Church of God News

Cascadia subduction zone
(Source Alicia.iverson via Wikipedia)

COGwriter

Israel365 News posted the following:

Study Warns of Imminent Earthquake Devastating US West Coast; Rabbi Warns of Pre-Messiah

May 12, 2025

A recent study suggested that a major earthquake off the coast of the Northwest US is overdue and will drop large areas below sea level. One rabbi emphasized that this is a part of the Final Redemption in which God uses nature, fire, and water to purify Man for the Messianic Era.

The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and led by Tina Dura, assistant professor of geosciences at Virginia Tech, highlighted the potential for a major earthquake in the Cascadia subduction zone that could cause coastal land to sink by as much as 6.5 feet. Dura’s team generated numerous earthquake models to estimate the range of potential land sinking from a future Cascadia earthquake. They then used geospatial analysis to quantify the expansion of the floodplain at 24 estuaries and communities along the subduction zone.  …

The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and led by Tina Dura, assistant professor of geosciences at Virginia Tech, highlighted the potential for a major earthquake in the Cascadia subduction zone that could cause coastal land to sink by as much as 6.5 feet. Dura’s team generated numerous earthquake models to estimate the range of potential land sinking from a future Cascadia earthquake. They then used geospatial analysis to quantify the expansion of the floodplain at 24 estuaries and communities along the subduction zone.  …

The Cascadia subduction zone is a fault in the tectonic plates that runs 700 miles from Vancouver Island in Canada to California’s Cape Mendocino. It is a part of the Ring of Fire, a 25,000-mile-long horseshoe-shaped region encompassing the Pacific Ocean, the most seismically active area on the planet.  It includes most of California, Washington State, and Alaska. The Ring of Fire consists of 452 volcanoes, more than 75 percent of active volcanoes in the world today. About 90 percent of the world’s earthquakes and 81 percent of the world’s largest earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire. All but three of the world’s 25 largest volcanic eruptions of the last 11,700 years occurred at the Ring of Fire volcanoes.

If a cataclysmic earthquake hits the West Coast, the Cascadia subduction zone will likely be the culprit. The largest earthquake in the continental U.S. was caused by a shift in the subduction zone on January 26, 1700, generating a tsunami so large it damaged villages in Japan. …

Rabbi Nir Ben Artzi, an Israeli mystic with a substantial following, has been warning of an increase in volcanic eruptions as part of the end-of-days process preceding the Messiah, who the rabbi maintains is present but waiting to reveal himself.

“The Creator is purifying the world from the filth of the snake to prepare the way for the Messiah to be revealed in the world,” Rabbi Ben Artzi said in his weekly sermon. “The Redemption will come mercifully, so our Father in Heaven uses nature against us: through storms, fires, earthquakes, and volcanoes…Slowly, the Holy One, Blessed be He, is destroying all the evil in the world while at the same time preparing the light of the Messiah. The world is experiencing destruction and rebirth at the same time. https://israel365news.com/408675/study-warns-of-imminent-earthquake-devastating-us-west-coast-rabbi-warns-of-pre-messiah/

Yes, a massive earthquake in the Cascadia subduction zone would be potentially devastating.

What about earthquakes as a Messianic sign?

We all should realize that Jesus predicted earthquakes and troubles:

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

33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 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 13:33-37)

Notice that Jesus listed earthquakes as one of the signs that precede the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:4-21; see also When Will the Great Tribulation Begin?) and told His followers to watch. He also said He would return after that time of tribulation and the powers of heaven shaken (Matthew 24:29-31).

Regular readers of this COGwriter Church of God News page may recall that earthquakes were number 5 of my list of 25 items to prophetically watch in 2025:

5. Earthquakes and Volcanoes

Jesus taught:

7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. (Matthew 24:7).

Earthquakes could trigger supervolcanoes (see Massive spike in Yellowstone earthquakes: Does Yellowstone pose a major risk? and watch Are supervolcanoes a real threat?) and cause other troubles (Mark 13:8).

Then there are also smaller volcanoes, such as Mt. Rainer, which are believed to have massive potential for disasters themselves.

Many moderns, ‘experts’ and otherwise, do not think such disasters could happen–at least not in their lifetimes.

But they are wrong. Notice what the Apostle Peter was inspired to write:

1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation — as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:1-18).

Things will not remain as they have.  …

Ultimately, a massive earthquake will hit:

18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. (Revelation 16:18-20)

Notice that the above earthquake is so big that the cities of the nations will fall. Mountains will be leveled and islands “fled away” (more on this can be found in the article Islands and Bible Prophecy). This seems to be the biggest earthquake that will ever hit the planet with humans on it. Despite the view of ‘preterists’ that this already happened (see The Dangerous Rise of Preterists), that is nonsense.

The earthquake of Revelation 16 will be bigger than what the usual “experts” have believed was possible. It will change the planet and humble parts of humanity.

It should be noted since that apparently biggest of all earthquakes seems to take place near the end of the Day of the Lord, it cannot happen prior to 2027 (for more on why as well as dates, please see the articles When Can the Great Tribulation Begin? and Could God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Could the 6,000 Years End?).

While that one will not occur in 2025, other significant ones are in the future.

Expect serious earthquakes in different places, in 2025.

Now, let’s look at something else that Jesus said:

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… 25 And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory (Luke 21:11, 25-27).

Essentially, the Bible shows that there will be the greatest earthquake of all time that will level mountains (Revelation 16:18-20), and this will be followed by the sea and the waves roaring. And if most of the frozen waters have melted by then, the height of these roaring waves apparently will be enough to destroy most who live on islands. As well as affect those who live in coastal regions and islands.

(That will be bigger than “the big one” many worry will hit California.)

According to the Bible, various serious earthquake prophesies are certain to come to pass (Revelation 22:6).

And Jesus will come shortly after the largest one.

As far as what you should do, 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)

Pray, change, and be ready.

Earthquakes and other events can happen suddenly and change your environment quickly.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Earthquakes and Bible Prophecy This article goes over facts about earthquakes. It also explains what Jesus taught about earthquakes and how the Bible describes “the big one” (as well as when it is expected).
Islands and Bible Prophecy What’s ahead for islands? What does the Bible prophesy about them? Here is a link to a related video: Islands and Biblical Prophecies. Here is a version in Spanish: Las islas en profecia.
25 items to prophetically watch in 2025 Much is happening. Dr. Thiel points to 25 items to watch (cf. Mark 13:37) in this article. Here is a link to a related sermon video: 25 Items to Watch in 2025.
Is God Calling You? This booklet discusses topics including calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond? Here is a link to a related sermon: Could God be Calling You? A short animation is also available: Is God Calling You?
Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? A related sermon is also available titled: Real Christian Repentance.
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
When You Sin: Do You Really Repent? This is an article by Charles F. Hunting. A related sermon is Confess to God and truly repent.
Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done? Here is a related YouTube video Does God Use Weather?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
Could God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2032 or 2035 or? There is also a video titled: When Does the 6000 Years End? 2031? 2035? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2025, 2026, or 2027? 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? A short video is available titled: Great Tribulation Trends 2025.

COGwriter

Pope Leo XIV spoke to reporters today:

May 12, 2025

After giving his speech and his apostolic blessing, the pope personally greeted dozens of journalists. One asked if he would be traveling home to the United States soon, the pope responded, “I don’t think so.”

Asked about the May 13 feast of Our Lady of Fatima, Pope Leo, referring to himself, said, “Cardinal Prevost had planned to go, but the plans changed.”

Another reporter asked the pope if he planned to fulfill Pope Francis’ promise of going to Turkey this year to celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea with Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The council was held in 325 in what is now Iznik, Turkey.

“We are preparing for it,” the pope responded. https://www.osvnews.com/pope-leo-xiv-thanks-media-urges-them-to-be-peacemakers/

Note that coming to the USA is not a priority.

Note that he had planned to go to Fatima this week–this shows that he has pro-Marian tendencies.

Note that he does, however, plan to attend 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea.

This points to him being ecumenical, among other things.

The day he became pope, the following was published in my Amazon Kindle book titled The Last Pope of the Malachy Prophecies: Do Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Leo XIV?:

Council of Nicea

From May 20, 325 A.D./C.E. to August 325, the Roman Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicea. One of his political objectives was to get ecumenical unity in certain matters. In 2025, there are meetings to mark the 1700^th anniversary of this, which are expected to include ecumenical discussions.

Pope Francis had expected to participate. So we would expect that his replacement, Pope Leo XIV, to get involved somehow in this. Actually, before the conclave to elect Pope Leo XIV was called, Patriarch Barthlomew of Constantinople extended an invitation for the next pope to attend the 1700^th anniversary of Nicea (Quakenbush R. Ecumenical Patriarch: Pope Francis was a friend of Orthodoxy. Catholic Vote, April 29, 2025).   Like Emperor Constantine, Pope Leo XIV would like to ecumenical reconciliation for religious and political reasons.

A compromising “ecumenical” bishop or cardinal is expected to be the False Prophet of Revelation.

Could this be Pope Leo XIV?

So, Leo XIV confirmed he does plan to somehow participate in the 1700th anniversary of Nicea. That is definitely a pro-ecumenical move.

Now, the title of this post is “Did the demons know that Robert Prevost would become Pope Leo XIV?”

There are several reasons for this.

