Church of God News

COGwriter

Regular readers of the COGwriter page are aware that I have long taught that the USA (and UK) debt situations will result in an absolute crash of the economy and that the Anglo-descended nations are doomed for destruction without repentance.

The news media is finally starting to realize this as the latest trip to China by USA President Barack Obama has confirmed some fears that many in media apparently have been having:

Time to Quit Using China as Our ATM

Updated November 18, 2009  FOXNews.com

China and our other major creditors increasingly have the power to literally destroy our economy without destroying their own.

By Elizabeth Factor and Mallory Factor

This week in China, President Obama is practicing a new form of American diplomacy –assurance. With China now America’s largest debt holder, the president is reassuring China that their investment in the U.S. economy is secure. In analyzing the president’s visit, the American media seems to have suddenly realized that America has lost the upper hand in its relationship with China. But this has been coming for a long time.

President Obama is reassuring China that America is credit-worthy so that China will not dump our debt onto the world markets. But he is also trying to ensure that China will continue to purchase our debt in the future to pay for his elaborate government initiatives like the health care bill, cap-and-trade, and other spending programs. China holds over $1.7 trillion dollars of our currency and debt, which is well over 10% of our gross domestic product–how high can our indebtedness to China go? Hard as it may be to stop going back to our foreign lenders for more support, we are just piling more dirt on a mountain that is about to come down and bury us. America would suffer if it stopped borrowing from abroad, but paying the price later will be much more devastating.

From the U.S. perspective, China’s investment in our debt and economy may seem to be just what our credit-starved American businesses and financial industry need. But while creditors may not always exert influence over the debtor nation’s foreign policy, they have the power to do so if their holdings of currency or debt of the other nation are sufficiently large. The fact is that by borrowing so extensively from China and other nations, we have already significantly compromised our ability to promote democracy, the rule of law, human and civil rights reforms, and environmental policy–in China and around the world.

And China and our other major creditors increasingly have the power to literally destroy our economy without destroying their own. They can do this simply by refusing to buy our treasuries, agencies and currency, or worse, by dumping what they already own on the world market, which can be likened to a”nuclear option.” Without enough demand for our debt, the United States would have to either offer huge interest rates to entice the remaining market into purchasing our debt or print more money leading to a crashing dollar and massive inflation. Although each of our creditors would suffer from the decline in value of our debt and currency, they would suffer less than we would.

The “nuclear option” allows a creditor nation to present its debtor nations with terms under which lending will continue. For example, China could press the United States to buy Chinese goods over the goods of other nations or could require us to open up our markets on terms unfavorable to the United States. China could use its economic influence over the United States to curb our support for Taiwan or other allies.

Anyone who does not believe that China has a far reaching geopolitical agenda should look at their former leader Deng Xiaoping’s “24 character” strategy. Deng developed this policy in the 1990s to bring China back to the prominence and power on the global stage which it had enjoyed for over 3,000 years prior to domination by Europe in the 19th century. His policy consists only of 24 Chinese characters, and continues to be quoted–and followed–by the current Chinese leadership. It is as follows: “observe calmly; secure our position; cope with affairs calmly; hide our capacities and bide our time; be good at maintaining a low profile; and never claim leadership.”

China’s influence over its debtors’ foreign policy is growing. In 2008, the UK, another profligate Chinese debtor, stopped advocating for a free Tibet and formally recognized the legitimacy of Beijing’s direct rule over Tibet. And we are responding to their pressure also. The political reality is very simple — it is hard to press for “change” in China when we need to be concerned about maintaining Chinese investment in our economy.

The solution to this critical problem is simple and yet extremely difficult to achieve: The United States needs to stop increasing its deficits. We need to bring them down, reduce our foreign borrowing and therefore, improve our global economic standing.

And, if we are not able to change the trajectory we have begun, then what? At some point–not too far in the future, America will have a meltdown. The world will stop lending us capital and investing in our economy, and the value of our debt will crash.  http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2009/11/18/elizabeth-factor-mallory-factor-china-debt-obama/

USA and UK policies are right now being affected by their debts to China and other nations.

Most do not realize that over 2600 years ago, the Hebrew Prophet Habakkuk warned that in the end time,  the major debtor would be destroyed after its creditors realized that it had too many pledges (debt):

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry…
6 “Will not all these take up a proverb against him, And a taunting riddle against him, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases
What is not his–how long? And to him who loads himself with many pledges’? 7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. 8 Because you have plundered many nations, All the remnant of the people shall plunder you (Habakkuk 2:3,6-8).

While the USA President continues to pledge that the USA will pay back its increasing debts (without national repentance), this does not seem to be consistent with what the Bible teaches (Deuteronomy 28:43-45).  Short of national repentance, the USA, UK, and their Anglo-allies are to be taken over.

