North and South Korea unified in the 2018 Winter Olympics? What is ahead for the Koreans? Tribulation? Salvation?


COGwriter

The 2018 Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place in Pyeongchang, in South Korea next month. Here is a report related to that and North Korea:

North, South Korea to March Under United Flag in Winter Olympics

January 17, 2018
North and South Korea will form a joint women’s ice hockey team to compete in the upcoming winter Olympic games and will march under a united flag during the opening ceremony, the two countries announced Wednesday.

The decision — what Yonhap news agency called “an unprecedented breakthrough” — was the result of a proposal by the South a week earlier to form the joint team, after the North agreed to make its first appearance in the Olympic games in the South. North Korea boycotted the last Olympics held in the South in 1988.

The upcoming winter Olympic Games will be held February 9-25 in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

The rival nations have formed joint sports teams only twice before — both times in 1991 — when they participated together in a youth soccer tournament and a table-tennis championship. Previous negotiating sessions designed to send a joint team to the Olympics were not successful. https://www.voanews.com/a/north-south-korea-to-march-under-united-flag-at-olympics/4211552.html

While there are undoubtedly political reasons for both North and South Korea to do this, is the idea of unity between North and South Korea in the future a pipe dream or likely?

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The July-September 2013 edition of CCOG’s Bible News Prophecy magazine had the following comments from me:

Koreans have their own tradition about where they come from:

Korean legends say that Tangun, who lived in the 2300’s B.C., was the father of the Korean civilization. Korea developed by itself until Kija, an exile from China, led about 5,000 followers to Korea in 1122 B.C. He founded a kingdom called Chosen (Hu, Charles Y. Korea. World Book Encyclopedia, 50th edition, Volume 11. Chicago, p. 296)

Chosen is also spelled Chosun and means Morning Calm. One of Japheth’s son had a name that ended with an “n” (Javan) and it may be possible that the Koreans may have partially descended from one of his descendants.

Perhaps I should add that because of prophecies involving “the kings from the east” cooperating at the end (cf. Revelation 16:12; Daniel 11:44), I have long felt that somehow North and South Korea would likely be unified (or at least work more closely together) prior to the return of Jesus Christ. The literal translation of Revelation 16:12 is “the kings of the sunrise” and thus this would seem to have to include Korea—which is amongst the most eastern of the nations.

(The July-September edition of CCOG’s Bible News Prophecy magazine is available as a downloadable PDF: Bible News Prophecy, July-September 2013.)

So, yes, I believe that some type of unity will come to the Koreans, prior to the return of Jesus and the establishment of the Kingdom of God.

Getting back to that 2013 article, the following was also in it:

The Koreans Will Be Among the First to Recognize the Falsehood of the Beast

Lest any have the misimpression that the Koreans are not a discerning people, it needs to be understood that the Koreans will be among the first to recognize the falsehood of this European power. But before that, there will likely be increased military cooperation among many of the Asian nations. The Koreans will finally see that the European Beast power, also called “the King of the North” in the Bible, is not something to be worshiped or trusted. Why do we of the Philadelphia remnant of the Church of God believe that? Because there are certain verses in both the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation that appear to be discussing East Asian nations and the European Beast power.

Notice from the Book of Daniel:

“40 At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. 44 But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him (Daniel 11:40-45).

Notice that the end time King of the North (the European Empire ) will overwhelm the King of the South (a Moslem empire), but that those from the east and the north shall trouble the King of the North. This appears to be referring to China and Russia, and apparently other Asian nations (including Korea–which is one of the most “eastern” of all nations). And notice that they will be used to help cause the King of the North to come to his end. And it is likely that by the end, both Koreas would be involved. Korea apparently part of the “kings from the east” or more literally “kings of the sunrise” of Revelation 16:12).

It would seem like Korea is likely to support the coming confederation of the east that will have a 200,000,000 man army:

15 So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. 16 Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. (Revelation 9:15-16)

This will not turn out well for the participants, including any Koreans (cf. Revelation 19:17-21).

However, war is not the ultimate destiny for most Koreans. Deification is.

And even though the Bible shows that the King of the North will lose, certain Catholics are now misled as some of their prophets falsely seem to tell them that the Asians, apparently including Koreans) will be defeated:

Countess Francesca de Brillante (20th Century). “I see yellow warriors and red warriors marching against Europe. Europe will be completely covered with a yellow fog that will kill the cattle in the fields. Those nations that rebelled against the law of Christ will perish by fire. Europe will then be too large for them who survive (Dupont, p. 78).