One reason is that IF he is the last pope on a list put together in the 12th century by Irish Bishop Malachy, that would point to demons knowing he was going to be pope.

In my latest pope book (The Last Pope of the Malachy Prophecies: Do Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Leo XIV?) as well as in essence one I wrote 12 years ago, I wrote:

Demonic influence on the Malachy list must be considered. …

It should be understood that since God did not directly inspire the Malachy prophecies, it is possible that parts are intentionally wrong, in the sense that Pope Francis I, while seemingly number 112 on the list, actually is nowhere on the list and another will rise up who will be more like the prediction for the last pope.  Satan is a deceiver and will use the Malachy list as part of his deception one way or the other. …

Satan has long used pagan and demonic sources to foist parts of his deceptive plan onto humanity. …

The “great Antichrist” is the false prophet of Revelation 16:13 and would be the last pope. Furthermore, that man, along with the Beast of the Sea, will have “demon spirits” (Revelation 16:14, NJB) …

¹³ And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. ¹⁴ For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. ¹⁵ Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” ¹⁶ And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon (Revelation 16:13-16).

The old Worldwide Church of God wrote the following related to the Malachy prophesies:

For your interest (or for whatever else it may be worth), an old Irish Catholic prophecy of the 12th Century predicts that there will be 265 popes before “the end of the world.” … The last, pope, according to this prophecy of “Malachy,” an old Irish bishop, is to take the name “Peter the Roman.” Time will have to judge the prophecy’s accuracy. (Hogberg G. A LOOK AT THE NEW ROMAN PONTIFF. Pastor General’s Report. August 29, 1978)

Since God did not inspire the Malachy list, its relatively accuracy is consistent with demonic influence.

Notice also the following from Church of the Eternal God’s April 25, 2025 e-newsletter:

The Prophecy of the Popes

Daily Mail wrote on April 21, 2025:

“The 12th-century ‘Prophecy of the Popes’ — reportedly uncovered in the Vatican’s secret archives — claims to predict the identity of Francis’ successor and even foretells the return of Christ.

“The document [starts] with Celestine II in 1143 and [ends] with ‘Peter the Roman’ in 2027… Fanning the flames is the eerie fact that there are currently nine frontrunners to succeed Pope Francis — and three of them are named Peter.

“The renewed interest has also reignited fears about one of the prophecy’s more chilling predictions: that Judgment Day is near… According to the final entry surrounding Peter the Roman, the ‘last pope’ will preside over the Church during a time of great turmoil, culminating in the destruction of Rome and the end of the papacy. ‘In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church there will reign Peter the Roman, who will feed his flock amid many tribulations, after which the seven-hilled city will be destroyed and the dreadful Judge will judge the people. The End,’ the last passage of the book reads…

“Although some scholars have claimed the text is a 16th century forgery, Malachy allegedly wrote Prophecy of the Popes in 1139 after receiving a vision during a visit to Rome…”

If the text is not a forgery, but legit, it would have been written under demonic influence, which can be seen, amongst other things, by the wording “dreadful Judge,” in appliance to Jesus.  We know, of course, that Christ could not possibly come back in 2027; and we also know that demons, even though they may know future events, are lying spirits; so one never knows when they lie or when they tell the truth.

CEG is correct that demons lie. CEG is correct that Jesus cannot possibly come back in 2027. CEG is correct to suggest that the Malachy list was written under demonic influence.

Notice now, something else from NewsMax:

Louis Prevost, the eldest brother of Robert Prevost, the former cardinal named as Pope Leo XIV on Thursday, told Newsmax on Sunday that he learned the news about his brother while he was home off work and watching the network.  …

“Imagine it’s your little brother,” said Prevost. “He’s the Pope. Yes, it’s an indescribable feeling. I’m super proud of him.”

He joked that when he was watching his brother do his initial prayer as Pope and heard him switch to Spanish, “I said, ‘OK, quit showing off, you little jerk.’ But he did his thing, and my mind immediately flashed back to the ’50s and ’60s growing up, and I thought, ‘Remember that time way back when, when we used to tease him about being the Pope?’ And he’s the Pope.” https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/pope-leo-louis-prevost-newsmax/2025/05/11/id/1210499/

Now, I watched the interview with Louis Prevost. He also said that his brother Robert liked to play being a priest. He said various ones said his brother would be pope one day. And later, that is why he and others teased him about it.

If the demons knew that Robert Prevost would be pope, that may be how why some people influenced by “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2) predicted this 60 years or so ago. The Apostle Paul wrote that Christians were not to be ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11)–and demonically-influenced predictions are one of Satan’s devices.

When I was part of LCG, I asked 2-3 of its top leaders if they thought that it was possible that God allowed Satan and/or his demons to see the visions that the prophet Daniel saw and/or the Revelation that the Apostle John saw. They never gave me a straight answer. My belief is that God did. If so, that could explain not only the Malachy list, but perhaps also people telling Robert Prevost as a child that he would become pope.

I mentioned the interview with Louis Prevost in my latest sermon, which is available on our ContinuingCOG channel:

1:16:29

Pope Leo XIV & Antichrist Prophecies

On May 8, 2025, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost became Pope Leo XIV. Could he possibly be the last pope of Irish Bishop Malachy’s prophecy list of popes? When did Roman Bishops first take the title of pope? What do the words pope and Pontifex Maximus mean? Are there Greco-Roman Catholic prophecies that point to an antipope being the final Antichrist? If so, does the Bible prophesy that he will do great signs, persecute, and one day betray the Church of Seven Hills in Revelation 17? How many antipopes have there officially been? What about the late Pope Francis? Was Cardinal Prevost the stated papal candidate for Freemason Giuliano Di Bernardo? Could Leo XIV be the dreaded ‘Peter the Roman’? Do the Bible and Greco-Roman Catholic prophesies point to the rise of an ecumenical interfaith religion with leaders that perform miracles and great signs and prodigies? What about the 325 A.D. and 2025 Council of Nicea? Do any Roman Catholic prophesies warn about the rise of a ‘secret sect’ that will cause the Vatican troubles? Will the final pope betray the Roman Catholic faith? Could the Malachy list have demonic involvement? What about Mystery Babylon, 666, the Beast, the Great Monarch, persecution, and the end of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom? What are similarities between the last pope of Greco-Roman prophecies and the two-horned beast of Revelation 13? What are the scriptures that mention the antichrist in the Bible? Will the last and final pope betray the Church of Rome? Dr. Thiel covers these issues and more.

Here is a link to our sermon video: Pope Leo XIV & Antichrist Prophecies.

Yes, there are demonic connections–and the last pope will be demonically-influenced per Revelation 16:13-14.

Some items of related interest may include:

Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.

The Malachy Prophecies and “Peter the Roman” An Irish bishop allegedly predicted something about 112 popes in the 12th century. Pope Benedict XVI was number 111. Francis could be number 112–if he counted. What about Pope Leo XIV? Could he reign until Rome is destroyed. May he be an antipope/final Antichrist? Here is a link to a related sermon: Pope Leo XIV & Antichrist Prophecies.

The Last Pope of the Malachy Prophecies: Do Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Leo XIV? This Kindle book has biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic prophecies related to the last pope, an antipope who will be the final Antichrist.

COGwriter

Former Roman Catholic, Mike Gendron had the following in one of his newsletters:

Common Bonds Between Islam and Catholicism

Will the world’s two largest religions converge and be the catalyst for the prophesied one-world religion? At first glance, the two faiths appear to be vastly different but under close inspection, they have more common bonds than differences. In 1994 the Vatican issued a publication entitled: “Spiritual Bonds Which Unite Us: 16 Years of Christian-Muslim Dialogue.” After extensive study and research, I put forth 10 common bonds that will help unite these two religions.

1. Both Esteem and Honor Mary – Muslims and Catholics both call her, “Our Lady.” and venerate her as a pure and holy saint. Mary is mentioned more in the Qu’ran than the Bible.
2. Both Seek Messages from Apparitions of Mary– Many of the messages make it clear she is coming for all her children including Muslims, Catholics and Protestants and that people of all religions can be saved apart from Jesus Christ as long as they are good.
3. Both Are Anti-Semitic – The Vatican has issued over 100 anti-semitic documents and taught the Jews should be cursed because they killed Christ. Mohammed words recorded in a hadith say, “The last day will not come until the Muslims destroy the Jews.”
4. Both Embrace Another Jesus – Catholicism has a counterfeit Jesus whose death on the cross was not sufficient to save them. Islam also has a counterfeit Jesus (Isa) who did not die on a cross and is not God, only a prophet.
5. Both Seek World Dominion – Both religions rule with an autocratic government and have a history of forced conversions, and killing those who oppose them. Could these religions which control people with indoctrination, intimidation, and fear be a precursor to the rule of Anti-christ?
6. Both Deny the Authority of Scripture – The pagan beliefs of both religions stand opposed to the Bible. Muslims reject the Bible as the final revelation from God declaring that God has revealed a final testament: the Qu’ran which is their supreme authority.
7. Both Use Prayer Beads to Avoid Punishment – Catholics pray the rosary to remit punishment for sin. Muslins use 99 beads that correspond to the names of God. Praying to Allah five times a day is an act of obedience to escape the punishment imposed on those who do not pray.
8. Both Take Pilgrimages to Obtain Favor from God – Catholics take pilgrimages for religious purification and the promise of indulgences. Muslims take pilgrimages to Mecca, a mandatory religious duty that must be carried out at least once in their lifetime.
9. Both Have Human Mediators – Catholics rely on the priesthood to dispense salvation through sacraments and seek Mary to intercede with God on their behalf. Muslims rely on the intercession of Muhammad on judgment day. He will prostrate himself before Allah who will say, “O Muhammad! speak, it will be heard; and be given; intercede, and it will be approved.”
10. Both Have a Works-Righteousness Salvation – Allah will place one’s good and evil works on the divine scale: “Those whose scales are light are those who lose their souls in hell” (Sura 23:102,103). In Catholicism, sacraments, good works and obeying the law are necessary for salvation.