Yes, it is that serious.

The Chinese will lose much of their investment if they do not take certain steps to get away from the USA dollar.  And if they lose much of their investment, they will want something (land and labor comes to mind) to help make it up.  There are even Chinese prophecies that hint that China may end up with land that the Chinese do not now possess.

The times are changing for the nations of the world.  This does not bode well for the US, UK, nor their Anglo-descended allies.

Some items of related interest may include:

2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This also has YouTube videos related to 2012. The book is for those truly interested in understanding how prophecies inter-relate and who want to see a real sequence of end time events. It goes into details concerning prophecies that involve Barack Obama and the United States, as well as certain Chinese predictions that line up with biblical prophecies.  As well as others that involve the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Russia, and Asia.
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist?  Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.
Prophecies of Barack Obama in the eXaminer Since it became obvious that Barack Obama may become the President of the United States, many have claimed certain predictions and prophecies apply to him.  Here are some.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?

Union for the Mediterranean

Blue: Members of the European Union in the Union for the Mediterranean States
Green: Other members (primarily from the African Union & Arab League)

COGwriter

In addition to attempting to determine a President for the EU tomorrow, the EU Parliament is planning on hosting a seminar discussing the Union for the Mediterranean States:

Union for the Mediterranean: what can we expect?

Edited by Ahmed Gamal Tuesday, 17 November 2009

On 19 November in Brussels, a high level seminar will give the opportunity to experts and decision makers to debate on the future developments of the UfM, a few weeks before the negotiations on the statutes of its Secretariat. Former French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine will conclude the debates with some personal reflections.

The event is organised by the European Studies Institutes of the academic faculties of Saint Louis Brussels, with the support of the European Commission, the European Parliament and with the participation of the Council.

The seminar takes place at the European Parliament from 9am-6pm on 19 November.

The ‘Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean’‚ was launched in Paris on 13 July 2008 in a bid to give a new impulse to the Barcelona Process, according to the Joint Declaration adopted at the heads of state or government meeting.

A few months later, on November 3-4, the Foreign Ministers from the EU and the Mediterranean states came together and agreed on the institutional structures, the work programme for 2009, the fields of cooperation to be pursued and the state of progress in the implementation of projects decided.

One of the decisions taken at the Marseille meeting was to re-name the ‘Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean’ to ‘Union for the Mediterranean’. They also decided that the League of Arab States would participate in all meetings at all levels.

On the structure of the Union for the Mediterranean, one of the decisions was that the co-presidency shall apply to summits and meetings and that one of the co-presidents will be from the EU and the other from the Mediterranean partner countries. Barcelona was chosen as the seat of the Secretariat, according to the Declaration agreed by the Foreign Ministers.

According to the Paris Declaration, a new impulse would be achieved “in at least three very important ways: by upgrading the political level of the EU’s relationship with its Mediterranean partners; by providing for further co-ownership to our multilateral relations; and by making these relations more concrete and visible through additional regional and subregional projects, relevant for the citizens of the region.”

The Paris Summit, co-chaired by French President and rotating President of the European Council, Nicolas Sarkozy, and Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, had brought together 43 European and Mediterranean States, the Community institutions and regional organisations.

I have found this union to be of prophetic interest as it includes a “president from the North” (now French President Nicolas Sarkozy) and a “president of the South (now Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak).  Eventually, it may be that these positions could represent the prophesied final King of the North and King of the South (or the Union for the Mediterranean States leaders may simply take direction from these “Kings”).

I strongly suspect that this Union for the Mediterranean States could be the framework for making the prophesied deals between the prophesied final King of the North and King of the South (Daniel 9:27, Psalm 83):

27 Both these kings’ hearts shall be bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end will still be at the appointed time (Daniel 11:27).

3 They have taken crafty counsel against Your people,
And consulted together against Your sheltered ones.
4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation,
That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.”

5 For they have consulted together with one consent;
They form a confederacy against You:
6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites;
Moab and the Hagrites;
7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek;
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Assyria also has joined with them;
They have helped the children of Lot (Psalm 83:3-8).

Not only Israel, but those in the Anglo-descended nations need to be concerned about the ramifications of the prophesied deal in Psalm 83 as Assyria represents a significant portion of the modern EU.

Events are happening right now to line up the fulfillment of many end time prophecies.

Some 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?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
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?
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?

