Church of God News

Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev: Do the Europeans Trust this Russian President?

COGwriter

In its weekly update read at services yesterday, LCG reported:

Global Implications of a “Summer War” in Georgia. Christ warned that signs of the end of the age would be “wars and rumors of wars” and nations rising against nations (Matthew 24:6-7). The brief “summer war” in Georgia and South Ossetia fits in well with Christ’s predictions—here we see ethnic groups in the north and south of Georgia fighting each other and the government of Russia quickly intervening in support of the break-away region. But this war is more than just a “summer war” over South Ossetia’s right to become independent. Currently, Europe relies on Russia for nearly 40% of its oil and gas. Georgia was a promising tool to bring oil and gas across southeastern Europe and into Turkey—and eventually to Austria to help offset Europe’s reliance on Russian fuel. This was while Georgia was viewed as a stable and safe nation. Russia, well aware of Georgia’s strategic fuel resources, opposed from the start a pipeline project to bring Georgian fuel to Turkey (Globe and Mail, August 18, 2008). Germany and Europe are in turmoil about how to deal with the current crisis, with many calling for “offensive” actions against Russia’s “imperial tactics” instead of just defensive (Der Spiegel, August 18, 2008). Russia’s “summer war” in Georgia will also likely further galvanize the EU—especially if the EU chooses to take unified military action on what many view as European soil.

Essentially, I believe that the situation with Georgia has shown the Europeans that they must be able to stand up against the Russians and that they need a stronger military of their own in order to do this. I believe the Europeans are learning that they should not trust the Russian president.

The Georgia war should make it easier for the European leaders to convince the average European that since they do need oil and that the Russians are starting to threaten them (see Russia Threatens Poland with Nuclear Attack), that a more united and militaristic Europe is needed.

Of course, once they are a more significant military power, a united Europe will be strong enough to deal with others (including those that they currently do not see as direct enemies, see Isaiah 10:5-7). And that will affect the rest of the world.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia? What will it do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?

VS.
Ronald Weinland Says His Books and His Interpretations of the Bible Are What He Wants Potential Supporters to Study. The COGwriter Site Instead Urges Those Interested in Him and End-Time Prophecies to Spend More Time Checking His Writings with the Bible.

COGwriter

For the first time in nearly two months, Ronald Weinland posted a letter on his website.

It states:

THUNDERS GROW STRONGER

August 21, 2008

First, before going into the purpose and content of this posting, I would like to announce that the 50th Truth has now been added to The 50 Truths of God that is in the “Publications” section of the Church website.

Postings to this site have been minimal since April…

There have been no interviews and the advertising being done on the Internet has been reduced dramatically…

Since things did not happen in the original time frame that was given because God had not given this 50th Truth, those who were responding solely out of fear and desire for self-preservation are no longer seeking God’s help. Those who are skeptics, critics and mockers have only grown bolder in their deceived and misguided confidence…

The reality is that all that has been given in the past will still come to pass, but simply a few months later than previously understood. As covered in the 50th Truth that has just been posted, on Trumpets of this year the final countdown for the return of Jesus Christ will have begun, but the world will not begin to respond to God until the Trumpets of the Seventh Seal begin to sound, and most will not begin to be earnest in their response until after the Fifth Trumpet has sounded…

One of the most astonishing events and loudest thunders since 9-11 is the conflict between Georgia and Russia…

The minds of peoples and leaders in ten European nations are now being molded so that one day soon they will agree to unite as the United States of Europe and it will be at that time that they determine to set their own course and control of the future—through immediate aggression in war. It will be this European union that plunges the whole world into war, and not Russia or the United States.

This is not a time to draw back, become slack, or let down from being spiritually on guard. Everything is rapidly moving forward, and on Trumpets of this year we will have entered the final 1335 days before the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the government of God over all the earth.

Actually, it is Ronald Weinland who has misguided confidence. He claimed that he and his wife were the two witnesses; that the 1335 days began on February 2, 2008; that the Great Tribulation would begin on April 17, 2008; that the USA would be nuked by June 8th (then changed to mid-July); and now he claims that the 1335 days will start on Trumpets (which is September 30, 2008).