These two religions represent a huge mission field with nearly 3 billion precious souls. They need to know the true Jesus and submit to His Word as their supreme authority. Only then will they repent of their works-righteousness salvation and believe the glorious Gospel of grace. As ambassadors for Christ let us sow the seed of His Word.

Mike Gendron is correct that Christians are to be ambassadors for Christ (see Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian).

Though I would not necessarily word things as he has, there are several similarities between Islam and Roman Catholicism.

Both are overly involved with Marianism and apparitions.

May is the month that Roman Catholics have dedicated to their version of Mary. Many believe that Jesus’ mother Mary appeared in Fatima, Portugal on May 13, 1917.

Interestingly, Muslims claim that Mohamed’s daughter Fatima was the one that would appear.

Pope Francis has made many pro-Muslim statements (e.g., see ‘Pope Francis: God Desires Solidarity Among Catholics and Muslims’). Plus the Vatican even put together what could be called the Chrislam cross in 2019.

Anyway, as far as views of the Bible go, Muslims believe that Christians and Jews corrupted it and hence it cannot be trusted. They do believe God used Jesus, but deny His deity and resurrection.

Roman Catholics accept scripture but believe that how the Vatican interprets it, as well as traditions it has held since at least the time of Emperor Constantine, has equal value to scripture. Hence, Roman Catholics do not believe many scriptures the same way that people like Mike Gendron or I do.

As far as Roman Catholics and Muslims making a deal, that will happen.

The deal, however, will be temporary (cf. Daniel 11:27,40).

As I have written before, it is possible that if some apparition claiming to be Mary appears in some Arabic location[s] that this might temporarily persuade the Arabs and their allies to somewhat accept the Beast (see also Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions).

Lest any have the mis-impression that the Arabs are not a discerning people, it needs to be understood that they will apparently be the first major block to recognize the falsehood of this European power.

Probably because of its attempts to dominate the world and its religions by the nominally Roman Catholic King of the North, the prophesied Arabic King of the South will become displeased.

The idea of a Roman Catholic-Islamic alliance that will be temporary is also consistent with Greco-Roman Catholic and Islamic prophecy.

Some of which seems to be related to this prophecy in the Book of Daniel

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).

The above discusses a seven-year deal that will be broken in the middle (see also The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27).

The idea of this being related to a seven-year, end-time period was also understood by the Catholic theologians Irenaeus of Lyon (second century) and Hippolytus (died 235) of Rome:

And the angel Gabriel, when explaining his vision, states with regard to this person: “And towards the end of their kingdom a king of a most fierce countenance shall arise, one understanding [dark] questions, and exceedingly powerful, full of wonders; and he shall corrupt, direct, influence (faciet), and put strong men down, the holy people likewise; and his yoke shall be directed as a wreath [round their neck]; deceit shall be in his hand, and he shall be lifted up in his heart: he shall also ruin many by deceit, and lead many to perdition, bruising them in his hand like eggs.” Daniel 8:23, etc. And then he points out the time that his tyranny shall last, during which the saints shall be put to flight, they who offer a pure sacrifice unto God: “And in the midst of the week,” he says, “the sacrifice and the libation shall be taken away, and the abomination of desolation [shall be brought] into the temple: even unto the consummation of the time shall the desolation be complete.” Now three years and six months constitute the half-week. (Irenaeus. Against Heresies, Book V, Chapter 25, verse 4)

With respect, then, to the particular judgment in the torments that are to come upon it in the last times by the hand of the tyrants who shall arise then, the clearest statement has been given in these passages. But it becomes us further diligently to examine and set forth the period at which these things shall come to pass, and how the little horn shall spring up in their midst. For when the legs of iron have issued in the feet and toes, according to the similitude of the image and that of the terrible beast, as has been shown in the above, (then shall be the time) when the iron and the clay shall be mingled together. Now Daniel will set forth this subject to us. For he says, “And one week will make a covenant with many, and it shall be that in the midst (half) of the week my sacrifice and oblation shall cease.” By one week, therefore, he meant the last week which is to be at the end of the whole world of which week the two prophets… will take up the half. For they will preach 1,260 days clothed in sackcloth, proclaiming repentance to the people and to all the nations…(Hippolytus. On Christ and Antichrist, Chapter 43. Online edition Copyright © 2008 by Kevin Knight).

As these things, therefore, of which we have spoken before are in the future, beloved, when the one week is divided into parts, and the abomination of desolation has arisen then, and the forerunners of the Lord have finished their proper course, and the whole world, in fine, comes to the consummation, what remains but the manifestation of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Son of God, from heaven, for whom we have hoped; who shall bring forth fire and all just judgment against those who have refused to believe in Him? For the Lord says, “For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be; for wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together.” (Hippolytus. On the End of the World, Chapter 36. Translated by J.H. MacMahon. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 5. Edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1886.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0504.htm)

So, the idea of this deal somehow having a seven-year component, that is broken in the middle, with Jesus coming afterwards is not simply a recent one.

Despite Hippolytus’ understanding, based upon what the Bible teaches about the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3, it is my position that the seven-year component of the peace deal will not be clear enough, to not only Greco-Roman Catholics and Protestants but also to most who claim to be in the Church of God (COG) for them to realize this is the peace deal. Just like they do not consider certain prophetic matters clear enough (e.g. How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God), the vast majority will not truly understand the prophetic implications when the related deal is made.

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). The two witnesses (who are prophets) rise up around the mid-point of the week (3 1/2 years into it). The iron and clay mingled together refers to a power (like Europe) that is not totally cohesive.

Interestingly, notice the following Catholic prophecy about betrayal:

Nostradamus: The Great Arab shall progress well forward, But betrayed shall be by the Byzantines. (Turks).

Comment on above from Catholic writer Yves Dupont: Here, we are told that Turkey will break its faith with the rest of the Arab world. (Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p. 107).

The “Great Arab” is probably supposed to represent the Mahdi/Caliph, the final King of the South. The Turks currently control Byzantium and have for many centuries. Hence, Roman Catholic prophecy indicates that Turkey will betray the Islamic Arabic power. In the Bible, Daniel 11:25-26 is quite clear that an ally of the King of the South will betray the King of the South:

25 “He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South with a great army. And the king of the South shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand, for they shall devise plans against him. 26 Yes, those who eat of the portion of his delicacies shall destroy him; his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain. (Daniel 11:25-26)

Presuming that Daniel 11:25-26 has a future fulfillment (and as it seems to parallel Daniel 11:40-43 so it may), there will be close allies (like Turkey) that will betray the King of the South according to scripture as well. Many events will not turn out well in the Arab World for a time–watch also the video War is Coming Between Europeans and Arabs.

As it turns out, a seven year deal is in Islamic prophecy:

Rasaullah [Muhammed] said: “There will be four peace agreements between you and the Romans [Christians]. The fourth agreement will be mediated through a person who will be the progeny of Hadrat Haroon [Honorable Aaron — Moses’ brother] and will be upheld for seven years (Richardson J. Antichrist: Islam’s Awaited Messiah. Pleasant Word, 2006, p. 48)

The above sounds similar to the seven year (one week in biblical language) agreement discussed in Daniel 9:27 that involves a “prince” who appears to be the one the Bible warns will become the King of the North and apparently the nation of Israel. It certainly would make sense that there would be Muslim representation in a peace deal.

Here is something else along those lines:

{Muslim} Adnan Oktar, a media personality and prolific author, about what Islam expects to happen as the world grinds down to the last days. …

There are bad djinn and good djinn, with the good djinn being Muslim.

“Yes the Mahdi will communicate with the djinns,” Oktar says in the film. “Mahdi is the leader of both djinns and men. Muslim djinns, djinns that believe in God, will assist the Muslims in making Muslims prevail throughout the world.”

Oktar goes on to explain that the Mahdi will rule for seven years, which eerily resembles the reign of another character that the Bible warns Christians to beware of in the last days. (Hohmann L. Popular Muslim personality: ‘Jesus Christ is among us’ New documentary sheds light on Islamic views about end times. World News Daily, October 26, 2014. http://www.wnd.com/2014/10/popular-muslim-personality-jesus-christ-is-among-us/#Llx0l0MmRdAXVu5w.99 viewed 10/27/14)

Notice also:

The last days, as described in Islam, are marked by the figures of Gog and Magog (Juj wa Jajuj), the Mahdi, the Antichrist (Dajjal), and Jesus…Gog and Magog, representing the forces of chaos, have been kept at bay…At the end of time, chaos will break through the wall of Divinely imposed order, and the world will succumb to “outer darkness”. At the same time, it is believed, there will be a countercurrent, or a brief return to the state of spiritual lucidity and primordial integrity that obtained at the dawn of time. This is the reign of the Mahdi, the “rightly guided one”…

The reign of the Mahdi will be followed by that of the Antichrist… once the Antichrist has led away his followers, Jesus will then come to destroy the Antichrist in the closing moments of the cosmic drama. (Glasse C. New Encyclopedia of Islam: A Revised Edition of the Concise Encyclopedia of Islam, 3rd edition, 2008, pp. 143, 316).