Nicolas Sarkozy

COGwriter

Continuing to attempt aggressively position France and the EU in the Middle East, the French President Sarkozy continues to have meetings in the Middle East:

Sarkozy Urges Relaunch Of Middle East Talks

By REUTERS  (Reporting by Souhail Karam; Editing by Charles Dick)

Published: November 17, 2009

RIYADH (Reuters) – Reviving Middle East peace talks is an absolute priority and the present stalemate only serves extremists, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in remarks published on Tuesday before a visit to Saudi Arabia.

Sarkozy was due to meet Saudi King Abdullah on Tuesday, hoping to assuage Arab leaders’ fears over Washington softening its stance on Israeli settlements.

The French president will also discuss Saudi plans for a civilian nuclear energy programme — still in the early planning stages — as well as possible purchases of military equipment by the Saudi National Guard.

“King Abdullah … is a man of peace and moderation,” Sarkozy said in an interview on the website of Al-Riyadh daily before his 24-hour private visit.

“The absolute priority lies in relaunching the peace process as soon as possible. There is a pressing need for it. The current stalemate serves the interest of the extremists.”…

Sarkozy, who met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week, did not say what message he would have for King Abdullah on the issue of settlements.

“Relaunching the (peace) talks will not be possible without strong initiatives, specifically on the settlements issue … The dead end we are faced with today causes great concern.”

King Abdullah floated in 2002 a peace proposal that gives Israel recognition from all Arab states if it returns all land occupied in 1967 and negotiates a solution to the Palestinian refugee question.

Al-Riyadh said in an editorial Europe risks compromising its regional influence if it leaves the Israeli-Palestinian issue under the aegis of Washington while Israel expands settlements.

Sarkozy will not be accompanied by any representative of French firms and Saudi officials do not expect any commercial transaction to be closed during the visit.

“Military equipment needs are discussed during every visit to identify the needs,” a government official said on condition of anonymity.  http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/11/17/world/international-uk-saudi-france.html

Deal making Sarkozy aims to capitalise on tarnished British image in Middle East

Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, will on Tuesday begin his third visit to the oil- and cash-rich Gulf this year as he seeks business deals and contracts that would capitalise on widespread disillusionment with America and Britain in the Middle East.

By Richard Spencer in Dubai
Published: 3:41PM GMT 15 Nov 2009

Mr Sarkozy will arrive in Saudi Arabia laden with offers to sell nuclear power technology and air force jets, on the back of diplomatic initiatives that are reviving France’s fortunes and reputation in the region.

The country is already a front-runner in the race to provide the United Arab Emirates with its first nuclear power plants…

Mr Sarkozy’s visit to Saudi Arabia follows a tour in February to Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait – where he pressed the sale of French-made Rafale fighter aircraft, frigates, and an air defence system – and to Abu Dhabi in May.

In Abu Dhabi, he opened a French naval base, the country’s first foreign base since it gave up its colonies four decades ago.

The retired head of the United Arab Emirates armed forces meanwhile has confirmed that the final details are being thrashed out to replace the country’s 63 ageing Mirage fighters with Rafales, on display at the Dubai Air Show this week.

Mr Sarkozy is also likely to discuss military hardware sales to Saudi Arabia this week, but more attention will be focused on nuclear co-operation.  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/6575134/Deal-making-Sarkozy-aims-to-capitalise-on-tarnished-British-image-in-Middle-East.html

The French President also happens to be the “President of the North” in the Union for the Mediterranean States, an organization that might help lead to the prophesied deal between the King of the North and the King of the South in Daniel 11:27and Psalm 83.  While the co-presidents of the Mediterranean Union not are yet in position to be the final King of the North nor the final King of the South, events seem to be lining up in a way that the top Mediterranean Union leaders may ultimately hold those positions.

The Book of Daniel (9:27) also tells of a time when some type of agreement (probably a temporary peace deal in the Middle East will be confirmed by the European leader who ultimately will be the final King of the North as well as the final “Beast” of Daniel and Revelation).   Since the French President seems to be pushing for such an agreement, it may not be too very long now (the Fall of 2010 is the earliest date that would seem to be possible at this time, and it might be a little too early).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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?
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?

Kiev, Ukraine

COGwriter

The Associated Press reports that Ukraine has been affected by the swine flu and it may affect elections there:

Swine flu infects Ukraine’s presidential elections

By SIMON SHUSTER (AP) – 3 hours ago

KIEV, Ukraine — In Ukraine, swine flu is causing electoral fever.

In a hard-fought presidential campaign, critics of Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko accuse her of stirring up panic to grab the spotlight from rivals by closing all schools and banning mass gatherings to combat what experts say is a relatively moderate outbreak of the disease.

The arrival of the virus has set off a cycle of one-upmanship and recrimination among leading politicians that has spread fear, sidelined minor presidential candidates, and, health officials say, caused wasteful hoarding by scared citizens of precious medical supplies.

