By COGwriter
Are properly understood biblical prophecies coming to pass?
Can you rely on Bible prophecy?
Well, God is clear that He makes prophetic statements and causes them to be fulfilled:
9 Remember the former things of old,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, 'My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure,'
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man who executes My counsel, from a far country.
Indeed I have spoken it;
I will also bring it to pass.
I have purposed it;
I will also do it. (Isaiah 46:9-11, NKJV throughout, unless otherwise specified)
Fulfilled prophecy is part of the proof that God exists and should be real to your life EVERYDAY!
Between 1/5th and 1/3rd of the Bible is prophetic. Since, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God'" (Luke 4:4), knowing the prophetic word is important. All scripture, including prophecy, is important:
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
If you do not understand relevant prophecy, you cannot "be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
Notice something else from the New Testament:
9 Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!'" And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19:9-10)
Yet, most in the world dismiss or misunderstand prophecy.
Furthermore many who claim to believe the Bible, either discount or overlook prophecy. But that is not supposed to be the case for true Christians:
29 “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
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 21:29-36)
Notice that Jesus taught that His followers will always to pay attention to events and prophecies related to His return. Jesus repeatedly told His followers to watch for world events that would fulfill prophecy in other scriptures such as Matthew 24:42, 25:13; Mark 13:9,33,34,35,37, and Revelation 3:3. Jesus did expect His followers to watch.
But scripture is clear that not all real Christians will be protected (Revelation 12:17), thus those who will not pay proper attention to prophecy will not realizing what is happening until it is too late.
Jesus used prophecy to keep His followers vigilant–He wanted them to be ‘hot’ and not lukewarm (Revelation 3:14-22).
Jesus also taught that the Holy Spirit, “the Spirit of truth,” would assist the faithful understanding all truth, including prophetic ones:
12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when ... the Spirit of truth, has come, {it} will guide you into all truth; ... will tell you things to come. (John 16:12-13)
Having the Holy Spirit and properly being led by the Holy Spirit helps us understand prophecy.
The Bible also teaches:
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20)
Yet many do not seem to believe that God’s Spirit is currently working prophetically now. Many also tend to despise biblical prophecies as well as, often, their proper explanation(s).
While some discount the importance of prophecy, notice what the Apostle Paul taught:
11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. (Romans 13:11-14)
Are we not a lot closer to the end now than when Paul wrote that? Paul also taught that true Christians were not to be like others who would not know near when Jesus would return:
3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. (1 Thessalonians 5:3-4).
Notice that that above strongly implies that most will not think the time of the end will be when it is.
Jesus taught:
32 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming--in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning-- 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" (Mark 13:32-37)
Oddly, some interpret verse 32 to mean that they do not need to watch. They foolishly overlook was Jesus said.
Last year, I wrote a similar article titled: 22 items to prophetically watch in 2022.
While many seem to make predictions for a year, rarely do they go over numerous ones later to discuss if they have been fulfilled. This article has many headlines and links, mainly from 2022, to show that what we in the CCOG have been stating has been coming to pass.
Related to what I taught last year, events related to all of those took place.
Here is a link a related video: 23 things to prophetically watch in 2023.
We see a lot of scoffers this day on the internet.
The Apostle Peter was inspired to write the following:
1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:1-9)
There are many scoffers during these last days. And many do claim that what is happening is not related to biblical prophecies.
Furthermore, many (mainly on the internet) have repeatedly and falsely called me a false prophet and said other bad things about me as well as the Continuing Church of God.
In 202os, we have seen slurs posted related to CCOG evangelist Evans Ochieng, elder Sasha Veljic, the late deacon Richard Close, myself, speaker Steve Dupuie, and others.
We have also seen so-called scientists, online sources (like Wikipedia), and others teach falsehoods as well as deny various historical and biological facts.
In 2022, a slick, but highly inaccurate video scoffing against COG prophetic views on the end time descendants of Israel was produced, and we denounced parts in messages as well as in a 2022 draft of a book titled: Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America?
While scoffing turns some away from looking at us, we understand that Jesus said this was to be expected:
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:10-12)
We are not to turn away from true understanding of biblical prophecies, but rejoice in the going through open door to proclaim the truth while holding fast to the truth (cf. Revelation 3:7-13).
Some morality prophecies that were certainly being fulfilled in 2021 (and will also be in 2022) include something that the Apostle Paul wrote to the prophetic-evangelist Timothy:
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 3:1-6, NKJV)
As far as blasphemy and boasting goes, the main media pushes the notion that actually believing the Bible makes one a hater and a right wing extremist.
Paul also wrote:
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (2 Timothy 3:13-14, KJV)
We see this being fulfilled, by politicians, media experts, academia, and even with scientists. Like so-called scientists pushing aspects of evolution instead of creation, as people like the late Steven Hawking did (see also our free booklet, online at www.ccog.org, titled: Is God’s Existence Logical?).
The Biden-Harris Adminstration pushed the abortion and LBGTQ agendas heavily in 2022.
The improperly named Respect for Marriage Act was passed by the US House of Representatives on 07/19/2022. Then, in November 2022, a version of that bill was introduced in the US Senate attempting further codify same-sex marriage. Even the Mormon church has backed the bill.
November 29, 2022
Every year Merriam-Webster picks a word to capture the culture of a moment in time. The choice is based on the frequency and quantity of search as well as the departure from the norm. This year the choice seems perfect: gaslighting. It’s drawn from the 1944 film noir starring Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman.
The term means to be subjected to extended psychological trickery to cause the victim to question his or own reality. In the film, Boyer plays a handsome stranger who meets the beautiful heiress Bergman on a foreign journey and they fall in love. He convinces her to marry and move back together to London to her family home, whereby he embarks upon a subtle campaign to convince her she is bonkers while he secretly searches the home for legacy jewels he intends to steal.
It’s painful to watch but the experience connects with our own as we watch mainstream media, see respectable scientists canceled for supposedly spreading disinformation, or when we watch a White House press conference. They try to convince us that they are normal and we are the crazy ones, probably guilty of wrongthink or not aware of the full facts. The more they insist on their version of truth, the more we are invited to see ourselves as nuts for failing to give them all the benefit of our doubt.
The film has this crucial moment when Bergman flips from believing that she is a broken spirit and confused person suddenly to realizing that she is the victim of an elaborate hoax. Once she realizes this, and all the pieces fall into place, she calls him out as a fraud and a thief. The film ends as this genre must in those days. He is arrested and the victim is made whole.
So it is for all of us over this past year, as vast numbers of people realize that we are being gaslit by major media, Big Tech, and government. https://www.zerohedge.com/political/gaslighting-word-year-good-reason
Yes, we continue to see such.
It is interesting that gaslighting was one of the most searched terms–in this age we are seeing more and more of it.
The Bible warns:
9 That this is a rebellious people, Lying children, Children who will not hear the law of the Lord;
10 Who say to the seers, “Do not see,”
And to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits. 11 Get out of the way, Turn aside from the path, Cause the Holy One of Israel To cease from before us.” (Isaiah 30:8-11)
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:20-21)
The above applies to the LGBTQ+ promoters--whereas chapter 30 of Isaiah includes that as well as what a lot of anti-Bible people consider to be "consipiracy theories."
As far as the LGBTQ movement goes, consider also the following:
7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 7)
26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. (Luke 17:26-29)
6…the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6)
Peter made it clear that there would be those who follow the example of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.
While we have not seen that degree of destruction yet in the 21st century, it is coming. And more of it will be pushed in 2023.
In 2022, we continued to see increasing in political, health, and other forms of censorship from the major media as well as the major internet platforms such as Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.
As far as Twitter goes, the mainstream has been up in arms about it not censoring as much--but despite Elon Musk's seemingly stated goals against such censoring, he has met with various ones to allow censoring of various topics.
In October 2022, we saw that YouTube, without notice, retroactively removed a sermonette we recorded on November 16, 2019. Since we do not trust YouTube’s improper enforcement of its changing standards, we already had it up on other platforms, so it is still available. Here is a link to it from our BitChute platform: Superbugs, antibiotics, and vaccines. That video quoted the Bible and basically mainstream accepted sources--but it was removed as 'harmful content' as the truth is considered harmful by many in the media.
Furthermore, because of things like the LGBTQ agenda, we are seeing more pressure to control the internet and to reduce biblical speech (watch Internet Control, Famine of the Word, and 666).
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:18-32)
Notice that the Bible teaches that even approving of forms of sexual immorality is wrong.
Furthermore in 2022, we saw the continued promotion and acceptance of massive censoring of information from the media, various governments (including the USA that supposedly protects freedom of speech), and many in academia.
The labeling of things as 'extremism' is gaining so much traction that those that do it seem to think that it is normal to label whatever they are not comfortable with as extreme.
Expect more biblically-proper views to be categorized as extremists by more in the media and society.
Even connecting world events to biblical prophetic writings has triggered censorship.
Why stay on platforms like YouTube (which has censored and shadow-banned us), Twitter, and Vimeo (which has censored us) then?
Because they still, usually, are open doors for us to reach people.
We have had a couple of million views on YouTube and still, overall get about a couple thousand views of our videos each week.
YouTube is, overall, more effective than our other video platforms--but it is not reaching as well as it once did because of YouTube's selective anti-biblical censorship and shadow-banning (which Google, who owns YouTube, also does)..
Furthermore, notice that he Bible teaches:
1 Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)
Yet, if some are insulted because their sins are called out, various ones want to stifle religious speech!
And this is in places like the USA, Canada, and Europe.
And it is not just the USA that is supporting restricting And yes, we realize that more censorship is expected.
Was loss of freedom of free speech and of the press prophesied?
Back in 1981, the old Worldwide Church of God correctly pointed out that it was:
THE MOST important work in the world cannot be done without freedom of the press!
What is that work?
It is the work of announcing that God will restore His Government to the whole earth! But before the Government of God is restored, it must first be announced! The good news of that announcement — the Gospel of the Kingdom of God — must be preached (Matthew 24:14) to all nations (Matthew 28:19). And the nations must choose whether they will want it or resist it.
In this day, God has made the MASS media available to accomplish His work. But reaching a mass audience with the good news of God’s soon-coming Government requires the freedom to PUBLISH. Notice Mark 13:10: “And the gospel must first be published among all nations.”