The Bible did not support the start of the 1335 days on February 2, 2008 as I posted back then, nor does it support the 1335 days beginning on September 30, 2008 (which is what James Malm seems to be teaching–I denounced both Ronald Weinland and James Malm’s positions in 2007 see At Least Two Wrongly Claim Great Tribulation Will Begin in 2008, as well as throughout the year 2008).

Perhaps I should mention that Ronald Weinland never prophesied the Russia-Georgia situation as part of the coming thunders. He claimed that with the increasing thunders first COG leaders would die (none did); then the USA dollar would be worthless a little past April 2008 (it is worth perhaps more now than then); then his critics would be stricken and apparently die (none have as far as I can tell); then the nuclear attacks would affect the USA (this did not happen); then other countries would be involved.

Now Mike at Don’t Drink the Flavor Aid (an anti-COG site) posted the following quoting Ronald Weinland yesterday:

God could have revealed this truth at any time, and it has always been solely within His own power and prerogative to do so whenever He chose. God had given the Church most of the understanding concerning the meaning of the Feast of Trumpets, but not all. God has now given the Church to understand some of those reasons why He has chosen to reveal this great truth just before Trumpets of 2008.
1) This is part of a continuing process to make a distinction in the Church (the actual physical organization where the spiritual body of the Church is being nurtured and led through whom God is working) and all other organizations who were scattered from the Church (where God is no longer working).
2) This was reserved until now because there is a continuing spiritual battle against Satan and his demons. Satan and the demons know their time of reign is nearly over and then they will be removed from the presence of mankind for 1,000 years, but they have not fully known what that exact timing involved. God is about to expose Satan and the demon world for the true evil they are.
3) God is also going to reveal the perverted attitude and spirit of all who mock Him, His Church, and His servants. Those who scoff, criticize, ridicule, and mock God’s Church have used the occasion of this revelation to find fault with God’s Church for changing doctrine (as they see it) and timing in order to better suit their own false needs. Such critics foolishly and unwittingly put themselves in a position of judging God. The very thing they mock is the very thing that will end up being used to mock them. God is revealing the kind of hatred that has existed in the hearts of men and women toward Him and His people for nearly 6,000 now.
4) As part of a direct relationship to the previous point, this very thing that scoffers and mockers try to use to discredit God’s end-time prophet and two witnesses is one of the very things that God will use (in a far greater way) to prove who it is through whom He is working. In reality, the fulfillment of the 50th Truth will be great evidence of God’s true servants and the events that reveal the fulfilling of this truth will put mockers and scoffers to shame.

Although I do not mock nor scoff–I simply explain why people like Ronald Weinland are in error according to the Bible and world events, I would like to post Mike’s comment on the above which was:

The scoffers and mockers are not scoffing at God, His Church, or His Servants. We’re scoffing and mocking God’s False Prophet, Ronald Weinland. “2008: God’s False Witness”.

Ronald Weinland remains a false prophet. Sadly, I believe he is getting more and more delusional. No matter how much the Bible and world events do not support him, the more he seems to try to persuade himself that he is right.

As I have been reporting for many years, Ronald Weinland is a false prophet. And as I have reported throughout 2008, he truly claimed God revealed to him specific dates, insisted that the prophecies were fulfilled on those dates, and then changed his dates–God’s prophet and appointed two witnesses would NOT do that.

Some articles of related interest may include:

Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up and that the end will come in 2008. Is he a false prophet? He has at least one other view that suggests that he is not part of the COG.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples ofthe United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans and the Hindu Indians (who were not even on the same continent). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?
Who Are The Two Witnesses? What is their job? What does the Bible reveal? What has the Church of God taught on this subject? Might even Roman Catholic prophecies give some clues here?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–and Ronald Weinland is one of them–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.

People Who Make Predictions Need to Be Sure that the Bible Supports those Predictions

COGwriter

Two days ago, in response to my posts related to him, James Malm contacted me and asked me to post the following statement:

“James insists that he is not a prophet and is merely publishing the results of his studies as I am publishing mine.”

Please, do not confuse me with R Weinland. I strongly disagree with most of what he says. For one thing I endeavour to provide scriptural backing for everything that I say. However I do say that 2008 is a critical year. As stated on the website I expect the Abomination (the man of sin) to be set up at the end of Sep and to go to the Holy Place within 75 days, triggering the occupation of Jerusalem. We shall know soon enough if I am correct!