“This is very dangerous,” said Igor Shkrobanets, chief of the local health ministry in the western region of Chernivtsi, one of the nine regions where a partial quarantine has been imposed.

“One or another politician will gain from this situation, but the doctors and their patients certainly will not,” he told The Associated Press in an interview at Ukraine’s federal Health Ministry Monday.

The charismatic Tymoshenko announced the arrival of a swine flu epidemic on Oct. 30, when there was only a single confirmed case in Ukraine, and she immediately announced the government would impose some of the strictest measures against the virus in Europe.

The health ministry has registered around 1.4 million cases of flu and respiratory illness since the start of the outbreak; the World Health Organization suspects most are swine flu, an infection rate it says is in line with neighboring countries like Russia and Poland.

But in Ukraine, all schools and universities were closed for three weeks and all mass gatherings, including campaign rallies heading into the January 17 presidential contest, have been banned.

Since then, Tymoshenko has made daily television addresses to update the nation on the state of infection, while criticizing her political rivals for hindering her efforts to stop it…

Vasily Lazorishnets, Ukraine’s Deputy Health Minister, said there have been a total of 166 confirmed cases of swine flu in Ukraine, including 15 deaths, but he stressed that the total number of deaths from the flu of all types in 2009 has so far been lower than in previous years. Ukraine plans to stockpile 950,000 doses of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu, far more than it has had on hand in previous flu seasons. Meanwhile pharmacies have sold out of flu medicines and surgical masks across Ukraine…

The pressure on some of Ukraine’s presidential candidates has also been severe as they struggle to make some effort in the fight against swine flu that is captivating voters.

“The smaller candidates have been pushed out of the information sphere by this issue,” said Tsybulko, referring to the 16 candidates other than Tymoshenko and Yanukovich in the running for the presidency. “It’s now just Tymoshenko’s show.”  http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iXx78_5sm2cIMa8kTQTiEzdnBD-wD9C0P5A80

How bad things will end up in Ukraine are unclear.  Early last week the WHO indicated that the situation there with the flu was not that unusual.  But it certainly is affecting the country.

Some articles related to timing of end-time events and one even related to pork include:

Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? How about those in Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and those associated with it? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood?
The New Testament Church 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?

COGwriter

A reporter from Canada made several observations about U.S. President Barack Obama’s handling of international issues in the first ten months of office:

Shiite Middle East, a Chinese Asia, a Marxist Latin America and a Russian Europe– America in twilight will once again stand alone

Obama in China and Twilight for America

By Daniel Greenfield Monday, November 16, 2009

The first year of Obama has seen America retreating on all fronts. The country that once pressed back the Russian bear, has instead pulled up the missile shield and sent the signal to Moscow that the former Soviet Republicans can no longer count on US aid to insure their independence. On China, Obama has switched to a policy of “Strategic Reassurance”, which is a fancy way of retreating and saying “Nice Doggie”, without actually even bothering to hunt for the stick.Not only has Obama become the first President not to meet with the Dalai Lama, but what “Strategic Reassurance” really does is hang out Taiwan and Japan on the line, assuring China that America will not interfere with its expanding sphere of political and military dominance.

Robert Kagan and Dan Blumenthal, two prominent foreign policy analysts, described the policy as follows.

“‘Strategic reassurance’ seems to chart a different course. Senior officials liken the policy to the British accommodation of a rising United States at the end of the 19th century, which entailed ceding the Western Hemisphere to American hegemony. Lingering behind this concept is an assumption of America’s inevitable decline.”

That assumption is of course the engine behind the White House’s policymaking that consists of selling out allies to enemies in the hopes of stability. This was the sum total of British foreign policy before and after WW2, a policy that gave us an Arab Socialist Middle East, a Southeast Asia in turmoil and Africa under the boots of murderous dictators. And Obama is now working to replicate that same policy on a far larger scale.

Obama’s international tour of bowing only highlights his weakness. His global popularity is as shallow as that of any celebrity, and only serves to signal America’s weakness. Each of Obama’s fumbling speeches has failed to achieve any tangible result except to express America’s helplessness and willingness to concede on every front. Buzzwords like “New Relationship”, “Multilateralism” and “Strategic Reassurance” are the ways in which Obama and his foreign policy minions phrase their “New Incompetence”.
America which once served as a global shield, is being transformed into a paper tiger. And the result is emboldening both old enemies, such as Russia and China, as well as smaller but more aggressive genocidal regimes, such as North Korea and Iran, who have begun pushing a new wave of confrontations with American allies.

Obama has sold out every American ally to every American enemy, from Latin America to Eastern Europe to Asia to the Middle East. The message repeated over and over again is that not only can America no longer help free nations, but that the people in power in D.C. will actively sell out free nations to tyrannies in the name of multilateralism, and to buy ourselves some time before the implosion comes.