Further, God lays a special duty on his messenger and Church to publicly disseminate certain warnings to certain nations. Ezekiel 33:1-7 describes God’s charge upon the watchman. When the watchman sees “the sword” come upon the land — a prophetic symbol of military devastation — he must “blow the trumpet” or God will hold him personally responsible. ...
Governmental Reaction
And yet while the Bible places a duty on God’s servants, it also warns that this world — even now and in the future — will not always allow the freedom to publish.
In the past a government’s excuse for persecution was that God’s message IS TOO DISTURBING to be allowed to circulate freely. ...
In the New Testament, the authorities tried to prevent the apostles from preaching the Gospel. The apostles were forcibly brought before the council. The high priest asked them: “Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine…” (Acts 5:28).
In other words, the civil and religious authorities were seeking to regulate the content of their message!
In response, the apostle Peter declared the firm rule that “we ought to obey God rather than men” (verse 29). Since Peter and company had a God-ordained duty to say what they were saying, the commands of the civil government of Jerusalem were in direct conflict with God’s.
For the future, the Bible prophecy reveals that the time will come when most of this world’s nations will be led by Satan to abolish freedom of the press — and all related freedoms. Why? To prevent any publishing of God’s message from reaching any substantial number of people!
`Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it” (Amos 8:11-12).
Elsewhere the Bible reveals how this prophesied press clampdown will take place. Revelation 13 describes a great religious-civil power that will arise in the place of the old Roman Empire. This prophesied power will not allow free speech, a free press or the free exercise of any religion — except the official religion of the state.
(Calkins J. FREE PRESS IN THE BIBLE? Was It Prophesied? Plain Truth. May 1981)
The Philadelphia portion of the Church of God did begin in the USA and its most faithful remnant, the Continuing Church of God, is still based out of the USA and we are proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and other biblical truths.
Yet now, in the USA and especially out of it, we are seeing more and more calls for speech restrictions and censorship.
More censorship is coming.
The Bible teaches:
11 "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord God,
That I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine of bread,
Nor a thirst for water,
But of hearing the words of the Lord.
12 They shall wander from sea to sea,
And from north to east;
They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord,
But shall not find it. (Amos 8:11-12)
That does not mean that there will be no Bibles. But the time will come when those promoting various biblical teachings will no longer to be able to have access to the internet, etc. as before. We are seeing more and more of this.
Jesus said:
4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. (John 9:4)
7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens": 8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. (Revelation 3:7-9)
As Philadelphia Christians, we do not give up when when door is closing--we look out for others to be opened. So, in 2022, we greatly increased our radio presence around the world.
So far, radio is NOT subject to the type of censorship Big Tech and many governments around the world have been engaging in.
Of course, when thinking about prophecies, many people are concerned about prophecies such as those related to world events, the beginning of sorrows, the four horsemen of the apocalypse, the great tribulation, the rise of the Beast/Antichrist/666, Armageddon, etc.
Jesus said:
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:4-8)
5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 6 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and will deceive many. 7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:5-8)
Rough weather issues (watch Hurricanes and Prophecy), fires (watch Fires and the Wrath of God), strong earthquakes, and civil disturbances would seem to fall under troubles and sorrows.
Notice the following headlines from 2022:
Yes, we have seen more extreme weather in 2022.
Expect more extreme weather in 2023.
The Bible teaches:
2 Better to go to the house of mourning
Than to go to the house of feasting,
For that is the end of all men;
And the living will take it to heart. (Ecclesiastes 7:2)
Do you take the damage to heart?
After listing a variety of weather and other curses, God had Amos write:
12 “Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel;
Because I will do this to you,
Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” (Amos 4:12)
Severe weather actually should to be a motivator for us to change and be ready to face our Creator!
Of course, people say, “The weather always changes.” And while it does, there are two point to consider about that.
The first is that changes in the weather show us that our environment and circumstances can quickly change. As Christians, we need to:
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)
And that is a warning to get our spiritual life in order.
The second is to consider that the severity of storms and their devastation has been increasing. Troubles are part of the beginning of sorrows (Mark 13:8; Matthew 24:4-8), and remember that the great tribulation (Matthew 24:21) comes in the same generation as does the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:34).
Furthermore, the Bible shows how to resolve climate change:
3 ‘If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them, 4 then I will give you rain in its season, the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. 5 Your threshing shall last till the time of vintage, and the vintage shall last till the time of sowing; you shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. 6 I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will not go through your land. (Leviticus 26:3-6)
Yes, there is a biblical solution to climate change, but COP27 and the associated religious ceremony have overlooked that--watch also: COP 27 and Solving Climate Change.
Jesus taught:
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. (Matthew 24:7).
Earthquakes could trigger supervolcanoes (see Massive spike in Yellowstone earthquakes: Does Yellowstone pose a major risk? and watch Are supervolcanoes a real threat?) and cause other troubles (Mark 13:8).
Then there are also smaller volcanoes, such as Mt. Rainer, which are believed to have massive potential for disasters themselves.
Many moderns, ‘experts’ and otherwise, do not think such disasters could happen–at least not in their lifetimes.
But they are wrong. Notice what the Apostle Peter was inspired to write:
1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation — as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:1-18).
Things will not remain as they have. Yellowstone could erupt–BIG TIME!
Ultimately, a massive earthquake will hit:
18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. (Revelation 16:18-20)
Notice that the above earthquake is so big that the cities of the nations will fall. Mountains will be leveled and islands "fled away" (more on this can be found in the article Islands and Bible Prophecy). This seems to be the biggest earthquake that will ever hit the planet with humans on it. Despite the view of 'preterists' that this already happened (see The Dangerous Rise of Preterists), that is nonsense.
The earthquake of Revelation 16 will be bigger than what the usual "experts" have believed was possible. It will change the planet and humble parts of humanity.
It should be noted since that apparently biggest of all earthquakes seems to take place near the end of the Day of the Lord, it probably cannot happen prior to 2026 (for more on why as well as dates, please see the articles When Can the Great Tribulation Begin? and Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?).
While that one will not occur in 2023, other significant ones are in the future.
Expect serious earthquakes in different places, in 2023.
The Book of Revelation teaches about riders of four different colored horses in its sixth chapter.
Notice the following about the first horseman:
1 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, "Come and see."
2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (Revelation 6:1-2)
This horseman has to do with spreading false religion. The fact that the horse is white makes the religious message being spread look like it is good.
But the Bible warns about that:
12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:12-15)
Jesus warned about false religion:
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. (Matthew 24:4-5)
In 1973 booklet, the old Worldwide Church of God (WCG) taught:
The long-term condition of false religion described above will culminate in the end-time fulfillment of the white horseman of Revelation 6, in the person of a great False Prophet … He will signal the beginning of sorrows: the first horseman. (Alexander G. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Ambassador College Press, Pasadena (CA), 1973, p. 17)
Jesus taught
34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. (Matthew 24:33-35)
What was Jesus referring to as "these things'?
It was from beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:8) which begins with the opening of the first seal in Revelation 6 through His return which is mentioned in Matthew 24:29-30 and Revelation 11:15-18.
Unlike some groups that see almost no time gap between the openings of the seals, Jesus probably would not have used the term generation if He was referring to a period of time less than 20 years. This is something that the CCOG has been somewhat unique in COG circles for pointing out.
The late Herbert W. Armstrong taught:
The first horseman is not the coming of Christ; it was the false Christ deceiving the people. For one thing, it was long after Christ had come. John wrote this in 90 AD and Christ had come, and was crucified, and gone to heaven in 31 AD. So you see it's talking of something else, not something that had happened. This is a prophecy for the future. (Armstrong HW. Revelation - Closed Book Until the End. http://www.hwalibrary.com/cgi-bin/get/hwa.cgi?action=getbroadcast&InfoID=1371308958 accessed 09/05/17)
Many in the old Worldwide Church of God seemed to believe that the four horsemen began their ride in the first century, yet, the predominant position in its literature was that the horsemen had not began their ride, but it was for the future. And in the latter portion of the 20th century that ride still was.
But that changed. There was an agreement between the Roman Catholics and Lutherans in 1999, but little seemed to change from that for a time (see also Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction!). Yet since then, in the 21st century we have seen events suggesting that the white horse is moving about.
Even though this first seal is opened up prior to the Great Tribulation (the “beginning of sorrows” precedes the Great Tribulation, cf. Matthew 24:8,21; and it could have officially began as early as the Feast of Trumpets in September 2009; if the first seal, in a sense, was not opened centuries ago—as at least its antetype has been around since Simon Magus of Acts 8:9-24--yet since Simon Magus and others were around BEFORE John saw the Revelation, they were not the final ride of the first horseman as the first seal could not be opened before John saw the Revelation!), yet it will not be until after the beast powers of Revelation 13 are in full control, when the whole world will worship the beast and the dragon (Revelation 13:3-8; 18:23), that this horseman’s conquest will be complete.
Many events in the past several years suggest that “beginning of sorrows” seems to have begun. The Vatican, World Council of Churches, the United Nations, American politicians such as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, all are pushing ecumenical and/or interfaith moves.
Moves are happening. Here are some 2022 items:
Interfaith Climate Repentance Ceremony’s ‘Ten Commandments’–the Coming Beast Will Seek to Change Law
CT: Global Church is experiencing an ‘ecumenical emergency’; CNA: Anglicans recognize Pope as ‘father of the Church in the West,’ says archbishop of Canterbury
Another step towards Chrislam? Pope Francis meeting with Muslim leaders in Bahrain
CNA: Why Catholics and Orthodox might once again celebrate Easter on the same date
3rd Council of Nicea set for 2025
We continue to see more steps towards ecumenical unity between the Roman Catholics and various branches of the Orthodox Catholic churches. Once again, it is being proposed that they take steps to all celebrate Easter on the same date (see CNA: Why Catholics and Orthodox might once again celebrate Easter on the same date). Originally, the Greco-Roman churches observed Passover, but switched to a Sunday date, as opposed to the biblical date of the 14th of the month of Abib/Nisan. The sun-worshiping Emperor Constantine called the Council of Nicea, which in 325 A.D. declared Passover was to be kept by his people on a Sunday. In the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic church began to refer to Passover as Easter as the pagans in Germany and part of the British Isles had observed a Spring holiday to the goddess Eostre and/or Ishtar. Because of calendar changes in the Middle Ages, the Roman and Orthodox Catholics began to use different calendars to observe Easter and are now looking to make it so both groups keep it on the same day–a day that is set (intentionally) so that it will not fall on the date of the biblical Passover.
