As the story of Europe’s race toward its destiny unfolds, skip to the last chapters ahead of time and read the end before it happens. View our Tomorrow’s World telecast “America’s Fall: Europe’s Rise” and read our article, “From ‘Brits’ to BRICs.” You will see that the “end” of Europe being discussed by analysts is, truly, only the beginning.

The Bible, in Revelation 17, is clear that the Europeans will reorganize in the future:

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)

Steps towards this happening are continuing as we in the Living Church of God have long taught–and there will be bumps in the road and problems (major civil unrest, or worse, may occur).

Of course, the Bible is clear that the final European Beast power will not actually be highly unified as it will basically be a combination of strong and weak, or as the Bible more literally states, iron and clay:

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 2:41-43)

According to Bible prophecy, a European power, despite its fragility, is destined to temporarily be the most dominant force in the world, ultimately conquer the Anglo-descended nations (Daniel 11:39), and later come to its end (Daniel 11:45).

But before it is destroyed (Daniel 11:21-44), the final Beast power must come together and get to the place where it has major economic influence.

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”? Using the Tower of Babel and “Beast” images suggests it is not concerned about its role as being part of the future Babylon of Bible prophecy.
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?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North?
Is the German Defense Minister one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada?
There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy?
Is the United States the King of the West?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This link also has YouTube videos. This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, world events have aligned with at least 17 predictions in the book and many more will 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 16-17 já começaram a acontecer.
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Brazilian Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel.  Edição em português do Brasil. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 16-17 já começaram a acontecer.

CNN: Should USA Be Like Joseph and Store Wheat?

Saturday, September 24th, 2011


Wheat

COGwriter

CNN had an interesting article:

Should the U.S. emulate the Biblical Joseph and store grain?

CNN Senior National Editor – Sept 23, 2011…

Might America wake one day and discover that those “amber waves of grain” and the bounty of its “fruited plain” no longer is enough to feed its citizens?

American farmers were forecast this spring to plant more than 92 million acres of corn, 75 million acres of soybeans and 58 million acres of wheat. Every bushel that survives to be harvested this fall will be coveted.http://newsroom.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/23/should-the-u-s-emulate-the-biblical-joseph-and-store-grain/

The article basically says that the USA controls more of the wheat market than Saudi Arabia does the oil market, that Asians (particularly Korea and China) are buying up a lot of the wheat, and that food supplies are tightening.  The article indicates that like Joseph had Pharaoh store wheat, that this is something that the USA should do.  I would add that this is something that the USA always should have been doing, but it is getting in so much debt that it will likely have to sell wheat to keep its creditors somewhat satisfied.  And if it stops it, it faces consequences (cf. Habakkuk 2:6-7).

Food shortages may begin as early as next month.  Some have concerns that matters will worsen in 2012:

Next Drought Victim: 2012 Wheat Crop?

AG Web – Aug 31, 2011
The cynics like to scoff that the Great Plains winter wheat crop dies a thousand deaths before setting new yield records, but the 2012 crop south of I-70 appears to be at risk of never getting started.
With the odds now favoring another La Nina this winter and farmers from Kansas to Texas saying they’ve never seen it drier, it looks like 2012 runs the risk of being another short crop year—further exacerbating USDA’s already gloomy outlook for wheat carryover.

The Bible is clear that humankind will NOT have a solution as it shows that there will not be lots of wheat at the time of the end, otherwise it would not have the following passage in the Book of Revelation:

5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.” (Revelation 6:5-6)

There clearly will not be an over abundance of wheat when the above prophecy is fulfilled. Genetically-modified crops are subject to massive devastation if they are affected by any pest (including microbial ones) or other factor that disrupts their growth. This type of disaster seems much more likely to happen than a wheat overabundance that cannot happen (at least not at the very time that Revelation 6:5-6 is referring to, though one could temporarily happen before) (see also Super Wheat: Solution or Disaster Awaiting? and TW: Food Prices May Cause Riots Within a Year).

Notice something that Ezekiel was inspired to write:

15 ‘So it shall be a reproach, a taunt, a lesson, and an astonishment to the nations that are all around you, when I execute judgments among you in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I, the Lord, have spoken. 16 When I send against them the terrible arrows of famine which shall be for destruction, which I will send to destroy you, I will increase the famine upon you and cut off your supply of bread. 17 So I will send against you famine and wild beasts, and they will bereave you. Pestilence and blood shall pass through you, and I will bring the sword against you. I, the Lord, have spoken.'” (Ezekiel 5:15-17)

Notice that this shows famine, then pestilence, and then the sword. The above sequence seems to be slightly different than that Jesus listed as part of the “beginning of sorrows” (Mathew 24:7-8) as the sword comes afterwards. But since the sword should begin the Great Tribulation, the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), this may be part of how the beginning of sorrows ties into the Great Tribulation–this also may suggest hunger and disease problems for the Anglo-nations prior to the start of the Great Tribulation.