David Poreus (17th century). “The Great Monarch will be of French descent, large forehead, large dark eyes, light brown wavy hair and an eagle nose. He will crush the enemies of the Pope and will conquer the East.” (Dupont, p.31)

However, as the Bible will be correct (and certain Catholic prophets often shown to be wrong), it will not turn out as the Europeans hope.

Koreans Will Be Affected by the Great Tribulation

Jesus warned about a future time of a great tribulation:

21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened (Matthew 24:21-22).

Since this great tribulation affects the whole world, it will affect the Koreans as well. …

God sent the punishments to get all men, including Koreans, to repent, but most refused at first:

9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory (Revelation 16:9).

Then What Happens at the End of this Age?

After all these battles and punishments, the tribulation will end. And Christ will return:

29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matthew 24:29-30).

16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:16).

This will usher in a kingdom that will be established for 1,000 years:

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years (Revelation 20:4-6).

And people of many nations, including those of Asia, will be part of this kingdom. Notice: 9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Revelation 7:9).

After the thousand years are over, there will be problems, and then all will be resurrected:

7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works (Revelation 20:7-13).

It is important to note that all remaining are judged at the second resurrection, but not all are condemned.

When is Salvation Available?

The mainstream “Christian” view correctly teaches that there is salvation in no other than Jesus (Acts 4:10-12), as “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (vs.12).

But what happens to the multitudes in Asia (including North Korea) who have not even heard the name of Christ?

What about those who do not respond to Deuteronomy 4:29- 31 or the two witnesses, etc.? And what happens to those born before Christ’s earthly ministry?

Recall that the Bible teaches that after Adam sinned, humankind was blocked from the tree of life as God had it guarded so that humans would not be able to access it on their own (Genesis 3:22- 24).

Even the basic Protestant view is that unless one professes belief in Jesus prior to the first death, then salvation will be unavailable. It is perhaps because of the difference between this view and that of the genuine Church of God, that Protestants tend to label the real Church of God as a cult. The fact that our doctrines actually come from the Bible does not seem to stop them from such labeling. The Continuing Church of God teaches that God is only calling a relatively few during this age with the Day of Pentecost (also called the Day of Firstfruits, Numbers 28:26) partially explaining this.

“Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (James 1:18).

Jesus and the Church of God teach,

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (John 6:44).

And that will be few at this time,

“For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14), “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:14).

Protestants and Catholics tend to feel, correctly, that God uses ministers to preach (Romans 10:14). Yet, the message is not always clear.

In Isaiah 6:9-11 God teaches,

“Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed.” Then I said, “Lord, how long?” And He answered: “Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, The houses are without a man, The land is utterly desolate”. In other words, the bulk of the people are not to understand until after a time of great desolation. Furthermore, the Bible reveals that God has prohibited idolaters to have proper understanding: And the rest of it he makes into a god, His carved image. He falls down before it and worships it, Prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god!” They do not know nor understand; For He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, And their hearts, so that they cannot understand (Isaiah 44:17-18).

They have no knowledge, Who carry the wood of their carved image, And pray to a god that cannot save (Isaiah 45:20). Thus, is God going to condemn those who worship idols for what He has not let them understand? Protestant and Catholic theology tends to say yes. Those in the Continuing Church of God say no. Unless the idolater has committed the unpardonable sin (which is unlikely) they will be judged as other uncalled people are.

Hence, the billions throughout history in Asia and Africa (and elsewhere) are not condemned to suffer forever for following practices they really do not understand. Those who were uncalled in this age (including most people and nearly all of the Koreans, including those that have long been dead) will be offered an opportunity for salvation. And nearly all of them will accept it. We in the Continuing Church of God teach that God will ultimately give every individual an opportunity for salvation–and that nearly every individual will accept that opportunity.

All humans, including all Koreans will be called, and the vast majority of Koreans will ultimately be in God’s family. Ultimately that nearly all Koreans will be in the permanent kingdom of God. Notice some of the descriptions from the Book of Revelation:

2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:2-4).

This will be the time of real, lasting, genuine peace. Because of their zeal, I suspect that many Koreans will put Westerners to shame. All should recall that Jesus taught: 29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God . 30 And indeed there are last who will be first , and there are first who will be last (Luke 13:28-30). And this is likely to include many Koreans as becoming first. We in the real Church of God understand that God will offer salvation to everyone in this age or the age to come (Matthew 12:32; Mark 10:30).

Although some Protestants and Catholics seem to act otherwise, notice that Jesus did NOT teach that mostly those from Western nations in Europe and North America would be saved–those from the West have no preeminence. Many Koreans are likely to be preeminent over Westerners.