‘Easter’ most definitely was not part “of the faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3), yet the Greco-Romans are contending for their changes, as opposed to going back to the biblical date, as well as practices, of Passover, instead of Easter.
That said, speaking to Mar Dinkha IV, who is the Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, Pope Francis said:
I thank your Holiness for having voiced the desire to find a common date for Christians to join in celebrating Easter. On this point, I want to say – indeed, to repeat – what Saint Paul VI said in his day: we are ready to accept any proposal that is made together. 2025 is an important year: we will celebrate the anniversary of the first Ecumenical Council (of Nicaea), yet it is also important because we will celebrate Easter on the same date. So let us have the courage to put an end to this division that at times makes us laugh … https://zenit.org/2022/11/21/pope-to-assyrian-leader-on-easter-we-are-ready-to-accept-any-proposal-that-is-made-together/
While a pope may have pushed for such unity, what about the Apostle Paul himelf, the one that Pope Paul VI is named after? Well, the Apostle Paul did NOT say to accept any proposal that is made together. Actually, he wrote:
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”17 Therefore
“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 ‘I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)
Having been raised Roman Catholic, as well as having visited many Eastern Orthodox Catholic churches, I can testify that their places of worship are filled with idols. We in the Continuing Church of God are not part of the unclean ecumenical movement.
Furthermore, that Council of Nicea not only ruled against the biblical date of Passover–and that is a historical fact that it did–it also ruled against the Sabbath day which God established in the 2nd chapter of the Book of Genesis and that the Apostle Paul wrote was still for Christians.
On that last point, notice what the New Testament Book of Hebrews teaches according to one Eastern Orthodox and three Roman Catholic translations related to the Christian Sabbath:
3 However, we who have faith are entering into that rest, even as God said: As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest. And yet, the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 Somewhere [else], God said this about the seventh day: God rested on the seventh day from all his works. … 9 There must still be, then, a Sabbath rest for God’s people, 10 and anyone who has entered into his rest has also rested from his [own] works, just as God did. 11 Therefore, let us do our utmost to enter into that rest, for fear that anyone should fall according to the same pattern of disobedience. ((Hebrews 4:3-4, 9-11. THE EASTERN / GREEK ORTHODOX BIBLE NEW TESTAMENT. The EOB New Testament is presented in memory of Archbishop Vsevolod of Scopelos † 2007 https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/assets/uploads/books/18204/Eastern_Orthodox_Bible-New_Testament.pdf)
3 We, however, who have faith, are entering a place of rest, as in the text: And then in my anger I swore that they would never enter my place of rest. Now God’s work was all finished at the beginning of the world; 4 as one text says, referring to the seventh day: And God rested on the seventh day after all the work he had been doing. 5 And, again, the passage above says: They will never reach my place of rest. 6 It remains the case, then, that there would be some people who would reach it, and since those who first heard the good news were prevented from entering by their refusal to believe … 9 There must still be, therefore, a seventh-day rest reserved for God’s people, 10 since to enter the place of rest is to rest after your work, as God did after his. 11 Let us, then, press forward to enter this place of rest, or some of you might copy this example of refusal to believe and be lost. (Hebrews 4:3-6,9-11, NJB)
3 For we, that have believed, shall enter into their rest; as he said: As I sware in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: and truly the works from the foundation of the world being perfected. 4 For he said in a certain place of the seventh day thus: And God rested the seventh day from all his works … 9 Therefore there is left a sabbatisme for the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, the same also hath rested from his works, as God did from his. 11 Let us hasten therefore to enter into that rest; lest any man fall into the same example of incredulity. (Hebrews 4:3-6,9-11, The Original and True Rheims New Testament of Anno Domini 1582)
3 For we who believed enter into [that] rest, just as he has said: “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter into my rest,’” and yet his works were accomplished at the foundation of the world. 4For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner, “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works”; 5 and again, in the previously mentioned place, “They shall not enter into my rest.” 6 Therefore, since it remains that some will enter into it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience,… 9 Therefore, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God. 10And whoever enters into God’s rest, rests from his own works as God did from his. 11 Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience.(Hebrews 4:3-6,9-11, New American Bible)
Thus, the New Testament clearly shows that the command to keep the seventh day Sabbath is in the New Testament. It also shows that only those who will not observe it because of their disobedience argue otherwise. And that is why Paul observed it.
Even Origen of Alexandria, considered to be a highly important Greco-Roman Catholic theologian of the early 3rd century A.D., understood some of this as he wrote:
But what is the feast of the Sabbath except that which the apostle speaks, “There remaineth therefore a Sabbatism,” that is, the observance of the Sabbath, by the people of God…let us see how the Sabbath ought to be observed by a Christian. On the Sabbath-day all worldly labors ought to be abstained from…give yourselves up to spiritual exercises, repairing to church, attending to sacred reading and instruction…this is the observance of the Christian Sabbath (Translated from Origen’s Opera 2, Paris, 1733, Andrews J.N. in History of the Sabbath, 3rd editon, 1887. Reprint Teach Services, Brushton (NY), 1998, pp. 324-325).
As it turns out, at least 20 Protestant translations make it clear that Hebrews 4:9 is pointing to the weekly seventh-day Sabbath (ASV, BLB, BSB, CSB, DBT, ERV, ESV, GNT, HCSB, ILB, ISV, JMNT, Jubilee 2000, NASB, NETB, NHEB, NIV, WEB, WNT, YLT).
As it is believed that the Apostle Paul wrote the Book of Hebrews, it should be apparent that he would not have endorsed the anti-biblical decisions at the Council of Nicea.
Do not get caught up in false arguments for unclean unity–which are supportive of the ride of the white horseman of the Apocalypse (Revelation 6:1-2)--this horseman appears to be gaining ground.
The gospel that these groups teach is one that the Apostle Paul warned against (see Galatians 1:6-9).
We continue to see events around the world confirming that the ecumenical agenda is being promoted. Exepct more push towards a multi-part interfaith religion.
Christians are to be separate from paganism. Those who accept the true God as their Father must realize that. Isaiah wrote:
11 Depart! Depart! Go out from there,
Touch no unclean thing;
Go out from the midst of her,
Be clean,
You who bear the vessels of the Lord. (Isaiah 52:11)
To depart means to separate. Notice that Isaiah's sentiments here are captured in the New Testament in Paul's writing (2 Corinthians 6:17) and the Book of Revelation (18:2-4).
Scripture does not endorse the type of coming ecumenical unity that Pope Francis and various Protestant leaders have been endorsing.
Prophecies are being fulfilled as world events continue to align.
Watch also Ecumenism and the ride of the White Horse of the Apocalypse.
Notice the following:
3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, "Come and see." 4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword. (Revelation 6:3-4)
Somewhat paralleling the ride of the second horseman of Revelation 6:3-4, Jesus warned about wars and disturbances:
6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. (Matthew 24:6-7a)
"Nation ... against nation" is literally "ethnos ... against ethnos" in the original Greek. Notice how the Orthodox Jewish Bible translates the first half of Matthew 24:7:
For there will be an intifada of ethnic group against ethnic group,
In places like the USA, were are seeing more ethnic strife.
Consider that the opening of the second seal (Revelation 6:3-4) is to result in less peace on the Earth.
While this is commonly called the red horse (or horseman) of war, that is not quite what is stated. Notice that he "takes peace from the earth AND that people should kill one another." Could it be that events in 2020, such as COVID-19 are consistent with taking "peace from the earth"?
Around the world people are AFRAID. The feeling of normalcy is gone for many around the globe. Consider that the travel restrictions are basically because of fear (and often politics). The media and government officials are saying everything will not go back to how it was and that we need to accept what they have called "the new normal." Speculatively, could this be related to the opening of the second seal?
Not since World War II have we seen anything affect the entire planet so much. I have had a kind of gnawing feeling that perhaps the second seal was opened the late Spring or early Summer of 2020 (if not in the Fall of 2019) that perhaps we needed to better reconsider the opening of the second seal as possible.
Now in addition to COVID, we have had Russia's 'special military operation' into Ukraine which has devestated Ukraine, killed many Russians, and take the facade of peace off in Europe..
The literal Greek here for "peace" (εἰρήνην transliterated as eirēnēn) in Revelation 6 can be interpreted to mean taking away prosperity as well (see BibleHub.com). COVID-19 has, to a degree, done that. People are afraid or at least uneasy to a degree we have not seen around the world anytime in the 21st century.
Barnes Notes on the Bible states:
The power given to him that sat on the horse: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another. This would seem to indicate that the condition immediately preceding this was a condition of tranquility, and that this was now disturbed by some cause producing discord and bloodshed. This idea is confirmed by the original words - τὴν εἰρήνην tēn eirēnēn - "the peace"; that is, the previously existing peace. When peace in general is referred to, the word is used without the article: Matthew 10:34, "Think not that I am come to send peace - βαλεῖν εἰρήνην balein eirēnēn - upon the earth."
So, this rider is not just a rider of war, but taking away THE peace.
The old WCG taught about the time of the red horse:
John was not speaking about the fall of Jerusalem. That war was already some twenty years behind him. John was referring to future events that would bring 6000 years of human history crashing to a cataclysmic close. … John is referring to a time yet ahead of us when “peaceful coexistence” will be a thing of the past. ...
It's no wonder that Jeremiah, in referring to these tumultuous times, stated: "Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble ..." (Jer. 30:7). (Ritter G. 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse - The Red Horse - War, pp. 48, 52; see also Ritter R. The War that could end it all. Good News, December 1975)
We expect to see more wars, rumors of war, and civil unrest.
WATCH IRAN AND ISRAEL as we are close to the time that Isaiah 22:5-11 is about to be fulfilled. Here is what the Bible says:
5 For it is a day of trouble and treading down and perplexity By the Lord God of hosts In the Valley of Vision — Breaking down the walls And of crying to the mountain.
6 Elam bore the quiver With chariots of men and horsemen, And Kir uncovered the shield. 7 It shall come to pass that your choicest valleys Shall be full of chariots, And the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate. 8 He removed the protection of Judah. You looked in that day to the armor of the House of the Forest; 9 You also saw the damage to the city of David, That it was great; And you gathered together the waters of the lower pool. 10 You numbered the houses of Jerusalem, And the houses you broke down To fortify the wall.
11 You also made a reservoir between the two walls For the water of the old pool. But you did not look to its Maker, Nor did you have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago. (Isaiah 22:5-11)
Iran (Elam), Syria (Kir), and Israel (Judah) are to be engaged in major conflict.