The New York Times article on Obama’s visit to China describes his visit as, “assuming the role of profligate spender coming to pay his respects to his banker” and sketched an image of American domestic policy having to gain approval from China…

Furthermore as the United States continues to borrow from China in order to fund Obama’s deficit spending, much of the interest paid back will in turn go to fund China’s military machine…

North Korea has become emboldened enough to stage raids on South Korean waters

Meanwhile North Korea has become emboldened enough to stage raids on South Korean waters. Kim Jong Il’s new confidence in the inability of the US to do anything about his depredations is obvious enough, and comes right down to Obama. Iran in turn is doing the same thing, feeding a civil war in Yemen that has now dragged in Saudi Arabia, while openly taunting Obama about its nuclear arsenal.

As Obama cuts back on defense spending, while going deeper into debt to pay off his Wall Street and Union backers, America begins to increasingly look like a failed state…

Americans will essentially become Chinese serfs

Americans will no longer be working for themselves. Instead Americans incomes will go to buy Chinese products and pay taxes, which will in turn go to China…

China has already won its economic war with America. Every product made in China, every Wal-Mart and every number in the trade deficit is a PRC flag planted on American soil. Now China is pursuing a quiet political war with America, and putting us in their debt amounts to a boot planted on Uncle Sam’s grizzled neck.

Obama’s policy of “strategic reassurance,” amounts to an admission that the US can no longer stand in China’s way globally…

If Russia can help drive its Iranian ally to lead a Shiite revolution in the Middle East, and its Latin American allies to lead a Marxist revolution right below us, it will have a lock on much of the world’s oil, and in turn enjoy a great deal of leverage over North America and Europe. Which will help force us to recognize its territorial claims to the former Warsaw Pact states of the USSR that Russian nationalists are aching to reclaim.

With a Shiite Middle East, a Chinese Asia, a Marxist Latin America and a Russian Europe—America in twilight will once again stand alone. http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/16917

I saw U.S. President Obama answer questions from some of the Chinese last night and was not reassured by many of his responses (except, I did like the one about that he felt that people should have freedom on the internet to have opinions that differ from that of the government).

The reality is that the Canadian reporter is correct that the U.S.A. is in decline.  Unless their is national repentance, the massive debt of the U.S.A. will insure its destruction in accordance with various biblical prophecies (such as Habakkuk 2).  This will be worse for Americans that simply being “Chinese serfs”.

Many other areas of the world will prosper for a time (with the Middle East prospering probably for the shortest period) until they face the Day of the Lord.

Those interested in learning about what Bible prophecy shows will happen to many areas of the world, should carefully study the following:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
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?
Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans?
India, Its Biblical Past and Future: Any Witness? The Bible discusses the origins of those of Indian heritage and discusses some of the witness to them (including those in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka).
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
Korea in Prophecy, Any Witness? Does God have a plan for the Koreans? Is Korea mentioned in any prophecies? Will Koreans be among the first in the Kingdom of God? 한국의 언어로 : 한국 예언, 모든 증인에?
Japan, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Any Witness? This is a brief 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?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
Mexico, Central America, South America, and Brazil in Prophecy [Español: México, America Central, Suramérica, y el Brasil en profecíal] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What rule might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?

Cyprus is Near the Coast of Palestine/Israel

COGwriter

As long time readers may be aware, we in the Living Church of God believe that God promised the descendants of Israel sea gates, that they would lose if they would not worship Him.

In the past several decades, the USA and UK have lost most of them.  It was announced late Wednesday that the UK is planning on getting rid of their military territories in the island nation of Cyprus:

Britain offers land for Cyprus reunification

By Joe Churcher

Thursday, 12 November 2009

The UK would give up tracts of its military bases in Cyprus if reunification talks are successful, Gordon Brown said yesterday.

After meeting President Dimitris Christofias, the Prime Minister urged the leaders of the divided Greek and Turkish populations to be “courageous” in efforts to secure a United Nations- brokered deal.

He said: “An offer has been made to the United Nations to make available just under 50 per cent of the territory of the UK’s Sovereign Base Areas to a unified Cyprus in the event of a solution. It will be up to the two leaders to negotiate what happens with this land.

“Today, my message to Cyprus’s leaders and to their people is: you can make history; be bold, be courageous; the UK will support you.”

The two base areas – Akrotiri and Dhekelia – were retained under UK jurisdiction when Cyprus was granted independence in 1960 but are military not “colonial” territories.  http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/britain-offers-land-for-cyprus-reunification-1819028.html

Without sea gates, nations have less trade and military options.  They essentially become more vulnerable to potential enemies.

