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COGwriter

The European Union announced that it is establishing a new powerful financial authority:

EU To Establish Powerful Financial Authority

Spiegel – Sept 10, 2009

One year after the outbreak of the worst economic crisis since World War II, the European Union is close to creating an EU-wide financial markets regulatory authority.

In its Thursday edition Germany’s Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that it had obtained draft regulations that, if approved, would create three powerful supervisory authorities alongside an early warning system which would monitor banking, financial markets and insurance and pension funds across Europe. The authorities could take action to prevent a repeat of the current financial crisis that precipitated the global economic slump. The steps to create the new authority came at the request of EU member states.

According to the plans, the European controllers would be given the right — in cases where a crisis is foreseeable — to directly intervene in financial markets. The newspaper reports that the European Commission plans to present its draft regulations on Sept. 23. The plans state that the financial oversight system would be built as a network.

A European Systemic Risk Council would be created at the European Central Bank level to identify emerging dangers and serve as an early warning system for Europe’s markets. And three new agencies are also planned for controlling banks, stock markets and insurance companies…

Authorities Will Be In Business by 2011

Under the plan, the new oversight authorities would be in operation by 2011, and they will be allowed to issue direct orders if they feel that national supervisory authorities aren’t acting decisively enough when a financial institute, involved in cross-border business or which could threaten the stability of markets, runs into trouble. The authorities’ right to issue directives, however, would be limited to measures “that have no impact on the financial responsibilities of the member states.”

With this limitation, Brussels officials are adhering to a decision made by leaders of the EU member states. At a summit in June the German and British governments insisted that the decisions of the European financial supervisory authority not have direct influence on decision-making relating to national budgets. The proposed regulations also provide member states with the right to contest any decisions — and either the EU finance ministers or the European Commission would give the final ruling in any dispute. http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,648107,00.html

Now although the power is now limited, the Bible shows that the members of the emerging European beast power will give all the authority to its final leader:

13 These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast (Revelation 17:13).

This seems to be a prelude to a prophecy about the economic European beast power in the Book of Revelation:

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).

While “666” is not yet required, the EU is apparently establishing a lot of agencies that will facilitate the implementation of at least multi-national, if not quite completely worldwide, economic controls.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? What is ahead for Europe?  Is it destined to rule?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
SDA/LCG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 The Living Church of God is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences (like who is 666), the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White.
Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”. Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy.

Nostradamus

COGwriter

Tonight the History Channel began a series titled “The Nostradamus Effect.”

Tonight’s episode essentially focused on the fact that Nostradamus reportedly predicted three “antichrists”.  The predominant view on the program was that Napoleon Bonaparte was the first one, Adolf Hitler was the second one, and the third is yet to arise.

One of the writings that may have predicted Adolf Hitler that was cited was:

Century V Quatrain 29

Liberty will not be recovered,
A proud, villainous, wicked black one will occupy it,
When the matter of the bridge will be opened,
The republic of Venice vexed by the Danube.

Hister is a word that means the Danube river and some translations (like the one on the History Channel use a version of that instead of Danube).  Adolf Hitler was born relatively near the Danube in Austria.

But the emphasis toward the end of the program was on the final one that allegedly Nostradamus termed “third Antichrist”.  Here are a couple of his writings that were cited:

Century X Quatrain 10
Stained with murder and enormous adulteries,
Great enemy of the entire human race:
One who will be worse than his grandfathers, uncles or fathers,
In steel, fire, waters, bloody and inhuman.
Century X Quatrain 77
The antichrist very soon annihilates the three,
twenty-seven years his war will last.
The unbelievers are dead, captive, exiled;
with blood, human bodies, water and red hail covering the earth.

Century X Quatrain 75

Long awaited he will never return
In Europe, he will appear in Asia:
One of the league issued from the great Hermes,
And he will grow over all the Kings of the East.

It is Century X Quatrain 77 that the translation that the History Channel used that they translated as “the third antichrist” as opposed to the antichrist to annihilate three.  But, old French is subject to a variety of translations and what was truly intended in not quite clear.  The program also quoted a Nostradamus Quatrain that is in my articles on 2012 and the one on Prophecies of Barack Obama.

Now, we in the Living Church of God believe that there have been many antichrists (and do not base our position on Nostradamus).  This is what the Apostle John was inspired to write:

18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour  (1 John 2:18).

We also believe that there will be a final Antichrist.  And we agree that he will be bad a persecute to death those who will not believe and follow him and his ways.  But we disagree with the followers of Nostradamus who believe that he will not be European (some Nostradamus followers, do suspect he will be European).

(Oh, by the way, RCG’s David Pack is expected to be a guest on “The Nostradamus Effect” program in October, see 09/09/09 a.m  post at GCG News for details.)

Those interested in learning more about the truth about the final Antichrist and even some Nostradamus predictions that may be partially correct in the future may wish to read the following:

Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”. Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy.
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. Here are there biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? This is the longest and most complete article on this page on Barack Obama prophecies.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”, based up an early 20th century writing.
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?

Pollution on Kamilo Beach, Hawaii, from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

COGwriter

In its latest update, LCG reported:

Irresponsible Stewardship. The South Gyre is an area of the Pacific Ocean 1,000 miles (1600 km) off the coast of California where oceanic currents and winds converge and deposit surface materials. This is also the location of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch—a “sprawling mass of garbage-littered water… where most of the plastic looks like snowy confetti against the deep blue of the north Pacific Ocean.” Researchers are unsure of the exact impact on ocean life, but some estimate that plastic rubbish is responsible for the death of at least 100,000 sea creatures annually. Thankfully, plastics are biodegradable. However, in breaking down, they give off toxins to the surrounding environment (AP, August 28, 2009). When God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden, He charged them with being responsible stewards of His creation—to tend and keep the garden (Genesis 2:15). Human beings have failed in this responsibility and hence the whole creation is groaning for a time when it will be delivered from this bondage to human sins (Romans 8:19-22). We need to be concerned and cry out on behalf of humanity and creation, “…Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).