We in the Living Church of God teach that the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand are essentially descendants of the biblical tribe of Joseph.  And while those nations have connections to him, it does not appear that they want to live like he did, nor is it likely that they will be able to store enough grain before it is too late.

The sons of Joseph were named Ephraim (Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand) and Manasseh (USA).   In a recent co-worker letter, Dr. Roderick C. Meredith of the Living Church of God wrote:

So it seems that the “beginning of sorrows” has certainly been escalating in Ephraim and Manasseh! Maybe it will help some few people to actually “wake up”! (Meredith RC. LCG Co-worker letter, August 15, 2011)

The sorrows and troubles are just beginning and will get much worse.  Hopefully, people will wake up.

As Jesus said:

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

Tougher times are coming. And for some parts of the world these tougher time may be here now. People who can prepare, should: both spiritually and physically. Westerners need to realize that this will not only affect people in places like Africa, Asia, and the Middle East–the Anglo-descended nations of the West will themselves suffer hunger, civil unrest, famine, and worse. Super wheat will not be the solution–it is much more likely to contribute to a disaster.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2011 or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What is the “beginning of sorrows”? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?
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?
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?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West?
Is Tony Blair Apocalyptic? The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom converted to Catholicism shortly after leaving his office and has been active in European affairs. What role might he play?

COGWA and James Malm

Saturday, September 24th, 2011

COGwriter

Late yesterday, COGWA (Church of God, a Worldwide Association) posted the following from its president, Jim Franks:

A lot has happened in the past nine months and even more in the past few weeks! As an organization we now have all the officers and operation managers in place.

And COGWA’s focus since its inception, as I have long written here, has been its internal matters such as governance.

James Malm posted the following also late yesterday:

God Governance is Patriarchal NOT Pyramidal!…

COGWA has opted for this same pyramid system that HWA introduced; although it remains to be seen just how bullying and dominating Jim Franks will become…

Lucifer instituted the “Pyramid” system whereby there were layers of authority and each layer intervened and came between the top and the lower layers.

In this way he came between the angels and God and they were taught that to question or disobey him would cut them off from God. That was the beginning of the “Pyramid” system of church governance.

While I do not agree with all of COGWA’s priorities, nor do I agree that their governance system is a proper pyramid as the elders vote for the top leaders, apparently, James Malm does not realize that God’s governmental system is somewhat pyramidal.

Notice the following scriptures:

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ —  16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.  (Ephesians 4:11-16)

28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:28-31)

Notice that God, not Lucifer, appointed layers of authority in His church according to what is recorded in the New Testament (and there are verses in the OT that support this as well).  While we all must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12), and hence obey God rather than men when men are in error (Acts 5:27-29), that does not mean that God did not institute a hierarchical form of government to assist His people.  As scripture shows, He truly did.

Furthermore, perhaps it should be mentioned that when God dwells on earth in the Holy City New Jerusalem, the type of shape it has seems to be that of a pyramid:

10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.

14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. (Revelation 21:10-16)

The above is not declared to be a cube.  It is a pyramid that has a square foundation.  James Malm and others may wish to consider this as another indication that a somewhat pyramidal hierarchical form of governance is biblically sanctioned.  And even if New Jerusalem is somehow not a pyramid, it is obvious from the Bible that God set up layers of leadership in His church (1 Corinthians 12:28-31) to assist His people so that they would not be affected by every wind of someone’s imagination (Ephesians 4:11-16).

COGWA itself  was formed out of a split from the United Church of God (UCG) in 2010.   James Malm has often improperly attacked both groups based on his misunderstanding of doctrine and his repeated efforts to make railing accusations against the motivations of the leadership of both groups.  I suggest that he prayerfully consider Jude 9-11.

And while regular readers of the COGwriter page are aware, I do not support the type of governance nor priorities that I seem to see that COGWA and UCG have.  Nor do I consider that they are as hierarchical as the Bible indicates.

Yet, I have not attacked their leaders personally like James Malm has, nor do I agree with much of what he tries to imply about them.  I believe that the bulk of leadership and membership in those groups are Christian, and despite doctrinal issues, including governance and gospel proclaiming priorities, I do believe that they think they are doing what they should be (though obviously I believe that they need to be warned to reconsider matters that we disagree upon–cf. Galatians 6:1-4).