One day, the situation between China and Taiwan will change. One day, those in Taiwan will cooperate militarily with China.
One day, North and South Korea will cooperate militarily--though there could be a major war first.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict is not the last conflict we will see.
Not all warfare is militaristic. There is also economic warfare.
This often involves trade.
The major use of sanctions, mainly pushed by the USA, has been continuing.
This is affecting trade and pushing trade away from the USA. But also encouraging the Anglo-nations to try to increase trade with each other.
Back in 2008, I posted the following:
In the spirit of accommodation and personal interest, many of the “standards” of the European Union will be adopted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, as well as by nearly all of the countries of the world. The Arab nations will most likely agree with many of the standards as they seem to be destined to form a brief end-time alliance with the Europeans (The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy).
However, over time, it will become increasingly clear that the British will be in more agreement with the Canadians and Americans and that the European Union in more agreement with the Mexicans than the EU will have with the English-speaking nations.
Trade wars and/or serious trade disputes will most likely arise.
The Brits will ultimately decide that they are more supportive of the Americans and Canadians. They will be so much more supportive that they will end up in a trading agreement with them (with the Australians and New Zealanders probably also becoming part of that agreement).
The EU will decide that Mexico and the rest of Latin America are in more agreement with it and thus make some type of serious trading agreement with most (or all) of Latin America. The Vatican will also have influence here as Latin America is highly Roman Catholic.
The Europeans and Americans, however, will continue to have military agreements, though many will be tense about them. (Thiel B. A Combined EU & North American Trade Block Coming? COGwriter.com, March 3, 2008)
Since the above was posted, the Europeans and Americans continue to have military agreements, the UK essentially reduced its trade from the rest of Europe because of Brexit, today we see a UK-NZ trade deal, the EU has made trade deals with Mexico and Latin America (see EU’s Juncker essentially verified accuracy of 2008 COGwriter prediction on trade), the USA made a new trade deal with Canada (see Brexit: ‘The end is nigh’ and Donald Trump signs Canada-Mexico trade deal), the UK and EU continue to have trade friction (see DW: EU-UK trade war looming as Northern Ireland Protocol tensions hit boiling point), and the EU has continued to push its standards (which is one of the reasons there is an issue related to Brexit and Northern Ireland). In 2021, the UK made deals with New Zealand (see CNN: New Zealand and the United Kingdom reach free trade deal) and Australia (see UK & Australia make trade deals, so?). And the USA made a special deal with the UK and Australia (see AUKUS alliance; EU wants its own stronger military).
Expect the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand to try to increase trade with each other.
And Europe?
In 2018, I wrote:
The Europeans have been working with Latin America, China, Russia's Eurasian Union, and other areas of the world to try to set up its dominance of world trade as well as standards for world trade. (19 items to prophetically watch in 2019)
Such deals have been happening.
Europe will reach out to various ones in Asia and Africa, as well as Latin America.
Energy and climate change issues will affect trade in 2023.
Furthermore, in late 2022 Europe has been concerned about a trade war with the USA:
DW: German finance minister warns of US trade war; BBC: Finnish PM Sanna Marin … Europe must make sure it is “building those capabilities when it comes to European defence …”
Politico: Europe accuses US of profiting from war
DW: Northern Ireland’s peace faces new Brexit threats … Northern Ireland is de facto still part of the European Union’s single market
NYT: Could Biden’s Climate Agenda Trigger a New Trade War?
On the Northern Ireland point, there is still friction--and we heard a lot about that when my wife and I were in Ireland, including Northern Ireland, in 2022. The EU is still upset about Brexit and has not been pleased with various steps the UK has been working on.
Expect more trade conflict between Europe and the USA and UK.
That said, in 2023 Europe will work on getting more of the world to accept its standards and trading matters. This will help Europe ultimately dominate trade.
For a time, Babylon will dominate world trade:
2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury." (Revelation 18:2-3).
While 'Babylon' will not fully reign in 2022, with the USA pulling out of trade deals and/or wishing to change them, steps are occurring that are pushing Europe to dominate trade (watch Trade Wars: Are COG warnings coming to pass?).
The Europeans will work with many nations to secure stronger trade agreements.
Wars tend to precede peace deals.
The book of Daniel speaks of a seven-year deal:
26 And the people of the prince who is to come
Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is determined,
Is poured out on the desolate (Daniel 9:26-27).
The ‘one week’ time element has generally been understood by prophecy watchers to mean a seven year deal (2520 days, based on prophetic 360 day years), that will be broken in the middle of it (after 3 1/2 years). The Hebrew word translated as "week" literally means "sevened" (OT:7620 literal, sevened. Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.).
The 'with many' referred to in this passage would seem to indicate that 'many' nations, as opposed to one or two, are agreeing to something.
While Daniel 9:26 calls this leader a "prince," he is later is referred to as the king of a developing European empire (Daniel 11:40; see also King of the North and Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation). Daniel 9:26-27 tie directly in with Daniel 11:
31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. (Daniel 11:31)
One way to show this is a European empire to realize that it was the people of the Roman Empire of the 1st century that fulfilled the portion of Daniel 9:26 as they destroyed the city (Jerusalem) in 70 A.D. Jewish sources, while not understanding all of this, also agree that it was Roman sources that destroyed the city and sanctuary as the following demonstrates:
“The people of the prince will come and destroy the city and the Sanctuary” Daniel 9:26, refers to the Roman legions of Vespasian and Titus, who destroyed Jerusalem. (Daniel 9 – A True Biblical Interpretation. Jews for Judaism. https://jewsforjudaism.org/knowledge/articles/answers/jewish-polemics/texts/daniel-9-a-true-biblical-interpretation/ accessed 07/30/16)
In the 21st century, the European Union includes much of the land and peoples that were part of the ancient Roman Empire. And it is the "prince" coming from that people that verse 27 of Daniel 9 is referring to. Thus, this prophecy tells us that a lower level European leader will somewhat officially start to rise up about 3 1/2 years before the great tribulation (and yes, according to Jesus, some "tribulation" does happen prior to the start of the Great Tribulation). Another is the fact that the "beast of the sea" of Revelation 13:1 fits with the beasts from the "great sea" of Daniel 7:2--and that sea is the Mediterranean Sea according to the Old Testament. Hence a power in Europe the only region that could have an empire geographically like the old Roman one (for more details, please see Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation). This is not an Arab empire, like some incorrectly claim (see also Can the Final Antichrist be Islamic?).
Notice also the following about the end time Beast leader:
11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. 12 Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. (Daniel 8:11-12)
Consider that it is a 'prince' who takes away the daily sacrifices in Daniel 9:27, and that he is also called the King of the North (Daniel 11:40) who stops the sacrifices in Daniel 11:31.
Daniel 9:27 seems to be discussing some type of peace deal that the Europeans will either propose or at least one leader from Europe will endorse.
Why is this believed to be a type of 'peace deal'?
There are several reasons, but notice some other scriptures that discuss this leader:
25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:25, KJV).
23 And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. 24 He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time. (Daniel 11:23-24, NKJV)
So this leader gives people the impression that there will be "peace" and is involved in some type of deal. This is the same leader that confirms the covenant in Daniel 9:27. The term is translated as "peace" in Daniel 8:25 is from the Hebrew term shalvah and essentially means security. In other words, this leader will destroy "many" who are under the impression that they are secure because of some type of security and/or trade arrangement. Such arrangements are now commonly referred to as peace deals or treaties.
US President Biden, leaders in the Middle East, and leaders in Europe have all discussed various peace deals. Essentially, they tend to be advocating one similar to the deal in Daniel 9:27.
The President of Palestine, in December 2017 stated, "The United States has chosen to lose its qualification as a mediator … We will no longer accept that it has a role in the political process from now." (see Palestine’s Abbas wants UN not USA, Turkey’s Erdogan says recognize Palestinian Jerusalem).
Other Palestinian statements since essentially mean that Europe will be involved, and may take the lead, on this deal. So, this is something to look out for as that is consistent with biblical prophecy.
What appears most likely at this stage is the the Biden-Harris Administration will try to work with the Palestinians and Europeans to come up with something they will find acceptable and then attempt to pressure Israel to take it.
Though it may take a regional war involving Iran, Syria, and Israel, with the prophesied destruction coming to Jerusalem (cf. Isaiah 22:6-8) for that to happen. The sitiation between those nations is something to watch.
What might trigger a regional war?
Well, Iran is less than thrilled with the Biden-Harris Administration. And the Biden-Harris Administration is not thrilled with the nuclear negotiations with Iran. As I pointed out in January 2021, Iran may get frustrated and start a regional war, and/or respond to military and other incursions by Israel. Such a war, which would seemingly involve Iran's closest ally, Syria, could come as early as 2022. We will have to wait and watch.
Once the deal is made, it will at some point be confirmed for one prophetic week (which could happen some time AFTER a deal is made) by the "prince," the seven-year countdown for the return of Jesus occurs.
Since the Bible declares that the deal is broken in the middle of it, by the King of the North who was once the "prince" of Daniel 9:26-27, the breaking of that deal begins countdown for the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21) will begin. That 3 1/2 period of the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord is the same length of time some have calculated associated with the handwriting on the wall that Daniel wrote of in the 5th chapter of his book.
Notice something from ancient times:
6 And the LORD said, "Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech."
8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. 9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth. (Genesis 11:6-9)
While many languages came out of this, notice another prophecy for the end times:
4 "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." (Daniel 12:4)
We are seeing massive developments in health, robotics, artificial intelligence, and various sciences.
The arrival and use of "artificial intelligence," automobiles, jet planes, computers, cellular telephones, and the internet certainly align with that prophecy.
Computers have also made it easier to communicate, even among people of different languages.
Those who do not accept biblical prophecy seem to consider the knowledge explosion and ability to travel internationally irrelevant.
Yet, those of us who believe it consider this a confirmed prophecy. And this is a prophecy of around 2600 years old!
In 2022, an artificial intelligence program called Chat GPT started to get press coverage and interest from regular folks who can, at this instant, use it for free.
Expect to see more knowledge and travel developments. 5G/6G, irrespective of potential healthrisks, will also be a factor in knowledge increases. Artificial intelligence will be increasingly used in 2023.