While I am not faulting the UK’s intentions here, the reality is that giving up more territory is not likely to assist that nation.

An article that mentions the sea gates would be:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?

EU Flag

COGwriter

Now that the Lisbon Treaty has been signed, the EU is wasting little time to move forward.  Today it was announced that the first post-Lisbon Treaty president of the EU should be selected next week:

EU to choose first president on Nov 19

AFP - Nov 11, 2009

European leaders will hold a special summit next week to choose the future EU president and a foreign policy supremo, the Swedish EU presidency announced Wednesday. “After an introductory round of consultations with his fellow heads of state and government, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has decided to convene an extra informal summit on 19 November,” the EU presidency said in a statement. It is hoped that the 27 European heads of state and government will reach agreement at the dinner summit on the key new posts created by the EU’s reforming Lisbon Treaty, ratified this month.

“My prime minister is going to start a second round of consultations and hopefully we will be able to present the candidates next Thursday,” Roberta Alenius, spokeswoman for Reinfeldt told AFP in Stockholm.

However, filling the two posts is proving more difficult than many had expected.

The Swedes wound up a first round of talks with no consensus for either post and many names swirling around, the spokeswoman said.

The British government still backs former premier Tony Blair, despite unpopularity in some European quarters over his support for the war in Iraq.

Others see Britain as on the periphery of the European project as it has joined neither the euro currency nor the passport-free Schengen area.

Current British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Tuesday that his foreign secretary David Miliband “was never a candidate” for the foreign affairs post.

British Business Secretary Peter Mandelson, a former EU commissioner, said he had been sounded out for the job left open by Miliband.

The current favourite to become president of the EU council is Belgium’s centre-right Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy, who has French and German support according to diplomats.

However the discreet negotiator, busy keeping feuding Dutch-speaking Flemish and the francophone parties together in his national coalition government, could find himself overshadowed by his main backers and, if chosen, find his role reduced to facilitator and consensus builder.

That could leave the way clear for a more forceful foreign policy chief, taking a firm platform to the likes of the China, Russia and the United States.

Reinfeldt, in a Swedish press interview Wednesday, underlined the difficulties involved in choosing the two key diplomats.

“My discussions show how important it is to have a good balance in the choice of posts,” he told the daily Dagens Nyheter.

“The balance between left and right is very important for many, but also between big and small nations, between north and south, men and women,” said Reinfeldt.

“It’s difficult to fill all the criteria,” he added.

Many European countries, including France, hope to seal a deal this week.

In theory the Lisbon Treaty would allow the president’s post to be agreed via a qualified majority of EU member states. In practice everyone wants a unanimous decision.

Reinfeldt, who has found it hard to hide his frustration at Franco-German pressure, according to media reports, told the London Times that he might have to resort to the majority option.

He said qualified candidates for the EU president’s post would essentially be former or current prime ministers.

The Swedish leader also faces a demand from Poland that shortlisted candidates undergo interviews.

Other names mentioned for the president’s post have included Dutch Prime Minister Peter Balkenende and former Latvian president Vaira Vike-Freiberga.

For the foreign affairs post, former Italian prime minister Massimo D’Alema is being talked about as a strong candidate in the event of Miliband’s regularly stated unavailability.

Sweden has led the discussions since Czech President Vaclav Klaus formally ratified the Lisbon treaty on November 3.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.cfe1536f4ea7b93b5492f5ce952abccd.3c1&show_article=1

Tony Blair has been rumored to have been the initial choice a year or so ago, but seems to have fallen out of favor with some (see Tony Blair Out of the Running?).  Whoever is selected, however is not likely to be the prophesied final King of the North, but this will help set the path in that direction.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Gerat Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
Is Tony Blair Apocalyptic? The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom converted to Catholicism shortly after leaving his office and has been active in European affairs. What role might he play?
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”? What is ahead for Europe?

Galileo Logo

COGwriter

Aviation Week reported yesterday that there may be a gap in the satellite coverage for the defense of the United States:

U.S. Satellite Coverage Gaps Loom

Nov 10, 2009

Amy Butler/Omaha, Neb.

The leader of U.S. Strategic Command says so few satellites are in queue now for launch for critical missions–such as weather observation satcom or ballistic missile warning–that there is a risk of service gaps that could impede the military’s ability to do its job.

Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton’s concern about a launch disaster is strong enough that he says he is willing to give up investing in improvements for spacecraft in favor of simply rebuilding a small stockpile of backups. The general advocates rebuilding a small number of operational spares as a buffer from a launch or orbital disaster.