Some in Islam seem to essentially understand that the reign of the Beast and Antichrist will happen after the Mahdi’s death. Now this is true, for the Arab lands. However, the Beast (King of the North) will rule in Europe and in some of the American lands, though, prior to his reign over Arab lands as the Great Tribulation begins with Daniel 11:39, and not Daniel 11:40 when the Kings of the North and South fight.

The time of the ‘Mahdi’ is the time that Islam believes it will be rising up. This is consistent with the prophesied rise of the King of the South in Daniel 11:27, 40. Because of this rise, they will not pay enough attention to the deal.

Notice that this too, seems to be consistent with some Islamic prophecy:

5 General anarchy and bloodshed, that no Arab household will be spared from it 6 Then a life of peace as a result of a peace agreement between you and the Banil Asfaar (Romans) which they will break and attack you with a force consisting of eighty flags and under each flag will be an army of twelve thousand men. (Ibn Zubair Ali, Mohammed Ali. The minor signs of Last Days from: The Signs of Qiyamah. http://www.islamawareness.net/Prophecies/minor.html viewed 08/11/12).

5 General anarchy and bloodshed, that no Arab household will be spared from it
6 Then a life of peace as a result of a peace agreement between you and the Banil Asfaar
(Romans) which they will break and attack you with a force consisting of eighty flags and under each flag will be an army of twelve thousand men.” (Hadith: Sahih Bukhari). (From “Signs of Qiyamah” (excerpts) by Mohammed Ali Ibn Zubair Ali. The Minor Signs of the Last Day. http://www.islam.tc/prophecies/qiyaam2.html viewed 07/03/14)

Notice that not only biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic prophecy indicate that the King of the South/Great Arab will be betrayed, even Islam indicates that the Roman “Catholics” will turn against its leader, the Madhi (the King of the South) (see also The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy).

Notice a biblical prophecy showing the Arabic power will be defeated:

40 At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. (Daniel 11:40-42, NKJV).

43 and he hath ruled over treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the desirable things of Egypt, and Lubim and Cushim are at his steps. (Daniel 11:43, Young’s literal translation)

The following scriptures are also related to a coming King of the South and the defeat of nations which are primarily Islamic at this time:

1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says:

“‘Wail and say, “Alas for that day!” 3 For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near- a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. 4 A sword will come against Egypt, and anguish will come upon Cush. When the slain fall in Egypt, her wealth will be carried away and her foundations torn down.

5 Cush and Put, Lydia and all Arabia, Libya and the people of the covenant land will fall by the sword along with Egypt.

6 “‘This is what the LORD says:

“‘The allies of Egypt will fall and her proud strength will fail. From Migdol to Aswan they will fall by the sword within her, declares the Sovereign LORD. 7 “‘They will be desolate among desolate lands, and their cities will lie among ruined cities. 8 Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I set fire to Egypt and all her helpers are crushed.

9 “‘On that day messengers will go out from me in ships to frighten Cush out of her complacency. Anguish will take hold of them on the day of Egypt’s doom, for it is sure to come (Ezekiel 30:1-9, NIV).

So, yes, expect cooperation between Islamic and Greco-Roman Catholic leaders.

Yes, expect some deals.

Yet, they will end up not turning out well for many Muslims in the Middle East and North Africa.

The stage for these prophecies to be fulfilled is being set.

(Pixabay photo)

COGwriter

Trade talks have been going on between the USA and various nations.

Here is some information related to China:

May 11, 2025

Senior U.S. and Chinese officials met again on Sunday in Geneva, two sources familiar with the situation told Reuters, to resume weekend talks aimed at cooling the trade war that threatens to seriously damage the global economy.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met for about eight hours on Saturday with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in their first face-to-face meeting since the world’s two largest economies imposed tariffs well above 100% on each other’s goods. …

U.S. President Donald Trump gave a positive reading of the talks, saying the two sides had negotiated “a total reset … in a friendly, but constructive, manner.”

“A very good meeting today with China, in Switzerland. Many things discussed, much agreed to,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

Trump added: “We want to see, for the good of both China and the U.S., an opening up of China to American business. GREAT PROGRESS MADE!!!” He did not elaborate on the progress. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-china-talks-defuse-trade-row-resume-geneva-2025-05-11/

One interesting aspect of the trade talks is that last month China cancelled orders for 12,000 tons of pork (https://www.porkbusiness.com/ag-policy/panic-slowly-chinas-cancellation-12-000-tons-u-s-pork-sends-loud-message). And as of Thursday, two days before the current talks, “China remains absent from U.S. pork market.” Pork is a biblically-unclean meat and throughout the church age, true Christians have avoided eating it. Related to that, we put out the following video:

14:41

Unclean Meat and True Christianity

Do true Christians eat unclean meat? What was the practice of Sabbatarian Christians throughout the church age? Does the Bible declare ALL “food” clean? Is unclean meat ever described as “food” in the Bible? Do the Roman Catholics eat unclean meat? If so, by what authority are they allowed to eat? How about the Protestants? Do they eat unclean meat? If so, by what authority are they allowed to eat? What about true Christians? Do they eat unclean meat? If not, by what authority do they refrain from eating? According to the Bible did ANY Christian EVER eat unclean meat? Does it really matter? What does God say? Does it matter to God if we, as Christians, honor Him, through obedience, as we would our worldly father? Isn’t it good that we do what seems right in our own eyes? Watch this video as Dr. Thiel quotes scripture and cites historical facts to shine the light of the Word of God on the truth written in the Bible.

Here is a link to our video: Unclean Meat and True Christianity.

One of the reasons I wrote about the pork aspect of USA trade is that a reader sent me a link to the following last evening:

‘Bringing Home the Bacon’: FDA Approves U.K. Biotech Company Plan to Produce Gene-Edited Pigs for U.S. Consumers

May 10, 2025

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week gave a U.K.-based biotech company the green light to produce gene-edited pigs for human consumption in the U.S.

PIC, formerly the Pig Improvement Company, uses CRISPR gene-editing technology to genetically engineer pigs to be resistant to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), a viral infection that affects pigs produced in industrial factory farms, according to Technology Review. …

CRISPR gene editing makes it possible for scientists to manipulate an animal’s own DNA, rather than adding DNA from other species to it, as has been done with previous genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

The FDA’s approval allows the company to produce the pigs commercially, which includes allowing the pigs to reproduce and pass on their genetic modification. …

“This approval is a milestone in biotechnology, with gene-edited animals potentially offering a more sustainable and disease-resistant source of protein,” wrote Food & Drink International.

Supporters also tout the idea that gene-edited pigs will need fewer antibiotics, because they won’t get sick.

However, critics doubt the editing will work for long. They also raised concerns about the technology’s unintended effects. …

GMWatch, a GMO watchdog group that reported the FDA approval in its newsletter, wrote:

“We don’t expect the genetically engineered virus resistance — which even now is leaky — to last long in the gene-edited pigs. We saw in the COVID pandemic just how quickly viruses mutate to evade any barrier placed in their path.

“The genetically altered pigs will drive the evolution of mutations in the virus that enable it to break through the engineered virus resistance — potentially leading to the emergence of even more virulent strains of the virus.”

Swine disease researchers have also raised doubts about whether the gene editing will even work. A retired University of Minnesota professor and veterinarian told AVMA News, “There is no silver bullet when it comes to PRRS.” …

The FDA decision on PIC’s pigs is among the first for gene-edited livestock in the U.S. The process has long raised concerns, because in animals, gene editing has led to unexpected side effects, including enlarged tongues and extra vertebrae. https://americafirstreport.com/bringing-home-the-bacon-fda-approves-u-k-biotech-company-plan-to-produce-gene-edited-pigs-for-u-s-consumers/

COGwriter

Pope Leo XIV spoke in Vatican City today:

May 11, 2025

Addressing crowds in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV noted the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and — echoing his predecessor Pope Francis — declared, “Never again war.” https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/papal-conclave-live-updates-cardinals-gather-vatican-elect/?id=121506573

Here is more related to Pope Leo XIV:

May 11, 2025

“In his opening remarks, he mentioned being a missionary church that includes all people, and that comes right out of Pope Francis,” Dennis Doyle, professor emeritus at the University of Dayton in Ohio, told Fox News Digital. …

“Pope Francis’ first major document was called ‘Evangelii gaudium’, ‘The joy of the gospel,” Doyle said.

In his evanescent address, Pope Leo XIV said, “To all you brothers and sisters of Rome, Italy, of all the world, we want to be a synodal church, walking and always seeking peace, charity, closeness, especially to those who are suffering.”

“Pope Francis was really big into this idea of synodality,” Doyle said. …

“For him, in his very brief remarks, to say we must be a synodal church, that is a big signal that he intends to continue much of what Pope Francis was about,” he said of Pope Leo XIV. https://www.foxnews.com/world/pope-leo-xivs-first-address-draws-similarities-pope-francis-papacy-while-preserving-forsaken-traditions

Pope Leo XIV is the “bridge builder” the cardinals look for when selecting a new Pope, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, told Newsmax Saturday. https://www.wlsam.com/2025/05/10/cardinal-dolan-to-newsmax-pope-leo-is-a-bridge-builder/

So, we see a couple of reports of Leo following in the direction of Pope Francis.