The Bible teaches that the result of debt accumulation will be far worse than even many pessimists believe. Here is an end-time prophecy given to the prophet Habakkuk by God over 2600 years ago:
2 And the Lord answered me:
“Write the vision;
make it plain on tablets,
so he may run who reads it.
3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time;
it hastens to the end—it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it;
it will surely come; it will not delay.4 “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him,
but the righteous shall live by his faith.5 “Moreover, wine is a traitor,
an arrogant man who is never at rest.
His greed is as wide as Sheol;
like death he has never enough.
He gathers for himself all nations
and collects as his own all peoples.”6 Shall not all these take up their taunt against him, with scoffing and riddles for him, and say,
“Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own—
for how long?—
and loads himself with pledges!”
7 Will not your debtors suddenly arise,
and those awake who will make you tremble?
Then you will be spoil for them.
8 Because you have plundered many nations,
all the remnant of the peoples shall plunder you,
for the blood of man and violence to the earth,
to cities and all who dwell in them. (Habakkuk 2:2-8; English Standard Version)
The USA is the most indebted nation in the history of humanity and those in it should try to understand this prophecy. Perhaps it should be noted that the United Kingdom and Canada have about a similar massive per capita debt to that of the USA.
Notice the following levels of official US debt:
Official US debt nearly doubled under the Obama-Biden Administration. It also greatly increased in four years under the Trump-Pence Administration. It has also increased in that near two years of the Biden-Harris Administration--and further increases are expected. There is also Federal Reserve balance sheet debt that is not counted these figures.
Expect official US debt to increase in 2023.
The USA is walking a dangerous line on its debt that will not end well.
The Anglo-American world order will come to an end. Accumulation of debt, and then having to pay historically 'normal' interest rates will strain the national economies of the USA and UK more than almost anyone will believe.
Those who think the current world order with the USA’s dollar on top will last through the end of this century are in error.
Those who will believe the Bible will take the words that God spoke to the prophet Habakkuk seriously
The Bible warns that debt, and having to borrow from foreigners, is a curse that would hit those who received various biblical blessings as they became more disobedient (Deuteronomy 28:15,43-46).
The debt of the USA nearly doubled under the presidency of Barrack Obama, greatly increased under the presidency of Donald Trump, and is continuing to rise under the presidency of Joe Bideb. The admitted national debt is over $29 trillion, and this does not include state or local government debt, corporate debt, or personal debt.
Debt will increase in 2023.
Have you been paying attention to this?
Two related videos are Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA? and Land of 'Free' Abortions and Debt.
Consider the following curse from the Book of Leviticus:
19 I will break the pride of your power; (Leviticus 26:19)
While the above undoubtedly has military & economic possibilities, consider that the US dollar is the pride of the USA's power.
It is backed by nothing.
So, it is a prideful thing--plus it does project US power around the world.
Debt, trade, weather, morality, leadership, sanctions, and other issues have given various nations motivations to work to dethrone the US dollar as the world's primary trade and reserve currency.
The economy of the USA has been financed, to a signficant degree, by foreigners willing to provide goods to the USA on credit as well as the USA profiting from much of the rest of the world's international trade that is dollar-based.
When the US dollar ceases to be the world's primary reserve currency,
This essentially benefits to the USA have included making money on international trades that the USA otherwise would not be involved in, less inflation, a subsized economy, lower borrowing cost, a more attractive investment market, and getting many goods from foreign lands at less cost than otherwise.
This status for the USA will not contine.
What happens to the US economy if the Dollar is no longer the reserve currency of the world?
If US T-bills lose their attraction as reserve investments … it would get harder for the Treasury to sell more of them, requiring higher interest rates to be paid and potentially forcing austerity measures on the US government or triggering classic deficit spending inflation (“printing money” to pay for government, this doesn’t happen now because the deficit is financed through sales of those bonds at extremely low interest rates).
If foreign central banks and governments start exchanging their US dollars for some other currency or currencies, then the value of the dollar in international trade drops, it becomes more expensive to buy imported goods in the US and more profitable to sell exported goods from the US. This could have all kinds of political and social effects, especially if the shift was rapid, severe, and unexpected. https://www.quora.com/What-happens-to-the-US-economy-if-the-Dollar-is-no-longer-the-reserve-currency-of-the-world
The above is warning about inflation, higher interest rates, and troubles borrowing. The USA is the most highly indebted nation of all time. The USA has been essentially on a borrowing binge the last four decades and its economy is now dependent upon borrowing. The Bible paints an even worse scenario that in the time of the end (Habakkuk 2:2-3) the highly indebted will be taken over (Habakkuk 2:2:6-8) and destroyed (Daniel 11:39; USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses).
The time will come when the US dollar is dethroned and this will inflict great pain, though not the “greatest pain” that the North Koreans want, on the USA. But shortly after the US dollar becomes close to worthless, the great tribulation (Matthew 24:21) will come and the USA will be no more (watch Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?).
The Europeans, BRICS's nations, Iran, Venezuela, North Korea, and others want to dethrone the USA dollar.
Notice the following items from 2022:
ZH: Euro Challenges USDollar As Global Currency
SGT: Renowned Investor Jim Rogers Sees the End of the US Dollar — Says ‘Washington Does Not Play Fair Anymore’
‘US Dollar Hegemony Ended Abruptly Last Wednesday’ and ‘A Paradigm Shift Western Media Hasn’t Grasped Yet … Gold’
‘Five Warning Signs the End of Dollar Hegemony Is Near… Here’s What Happens Next’
‘China and Russia Want to Replace US Dollar With BRICS Currencies,’ Argentina wants to join BRICS, and ‘Why the U.S. dollar will be replaced as the dominant global currency — sooner than you think’
‘Targeting the US Dollar’s Hegemony: Russia, China, and BRICS Nations Plan to Craft a New International Reserve Currency’
The News: SCO partnership for peace and prosperity; COGwriter: Dumping the USA dollar and Armageddon
Eurasian alliance plans to eliminate London’s metal market dominance as well as USA dollar dominance
Russia announces 12 more countries want to join BRICS, a group working against the USA dollar
Eurasian Economic Union working with BRICS to bypass USA dollar
They have taken many steps, including considering a gold-backed system, digital currencies, and a basket of currencies.
The USA has been gambling with its currency for many years through its policies and using it as a weapon.
Its leaders basically think that they can continue to get away with it.
But one day they will not (cf. Habakkuk 2:6-8).
What about Europe?
Well, Europe has NOT produced as many trillions of Euros of debt, at least not yet, that the USA has. Plus, several of the nations there have been accumulating and/or repatriating gold.
Understand that the Bible shows that the time will come when Europe will prosper mightily and be involved with gold (cf. Revelation 18).
Now, consider a story, I have reported here before:
There once was a movie that had two men camping outdoors. Suddenly, one man yells, “Run, a bear!” The other man yells back, “You can’t outrun a bear.” The first man responded with, “True, but all I have to do is to outrun you.”
The implication is that the first man only needed to be better runner than the second man, which presumably the bear would consider to be weaker, and then catch and destroy. This would, supposedly, allow the first man to survive.
From an economic perspective, the story basically is that the debt and economic situation in Europe does not need to be perfect, only perceived to better (or at least similar) than that of the USA to someday surpass it.
Dethroning the US dollar will cause massive economic problems for the USA. Much more than almost anyone believes. The standard of living in the USA has been raised/subsidized for years because of the status of the US dollar. That status is weakening. This will ultimately severely hurt the USA.
Notice the following prophecy:
16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. (Revelation 13:16-18)
This type of financial surveillance could not have happened during the time of the Apostle John as there was no real way to monitor many financial transactions then (despite the fact that ‘preterists’ believe this was fulfilled almost 2000 years ago, see also The Dangerous Rise of Preterists). The same was true for all the centuries that followed until the late 20th and now the 21st century. But now not only does the technology exist to monitor most financial transactions, the political will is there as well.
It will be a European power that will fulfill the above prophecy of 666 (watch Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?).
It will likely take computers aided with artificial intelligence to aid in the fulfillment of the scriptures in Revelation 13:15-18, as well as cyber-spying/monitoring. I do believe that cyber monitoring will be used by the European Beast, King of the North, 666 power.
We are seeing a move to digital/electronic money. Notice some news items from 2022:
BibleNewsProphecy: EU to be ‘Sheriff’ of BitCoin & Digital Currencies
ZH: ECB Says Cash “Not Fit” For Digital Economy, Dismisses CBDC Privacy Concerns; COGwriter: This is a clear ‘666’ signal
MS: They Are Testing A Super Creepy “Digital Dollar” That They Plan To Introduce Soon
WND: Biden planning to ‘protect’ us from cash – beginning Dec. 13!; LI: Digital euro: new details emerge on how to limit CBDC holdings
ECB’s digital euro ‘dilutes the value of money’ and ‘threatens privacy’
‘Ukraine crisis accelerating rise of Central Bank Digital Currencies’
Mastercard CEO: SWIFT Payment System May Be Replaced By CBDCs In Five Years; COGwriter: Or Less
EU making use of large amounts of cash illegal: Yes, this is a step towards 666!
Knowledge and monitoring of financial transactions is greatly increasing.
Europe has claimed that it will be the dominant force in cryptocurrency.
While 2023 will not see a cashless world, expect to see more movements towards monitorable payments.
Expect to see more steps related to Central Bank Digital Currencies in 2023.
The fall of the US dollar and the trend towards digital money will concern many.
While some economists have called gold a 'relic,' it still has value internationally.
Alex Stanczyk observed:
Crypto has made its own place in the world by making an amazing leap forward as a medium of exchange, with thus far unrivaled capabilities. But crypto is not gold, and can never be gold. I suggest that BTC and Crypto are better as a medium of exchange, while gold is a better medium for storing value.
This is not because of some dogma I have for the metal. Some will trot out “you are just talking your book” when I mention this.
The simple fact is, out of the near 185,000 tons of estimated above ground gold, someone owns, all of it. Every fine gram of gold above ground belongs to someone already, whether that be in the form of bars, coins, jewelry, the thin layer on astronauts helmets that protect them from solar radiation, or the gold plated contacts in the mining rigs used to mine crypto. New gold mined from the ground is usually spoken for before it ever hits a refinery. My job as a physical gold fund manager is not to convince people to buy gold, that job has already been done.
The reason crypto can never replace gold lies in physics: Gold cannot be destroyed
Everything else can. Computers. Exchanges. Mining Pools. Wallets. Powergrids. Internets. Nations. You name it. If you blew up the planet earth, the gold atoms would still be there.
