Church of God News

UPDATE I added the following at 11:05 PDT as it had additional information and showed a major change in the death toll–this actually was also added to the first article by VOA well after I posted it:

March 20, 2015

A group claiming to be a Yemeni branch of the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for suicide bombings in Sana’a that killed at least 126 people at mosques used by supporters of Shi’ite rebels. http://www.voanews.com/content/sanaa-yemen-mosques-suicide-blasts/2688142.html

The Islamic State is also claiming it was behind the murders in Tunisia.

Islamists apparently do not agree that Islam is a “religion of peace” as the last US President George Bush used to proclaim.

Islamists generally want people to accept their brutality and ways or be killed.  While Mohammed was militant, many of the Islamists have taken this beyond what even he did.

The murders and techniques used by the Islamists are brutal and mean, and also tend to display a form of cowardice. The Apostle Paul was inspired to warn:

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

Islamic terrorists claim to have a form of godliness, but do not believe in the God of the Bible.

As far as being cowards goes, let’s consider the events in Yemen and Tunisia.

In Yemen, two Islamists decide that they cannot face life with their religion, so they feel that if they kill themselves and others that this somehow gets God’s favor.  This is a horrific act of cowardice.

And in Tunisia?  Murdering unarmed tourists who were trying to view some of the history of that nation is not brave.

While they want to claim that they do this for their claimed version of God, they are truly doing this for Satan.

Now, although Islamists tend to highly discount the Bible, they are supposed to believe the parts that allegedly were not corrupted by the Jews or Greco-Romans.  They also consider that Jesus was a prophet.

So, let’s look at a couple of statements from Jesus who said the time would come that:

2…whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.  3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. (John 16:2-3)

The Islamists who try to pretend that they are offer God a service through terrorism are deceiving themselves.  Notice something else:

52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52)

God does not want His people taking up arms (see Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare or Encourage Violence?).  Islamist terrorists are not God’s people.

The whose are they?  Notice what Jesus also taught:

44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. (John 8:44)

The Bible shows that, unless they repent, murderers, cowards, and liars face the same fate:

8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)

Murdering people in the name of religion is opposed to true religion and needs to be repented of.

Sadly, terrorist acts in this age are often encouraging others to do them as well.  Yet, this too tends to trigger other actions.

Because of the abominable acts by Islamic terrorists, more and more in the West and in many of the Islam-dominated countries are srtating to decide that a coalition of nations in North Africa and the Middle East is what is needed for ‘peace.’ Yet, according to the Bible, will not truly bring peace (Daniel 11:40-43), though it may well lead to a temporary peace (Daniel 9:27; see also The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27).

How an Islamic organization can engage in suicide bombing is not justifiable. The wounded and families of the victims are in my prayers.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The Prophesied ‘Islamic’ Confederation Where is an Islamic caliphate prophesied? Will one happen? Should you be concerned about it? Here is a link to a related video video: Will an Arabic Calphiphate Destroy the West?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
How Will Middle East Peace be Brought About? Can humans bring peace to the Middle East? Here is a link to a related video: Middle East Peace? When?
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2015, 2016, or 2017? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2014 o 2015? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2015? When will the Great Tribulation begin? Can it begin in 2015 as some have indicated? What are the biblical requirements that precede the Great Tribulation? What did Jesus teach would happen prior to the Great Tribulation. Are there definite clues in the Book of Daniel that Christians should look out for? Is there a King of the North or a King of the South yet? Where does the ‘prince’ of Daniel 9:26-27 come from? What about ‘blood moons’? Dr. Thiel videoed this on the Mount of Olives where Jesus specifically discussed events leading up to the Great Tribulation in Matthew 24.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
Wars, rumors of wars, and the Apocalypse Jesus foretold a time before the end where there would be wars and rumors of wars. The Apocalypse (the Book of Revelation) warns of the red horseman of war. Now, even secular writers, like Larry Edelson, are worried that wars and rumors of war are the most menacing problem that now haunts the earth? Are they right? What is the solution? This is a sermonette-length video.
Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare or Encourage Violence? Here are current and historical perspectives on a matter which show the beliefs of the true church on military participation. Is war proper for Christians? A related sermon would be: Christians, Violence, and Military Service.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer. There is also a YouTube video sermon you can watch: The Coming Persecution of the Church. Here is information in the Spanish language: Persecuciones de la Iglesia y el Estado.