Sincerely James Malm

The Above Map Show the Number of Internet Users By Country

COGwriter

Because I reported that Vision was not doing well (see COGaIC: Vision Lacking), yesterday when I noticed a dramatic change in its Alexa ratings, I thought for the first time ever to report the one week Alexa rankings for a variety of COG-related websites (Note: right after I did this, Alexa updated again, so the statistics are here are for the prior week–but are still fairly close to current).

Rebuilt Gymnasium in Sardis.

This is one of the most impressive buildings in the area of any of the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3. However, it has been recently and massively rebuilt as its original condition was in ruin. And while it and its size are impressive, it no longer functions as it once did.

COGwriter

Under the banner 1858-2008 “Celebrating 150 Years of God’s Faithfulness” is an article by CG7’s (Denver) president Whaid Rose that begins with:

Every year is special in its own way, and 2008 will be remembered for special things: the 60th birthday of the new Israeli state, the year the 42nd US President was elected, and CoG7’s 150th (sesquicentennial) anniversary.

And while I believe that God has been faithful for more than 150 years, I do not believe that CG7 has been as faithful as it should have been.

On the same page as Whaid Rose’s article is a photo of a Bible and underneath it states:

“My Bible and my Bible alone.” - Gilbert Cranmer

And if CG7 would rely on that, they would be more faithful than they are.

Actually, the lack of faithfulness to the Bible was the major reason that Herbert W. Armstrong left CG7. And while CG7 is large by COG standards, biblical indications are that there are very few in it, “who have not defiled their garments” (Revelation 3:4).

Although it is still not trinitarian, some trinitarian views within CG7 appear to be tolerated. CG7 published the following on the nature of God in a question and answer format in its Jan-Feb 2002 Bible Advocate: Question, “What is your position on the Trinity?” CG7 answer,

Historically, we are a non-Trinitarian church, preferring other views of this complex subject. Some of us are comfortable with Trinitarian statements.

But if some doctrine is not true, then no one should be “comfortable” with it in a real COG.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Church of God, Seventh Day: History and Teachings Nearly all COG’s I am aware of trace their history through this group. Whaid Rose is the president of the largest CG7 group (Denver). Do you know much about them?
The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, and COG-7th Day.
Who Was Herbert W. Armstrong? How is He Viewed Today? Includes quotes from the 1973 edition of The Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong and explains how he is and should be viewed today.
Binitarian View: One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning Is binitarianism the correct position? What about unitarianism or trinitarianism?
Did Early Christians Think the Holy Spirit Was A Separate Person in a Trinity? Or did they have a different view?
Did the True Church Ever Teach a Trinity? Most act like this is so, but is it?
Was Unitarianism the Teaching of the Bible or Early Church? Many, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, claim it was, but was it?

Large Display of the Ten Commandments in Arkansas, 1998

The summer 2008 edition of CGI’s International News has the following in an article from its Mike Nolen titled Was Christ the “End” of the Law?:

Most suppose our Savior came to put an end to the law, and the passage typically quoted in support of this belief is Romans 10:4, which reads: “For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Am I to understand that the One who said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law” is taught by the Apostle Paul as the One whose coming abrogated the law as a way of righteousness, and therefore Christians are released from any obedience to the law? If the reader is not predisposed to entertain contradictions in the Word of God, then, let us endeavor to understand what Paul is actually saying. The controversy involves not the verse, but one word within the verse—“end.” The English word “end” typically invokes thoughts of cessation, or the point at which something is terminated. The word “end” in this passage translates from the Greek word telos, which has a variety of meanings. Not only can telos refer to the point at which a thing ceases, but it can also connote aim, outcome, purpose, and goal…

Before we address Paul’s objective, take notice of the following additional words by Paul regarding the law to the Roman church which, in context, contradict not Romans 10:4, but rather the antinomian termination view:

• “…For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified…” (Romans 2:13).
• “…Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid:yea, we establish the law” (Romans 3:31).
• “…Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just,and good” (Romans 7:12).