Unlike anything else you can invest or store money in, gold doesn’t rely on any external force for this to continue to be true over time. It is sort of like a battery with no expiration date.
Gold exists as atomic number 79 on the periodic table. It is chemically inert and does not interact with oxygen. It is the only element with properties that make it completely immune to the forces of entropy. The only way to destroy it would be to fire it into the sun, or somehow put it in the middle of an equivalent fusion reaction that took the atoms apart at a subatomic level. (Stanczyk A. A Gold Guys View of Crypto, Bitcoin, and Blockchain. Medium.com, December 10, 2017 https://medium.com/@alex.stanczyk/a-gold-guys-view-of-crypto-bitcoin-and-blockchain-26e42eeab6b7)
Its 'permanence' from a physical perspective is reassuring to many. But the fact it is not a food and provides no calories shows its value has severe limits.
‘Czech Republic To join Poland And Hungary In Central European Gold Rush’
‘Why Gold Will Benefit From The Inevitable Reshaping Of The International Monetary System’ & France Repatriates
‘Gold & Geopolitics … If this is Putin’s plan, the consequences for Western fiat currencies are likely to be devastating’
‘Russia’s Putin declares an end to Western currencies, says world moving towards “real reserves” including “land, food, gold”’
Yes, Russia and others are looking to gold. Fiat currencies, like the USA dollar and British pound are backed by nothing. Many know this and think that will last forever--well the monetary system will not stay as it has been.
The Bible prophesies King of the North will get gold which end time Babylon will trade with:
37 He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. 38 But in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things. 39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain. 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, ... 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt ... (Daniel 11:37-39,43)
10 ... 'Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.' 11 And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore: 12 merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13 and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. 14 The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 and saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! (Revelation 18:10-16)
While the Bible is clear that gold will, for a time, not be wanted but tossed (Ezekiel 7:19), it is obvious that into the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21-22), which starts in verse 39 of Daniel 11, gold will have value (see also The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold?).
The old Worldwide Church of God published the following:
Of course, since gold is regarded as a disaster hedge by many investors, prudence might dictate that perhaps a small fraction of your liquid assets be in gold: (Caulkins J. WHEN MONEY FAILS. Good News, October-November 1979) In Revelation 18, we are given a graphic description of Europe at its future economic peak. Remember this prophecy occurs after the United States, Canada and other Israelitish nations have been conquered and brought into subservience. … In verse 11, Europe's coming economic wealth and scope is described as John sees it, shortly before the final crisis (to occur at Christ's coming) takes place. “And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her, for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: The merchandise of gold and silver … (Catherwood CA. Europe and Our Prophetic Message. Good News, October-November 1979)
Yes, gold will outlast the US dollar and the European Beast power will have it.
In terms of world events, understand that Germany has been repatriating gold--and even did so ahead of schedule (watch Germany, Gold, and the US Dollar). Europeans have a lot of gold (see The Plain Truth about European Gold) and want more. The continental European gold reserves listed amount to about 11,353.4 tons of gold--that is almost as much as the USA and China combined.
In 2017, I published the following in my book Donald Trump and America’s Apocalypse:
Gold will set records in US dollar terms.
It did on August 6, 2020:
"The price of gold shot up to an all-time high of US$2,067.15 per ounce on Aug. 6" (Woodall T. Gold surges to new highs as US dollar weakens despite growing macro risks. S&P Global, August 10, 2020).
Gold will be an item or value in 2023 and at least a few years beyond.
Nations in Asia, Europe, and even Africa will look to increase gold reserves.
Gold will break records in US dollar terms.
But there may be ups and downs before it does again.
There have been many protests in the USA.
Some protested racial, economic, and policing matters. Some have called for a “civil war.”
The Bible prophesies, "There shall be terror within" (Deuteronomy 32:25).
Will that happen to the USA?
Yes.
Jesus taught:
25 Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. (Matthew 12:25)
We are seeing more divide in the USA and parts of it certainly appear to be intentional. Much of it is ideological. The USA is becoming less and less united and more polarized.
Notice the following from 2022:
WND: Ex-Army generals fear insurrection or ‘civil war’ in 2024
Expect more divide in a nation where half of its people cannot tell the different between males and females and the other half still sticks to some facts about that. And of course, there is the abortion divide and other issues.
More terror is prophesied to hit the USA. The same is true for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
Expect protests and civil unrest in Europe.
The Bible shows that Europe will reorganize:
12 The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. 13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. (Revelation 17:12-13).
It will likely take economic, religious, migration, and health matters to trigger this--but they are consistent with the ride of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse (Revelation 6).
Notice a headline from 2022:
Germany’s Olaf Scholtz wants Europe to develop joint air power and to reorganize
European leaders want to be able to function as the world's true superpower. The Bible shows that it will reorganize to make this happen in the future (cf. Revelation 17:12-13).
The Bible prophecsies that Europe will have a great army:
25 “He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South with a great army. (Daniel 11:25)
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. (Daniel 11:40)
A Biden-Harris Administration will not stop that from happening--yet instead has upset, encouraged, and pushed Europe in that direction.
Various ones have called for a European army. But the events with Russia and Ukraine in 2022 have accelerated that:
European Beast is growing horns over Ukraine
I355News: Western Europe may unite to form their own military; A development consistent with Gog-Magog War; Macron: We must have a Europe that can defend itself on its own without relying only on the United States
NW: Finland Will Allow NATO to Place Nuclear Weapons on Border With Russia
Large Hadron Collider discovered three exotic particles and restarts today: Any prophetic or military ramifications?
‘The Specter Of Germany Is Rising’ ‘Germany must accept leading military role, says defense minister’
DW: German finance minister warns of US trade war; BBC: Finnish PM Sanna Marin … Europe must make sure it is “building those capabilities when it comes to European defence …”
Now let's notice what the Bible shows Europe's military will do:
5 "Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger And the staff in whose hand is My indignation. 6 I will send him against an ungodly nation, And against the people of My wrath I will give him charge, To seize the spoil, to take the prey, And to tread them down like the mire of the streets. 7 Yet he does not mean so, Nor does his heart think so; But it is in his heart to destroy, And cut off not a few nations. ... 12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Lord has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, that He will say, "I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks."(Isaiah 10:5-7,12).
39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain. (Daniel 11:39)
In the 21st century, it is the USA with the strongest fortresses. The power with the strongest fortresses ell be taken over by the European Beast power. Technology, as well as deception, will be factors in the military takeover of the USA. This will cause the world to marvel.
3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:3-4)
People will be shocked when Europe shows it is a militarily successful power. It is now taking steps that will lead to the fulfillment of various warring prophecies.
The formation of the King of the South is something to look for.
Psalm 83 prophesies a confederacy:
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 Edam 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)
Most of the peoples listed above are currently in the Middle East and North Africa, with the exception of Assyria--which is mainly in Europe.
Notice that a deal in alluded in Daniel 11 and will be broken:
15 ... the king of the North ... 25 ... the king of the South ... 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 11:15,25,27)
So, these powers will have make lying deals.
They will then turn on each other:
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. (Daniel 11:40-43)
US and European politicians have called for a confederation or coalition of nations in the Middle East and North Africa to suppress terrorism.
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and others have taken steps that will help the ultimate formation of the King of the South (see Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Salman pushing King of the South? and watch Mystery Babylon USA, Mecca, or Rome?).
That Accord is helping get various Islamic nations to cooperate closer together. But it is NOT that it is the King of the South.
Now there already is an alliance in the area. But the Bible tells of a coming confederacy that will be more unified.
In 2022,
Could the Ukrainian food crisis help lead to the rise of the King of the South?
Economic, religious, food price inflation and shortages, as well as and other problems will be factors.
While the confederacy is not expected be fully formed in 2022, watch for events that will point in its direction. I expect one not many years after a major regional conflict at least involving Iran, Syria, and Israel.
A King of the South will arise, be involved in some deals, later do damage, and later be destroyed (see also Ezekiel 30:1-8).
Scripture tells of the fulfillment of the times of the Gentiles:
24 ... Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (Luke 21:24)
2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. (Revelation 11:2)
More Gentile-dominated groups and projects are appearing to get the world to move away from an Anglo-American dominated world order (watch The Times of the Gentiles and End of the Anglo-American Order). Basically, part of the objective of the BRICS, EAEU, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and even the European Union is to establish a new world order (SCO, EAEU, and BRICS defining a ‘new world order’?)–an order no longer dominated by the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies, like the UK.
Russia announces 12 more countries want to join BRICS, a group working against the USA dollar
So, a Gentile group is growing.
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15 "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." 16 And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. (Revelation 16:13-16).
12 Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. (Revelation 16:12)
With its One Belt, One Road (AKA Silk Road) project, China is working on making roads that will transport troops to Armageddon (watch Is China paving roads to Armageddon?). China has over 60 nations involved and, on an inflation-adjusted basis, is expected to pour ten times the amount of money into this than the USA did for its Marshall Plan, which mainly helped 6 European nations. This will aid in trade and help provide roads for Armageddon.
Russia and its Eurasian Union are supportive of this project--a project that is moving ahead:
Guardian: Ai Weiwei on the new Silk Road: ‘This is China’s counterattack in a global game of chess’
VOA: China Puts Belt & Road Back on ASEAN Agenda
That being said, the gathering of Armageddon will not happen in 2023, but some events to make that gathering happen will. More on this can be found in the articles Asia in Prophecy and Armageddon.
Essentially, since the destruction of Jerusalem and what is called the Second Temple in A.D. 70, the Jews stopped sacrificing animals.
Some claim that the reimplemention of daily animal sacrifices will require what is called a Third Temple in Jerusalem.
Yet, biblically, the Jews do NOT need a rebuilt Temple to sacrifice. They only need an altar, a qualified priest, and implements.
They claim to have all of that. Notice that the Bible recorded the following:
6 From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid. (Ezra 3:6)
One may argue that since it takes the participation of Jewish religious leaders in order for Jewish animal sacrifices to be resumed, that the above scripture is a moot point.
As it turns out, representatives of both the Sanhedrin and the Temple Institute have told me that they only need government permission to sacrifice, as they are basically otherwise prepared to do so.
Notice that the Book of Daniel tells of a time when daily sacrifices will be stopped:
27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27)
31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. (Daniel 11:31)
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. (Daniel 12:11)
For the sacrifices to stop, they first must start. And the Sanhedrin as well as the Temple Institute are interested in them starting.