That is not unexpected. Pope Leo XIV’s pushing of synodality shows that he has an ecumenical agenda.

Notice some comments in my book that came out Thursday titled The Last Pope of the Malachy Prophecies: Do Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Leo XIV?:

Upon becoming Pope Leo XIV, he called for people to build bridges through dialogue. Note that the term Ponifex Maximus literally means “Greatest Bridge Builder.”

Leo XIV will be ecumenical.

In my view, Pope Francis took steps to set the stage for the arrival of the final Antichrist and antipope. Francis’ involvement in political matters, including him being granted the Charlemagne Prize, which is given to the one who pushes European unity, has helped set the stage for the last pope.

The last pope will push for greater European unity. At least by virtue of his timing, Pope Leo XIV will push for greater European unity. …

Yesterday, he explained why he chose the name of Pope Leo XIV:

Why is he called Leo XIV? The official answer given by the Pope

On the morning of Saturday, May 10, Pope Leo XIV held a meeting with all the cardinals in the Vatican. It was a two-part meeting: first he gave a speech in which, among other things, he explained why he had chosen the name he bears: “Sensing myself called to continue in this same path, I chose to take the name Leo XIV. There are different reasons for this, but mainly because Pope Leo XIII in his historic Encyclical Rerum Novarum addressed the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution. In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour”. https://zenit.org/2025/05/10/why-is-he-called-leo-xiv-the-official-answer-given-by-the-pope/

A couple of days before he explained why he chose the name Leo XIV, I wrote the following in my Amazon Kindle book titled The Last Pope of the Malachy Prophecies: Do Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Leo XIV?:

One wonders if he took that name, at least partially, because of Pope Leo XIII. Here is some information on him:

Pope Leo XIII … is well known for his intellectualism and his attempts to define the position of the Catholic Church with regard to modern thinking.  … He influenced the Mariology of the Catholic Church and promoted both the rosary and the scapular. … Leo XIII is particularly remembered for his belief that pastoral activity in political sociology was also a vital mission of the church as a vehicle of social justice and maintaining the rights and dignities of the human person. Leo XIII issued a record of eleven papal encyclicals on the rosary, earning him the title of the “Rosary Pope”. In addition, he approved two new Marian scapulars.  (Pope Leo XIII. Wikipedia, accessed 05/08/25)

Prior to becoming pope, Leo XIII helped arrange an ecumenical meeting which has been called the First Vatican Council. …

Roman Catholics have written about future ecumenical plans: …

Priest Herman Kramer (20^th century): … the Apocalypse … The thunders may mean the dogmatic declarations of the Church against infidels expressed in an ecumenical council … such as that of … the Infallibility of the Pope … The Seven Thunders may then be declarations of an ecumenical council clearing up all that was left unfinished by the magisterial office of the Church, before God will permit Satan to exert his supreme efforts to destroy her from without. The Seven Thunders will strengthen the faithful and loyal clergy … (Kramer H., pp. 239,241-242)

The Bible teaches that the Seven Thunders happen near the end (cf. Revelation 10:1-4), so if this ecumenical council comes, it would be expected to be near the end. It also teaches that the successful ecumenical religion (Revelation 13:4,8) will not have God’s approval (Revelation 14,18).

Yet, certain private prophecies seem to praise the success of this ecumenical movement:

Blessed Anna-Maria Taigi (19th century): Whole nations will come back to the Church and the face of the earth will be renewed. Russia … and China will come into the Church. …

Pope Leo XIII (1893): To take care, therefore, of the preservation and propagation of the Catholic religion among the Hindus, a Hindu clergy has to be formed that could administer the sacraments and govern the Christian people properly, no matter how menacing the times … Be sure that the role of Christianity in such remote regions becomes well known. Make your people understand that something must be done for the Hindus. (Leo XIII. AD EXTREMAS ON SEMINARIES FOR NATIVE CLERGY. Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII promulgated on June 24, 1893. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/leo_xiii/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_24061893_ad-extremas_en.html viewed 07/19/09)

We see from the above that certain Greco-Roman Catholics expect those in China, Russia, India, and elsewhere to accept their religion in the end. …

Some Roman Catholic sources are indicating that something should apparently happen in the early portion of the 21^st century. … notice two accounts about a pontiff who had a vision in 1884:

Pope Leo XIII had a vision of a confrontation between God and Satan. Pope Leo was made to understand that Satan would be allowed one hundred years to tempt and try to destroy the Church. In the vision, Satan chose for his one hundred years the Twentieth Century. (Flynn, pp. 4-5)

Pope Leo XIII had a remarkable vision…When asked what had happened, he explained that, as he was about to leave the foot of the altar, he suddenly heard voices – two voices, one kind and gentle, the other guttural and harsh. They seemed to come from near the tabernacle. As he listened, he heard the following conversation:

The guttural voice, the voice of Satan in his pride, boasting to Our Lord: “I can destroy your Church.”

The gentle voice of Our Lord: “You can? Then go ahead and do so.”

Satan: “To do so, I need more time and more power.”

Our Lord: “How much time? How much power?”

Satan: “75 to 100 years, and a greater power over those who will give themselves over to my service.”

Our Lord: “You have the time, you will have the power. Do with them what you will.” (The Vision Of Pope Leo XIII, October 13, 1884 http://www.stjosephschurch.net/leoxiii.htm viewed 02/25/09)

If the 20^th century alone was meant in the vision, then the Pope’s vision was completely false (as opposed to being a reverse mirror image of God’s plan as some private prophecies seem to be). In order for the above to fit in with other Greco-Roman Catholic private prophecies, it would probably need to be interpreted that the seventy-five to one hundred years started at about the same time as the time frame as that indicated by Nun Emmerich. If so, the seventy-five years ended in 2008, and the outside date (based on one hundred years) would be about 2033.  Unless this Pope had it completely wrong, some part of the end would seem to occur fairly soon.

So, Leo XIV confirmed he choose that name in honor of Leo XIII–a person who promoted a social agenda, and one who made a prediction related to a time near where we are.

The Continuing Church of God is pleased to announce this sermon from its ContinuingCOG channel:

1:16:29

Pope Leo XIV & Antichrist Prophecies

On May 8, 2025, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost became Pope Leo XIV. Could he possibly be the last pope of Irish Bishop Malachy’s prophecy list of popes? When did Roman Bishops first take the title of pope? What do the words pope and Pontifex Maximus mean? Are there Greco-Roman Catholic prophecies that point to an antipope being the final Antichrist? If so, does the Bible prophesy that he will do great signs, persecute, and one day betray the Church of Seven Hills in Revelation 17? How many antipopes have there officially been? What about the late Pope Francis? Was Cardinal Prevost the stated papal candidate for Freemason Giuliano Di Bernardo? Could Leo XIV be the dreaded ‘Peter the Roman’? Do the Bible and Greco-Roman Catholic prophesies point to the rise of an ecumenical interfaith religion with leaders that perform miracles and great signs and prodigies? What about the 325 A.D. and 2025 Council of Nicea? Do any Roman Catholic prophesies warn about the rise of a ‘secret set’ that will cause the Vatican troubles? Will the final pope betray the Roman Catholic faith? Could the Malachy list have demonic involvement? What about Mystery Babylon, 666, the Beast, the Great Monarch, persecution, and the end of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom? What are similarities between the last pope of Greco-Roman prophecies and the two-horned beast of Revelation 13? What are the scriptures that mention the antichrist in the Bible? Will the last and final pope betray the Church of Rome? Dr. Thiel covers these issues and more.

Here is a link to our sermon video: Pope Leo XIV & Antichrist Prophecies.

That said, my book about the Malachy prophecies and how Pope Leo XIV could be the one to fulfill the last one is now available on Amazon Kindle: The Last Pope of the Malachy Prophecies: Do Biblical and Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies Point to Pope Leo XIV?

A print version should be available soon.

Some items of related interest may include:

Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.

(Meridian CG7 Facebook page photo)

COGwriter

I recently received an email from someone who attached a booklet from the Meridian Church of God Seventh Day.

The reader attached an undated booklet titled WHY STRAIN AT A GNAT AND SWALLOW A CAMEL? Is The Unclean Law For Today? from the CG7 Meridian on its position on unclean meat consumption.

It starts out with:

The purpose of this work is to present a study of the “UNCLEAN LAW” and its relationship with mankind as found in the Bible. During the last two or three generations, especially among Sabbath-keepers, there has arisen a new school of thought. This school holds the view that the law which forbade the Israelites the use of certain meats is still valid, and should be observed today. We have endeavored herein to explain the other school of thought …

The claim that it was only in the last two or three generations that Sabbath-keepers should not consume unclean meats is false.