When we honestly study Paul’s analysis of the law, we find not abrogation of the law, but a clarification of the true intent of the law. In an effort to understand what Paul is saying in Romans 10:4, one must consider the broad context of Romans chapters 9–11, which primarily involves the rejection of Christ and a misunderstanding of the true purpose of the law by God’s people Israel. Instead of attaining righteousness by faith, Israel sought its own righteousness relying on obedience to law rather than recognizing God’s intention on their behalf through Jesus Christ (Romans 9:31–10:3)…

Paul presents Christ as the goal of the law Who offers righteousness to all believers and elaborates in verse 5 by quoting Leviticus 18:5, “whoever follows the way of righteousness taught by the Law shall live by it.” Paraphrasing Deuteronomy 30:12–14 in verses 6–8, Paul shows that achieving the righteousness required by the law in order to live (Leviticus 18:5) is not insurmountable, does not require extraordinary effort, like climbing to heaven to bring Christ down or descending into the abyss to raise Him up. This was Paul’s way of pointing out the Pharisees’ misinterpretation of the law, which created an impossible situation the Jews pursued via their own efforts. Question: Would God establish a law designed to be a yoke and bondage upon the people? The Apostle Peter did not believe so (Acts 15:10).

Jesus said, “… I have kept my Fathers commandments …” (John 15:10). He was the only human who was completely obedient to the law’s requirements (Philippians 2:8; Romans 10:5). During the Sermon on the Mount, He made the following enlightening statement, which has become a stumbling stone to many a prospective antinomian: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). The law of God has reached its fulfillment in Him. Jesus is the embodiment, the purpose, and the goal, of God’s holy righteous law. He was the object of all the promises, types, and sacrificial ceremonies (Hebrews 10:1–8). Paul understood this—thus his statement in Romans 10:4. Jesus and Paul were not incongruous. The righteousness required by the law is fulfilled through the Word, which is in the heart and in the mouth, in essence, by believing and confessing that Jesus is the Christ (Romans 10:8–10). Christ is not the end, but the goal of the law in the sense that without His presence in our lives, we are unable to live by the just requirements of the law.

Not only did Paul and Christ not do away with the ten commandments, perhaps Protestants (many of whom mistakenly believe that they are done away) should also consider what their leader, Martin Luther wrote on the subject of the ten commandments:

God threatens to punish all who break these commandments…Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him and gladly do what He commands” (Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, 1986, p.12).

The fruits of this sin are afterwards the evil deeds which are forbidden in the Ten Commandments…we hold that the Law was given by God, first, to restrain sin by threats and the dread of punishment, and by the promise and offer of grace and benefit (Luther Martin. The Smallclad Papers. 1537. Translated by F. Bente and W. H. T. Dau Published in: _Triglot Concordia: The Symbolical Books of the Ev. Lutheran Church_. (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921), pp. 453-529).

…teach them first of all these articles, namely the ten commandments…But as for those that will not learn, let them be told that they deny Christ and are no Christians…(Luther M. The Short Catechism, 1529. Cited in Bettenson H, ed., Documents of the Christian Church. London: Oxford University Press, 1943, p. 225).

So Martin Luther taught that those that will not learn, and apparently not try to keep, the ten commandments are not Christians–on that point he was correct.

However, whether they know them or not, most people throughout the world seem to live as if the Ten Commandments do not exist.

Several articles on the Ten Commandments include:

Were the Ten Commandments in Effect Before Mount Sinai? Some have said not. This article provides biblical quotes to answer this important question.
Job and the Ten Commandments Was Job written prior to Mount Sinai? Did Job know about the ten commandments? This article provides biblical answers to those questions.
What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments? This article quotes what Jesus actually said about them (His words are in red).
Were the Ten Commandments Nailed to the Cross? Some have said so. This article provides some biblical quotes to answer this important question.
What Did Paul Actually Teach About the Ten Commandments? Many say Paul taught against the ten commandments. Is this true? This article quotes Paul with his words in green.
Are the Ten Commandment Still in Effect? This article quotes the ten commandments and combines some of the previous articles into one article about the ten commandments. The commandments are shown at Mount Sinai, before Mount Sinai, in the teachings of Jesus, after the crucifixion, and in the teachings of Paul. It addresses the most common “traditions of men” regarding them as well.
Were the Pharisees Condemned for Keeping the Law or Reasoning Around it? Many believe that the Pharisees were condemned for keeping the law, but what does your Bible say? If they were not condemned for that, what were they condemned for?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.