Anyway, Jesus said you would know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:16-20).  And that includes James Malm as well.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Attending the Church of Choice This article discusses whose choice is important to worship God; should you attend the church of your choice or the church of God’s choice?
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?
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.
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 This seems to be the largest group that came out of the United Church of God. Here is some history and concerns about 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.

TW on Pope and Youth Day; COGwriter on Pope’s Ecumenical Plea

Friday, September 23rd, 2011


Pope Benedict XVI

COGwriter

In today’s TW News & Prophecy, the Living Church of God reported:

Last month, hundreds of thousands of Roman Catholic youth from around the globe met in Madrid for World Youth Day (WYD) and to hear Pope Benedict XVI speak. WYD is designed to reach Roman Catholic youth and bring “meaning” to their beliefs. “The general consensus from those who have done research on them [WYD youth] is that World Youth Days tend to combine young people’s taste for stars and big events with a spiritual dimension.”

Testimonies show the results. “‘I was really touched by the pope’s words,’ says Jonathan Meunier-Doyon, 16, of Quebec. ‘What he said to us about Christ being a rock on whom we can build our lives has really moved me.'” Stella, age 17, commented, “WYD has been the best experience of my life. When I go home I’ll tell young people not to be afraid to follow Christ.” Lupita Ramírez, 23, from Monterrey, Mexico observed, “We queued for five hours in the Plaza del Sol to see the Pope. If every young person in the world followed Christ, it would be full of peace” (Times, August 27, 2011). These comments reveal a desire in young people to understand the meaning of life and a need for encouragement to live their faith.

While the pope’s words appealed to the idealism of many young people, important details were not addressed. The message of WYD only contains part of the truth–when the world does follow Christ, it will be full of peace! However, the Scriptures reveal that human beings do not know the way to peace (Isaiah 59:8). Real peace will only come with the return of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 9:6-7) and when the world begins to follow the laws of God (Psalm 119:165). Jesus also warned that at the end of the age many false teachers would use His name and talk of “peace” (Matthew 24:4-5; Jeremiah 8:11).

The real way to peace involves teaching young people God’s ways and His truth (Deuteronomy 11:18-21). Youth, like all people, yearn for a hope for the future and to understand the purpose for life. Sadly, today many grow up without real hope. And although the pope provided some “hope” for those attending WYD this year, he was unable to reveal the real meaning of life or the true way to peace. This will happen when Christ returns and the knowledge of God will cover the earth “as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9).

For more information on this incredible hope, see our booklet Your Ultimate Destiny!

But it is not just young people the pontiff is trying to reach.

Today, Pope Benedict is in Germany has made many making positive overtures towards the Lutherans there:

23 September 2011.  ERFURT, Germany (CNS) — Visiting the land of Martin Luther, Pope Benedict XVI prayed for Christian unity and told Lutheran leaders that both secularization and Christian fundamentalism pose challenges to ecumenism today…

The pope listened as a mixed Catholic-Lutheran choir sang hymns in the vaulted chapter house of the former monastery, which has become a memorial to Luther, the founder of the Protestant Reformation…

Germany’s Lutheran leaders had requested the encounter with the pope, and Vatican officials said the pope was more than happy to make it the main event of his second day in Germany. Pope Benedict has long appreciated Luther’s writings and occasionally has cited him in his talks.

The ecumenical service featured a reading of Psalm 146 from Luther’s translation of the Bible, in what Vatican officials said was a papal sign of respect for the Protestant founder…Seated in the front row were German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a Lutheran, and German President Christian Wulff, a Catholic married to a Lutheran.  http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1103775.htm

The plea for unity is consistent with the Pope’s goal of ecumenical unity.   Angela Merkel herself appears to promote it as well (see also EU Resembling ‘Holy Roman Empire’ and Religion Urged by Germany).

While many in the Church of Rome wish ecumenical unity with the Protestants and the Eastern Orthodox Catholics, biblical, Catholic, and Orthodox prophecies seem to have parts that warn against such ecumenical unity (though some Catholic/Orthodox prophecies look forward to it).  I personally believe that the Lutherans in continental Europe will almost all end up supporting ecumenical unity with something that will be supported by Rome (I have long been concerned that the Vatican would compromise to attain unity and did so nearly two years ago when it allowed the Anglicans who were willing to come back into unity with it).

Notice carefully the following Catholic prophecy:

Frederick William Faber (died 1863):…Antichrist…Many believe in a demonical incarnation—this will not be so—but he will be utterly possessed…His doctrine as apparent contradiction of no religion, yet a new religion…He has an attending pontiff, so separating regal and prophetic office (Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p. 87).