Noting the tight funding situation at the Pentagon, Chilton is willing to reduce the number upgrades he pursues. “I’ll give up improvements in capability for that assurance,” he says. “Multiple launches are going to have to go off perfectly for us to be in the position we want to be in.” He made his comments last week during the annual Strategic Space Symposium here. While the track record for U.S. launches is strong, he notes, the margin for error is too close for his comfort.

“Over the last 10 years we have gotten into the position of managing efficiency at such a level that it’s working against us,” says Chilton. “We have fallen into what I will call gap management in the way we manage our constellations on orbit. We need to stop doing this. We need to stop managing the health and sustainment of these critical constellations on the very edge of a gap that could develop.”

In 1999, numerous satellites–including GPS, missile warning, protected communications and weather spacecraft–were “in the barn” and ready to go within the 6-12 months it takes to line up a launch vehicle. Among them were 26 GPS satellites, five weather satellites, two protected communications satellites and “several” missile warning spacecraft, says Chilton.

These extra satellites were in queue deliberately to provide a “safety net,” he says. An example of what can go awry was a launch failure in 1999 that placed a $1-billion Milstar satellite in the wrong orbit, rendering the protected-communications spacecraft useless. Most recently, the Defense Support Program’s DSP-23 has been unable to perform its missile warning mission because of a problem in orbit.

Those satellites that were being built or awaiting launch a decade ago have been lifted into orbit, leaving few spacecraft on the ground as backup.

One mission area that worries Chilton is ballistic missile warning. There are no more DSP missile warning satellites on the ground, and its replacement–the first geosynchronous-orbit (GEO) Space-Based Infrared System (Sbirs) satellite–is not expected to launch until late 2010 at the earliest; these satellites would provide the first indicator in the event of a ballistic missile launch from Iran or North Korea.

Sbirs GEO-1 is slated for delivery to the Air Force by the fourth quarter of 2010, according to Rick Ambrose, Lockheed Martin vice president of surveillance and navigation systems. This will be an important milestone for the $10.4-billion program, which has undergone multiple restructurings, cost overruns and delays. Delivery of the first GEO satellite is at least seven years later than planned, and cost estimates exceed predictions by billions.

Following delivery, Lockheed Martin says integration of GEO-1 onto its booster will take 45-60 days in preparation for launch from Cape Canaveral. Thermal vacuum testing is slated for completion for GEO-1 in mid-November, Ambrose says…

Meanwhile, GEO-2, which will launch about 14 months after GEO-1, is in the Baseline Integrated System Test phase, which precedes thermal vacuum trials.  http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/RISK111009.xml&headline=U.S.%20Satellite%20Coverage%20Gaps%20Loom

To summarize, the above report says that the USA is currently having problems with its missile warning system, that it has no back-up replacements waiting, that something may be launched in about a year, but that another new untested part of the system will start to be launched in 2012.

However, the report neglected to mention that other reports have warned that the existing satellites are expected to have even more failures, replacement units may have technical problems, and that there simply are not enough planned satellites in production to meet the likely gap.  It has been suggested that the U.S. would possibly need to rely on Europe’s system for a while next decade–a dangerous option at best.

Regular readers of the COGwriter page are aware that the Europeans intend to have their own “GPS” system called Galileo operational in 2013.  They are also aware that I have been warning people that the U.S. would likely have a gap in its satellite defense systems about the time that Galileo becomes operational.

Those who have read chapter 5 of my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect have seen the danger that this and other developments portend for the U.S.A. next decade.  The satellite gap is more serious than almost everyone realizes.  The U.S.A. is on a collision course for disaster.

Angela Merkel

COGwriter

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel took part in a celebration today related to the fall of the Berlin Wall:

Leaders in Berlin Retrace the Walk West

By NICHOLAS KULISH and ALAN COWELL

Published: November 9, 2009

BERLIN — Flanked by leaders from the former Eastern Bloc in Communism’s last days, and mobbed by a cheering crowd, Chancellor Angela Merkel launched a day of commemoration Monday of the fall of the Berlin Wall, retracing the steps of the first East Germans, herself included, surging to West Berlin 20 years ago.

Mrs. Merkel’s symbolic walk across the Bornholmer Strasse bridge, accompanied by Mikhail S. Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, and Lech Walesa, the former shipyard worker who led a fight against Moscow-backed Communism in Poland, came as Berlin prepared for an evening of celebration to mark the moments on Nov. 9, 1989, when the wall began to crumble.

In a light drizzle hundreds of people gathered to observe the moment, some recalling the crowds who swelled the former East German checkpoint at the Bornholmer Street crossing point after an East German official announced that, with immediate effect, travel restrictions would be eased.