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Ronald Weinland Says His Books and His Interpretations of the Bible Are What He Wants Potential Supporters to Study. The COGwriter Site Instead Urges Those Interested in Him and End-Time Prophecies to Spend More Time Checking His Writings with the Bible.

COGwriter

In yesterday’s sermon, Ronald Weinland again continued on his 1 John topic.  While 1 John talks about love, commandments, and not being a liar, Ronald Weinland had a much different focus in the beginning.

Ronald Weinland told his audience (in Vancouver, Washington) that on Friday (August 8th) he wrote more about the “50th truth” (essentially he seems to believe he has expanded the 18 truths that Herbert W. Armstrong claimed God led him to restore to the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God) he came up with.

And what does his “50th truth” have to do with?  It is complaining about his critics who he tends to term as mockers and scoffers.

Ronald Weinland said, “I look forward to them being shut up..mockers will die” (he has called for the deaths of those that point out his false prophecies before–please see, for example, Ronald Weinland Again Calls for Death).

Ronald Weinland stated that the reason that there are many COG groups today is that they all want to make God in their image so they can pick and choose.  And while I agree with much of that (please see The Laodicean Church Era ), it needs to be pointed out that Ronald Weinland now denies the pre-existence of Christ and thus quite literally has made a Godhead in his own image that differs from that of the real COGs (please see Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God).

He also asked something to the effect of why do his critics pick on him and his little group and not others?  Ronald Weinland then said,

“We understand why, but they don’t”.

Well I do understand why I report about him and he still does not get it.

First, let me state that at the COGwriter website this year, I have denounced at least 6 individuals who claim to be prophets and 2 who claim to be apostles that also claim to be part of the Church of God (thus I am not just reporting about him and his group), though not the Living Church of God. (For additional specific reasons as to why I do this, please see the article Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders?)  I have essentially reported why they are false, what they predicted, and why their predictions would not come to pass (and for those that the dates past, I tended to post that as well).

Secondly, Ronald Weinland is just another self-appointed false prophet.  He stated on two or more radio interviews and one or more sermons of his that I listened to that if what he predicted for 2008 did not happen between April and July 2008 that he would publicly admit that he was a false prophet, AND no longer preach.

He instead of being a man of his word and not changing meaning or dates, he did–even though he said publicly in December 2007 that he would NOT do that.

So why report on Ronald Weinland?

Because even though he is reaching significantly less on the internet than he was a few months ago (please see Ronald Weinland Keeps Dropping), he still is getting many to look at (and some to pay attention to) his false message.

By pointing out certain aspects of his false teachings, hopefully less people will be misled by him.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up and that the end will come in 2008. Is he a false prophet? He has at least one other view that suggests that he is not part of the COG.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples ofthe United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin?
Who Are The Two Witnesses? What is their job? What does the Bible reveal? What has the Church of God taught on this subject? Might even Roman Catholic prophecies give some clues here?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–and Ronald Weinland is one of them–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.

COGwriter

Living University announced that registration is open NOW for the Fall of 2008:

Below is the tentative 2008 fall schedule of classes. WC = Web Centered Course Delivery. SCH = Semester Credit Hours.

Registration [August 11-12] • Late Registration (Add/Drop) [August 13-15]

Online Registration Instructions for All New Students Online Registration Instructions for All Returning Students

Click here for a PDF copy of the 2008 Fall Schedule of Classes

In its latest update, LCG announced:

Living University fall semester classes begin on Wednesday (August 13). At LU you can experience learning the way it was meant to be: enjoyable, meaningful, productive, fast and convenient. Take classes that fit your schedule. Registration is this coming Monday and Tuesday (August 11 and 12). Late Registration is Thursday through Friday. There is a charge for late registration, so please register right away. No registrations can be accepted after Friday.

Here is some good news: Online Orientation is now available on the university’s website. We encourage all new and returning students to participate in this online orientation program. It should take you about fifteen minutes. If you are a student, a person thinking about enrolling at LU, or one simply interested in learning more about the university, do not miss this online presentation. Visit the university website at www.livinguniv.com and select “Online Orientation.”