Conclusion

God apparently plans to allow Korea and others in Asia as part of a coalition of kings from the East (which apparently include the eastern and northern Russians) to put an end to the King of the North’s military ambitions. Just because the whole world (and not just the Koreans) will be deceived by the rising European Beast power, you do not have to be. Hopefully this article has given you some reasons to look at the world and your life and will motivate to come to God now on His terms. …

May God call you today and grant you the understanding so that you will “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 21:36).

Sadly, because most in Korea do not strive to know the true God now, God will punish them as well as the other inhabitants on the Earth. And apparently many will also rebel at the close of the millennium, but will not succeed.

However, since God is a God of love, He intends to resurrect all the Koreans and offer them salvation. A salvation that nearly all will accept as nearly all the Koreans who ever lived will be in the kingdom of God. A kingdom without fear or death or sorrow. A glorious and peaceful kingdom. Deification will be available for the Koreans. And that is the prophesied future for nearly all of Koreans.

God has a loving plan of salvation.

A plan that includes not only Koreans, but all of humanity.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Korea in Prophecy, Any Witness? Where did the Korean people come from? 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? Here is a machine-translated link to that article in Korean: 한국의 언어로 : 한국 예언, 모든 증인에?. Here is a link to a magazine with that article in Mandarin Chinese: 在预言中的韩国:有任何证人吗?. A prophetic video is also available: Syria, North Korea, and Prophecy.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near? Two related sermons are available Millennial Utopia and The Millennium.
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? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2026 or 20xx? There is also a video titled 6000 Years: When will God’s Kingdom Come? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
What is the Gospel? True religion should be based upon the true gospel. What are some of the different gospels and where did they come from? Do you believe the true or a false gospel? Who is preaching the gospel? Here is a version in Korean 복음이란 무엇인가?.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
Electrical End of the USA? Could problems with the electrical power grid caused by one or more electo-magnetic pulse bombs, solar flares, and/or other phenomena help weaken the USA to the point of allowing it to be taken over? Does such potential exist? If so, is this consistent with any biblical prophecies? What are some of the severe consequences that the USA would face in the event of an electrical power grid failure? Is there evidence in scripture that the USA will be taken over in the 21st century? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.
Donald Trump, Warmongering, and the Red Horse of War Various Europeans believe that Donald Trump has been ‘warmongering’ related to North Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. They believe that Europe must lead and that the US President must learn from Europe. Jesus spoke of a time called the “beginning of sorrows” that included wars and rumors of war. Are we in the time of sorrows now? Could the red horse of the apocalypse be about to ride? Did the old WCG teach this was a future event in 1985? Does this ride start before or after the start of the “great tribulation”? What does the Bible show? Is Satan involved in this? What about Armageddon? How will all of this end? In this video, Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.
Syria, North Korea, and Prophecy On April 7, 2017, 59 US Tomahawk missiles hit a military installation in Syria. While praised by NATO nations, Israel, and Saudi Arabia, this was denounced by Syria, Russia, and North Korea. Is this the start of World War III? Will the Bashar al-Assad regime remain as it is? What about North Korea? What does the Bible show will happen? Dr. Thiel answers these questions and more. This is a video.
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? A YouTube video of interest may be Is China THE Threat to the United States of America?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2018, 2019, or 2020? 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 2018 o 2019? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter video is: Can the Great Tribulation begin in 2018?
What is Your Destiny? Deification? Did the Early Church Teach That Christians Would Become God? What is your ultimate destiny? What does the Bible teach? Is deification only a weird or cultic idea? Are you to rule the universe? Here is a link to the video sermon What is Your Destiny?
Christians are to Rule Are Christians really to rule? If so, how will that turn out? A related sermon is titled A sermon of related interest is titled Are Christians really supposed to rule?
What is the Unpardonable Sin? What is it? Can you repent of it? Do you know what it is and how to avoid it? Here is a link to a related sermon video The Unpardonable Sin and the Prodigal Son. Here is a link to a shorter video The ‘Unpardonable Sin’ and ‘Climate Change’?
Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis
Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Will God call everyone? Will everyone have an opportunity for salvation? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account? Related sermon videos include Universal Offer of Salvation I: God is love  and Universal Offer of Salvation II: The Age to Come and the ‘Little Flock’ and Universal Offer of Salvation III: All Are to Know Jesus, But When? and Universal Offer of Salvation IV: Will the Guilty be Pardoned? and Universal Offer of Salvation V: All Israel Will be Saved? A version of the main article was also translated in the Spanish language: Oferta universal de salvación: Hay cientos de versículos en la Biblia que apoyan la verdadera doctrina de la Apocatastasis.



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