That prophecy, which is in a book with an official imprimatur from a Catholic bishop (as well as others), suggests that there soon may be other changes to the “Catholic” religion that will make it a more acceptable religion of the final Antichrist.

Also notice the following warning from a Catholic nun:

Anna-Katarina Emmerick (October 1, 1820): The Church is in great danger…The Protestant doctrine and that of the schismatic Greeks are to spread everywhere. I now see that in this place (Rome) the (Catholic) Church is being so cleverly undermined, that there hardly remain a hundred or so priests who have not been deceived. They all work for the destruction, even the clergy. A great destruction is now at hand…

(April 22, 1823): I saw that many pastors allowed themselves to be taken up with ideas that were dangerous to the Church. They were building a great, strange, and extravagant Church. Everyone was admitted in it in order to be united and to have equal rights: Evangelicals, Catholics, sects of every description. Such was to be the new Church (Dupont, pp. 66, 71).

Various events around the globe suggest that people of many faiths are getting to the point where they are likely to accept some type of ecumenical religion.

A leader is supposed to eliminate Protestantism through a German duke (it may be of interest to note that the nominally-Catholic Baron Karl zu Guttenberg is married to a Lutheran):

Father Laurence Ricci, S.J. (died 1775):  With His aide a valiant duke will arise from the ancient German house which was humiliated by the French monarch. This great ruler will restore stolen Church property. Protestantism will cease and the Turkish empire will end. This duke will be the most powerful monarch on earth. At a gathering of men noted for piety and wisdom he will, with the aid of the Pope, introduce new rules, and ban the spirit of confusion. Everywhere there will be one fold and one shepherd.”

Part of how Protestantism is be eliminated is through ecumenical compromise according to the above and as well as a Roman Catholic priest:

Priest Paul Kramer (21st century): The errors of Orthodoxy and of Protestantism will be embraced by that false church, it will be an ecumenical church because the Anti-Pope will be recognized by the world—not by the faithful, but by the world—by the secular world and the secular governments. (Kramer P. The Imminent Chastisement for Not Fulfilling Our Lady’s Request. An edited transcript of a speech given at the Ambassadors of Jesus and Mary Seminar in Glendale, California, September 24, 2004.THE FATIMA CRUSADER Issue 80, Summer 2005, pp. 32-45 http://www.fatimacrusader.com/cr80/cr80pg32.asp viewed 4/15/08)

Some Orthodox seem to look forward to this, but also expect an antipope near then:

Helen Tzima Otto (20th century): We have been told time and time again through the prophets that the Great Monarch and Papa Angelorum…will convene the 8th Ecumenical Council, which will reunify all Christians…The Emperor will spend three years waging wars against the non-Christian nations…{later will be} the end time schism of the Roman Catholic Church of the End Times and the rise of an antipope. (Tzima Otto, pp. xxv, 103, 122)

Apparently the “non-Christian nations” will be those that do not desire to be part of the ecumenical church that is to form.

Notice information from a Roman priest:

Father O’Connor quotes from Holy Scripture, the stunning prophecies of St. Vincent Ferrer, Pope St. Pius X, St. Francis of Assisi, St. John Eudes, Sr. Lucy of Fatima, Pope Pius XII and Bishop Fulton J. Sheen. Father explains how God will and is punishing the world for sin, and that the Fathers of the Church all wrote that the False Prophet would be a Catholic Bishop who will become an invalid anti-pope while the real Pope dies a cruel death in exile. (REIGN OF THE FALSE PROPHET. Catholic Treasures. Audio ITEM #20104. http://www.catholictreasures.com/cartdescrip/20104.html 03/02/09)

Now there is an Orthodox understanding of the last false religious power coming from Rome:

Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos (20th century): The army of Antichrist is made up of the worldly powers, mainly the Roman Empire, symbolized by the two beasts and the harlot woman (Rev. 11:7; 13:1-17; cf. Dan. 7:11-12)… The final confrontation with evil is presented in chapters 19 and 20…The war is waged by the beast and the false prophet. Both of these are organs of Satan, representing the political and religious authority of Rome (Rev. 13:1-18). (Gerasimos, Bishop. At the End of Time: The Eschatological Expectations of the Church. Holy Cross Orthodox Press. October 5, 2004, pp. 28-29)

So, there are both Roman and Orthodox Catholic writings that warn against some type of future unifying developments.

Some type of global religious unity is prophesied in scripture before Jesus returns (Revelation 13:4,8) and not in a favorable light. All should be cautious about where current ecumenical hopes and talks will lead.

Some articles of related interest may include:

Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics The talks for unification involve compromise and the apparent rising up of a changed religion that no one should accept.
Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the German Defense Minister one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?