Also, please note that due to a website issue beyond our control, some of the applications for admissions to Living University may have been lost.  If you have not heard from the admissions office, please resubmit your application.  Registrations for specific classes have not been affected.

Living University is affiliated with the Living Church of God.

American and British Aircraft Carriers Are Used As Parts of Threats and Wars

COGwriter

Yesterday, the following was in the news:

2 US aircraft carriers headed for Gulf

Jerusalem Post - Aug 7, 2008

Two additional United States naval aircraft carriers are heading to the Gulf and the Red Sea, according to the Kuwaiti newspaper Kuwait Times…

Meanwhile, the Arabic news agency Moheet reported at the end of July that an unnamed American destroyer, accompanied by two Israeli naval vessels traveled through the Suez Canal from the Mediterranean. A week earlier, a US nuclear submarine accompanied by a destroyer and a supply ship moved into the Mediterranean, according to Moheet.

Currently there are two US naval battle groups operating in the Gulf: one is an aircraft carrier group, led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, which carries some 65 fighter aircraft. The other group is headed by the USS Peleliu which maintains a variety of planes and strike helicopters.

The ship movements coincide with the latest downturn in relations between Washington and Teheran. The US and Iran are at odds over Iran’s nuclear program, which the Bush administration claims is aimed at producing material for nuclear weapons…

Kuwait, like other Arab countries in the Gulf, fears it will be caught in the middle should the US decide to launch an air strike against Iran if negotiations fail…

The standoff between the US and Iran has left the Arab nations’ political leaders in something of a bind, as they were being used as pawns by Washington and Teheran, according to The Media Line analyst. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1218104233164&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull

In his update last night, ICG’s Mark Armstrong reported:

By now you know that a war is underway in the newly independent state of Georgia, a former possession of the Soviet Union. Georgia is a “staunch ally” of the United States, with two hundred of their own fighters contributing to coalition efforts in Iraq. Those troops are reportedly being called home as Russian fighter jets have begun bombing Georgian air basses in South Ossetia. Georgia’s leadership is accused of igniting the hostilities by attacking the breakaway province of South Ossetia, prompting the Russians to get involved. But they were already involved, since they had “peacekeepers” stationed in the province, reputedly supporting factions working against independent Georgia. The situation has a long history, and is complicated, as you can see.

Russia has shown irritation as eastern European provinces have independently established diplomatic relations with the U.S., and lined up to come under the NATO umbrella. The U.S. and Russia have seen relations grow increasingly chilly in recent years, lining up on opposite sides of Iran, Eastern Europe, and there has even been some chatter about the possibility of Russian nuclear equipped bombers using Cuban airfields. U.S./Russian relations seem to have drifted back to a type of Cold War standoff reminiscent of the pre-1989 fall of the Berlin Wall.

Iran remains the ultimate concern at the present time, despite some presidential campaign quips to the contrary. Iran’s potential for devastating the U.S.A. with an EMP attack has gained tremendous attention over the past couple of weeks, including discussion with John Bolton, former U.S. Ambassador to the UN on CNN Headline News. He gave the concern credence, as has the EMP Commission in its reports to Congress.

An Associated Press article yesterday ran with the headline, Israel Considering Military Strike on Iranian Nuclear Sites. It mentions that Israel has purchased ninety F-16’s that put Iran within range, and two Dolphin submarines from Germany, capable of firing nuclear warheads.

Other reports have a “massive armada” made up of American, British and French ships heading for the Persian Gulf to join the formidable carrier groups already stationed there. Those reports are a little sketchy at this time, and only featured on some lesser-known outlets. If the reports are accurate, they’ll be confirmed by the major wire services within a couple of days. The “war fever” we’ve pointed out is building.

Sounds like wars and rumors of war.

Jesus taught:

6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:6-8).

As I have been writing for most of this year, at most we are near the place that Jesus referred to as “the beginning of sorrows. The end is not yet–though it is getting closer.

Several documented articles of possibly related interest may include:

End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans and the Hindu Indians (who were not even on the same continent). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia? What will it do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?