While it may take the devastation of Isaiah 22:5-11 to do so, it will happen.
For while the goal of the Temple Institute is to build another temple, only an altar is actually necessary for sacrifices to resume.
It will take political changes to get sacrifices re-implemented.
As it turns out, political party that wants them gained political power in late 2022.
US leaders pushing against Ben Gvir, but one day a religiously influential leader will be successful in renewing animal sacrifices
CNN: Netanyahu on brink of comeback as Israeli exit polls point to narrow majority; I365: If the government does not build the Temple, that is their failure.
I365; Netanyahu’s Likud, UTJ reach interim coalition deal
Now, although Jewish religious parties now do have a lot of influence, they do not yet seemingly have enough to force sacrifices--but they are gaining political power right now.
Despite what may happen in Jerusalem with the area called the Temple Mount, the Jews will one day reinstitute animal sacrifices and they do not need a Third Temple to do that (see also Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required?).
The 13th chapter of the Book of Revelation tells about a totalitarian leader called the Beast rising up and controlling buying and selling (cf. Revelation 13:16-18).
But he does more than that. He and the Antichrist (also, verse 11, called the “beast coming up out from the earth”) also tries to control worship.
Since COVID, governments around the world imposed new limits on buying and selling as well as travel and worship. Never in the history of humanity have so many governments imposed so many totalitarian steps so quickly. And then there was the call from Klaus Schwab of the World Economic Forum (WEF) for a 'great reset' to change society--and it is basically a totalitarian society the WEF and others are pushing for (see Is a Great Reset Coming?).
This is helping set the stage for the rise of the Beast who will gain power after the 4th seal of Revelation (which is the ride of the pale horse of death) is opened.
While many totalitarian steps are expected to be relaxed in 2023, government planners and others are feeling justified to consider more in the future. And more will come in the future. We may see various new totalitarian steps implemented and/or proposed in 2023. But even if such moves are not public, many are becoming more accepting of totalitarian steps.
Increased totalitarian will grip Europe and much of the planet around the time that the USA is no more.
The Bible refers to a 'short word' or a 'short work' that will be cut short in the Book of Romans:
27 Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, The remnant will be saved. 28 For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth." (Romans 9:27-28)
Part of the final phase of the work is preparing for this short work.
In the CCOG we have been leading the final phase of the work and preparing for this short-work.
That is why we have numerous websites, detailed literature, radio programs, videos, and printed materials in over 200 languages.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God (1 Corinthians 10:32)
As far as Jews (and other descendants of Israel), we are proclaiming the Ezekiel warning (see What is the Ezekiel Warning?). To reach that Greeks and other Gentiles, we are reaching them and realize that the fulness of the Gentiles will be fulfilled (What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?). As far as the Church of God goes, we have dozens of articles explaining how various groups differ from the original faith--it is not giving offense to encourage them "to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3; cf. Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22).
In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, the Apostle Paul showed that he was willing to tailor his message in order to reach more people. I would suggest that this is what we in the Continuing Church of God are doing as well. We are reaching people of all types of background with COGwriter.com, ccog.org, radio interviews, our magazine (CCOG announces Bible News Prophecy magazine), our daily e-newsletter, our BibleNewsProphecy YouTube channel, our ContinuingCOG YouTube channel, and various books. These, sometimes bold, approaches have been effective and will be helpful in completing the "final phase of the work."Â Some details of results thus far are also in the news posts CCOG met COG proclamation goal and More on CCOG’s proclamation statistics.
To reach people interested in prophecy, Church of God matters, and news, there is the www.cogwriter.com website, as well as certain commerical books.
To reach those with a Sabbath keeping background, we acquired the URL cg7.org in 2020. That website is named Church of God Seventh Day Sabbatarian Christians. This website is intended to reach people who wonder about the Sabbath as well as those who want to know about different churches that keep the Sabbath. In addition to history and doctrinal materials, it also has dozens of articles on COG and non-COG groups that keep the seventh day Sabbath.
To those with a Protestant background, a book was developed along with fourteen video messages:
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differs from Protestantism The CCOG is NOT Protestant. This free online book explains how the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants. Several sermons related to the free book are also available: Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History; The First Protestant, God’s Command, Grace, & Character; The New Testament, Martin Luther, and the Canon; Eucharist, Passover, and Easter; Views of Jews, Lost Tribes, Warfare, & Baptism; Scripture vs. Tradition, Sabbath vs. Sunday; Church Services, Sunday, Heaven, and God’s Plan; Seventh Day Baptists/Adventists/Messianics: Protestant or COG?; Millennial Kingdom of God and God’s Plan of Salvation; Crosses, Trees, Tithes, and Unclean Meats; The Godhead and the Trinity; Fleeing or Rapture?; and Ecumenism, Rome, and CCOG Differences. These sermons also cover materials not in the book. As far as some changes affecting Protestantism, watch the video Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware!
Should You Keep God's Holy Days or Demonic Holidays? This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history shows about God's Holy Days and popular holidays. A related sermon is Which Spring Days should Christians observe?
The following is intended to potentially reach atheists and agnostics and deal with their objectives:
Is God’s Existence Logical? Is it really logical to believe in God? Yes! Would you like Christian answers to give atheists? This is a free online booklet that deal with improper theories and musings called science related to the origin of the origin of the universe, the origin of life, and evolution. Two animated videos of related interest are also available: Big Bang: Nothing or Creator? and A Lifegiver or Spontaneous Evolution?
Does it Make Physical Sense to believe in God? Some say it is not logical to believe in God. Is that true? Here is a link to a YouTube sermon titled Is it logical to believe in God?
Proof Jesus is the Messiah This free book has over 200 Hebrew prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus. Plus, His arrival was consistent with specific prophecies and even Jewish interpretations of prophecy. Here are links to seven related sermons: Proof Jesus is the Messiah, Prophecies of Jesus’ birth, timing, and death, Jesus’ prophesied divinity, 200+ OT prophecies Jesus filled; Plus prophecies He made, Why Don’t Jews Accept Jesus?, Daniel 9, Jews, and Jesus, and Facts and Atheists' Delusions About Jesus. Plus the links to two sermonettes: Luke’s census: Any historical evidence? and Muslims believe Jesus is the Messiah, but ... These videos cover nearly all of the book, plus have some information not in the book.
The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you? This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have, including the biblical meaning of life. Here is a link to three related sermons: Mysteries of God’s Plan, Mysteries of Truth, Sin, Rest, Suffering, and God’s Plan, and The Mystery of YOU.
The following are intended potentially reach Jews:
Proof Jesus is the Messiah This free book has over 200 Hebrew prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus. Plus, His arrival was consistent with specific prophecies and even Jewish interpretations of prophecy. Here are links to seven related sermons: Proof Jesus is the Messiah, Prophecies of Jesus’ birth, timing, and death, Jesus’ prophesied divinity, 200+ OT prophecies Jesus filled; Plus prophecies He made, Why Don’t Jews Accept Jesus?, Daniel 9, Jews, and Jesus, and Facts and Atheists' Delusions About Jesus. Plus the links to two sermonettes: Luke’s census: Any historical evidence? and Muslims believe Jesus is the Messiah, but ... These videos cover nearly all of the book, plus have some information not in the book.
The following following are intended potentially reach Roman and Eastern Orthodox Catholics:
Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries and Continuing History of the Church of God: 17th-20th Centuries. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, French: L Histoire Continue de l Église de Dieu and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
Who Gave the World the Bible? The Canon: Why do we have the books we now do in the Bible? Is the Bible complete? Are there lost gospels? What about the Apocrypha? Is the Septuagint better than the Masoretic text? What about the Textus Receptus vs. Nestle Alland? Was the New Testament written in Greek, Aramaic, or Hebrew? Which translations are based upon the best ancient text? Did the true Church of God have the canon from the beginning?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.
Do Certain Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus? Will the final "Anti-Christ" be Jewish, insist on Saturday, be opposed to the trinity, and bring in the millennium? Certain Catholic writings indicate this, while others take a different view, but what does the Bible show? A related sermon is Will Jesus Christ be called the Antichrist?
Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies? People of all faiths may be surprised to see what various Roman and Orthodox Catholic prophets have been predicting as many of their predictions will be looked to in the 21st century.
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are? Here is a link to a related sermon: Eastern Orthodox 40+ Similar Beliefs to the CCOG.
The following following are intended potentially reach Muslims:
Differences Between Islam and the Continuing Church of God What are some of the main differences? Are there any similarities? A video of related interest is titled: Islam: Any Christian Concerns or Similarities?
Proof Jesus is the Messiah This free book has over 200 Hebrew prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus. Plus, His arrival was consistent with specific prophecies and even Jewish interpretations of prophecy. Here are links to seven related sermons: Proof Jesus is the Messiah, Prophecies of Jesus’ birth, timing, and death, Jesus’ prophesied divinity, 200+ OT prophecies Jesus filled; Plus prophecies He made, Why Don’t Jews Accept Jesus?, Daniel 9, Jews, and Jesus, and Facts and Atheists' Delusions About Jesus. Plus the links to two sermonettes: Luke’s census: Any historical evidence? and Muslims believe Jesus is the Messiah, but ... These videos cover nearly all of the book, plus have some information not in the book.
The following following are intended potentially reach Buddhists and Hindus:
The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you? This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have, including the biblical meaning of life. Here is a link to three related sermons: Mysteries of God’s Plan, Mysteries of Truth, Sin, Rest, Suffering, and God’s Plan, and The Mystery of YOU.
India and the Beast of Revelation 13 Do biblical, Catholic, and even Hindu prophecies suggest that many in India will follow, for a while, the Beast and False Prophet/Antichrist? Here is link to a related YouTube video Will People in India Worship the Beast of Revelation 13?
The following were intended to reach those of certain other faiths:
Similarities and Differences Between the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to represent the original Christian faith. Do you know much about them? Both groups have some interesting similarities, but many major differences. Would you like Christian answers for Jehovah's Witnesses to give information on how to deal with Jehovah's Witnesses? A related sermon is also available: Jehovah's Witnesses: Right and Wrong Teachings?
Messianic Judaism Beliefs Differ from the Continuing Church of God Both groups keep the seventh-day Sabbath, but have important differences in doctrines and practices. Here is a link to a related sermon: Messianic Jewish Beliefs.