Mrs. Merkel has told reporters recently that she was one of those to walk into the west that night across the gray iron bridge at Bornholmer Strasse. Many of the hundreds crowding onto the bridge with her on Monday were former East German civil rights activists…

“The wall is gone. Two Berlins are one. Two Germanys are one. Two Europes are one,” Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain said in remarks prepared for delivery of Monday evening and released earlier to reporters.

I remember listening to a sermon by the late Dr. Hoeh at the Feast of Tabernacles in Tuscon, Arizona in October 1979 where he explained that Herbert W. Armstrong believed that the two legs of the Beast in Daniel 2, with its two feet (vs. 33), represented both West and East Europe (including specifically Germany).  He taught that this meant that the nations in Eastern Europe would ultimately not be under the power of the Soviet Union, but would become independent of it, and ultimately be part of a supranational European state.

A supranational state was approved by the last of the European Union members (the Czech Republic) on November 2, 2009.  The state forms officially on December 1, 2009.  Thus, the position of Herman Hoeh on this point has been shown to have been correct.

Right after the Berlin wall fell in November 1989, I was asked to give the closing prayer at church services in Fresno, California.  In that prayer, I mentioned that we were witnessing prophecy being fulfilled right before our eyes.  One of the reasons that I stated that was because many in that congregation seemed to be losing their zeal and belief about Bible prophecy.  Many who once were believers, no longer love the law of God and became scorners (Psalm 1).

Sadly, this has afflicted many throughout history.  The prophecies of the Bible are coming to pass right before our eyes today. Jesus taught:

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)

Will you be a zealous believer in them or will you let the cares of this world overtake you as Jesus warned against?  Do not be swayed by people like Gordon Brown who do not realize what this “One Europe” will ultimately mean for the Anglo-descended nations.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? What is ahead for Europe?
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?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?

The 220 kg Gold brick displayed in Taiwan

COGwriter

LCG reported the following in its latest World Ahead Weekly Update:

India and China Buying Gold. Gold prices are a powerful indicator of national trust in world currencies. As confidence in national currencies increases, the price of gold falls. However, gold prices increase as confidence in national currencies falls. As confidence in the U.S. dollar declines, other nations are increasing their gold holdings and using them to replace their stock of U.S. dollars. This week, India purchased 200 tons of gold from the International Monetary Fund—even though gold was selling at a near all-time high. This transaction was worth almost US$7 billion. Economists expect China to follow suit in the very near future as it works to convert some of its US$2 trillion of foreign currency reserves into a safer source. All of this translates into declining confidence in the U.S. dollar and its continued decline in value on the world stage (MSN.com, November 3, 2009). The “greenback” (U.S. dollar) and British pound were once the coveted currencies of the world, but as these and other Israelite-descended nations move further afield from God’s way, these currencies are approaching the value of “just” the paper that they are printed on. God encouraged the Israelite nations long ago, that if they would be obedient to Him, they would be the head and the nations of the world would be the tail—they would be the lenders and the rest of the nations would be the borrowers (Deuteronomy 28:12-14).

Historically, nations do not tend to buy massive amounts of gold when it is at or near all time highs.  Taiwan is also a major holder of gold.

Also notice the following news item:

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com)…“To have India step in and buy half of the IMF gold was a big surprise,” said Joe Foster, a precious metals analyst at Van Eck Global. “It shows that other central banks are looking to buy gold.”

Analysts say many monetary policy makers are looking for ways to reduce their exposure to the U.S. dollar, which is the traditional reserve currency of choice for many foreign central banks.

The dollar, which is down 6% this year, has been pressured by concerns about the growing U.S. budget deficit and rock bottom interest rates.

Traders say gold could emerge as the “new dollar” when it comes to reserve currencies.

The IMF is slated to sell another 200 metric tons of gold, and many analysts expect China to be a significant buyer. The Russian central bank has also expressed interest in expanding its gold hoard.

“You have countries that believe gold is going to go higher, otherwise they wouldn’t be making these long-term purchases,” said Adam Klopfenstein, senior market strategist at commodities brokerage firm Lind-Waldock. “That’s the main catalyst propelling the market higher.” (Rooney B. Gold hits a record near $1100.  CNNMoney, November 4, 2009 http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/04/markets/gold/?postversion=2009110415

So why are certain nations buying gold now?

Certain nations like India are correctly convinced that even if gold drops in value, ultimately, the dollar itself will dip much further.  The Bible is clear that after the Great Tribulation begins, gold will still have value.  And it will until sometime during what the Bible calls “the day of the Lord”.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

India, Its Biblical Past and Future: Any Witness? The Bible discusses the origins of those of Indian heritage and discusses some of the witness to them (including those in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka).
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
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?  Why does he accumulate gold?