Union for the Mediterranean

Blue: Members of the European Union Union for the Mediterranean
Green: Other members (primarily from the African Union & Arab League)
Striped green: Libya is currently only an observer member in the Union for the Mediterranean

COGwriter

Two weeks ago, I posted information on the new Union for the Mediterranean (please see Deal Leading to Psalm 83?). The electronic version of UCG’s August issue of its World News & Prophecy came out today with an article by its Tom Robinson titled The Mediterranean Union: Another Roman Empire? where he wrote:

On July 13, leaders of 43 countries surrounding the Mediterranean (from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East) joined together in Paris, France, to launch a new regional union—the Mediterranean Union or, as it’s now officially called, the Union for the Mediterranean…

This was a dream come true for French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who championed the creation of the bloc upon assuming office just a little over a year before. Sarkozy chaired the meeting jointly with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak—the two serving as interim copresidents, as the union is to operate under a copresidency of north and south.

This is a stunning development, not only for the speed of the union’s formation—coming just over a year after it was proposed—but for its plausible ties to end-time events foretold in the Bible…

Return of empire foretold

Notably absent from the meeting was Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi, although he sent a representative.

Angry that original plans for only a few southern European and North African states were changed to include the whole EU and the Middle East, including Israel (making it, in his words, “very dangerous” for him to support), Gaddafi boycotted the meeting, saying, “We shall have another Roman Empire and imperialist design. These are imperialist maps and designs that we have already rolled up. We should not have them again” (quoted by Bruno Waterfield, “Gaddafi Attacks Sarkozy Plan for Union of the Med, The Daily Telegraph, July 10, 2008).

Indeed, you, too, may find that the map of this new union looks strikingly like the one in the back of your Bible of the ancient Roman Empire. That empire likewise surrounded the Mediterranean—the Romans taking pride in referring to it as Mare Nostrum, “Our Sea.”

Frankly, Gaddafi in this case is right. Another Roman Empire is indeed where things are headed even though most of the participants are themselves blind to it.

Bible prophecy reveals that the Roman Empire—the fourth in a succession of ancient empires—will be resurrected in the last days (see Daniel 2; 7; Revelation 13; 17). We have long seen this coming together in the increasing political integration of the European Union, which began with the Treaty of Rome in 1957. But in the past few years, integration has greatly picked up speed. And now we have a larger union encompassing the breadth of the ancient Roman Empire and then some.

Leaders of north and south also prophesied

Of further interest is the north-south copresidency of the new union. A lengthy prophecy in Daniel 11 details the historical struggle in the Middle East between powers to the north and south of the land of Israel . The “king of the South” of the end time will attack the “king of the North,” the ruler of Europe who will retaliate and occupy parts of North Africa and the Middle East, including Israel (verses 40-45).

While North and South here are often thought to be separate political entities entirely, they could initially be participants in some sort of union who subsequently turn against one another.

Worth considering in this regard is Gaddafi’s warning that the EU blueprint for the Mediterranean will be a pretext for a new generation of terrorists. “I believe this project of the Union for the Mediterranean would increase illegal migration and terrorism and give a justification to Islamist extremists to step up jihad attacks. These extremists would explain it [the Mediterranean Union] as a crusade against Islam and European colonisation,” he said.

While the Union for the Mediterranean appears to be an important step in the fulfillment of prophecy, it will not really be a Roman Empire, but a group containing supporters of both the King of the North and the King of the South.

UCG’s article did not list various scriptures (Psalm 83 and Daniel 11:27,39) which contain related prophecies that may better explain what the Union for the Mediterranean will ultimately be about–and that is the destruction of the Anglo-American nations.

After this destruction, the kings of the North and South will turn on each other (Daniel 11:40-43), but the South will lose. However, Russia, China, and apparently India, Japan, and others will then turn on the King of the North, who will come to his own end (Daniel 11:44-45).

Several documented articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for China? Is it a “King of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? This is a draft of an in-process article about Japan. Have they had any witness?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: Prophecy Japan in prophecy. What is prophesied for Japan. Will God save the Japanese?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What is prophesied for Russia? What will it do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
India, Its Biblical Past and Future: Any Witness? The Bible discusses the origins of those of Indian heritage and discusses some of the witness to them.