SDA/CCOG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 The genuine Church of God is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White. Did Ellen White make prophetic errors? Did Ellen White make false prophecies? Here is a version in the Spanish language: SDA/COG Diferencias: La bestia de dos cuernos de Apocalipsis y 666. Here are two sermons in the English language: Seventh Day Baptists/Adventists/Messianics: Protestant or COG?and CCOG and SDA differences and similarities. Here is a link to an article in the Spanish language: Diferencias: SDA/CCOG: La bestia de dos cuernos de Apocalipsis y 666.
Teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and the Continuing Church of God The genuine Church of God is not related to the Mormons and this article explains some differences and a couple of similarities. Also, might certain LDS prophecies apply to Mitt Romney? A sermon of related interest is available: Mormon vs. Church of God Teachings.
Books to better explain the message to the Chinese, Hindus, Muslims, Europeans, etc. are being considered for the future.
Kelly McDonald, Jr., the President of the Bible Sabbath Association, published the following:
And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it (Habakkuk 2:2).
Merriam™ Webster dictionary defines the word intelligentsia as: intellectuals who form an artistic, social, or political vanguard or elite. As it relates to this article, an intelligentsia is simply a group individu- als that promote ideas to the larger society and guard them from outside. I propose that the Sabbath Community must begin to form a new intelligentsia. Many of the great his- torians and thinkers of the Sabbath community have either passed away or are older (no offense intended).
Some of our passed away leaders would in-clude, but not be limited to, Dr. Samuel Bacchiocchi and Dr. Herman Hoeh. Those that are still with us include, but are not limited to, Calvin Burrell and Dr. Bob Thiel. (The President’s Corner”“Developing the Next Intelligentsia.” Sabbath Sentinel, July-August 2017, p. 5)
Yes, there is a need for scholarly work as part of the short work. FWIW, I have worked with Calvin Burrell, Samuel Bacchiocchi, and Dr. Hoeh in the past, but they are now all deceased.
That being said, some of our materials have been put up online at academia.edu This is a way to reach scholars and potential scholars as a witness. It also may influence their writings and can provide support or criticism which will encourage others to "blow the dust off their Bibles" as the old WCG used to teach and consider the truth of the original Christian faith.
To specifically reach people with prophetic interest around the world, we are putting together a new book, Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? , that also discusses some of the origins of people all around the world as well as how prophecies will affect them--this book is not limited to Europe and North America.
Let me also add that because scripture states that the fulness of the Gentiles will come in before Jesus returns (cf. Romans 11:25), we have also been reaching Gentiles with significance success (see also What About Romans 11:25 and the Full Number of the Gentiles?). We expect to reach more in 2023.
We are also working on restoring things as also is prophesied to take place before Jesus returns. Much has been restored (see Continuing Church of God, Elijah, and Restoring All Things), but according to Jesus (Matthew 17:11), more will be. So, we expect more restoration in 2023.
Jesus taught:
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)
In the Continuing Church of God, in sermons, I have gone over every thing that the Bible records that Jesus spoke in the New Testament.
Need proof?
Here are links to the sermons that do this:
MATTHEW Here are links to twelve sermons covering the 28 chapters of Matthew: Matthew 1-2: Greek or Aramaic, Jesus, and the Star?, Matthew 3-5: John the Baptist, Temptations, and the Beatitudes, Matthew 6-7: Charitable Deeds, the Rosary, Prayer, the Golden Rule, and Faith, Matthew 8-10: Married Clergy, Faith, Coming Persecution, and the Ecumenical Agenda, Matthew 11-12: John the Elijah, Sodom, Unpardonable Sin, & 3 Days and 3 Nights, -14: Parables, Mustard Seeds, Birthdays, and Faith, Matthew 15-16: Tradition, Signs of the Times, and The Rock & Peter, Matthew 17-18: Transfiguration, Elijah to Come, Taxes, and Forgiveness, Matthew 19-20: Transgender? Divorce? Purgatory? The first shall be last?, Matthew 21-23: 'Palm Sunday,' Come as You Are?, and the Greatest Commandments, Matthew 24: Temple Destruction, Sorrows, Tribulation, and the Return of Jesus, and Matthew 25-28: Midnight Cry, False Christians, Resurrection, & Teaching what Jesus Taught.
MARK Here is a link to a sermon covering all of Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Mark: What did Jesus teach in the Book of Mark? Here is a link to six sermons covering all the verses in the Gospel of Mark: Mark 1-2: Author, Prophecy, & Miracles, Mark 3-5: Healing, Demons, and Parables, Mark 6-9: Tradition, John’s beheading, Elijah, and Restoration, Mark 10-12: Marriage, Divorce, Needle Eye, Greatest Command, & Taxes, Mark 13: Temple, Four Horsemen, Troubles, Great Tribulation, and Gospel Proclamation, and .
LUKE Here are links to eight sermons covering the entire 'Gospel of Luke': Luke 1-2: John the Baptist, Mary, and the Census, Luke 3-6: John the Baptist, Jesus’ genealogy, Satan’s Influence, and the Sermon on the Mount, Luke 7-9: Miracles, Purpose of Parables, Kingdom of God, and Women Supporting the Ministry, Luke 10-11: The 70, Doing the Work, the Good Samaritan, Prayer, and Signs, Luke 12-13: Priorities, Delayed Fruit Bearing, Little Flock, Prophecy, and the Narrow Way, Luke 14-16: The Lost Sheep, the Prodigal Son, the Rich Man and Lazarus, Luke 17-20: Faith, the Kingdom, Gathering, Prayer, & Rewards, and Luke 21-22: Giving, Sorrows, Persecution, Tribulation, Fig Tree, and Violence. The last sermon also covers Jesus' words in the Book of Acts.
JOHN Here are links to a seven-part sermon series covering the entire 'Gospel of John': John 1-3: Anti-unitarian, Wine, Being Born Again, & Heaven, John 4-6: Jesus and the Samaritan Woman, Miracles and the Bread of Life, John 10-12: Sheep, Hirelings, Lazarus/Soul Sleep and ‘Palm Day’, John 13-15: Footwashing and the Words of Jesus, John 16-18: Truth, Trinity, and Pontius Pilate, and John 19-21: Do not only try, do what God wants.
ACTS Here is an article: The Book of Acts. Here is a link to related sermons: Book of Acts 1-2: Jesus Left, New Testament Church Began, Acts 3-5: Miracles, Trials, Proclamation, and Persecution, Acts 6-9: Widows, Stephen, Saul, and Simon Magus, Acts 10-12: Visions, Dreams, and Gentiles, Acts 13-16: Prophets, Poisoning, and Proclamation,Acts 17-19: Travels, Anointed Cloths, & the Gospel of the Kingdom, Acts 20-22: James, Sunday, and Prejudice, and Acts 23-25: Vows, Secrets, Cults, & Criticisms, and Acts 26-28: Shipwreck, the Kingdom of God, & Amen.
REVELATION This is a link to a sermon covering words Jesus spoke as recorded in the Book of Revelation and in first and second Corinthians: Revelation: Jesus’ Final Words.
We also have made literature available, not only on the internet, but in printed form and in multiple languages.
Jesus also taught:
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. 15 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 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 24:14-22)
Notice that the Great Tribulation happens after Matthew 24:14 has been fulfilled to God's satisfaction.
In the Continuing Church of God, we have a booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom of God, available in close to 100 languages. . They can be found at www.ccog.org
According to AWStats, our websites have been visited by people from at least 220 nations/territories. According to YouTube our online videos have been viewed by people from at least 220 nations/territories. We have had 450 million computer/smart cell phone impressions with our Google campaigns.
Plus, in 2022, the CCOG increased its radio presence in major ways around the world. We increased our reach in Kenya, added AM radio in Europe, went on two shortwave stations covering Europe and most of North America, plus has reach into Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America--see details at the CCOG Multimedia page.
Furthermore, we greatly increased the availability of our The Gospel of the Kingdom of God booklet into more languages--we now have it available in over 200 languages!
More will be done.
The late artist Andy Warhol was known for getting the idea out that people are entitled to their 'fifteen minutes of fame."
The Apostle Paul wrote that God would have a short work:
28 For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth. (Romans 9:28)
In the Continuing Church of God, we are preparing for this through the development of articles and booklets, and in numerous languages--our materials are now in over 200 different languages.
We are also on radio in a couple of languages in Africa. More on the short-work can be found in the article: Preparing for the 'Short Work' and The Famine of the Word.
That being said, we believe that when we publicly identify the coming King of the North and explain that he is pushing a false peace and false gospel, and that he will destroy the USA and its Anglo-Saxon dominated allies, as well as an Islamic power, that media attention will be focused on us and what we teach.
This will be the short work, and will lead to the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14.
Are you going to watch or support the work?
Jesus praised the Philadelphians for their work (Revelation 3:7-13), while condemning the Laodicean Christians for being lukewarm about the work (Revelation 3:14-22).
Here are 23 items to watch:
1. Scoffers in the Last Days
2. Morality Prophecies Being Fulfilled
3. Media, Internet, and Other Censorship
4. Weather Sorrows and Troubles
5. Earthquakes and Volcanoes
6. The White Horse of the Apocalypse
7. Strife and the Red Horse of War
8. Trade
9. The Deal of Daniel 9:27
10. Knowledge Increasing
11. Debt
12. US Dollar Dominance will Decrease
13. CBDC and 666
14. Gold
15. Unrest, Terror, and the Dividing of the USA
16. Europe Will Work to Reorganize
17. Europe Will Have a Great Army and Many Ships
18. Steps Towards the Formation of the King of the South Will Occur
19. The Time of the Gentiles will Lead to Armageddon
20. Jews Ready to Sacrifice
21. Totalitarian Steps
22. Preparation for the Short Work
23. Fulfillment of Matthew 24:14 and 28:19-20
In the Continuing Church of God:
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (2 Peter 1:19, KJV)
God is NOT slack in His promises (2 Peter 3:9) everything is NOT continuing as it has been (cf. 2 Peter 3:4).
So, when will the end come?
When God determines that Matthew 24:14 has been fulfilled, and we of the Continuing Church of God continue to diligently work on this.
Prior to 2028 if certain events occur.
As Jesus said:
35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming — in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning — 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! (Mark 13:35-37)
This article has given you at least 23 things to watch.
Here is a link a related video: 23 things to prophetically watch in 2023.
Thiel B. 23 items to prophetically watch in 2023. COGwriter (c) December 5, 2022 http://www.cogwriter.com/2023prophecies.htm 2022 1231