Furthermore, for those with eyes to see and ears to hear, the Continuing Church of God put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel with historical references and scriptures which prove that:

14:41

Unclean Meat and True Christianity

Do true Christians eat unclean meat? What was the practice of Sabbatarian Christians throughout the church age? Does the Bible declare ALL “food” clean? Is unclean meat ever described as “food” in the Bible? Do the Roman Catholics eat unclean meat? If so, by what authority are they allowed to eat? How about the Protestants? Do they eat unclean meat? If so, by what authority are they allowed to eat? What about true Christians? Do they eat unclean meat? If not, by what authority do they refrain from eating? According to the Bible did ANY Christian EVER eat unclean meat? Does it really matter? What does God say? Does it matter to God if we, as Christians, honor Him, through obedience, as we would our worldly father? Isn’t it good that we do what seems right in our own eyes? Watch this video as Dr. Thiel quotes scripture and cites historical facts to shine the light of the Word of God on the truth written in the Bible.

Here is a link to our video: Unclean Meat and True Christianity.

In the 21st century, like our spiritual ancestors, we in the Continuing Church of God have continued to keep the Sabbath, we avoid the consumption of unclean meats, and we contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints as the New Testament instructs us to do per Jude 3.

Some items of related interest may include:

The New Testament Church, History, and Unclean Meats Are foods considered to have been unclean in the Old Testament considered to be food in the New Testament? This article discusses this from the perspective of the New Testament. It also has a list of clean and unclean animals. It also answers the question, is pork healthy or is pork dangerous? There is also a sermon-length video on this: Christians and Unclean Meats; four short videos are also available: Did Jesus declare all animal flesh food?, Should Christians Eat Insects? and COVID, Pandemics, and Unclean Meat, and Unclean Meat and True Christianity.
MCGSD: Meridian Church of God Seventh Day A group that was a split from the old Stanberry COG.
CG7.ORG This is a website for those interested in the Sabbath and churches that observe the seventh day Sabbath.
CG7-D: Church of God, (Seventh Day): History and Teachings Nearly all COG’s I am aware of trace part of their history through some affiliation with this group. Loren Stacy is the president of the largest CG7 USA group (Denver). Do you know much about them?
CG7-S: Church of God 7th Day, Salem (West Virginia) This group formed by A.N. Dugger in 1933 when he split from the CG7 group he was once president of.
Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism The CCOG is NOT Protestant. This free online book explains how the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants. Several sermons related to the free book are also available: Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History; The First Protestant, God’s Command, Grace, & Character; The New Testament, Martin Luther, and the Canon; Eucharist, Passover, and Easter; Views of Jews, Lost Tribes, Warfare, & Baptism; Scripture vs. Tradition, Sabbath vs. Sunday; Church Services, Sunday, Heaven, and God’s Plan; Seventh Day Baptists/Adventists/Messianics: Protestant or COG?; Millennial Kingdom of God and God’s Plan of Salvation; Crosses, Trees, Tithes, and Unclean Meats; The Godhead and the Trinity; Fleeing or Rapture?; and Ecumenism, Rome, and CCOG Differences.
5. The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses some early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, CG7-Salem, Jerusalem 7DCG, and COG-7th Day-Denver. Here are two historical sermons: Sardis Church Era: Beginnings, Doctrines, and Leaders and Sardis: SDBs, SDAs, & CG7s.
6. 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 the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
7. The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots.  They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent. One video of related interest is 17 Laodicean Errors in Prophecy. See also Do You Hold to Any of These Laodicean Prophetic Errors?
Laying on of Hands Succession and List Does the Church of God have laying on of hands succession? Does the Continuing Church of God have a list of leaders from the time of the apostles?

(Pixabay picture)

COGwriter

A reader tipped me off to the following:

May 10, 2025

Walt Heyer … travels the world with the message that the truth … can set people free from the lies of gender ideology.

In the early 1980s, Heyer underwent hormone therapy and “sex-change” genital surgery; he lived as a woman for eight years. But before long, he realized that those procedures had only made things worse.

“I learned the truth,” he says on his website, SexChangeRegret.com. “Hormones and surgery may alter appearances, but nothing changes the immutable fact of your sex.”

Over several agonizing years, Heyer returned to living as a male. But he found real freedom only when, broken and repentant, …

Heyer, who has served as a senior fellow with the Family Research Council since 2023, has communicated with thousands of people who identified as transgender. He focuses on one key issue: what caused the person to not like who they are. Many, he finds, have been abused or suffered other trauma.

Heyer helps them identify where their pain came from so they can deal with it, and then— … he helps them embrace how God designed them.

But he doesn’t coddle people. Although he will say someone identifies as transgender, he will not say they are transgender. “When a Christian uses that word, it suggests that the LGBT advocates were successful in changing someone’s gender,” he said. “That’s factually not correct. In all of world history, no one has ever changed their gender. …

“We often get the question, why are we fighting about pronouns?” Frampton said. “The answer is because it makes you tell a lie. When you’re forced to call a man ‘she’ or a woman ‘he,’ it forces you to lie. And the government should not be in the business of forcing people to say anything they don’t agree with, much less forcing them to lie.”

Heyer sees some people eventually reject the gender lies and embrace the truth. https://harbingersdaily.com/policies-are-helping-turn-the-tide-on-radical-gender-ideology-but-only-biblical-truth-brings-real-change/

More and more are finally pointing out that gender mutilation, hormone blockers, etc. should not be pushed. Notice a study that came out last year:

Largest Review On Transgender-Youth Medicine Finds Insufficient Evidence For Medicalization

May 5, 2024

In April, the country published the Cass Review, “most comprehensive summary on transgender-youth medicine,” psychologist Erica Anderson, who identifies as transgender and has a doctorate in clinical psychology, told The Epoch Times.

The review, chaired by Dr. Hilary Cass, British honorary physician, consultant in pediatric disability, and former president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, stated that there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate the long-term benefits of medicalizing children who want to identify as a different gender. Instead, the review recommends focusing on psychotherapy.

For some clinicians and researchers, this recommendation was a long time coming. Others are concerned that it potentially threatens medicalization—currently the primary treatment—for gender-incongruent youths.

The National Health Service (NHS) England, which commissioned the report in 2020, stated it would be committed to following through on the recommendations.

“[The Cass Review] final report will not just shape the future of healthcare in this country for children and young people experiencing gender distress but will be of major international importance and significance,” the statement read.

Eight days after the Cass Review’s release, Scotland’s health boards announced a pause on new prescriptions for puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones as they gather evidence to support the safety and clinical effectiveness of these medications.

‘End of the Era’

The Cass Review is based on the work of 237 papers, including 214 studies, 21 guidelines, and two position statements, which covered data of over 113,000 children and young people. The authors also analyzed anonymized data from over 3,700 children diagnosed with gender dysphoria, survey responses from professionals, and numerous interviews and testimonies from stakeholders of the issue. …

The review found insufficient and inconclusive evidence demonstrating the effectiveness and benefits of gender reassignment treatments for children. Additionally, many of these children are on the autism spectrum and share mental comorbidities often overshadowed by the medicalization model.

Dr. Cass hence advised cautionary psychological interventions while also leaving room for children to explore their identities.

The Society for Evidence Based Gender Medicine (SEGM), a medical group that advocates for evidence-driven research on transgender care, stated that for England, the review marked “the end of the era of a highly medicalized approach to the treatment of young people with gender-related distress,” which has come to be known as “gender-affirming” care. https://www.zerohedge.com/political/214-studies-21-guidelines-largest-review-transgender-youth-medicine-finds-insufficient

European psychiatrists warn against ‘experimental’ and harmful transgender medicine

May 4, 2024

A major European psychiatric organization has warned doctors against promoting “experimental” transgender “treatments” to gender-confused children and adolescents

The European Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (ESCAP) published a policy statement urging healthcare providers “not to promote experimental and unnecessarily invasive treatments with unproven psycho-social effects and, therefore, to adhere to the ‘primum-nil-nocere’ (first, do no harm) principle.”

The scientists of ESCAP highlighted the “poor reliability and instability of a gender dysphoria diagnosis in a specific child over time” and the “possible effects of the decisions to block puberty or preventing medical transitioning on a child’s psychosocial development.” …

The policy paper reminded its readers of core ethics principles that need to be observed in the cases of gender-confused minors:

• the principle of non-maleficence: do not use outside the research environment any experimental interventions with potentially irreversible effects, or interventions with unknown long-term consequences; do not adopt new practices prematurely without sufficient evidence; do not continue with outdated practices that might not be in the best interest of the patient.
• the principle of beneficence: adopt medical interventions with favorable benefits-to-harms ratio; consider benefits-to-harms ratio of not providing medical interventions; ensure adequate diagnosis and treatment of co-existing psychiatric disorders; ensure comprehensive diagnostic assessment of gender dysphoria instead of only relying on the self-assessment of children and adolescents. …

The ESCAP policy paper represents the latest example of the growing pushback from the medical establishment in Europe to so-called “gender-affirming care.”

In the U.K., the publication of the Cass Review has caused many healthcare providers to change their practices of prescribing harmful puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones to minors. https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/european-psychiatrists-warn-against-experimental-and-harmful-transgender-medicine/?utm_source=most_recent&utm_campaign=usa

Drugs and surgery are not what young people who act gender-confused need.

According to the Mayo Clinic:

Gender dysphoria is the feeling of discomfort or distress that might occur in people whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth or sex-related physical characteristics. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gender-dysphoria/symptoms-causes/syc-20475255 accessed 04/04/24

Yet, historically, a major view was not to provide physical treatment but to give the young person time to finish puberty and grow into adulthood to see if the gender dysphoria would self-correct.

Yet, many now claim that the way to deal with this is to give hormone blockers and/or genitalia mutilating surgeries, which they call “gender affirming treatment,” is the answer.

But it is not.

ZeroHedge reported the following:

15 Year Study: Vast Majority Of Children Grow Out Of Gender Confusion

April 4, 2024

A landmark study conducted over the past 15 years has concluded that most children who experience confusion regarding their gender identity grow out of it and go on to feel content with their lives as men and women.

The study, carried out in the Netherlands by researchers from the University of Groningen, involved more than 2,700 children, tracking them from age 11 to their mid-twenties.

The Daily Mail reports that every three years, the individuals were asked how they felt about their gender.

At the beginning of the study, around 11 percent, or one in ten of the children, expressed ‘gender non-contentedness’.

However, by the age of 25, just 4 percent, or one in 25, said they ‘often’ or ‘sometimes’ felt discontent with their gender.

The study comes as the controversy over allowing children to be given puberty blocking hormones, or even gender reassignment surgery, rages on.

The researchers noted, “The results of the current study might help adolescents to realise that it is normal to have some doubts about one’s identity and one’s gender identity during this age period and that this is also relatively common.”

Published in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior, the study found that around 19 percent became more content with their gender over 15 years, while just 2 percent became less comfortable. https://www.zerohedge.com/medical/15-year-study-vast-majority-children-grow-out-gender-confusion

As far as the study itself, here is the abstract of the study from the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior:

Adolescence is an important period for the development of gender identity. We studied the development of gender non-contentedness, i.e., unhappiness with being the gender aligned with one’s sex, from early adolescence to young adulthood, and its association with self-concept, behavioral and emotional problems, and adult sexual orientation. Participants were 2772 adolescents (53% male) from the Tracking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey population and clinical cohort. Data from six waves were included (ages 11–26). Gender non-contentedness was assessed with the item “I wish to be of the opposite sex” from the Youth and Adult Self-Report at all six waves. Behavioral and emotional problems were measured by total scores of these scales at all six waves. Self-concept was assessed at age 11 using the Global Self-Worth and Physical Appearance subscales of the Self-Perception Profile for Children. Sexual orientation was assessed at age 22 by self-report. In early adolescence, 11% of participants reported gender non-contentedness. The prevalence decreased with age and was 4% at the last follow-up (around age 26). Three developmental trajectories of gender non-contentedness were identified: no gender non-contentedness (78%), decreasing gender non-contentedness (19%), and increasing gender non-contentedness (2%). Individuals with an increasing gender non-contentedness more often were female and both an increasing and decreasing trajectory were associated with a lower global self-worth, more behavioral and emotional problems, and a non-heterosexual sexual orientation. Gender non-contentedness, while being relatively common during early adolescence, in general decreases with age and appears to be associated with a poorer self-concept and mental health throughout development. (Rawnee P, et al. Development of Gender Non-Contentedness During Adolescence and Early Adulthood. Archives of Sexual Behavior, Published: 27 February 2024)

So most, with what is called gender dysphoria, will tend to grow out of it.

That points to gender dysphoria basically being a psychological or mental health issue.

Last year, we put out the following video:

14:49

Gender Confusion, Science, and Scripture

The British Medical Journal reports that there is an increase in “gender dysphoria” “in young people.” According to the Mayo Clinic, what is gender dysphoria? Is gender confusion physical or is there a psychological component associated with it? Does research suggest that most young people with it will to grow out of it? Is what are called “gender-affirming treatments” the right answer? Has it been reported that Sweden’s National Board of Health and Welfare determined that the risks of puberty blockers and treatment with hormones “currently outweigh the possible benefits” for minors? Did researchers at the University of Florida find that 81% of those who had undergone sex change surgeries in the past five years reported experiencing pain simply from normal movement in the weeks and months that followed? What about the effects of gender altering surgeries on fertility and libido? Have researchers concluded that there are often psychological comorbidities strongly associated with gender confusion? Do studies show that “gender-reassignment” treatments reduces suicides? Do males who undergo surgerical genitalia removal have a highly increased suicide rate according to a peer-reviewed study published in The Journal of Urology? What are some of the side effect associated with “gender-reassignment” treatments? Does the Bible condone or condemn cross dressing? What did Jesus say about God making males and females? Can gender be determined by looking at XX and XY chromosomes? Are there 6500 genetic differences between males and females? Are there also differences between male and female brains that surgical and hormonal treatments do not change? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie address these points.

Here is a link to our video: Gender Confusion, Science, and Scripture.

Science and the Bible oppose this type of mutilating surgery.

Yet in 2023, YouTube temporarily suspended our account after we put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel related to transgender surgeries:

Transgenderism is against scripture.

As far as biology goes, Jesus taught the truth about biological sex:

4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6)

Of course, many ‘moderns’ want to act like there is no difference, but the Bible is clear that men and women are different. God warned that there would be those “who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18). But the truth is still the truth.

The transgender movement opposes both science and scripture.

We should pray for those who have gender confusion.

Most will grow out of it if they do not allow themselves to be drugged or mutilated.

Some items of related interest may include the following:

The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality and the LGBTQ agenda? Can homosexuals change? A related video sermon is titled: What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality? A short video is available titled: Gay Gene? Born That Way?
Cross-dressing and other assaults against your children. What should you do? Is there an agenda to turn your children and/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on? There are also three YouTube videos related to this, titled Transgender ‘Woe to those who call evil good’ and Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children and USA pushing gender confusion.
Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? A related sermon is also available titled: Real Christian Repentance.

COGwriter

A reader tipped me off to the following:

Ancient “Factory” for Purple Dye Mentioned in Bible Discovered South of Haifa

May 10. 2025

Archaeologists have uncovered new insights into an ancient purple dye factory at Tel Shiqmona, an archaeological site south of Haifa, Israel, along the Mediterranean coast, shedding light on life in biblical times.

Their findings, published in the journal PLOS One, confirm the site’s role in large-scale purple dye production dating back to 1100 B.C., during the Iron Age—over a century before the reigns of Kings Solomon and David. …

Excavations revealed fragments of vats with purple stains and stone tools bearing purple residue. Unlike earlier assumptions that industrial-scale purple dye production began with the Romans in the first century A.D., Tel Shiqmona demonstrates this practice centuries earlier. The dye, derived from crushing mollusk shells, was highly prized in antiquity and is referenced in the Bible.

Acts 16:14 mentions Lydia, a merchant: “One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.”

In Mark 15:17, purple cloth is used to mock Jesus: “And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him.”

Using chemical and mineralogical analyses, researchers studied the artifacts. Archaeologist Golan Shalvi told New Scientist that crushed mollusks secreted a greenish fluid that turned purple when oxidized. “However, in order to transform it into an actual dye – one that chemically bonds with textiles – it must be processed into a solution through a complex series of chemical steps,” Shalvi said.

He described the site as utilitarian: “It was an industrial site throughout most of the Iron Age, without monumental architecture or any particular beauty or elegance. I imagine it as a very smelly place – especially to a modern nose – since the production process emitted a terrible odor. I picture wool fleeces dyed in various shades drying outside and inside the buildings, which may have given the site a purplish-reddish-blue hue.” …

The authors conclude, “Therefore, we conclude that the entire manufacture, from harvesting the snails to dyeing, was conducted at the site, and that dye-production and dyeing were conducted in one container – apparently a rather efficient process.” https://basedunderground.com/2025/05/10/ancient-factory-for-purple-dye-mentioned-in-bible-discovered-south-of-haifa/

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Close Encounters of a ‘Spirit’ Kind discusses some experiences I believe were (demon) ‘spirit’ related. Two videos are also available titled: Poltergeists and Lying Wonders and CCOG, the gospel, baptizing, and demons.

Women and the New Testament Church What roles did women play in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles? Did Jesus and the Apostle Paul violate Jewish traditions regarding their dealings with women? Do women have any biblical limitations on their role in the Church? Were there female prophets? Do women have any special responsibilities in terms of how they dress? What does the New Testament really teach about women? Here are links to two related sermons: Women’s Roles in the Church and New Testament Women. Here is a sermon in the Spanish language: Las mujeres y la Iglesia de Antiguo Testamento: https://youtu.be/BQ0oQTlIcXg

Is God’s Existence Logical? Is it really logical to believe in God? Yes! Would you like Christian answers to give atheists? This is a free online booklet that deal with improper theories and musings called science related to the origin of the origin of the universe, the origin of life, and evolution. Here is a link to a related sermon: Evolution is NOT the Origin of Life. Two animated videos of related interest are also available: Big Bang: Nothing or Creator? and A Lifegiver or Spontaneous Evolution?

Who Gave the World the Bible? The Canon: Why do we have the books we now do in the Bible? Is the Bible complete? Are there lost gospels? What about the Apocrypha? Is the Septuagint better than the Masoretic text? What about the Textus Receptus vs. Nestle Alland? Was the New Testament written in Greek, Aramaic, or Hebrew? Which translations are based upon the best ancient text? Did the true Church of God have the canon from the beginning? Here are links to related sermons: Let’s Talk About the Bible, The Books of the Old Testament, The Septuagint and its Apocrypha, Masoretic Text of the Old Testament, and Lost Books of the Bible, and Let’s Talk About the New Testament, The New Testament Canon From the Beginning, English Versions of the Bible and How Did We Get Them?, What was the Original Language of the New Testament?, Original Order of the Books of the Bible, and Who Gave the World the Bible? Who Had the Chain of Custody?

Proof Jesus is the Messiah This free book has over 200 Hebrew prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus. Plus, His arrival was consistent with specific prophecies and even Jewish interpretations of prophecy. Here are links to seven related sermons: Proof Jesus is the Messiah, Prophecies of Jesus’ birth, timing, and death, Jesus’ prophesied divinity, 200+ OT prophecies Jesus filled; Plus prophecies He made, Why Don’t Jews Accept Jesus?, Daniel 9, Jews, and Jesus, and Facts and Atheists’ Delusions About Jesus. Plus the links to two sermonettes: Luke’s census: Any historical evidence? and Muslims believe Jesus is the Messiah, but … We also have the book translated in the Spanish PRUEBA de que JESÚS es el MESÍAS and French PREUVES QUE JÉSUS EST LE MESSIE languages.

(Signed official White House photo)

COGwriter

The Continuing Church of God is pleased to announce this sermon from its ContinuingCOG channel:

1:17:27

Donald Trump and Prophecy

Is Donald Trump taking steps that are leading to the fulfillment of Bible prophecies? Is he the “Trump of God”? What about another “Cyrus the Great” or “King Jeroboam” as has been claimed? What about being the Savior or even the pope? In this sermon, Dr. Thiel goes over some of Donald Trump’s biography, ethnic & religious background, and some of his more recent actions. He also goes over prophetic scriptures related to the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Dr. Thiel covers 10 prophetic warnings he made about Donald Trump which have been confirmed since he wrote them.

What about prophecies related to gold and debt? Will the USA dollar survive the Great Tribulation? Did Jesus promise protection to Philadelphian Christians? Dr. Thiel answers those questions and also explains how many of the actions and statements by the Trump-Vance Administration are having unintended consequences. Such as? For one example, how they are pushing to world to trade more with each other, and less with the United States, hence helping set up end time Mystery Babylon the Great.

Dr. Thiel cites statements for European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and others of Germanic heritage who now are pushing for Europe to end up like prophecies seen in the prophetic Books of Daniel, Isaiah, Habakkuk, and Revelation, etc. Many European leaders want more unity, more military power, and international leadership because of the Donald Trump presidency.

There are many unintended consequences of Donald Trump’s presidency and there will be more.

There will be many unintended consequences of the Trump-Vance Administration as it has taken steps that are aligning with the fulfillment of Bible prophecies.

Here is a link to the sermon: Donald Trump and Prophecy.

Unleavened Bread

COGwriter

Sunday, May 11th 2025, after sunset, is the 14th day of Iyyar on the Hebrew calendar. Those who were unable to keep the Passover on the 14th of Nisan (about a month ago) are authorized by scripture to keep the Passover then.

This is based upon the following passages of scripture:

1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying: 2 “Let the children of Israel keep the Passover at its appointed time. 3 On the fourteenth day of this month, at twilight, you shall keep it at its appointed time. According to all its rites and ceremonies you shall keep it.” 4 So Moses told the children of Israel that they should keep the Passover. 5 And they kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month, at twilight, in the Wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did.

6 Now there were certain men who were defiled by a human corpse, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day; and they came before Moses and Aaron that day. 7 And those men said to him, “We became defiled by a human corpse. Why are we kept from presenting the offering of the Lord at its appointed time among the children of Israel?”

8 And Moses said to them, “Stand still, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you.”

9 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘If anyone of you or your posterity is unclean because of a corpse, or is far away on a journey, he may still keep the Lord’s Passover. 11 On the fourteenth day of the second month, at twilight, they may keep it. They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 12 They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break one of its bones. According to all the ordinances of the Passover they shall keep it. 13 But the man who is clean and is not on a journey, and ceases to keep the Passover, that same person shall be cut off from among his people, because he did not bring the offering of the Lord at its appointed time; that man shall bear his sin. (Numbers 9:1-13)

Centuries later, basically the entire tribe of Judah all did this one year (and had some from other tribes join them):

1 And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover to the Lord God of Israel. 2 For the king and his leaders and all the assembly in Jerusalem had agreed to keep the Passover in the second month. 3 For they could not keep it at the regular time, because a sufficient number of priests had not consecrated themselves, nor had the people gathered together at Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 30:1-3)

Groups, such as the Continuing Church of God, observe the Christian Passover.

As most everyone knows, Jesus kept the Passover, from the time of His youth. Luke records:

His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast (Luke 2:41-42).

Jesus continued to keep the Passover throughout His entire life. He kept it once per year. Passover was an annual event for Him and others (Exodus 13:10) and was normally observed on the fourteenth day of the month of the first month (called Abib in Deuteronomy 16:1 or Nisan in Esther 3:7):

On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the LORD’s Passover (Leviticus 23:5).

And Jesus had his disciples also keep it and told them to keep it as a remembrance to Him:

7 Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. 8 And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” 9 So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?” 10 And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. 11 Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”‘ 12 Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.” 13 So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover. 14 When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. 15 Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. (Luke 22:7-20)

If you are baptized and were unable to keep the Passover on the 14th of Nisan, like is taught in Leviticus 23, you can keep it after sunset May 11th this year. For specific details as to how, please check out the article Keeping Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread.

Here is a link to an online service:

Here is a link: Continuing Church of God Passover Service.

Here is a Spanish language related item for Passover:

English title:  Passover service

Spanish title:  Servicio de la Pascua

Spanish youtube link:  https://youtu.be/hG8mUH_UGNQ

Here is a link to the service in the Spanish language: Servicio de la Pascua.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Keeping Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread How should Christians keep Passover, especially if they are by themselves. Why does the Church of God not require lambs for Passover? How does one keep the Days of Unleavened Bread? For a step-by-step video for Christians to keep it, check out a Continuing Church of God Passover Service; in Spanish got to Servicion de Pascua CCOG. Here is a link to a related article in the Spanish language: Guardando la Pascua y los Días de los Panes sin Levadura.
Examine Yourself before Passover This article goes into some of why real Christians are to do this. Two related sermons are Really examine yourself before Passover and Passover Examination. Here is a link to this article in the Spanish language: Examínese antes de la Pascua.
Preparing for Passover The Apostle Paul taught that Christians should examine themselves prior to taking Passover. This YouTube video sermon gives suggestions on how to prepare.
Passover and the Early Church Did the early Christians observe Passover? What did Jesus and Paul teach? Why did Jesus die for our sins? There is also a detailed YouTube video available titled History of the Christian Passover.
The Passover Plot What was the first Passover plot? Which plots have Islam and the Greco-Roman faiths perpetuated about Passover? A sermon video of related interest is The Passover Plots, Including Easter.
Melito’s Homily on the Passover This is one of the earliest Christian writings about the Passover. This also includes what Apollinaris wrote on the Passover as well. Here is a related sermon, also titled Melito’s Homily on the Passover.
TPM: Passover on the 14th or 15th? While the real COG observes Passover on the 14th, some observe it on the 15th. Why is the 14th correct? A related sermon is titled Is Passover on the 14th or 15th for Christians?
Unleavened Bread recipes A Serbian COG member, now CCOG elder, sent these recipes for those who would like more ways to prepare unleavened bread. Here is a link to recipes in Spanish: Recetas de Recuerdo.
The Night to Be Observed What is the night to be much observed? When is it? Why do Jews keep Passover twice and emphasize the wrong date? A related animation is available and is titled: Night to Be Observed.
How often should we partake of THE LORD’S SUPPER? Herbert Armstrong answers that question.
Should You Observe God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays? This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history shows about God’s Holy Days and popular holidays.
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.
Hebrew Calendar This writing helps explain why we in the Continuing Church of God use the calendar that we do and answers such questions as “Did Jesus Observe the Postponements?”
Should Christians Keep the Days of Unleavened Bread? Do they have any use or meaning now? What is leaven? This article supplies some biblical answers. Here is a link to this article in the French language: Les Chrétiens devraient-ils observer les Jours des Pains sans levain?Here are three YouTube videos intended to be viewed for the first day of unleavened bread: Unleavened Bread: No Tolerance for Sin, Leaven and Sin, and Christians and the Days of Unleavened Bread.
The Seventh Day of Unleavened Bread What happened? Does this day have any type of fulfillment in the Book of Revelation? A related sermon video is also available: 7th Day of Unleavened Bread: Prophecy and Lessons.
Perfection? Does God have faith in humans? A message for the seventh-day of unleavened bread. A related sermon is titled: Does God have faith in humans?
UCG and Its Unleavened Bread Study Paper What does the Bible say about eating unleavened bread for seven days? What has UCG officially said about it?
Why Holy Day Offerings? This is a slightly updated version of an article originally by WCG evangelist Leroy Neff that was published in the old Good News magazine in September 1983. Here is a link to a related video message: Why Holy Day Offerings?
Michael’s Feasts and Fasts Quiz 15 questions, amusing wrong answer screens.
Holy Day Calendar This is a listing of the biblical holy days through 2033, with their Roman calendar dates. They are really hard to observe if you do not know when they occur 🙂 In the Spanish/Español/Castellano language: Calendario de los Días Santos. In Mandarin Chinese: 何日是神的圣日？ 这里是一份神的圣日日历从2013年至2024年。.