The Bible warns:

18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth (Revelation 11:18).

We are to be responsible stewards.

There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God?

EU Poster

COGwriter

Sweden has raised concerns that the EU structure has not allowed the EU to deploy its battle groups yet:

Sweden seeks scrutiny of EU battle groups

EUobserver – Sept 8, 2009  excerpt…

BRUSSELS – The Swedish EU presidency wants defence ministers to have a closer look at the bloc’s quick response forces, which so far have never been deployed due to a lack of consensus among member states. “The concept of EU battlegroups is good, but they have not been used until now. We want to have a political discussion on why this is the case,” Olof Skoog, a diplomat representing the Swedish EU presidency told members of the security and defence committee in the European Parliament on Monday (7 September).

Since January 2007, the EU has in theory always had two battlegroups on call, each comprising at least 1500 combat soldiers from one or several member states. The two battlegroups on call rotate every six months and are selected from a total of 18.

Set up for deployment within 5-10 days, the battlegroups are designed as rapid response forces in emergency situations, when the United Nations or Nato cannot intervene quickly enough. They need the unanimous approval of all EU member states in order to be deployed, which is the main reason why they have not been used so far.

Defence ministers will discuss the matter at the end of the month and possibly consider ways of making the mechanism more “flexible”, for instance by deploying just parts of a battlegroup when needed.

The Swedish diplomat talked about “variations” in the political commitment of member states when it comes to making the battlegroup they contribute to really deployable.

The lack of sufficient strategic airlift in most member states meant that “you might have the troops, but no means of putting them on the ground” – which defeats the very rationale of a quickly deployable force…

British Conservative MEP Geoffrey van Orden called the EU battlegroups, as well as the whole European security and defence policy “a distraction from Nato and what is really meaningful” and deplored the Europeans’ lack of interest in Afghanistan.

Coat of arms

Last year, Stockholm co-ordinated the set-up of the Nordic battle group in the first half of last year, comprising 2,800 soldiers mostly from Sweden and also from Finland, Norway, Ireland and Estonia. The endeavour cost Sweden more than €100 million.

“We made the investment in order for the battlegroup to be used,” he said, noting that not all member states saw this in the same way.

Back then, Sweden had hoped to see the Nordic battlegroup deployed in the context of the Darfur crisis, but the EU countries could not agree on sending it. Instead, the EU took months to deploy the EUFOR mission to Chad and the Central African Republic.  http://euobserver.com/9/28627

The situation will change.  Similar to how Germany gave Adolf Hitler dictatorial powers in order to run Germany, the EU will ultimately give power to a European dictator (biblically called “the beast” and “the King of the North“) who will run things his way.

And for a while, he will be quite victorious.

The power transfer is prophesied in the Book of Revelation:

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).

The military success of the beast is prophesied as well:

3…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?” 5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months (Revelation 13:3-5).

So the time will come when Europe will use its “battle groups”.

Perhaps I should add that those in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and later the Arab lands will feel, this force quite dramatically.  Especially towards the beginning of the forty-two months.

Some articles of related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? What is ahead for Europe?  Is it destined to rule?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?

TRANSFORMED FROM TRUTH

COGwriter

While I often have problems with articles in the mislabled “Christianity Today”, I thought that the following article had some interesting insights:

Vacationing with the Pagans

Eric Miller | posted 9/04/2009…

Paganism: an old word with enduring resonance, and for good reason. Think of it as the state of heart and mind that has emerged as the reality of Law has come, over the past century, to seem less and less real—a long historical process that reached a kind of climax in the ’60s, when to “question authority” meant, among other things, to question the very existence of authority.

Crucially, though, among the varying norms and mores Americans challenged were many that reflected misguided perceptions of Law, often rooted in the idiosyncratic culture of American Protestantism. In the 1960’s aftermath these received ideas, on matters ranging from hair length to alcohol to race relations to worship, fell quickly. Vast space opened up in which efforts could be made to (re)define freedom, authority, and law.

The moral direction and tension the Law had long foisted on Western civilization has by our day nearly vanished. With the sweeping away over the past century of innumerable small-L laws came the overarching dismissal of Law itself. A recognizably Christian culture has given way to a new paganism…

To put it sharply: If there is a new paganism pervading America, we American Protestants have had a hand in preparing the way for it. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/septemberweb-only/135-51.0.html?start=1

More and more aspects of paganism have been adopted in American culture and part of the reason is how American Protestants have tended to turn away from teaching the Law of God to a focus on what I will call “traditions of men”.

Of course, part of that started with Martin Luther, but the rate has accelerated in many Protestant circles.

Some articles of related interest may include:

Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. Armstrong This article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the Living Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
Are the Ten Commandment Still in Effect? This article quotes the ten commandments and combines some of the previous articles into one article about the ten commandments. The commandments are shown at Mount Sinai, before Mount Sinai, in the teachings of Jesus, after the crucifixion, and in the teachings of Paul. It addresses the most common “traditions of men” regarding them as well.
Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they?

Therese at age 15

COGwriter

In its latest update, LCG reported:

For two more weeks, the remains and ornate coffin of Catholic Saint Terese of Lisieux will travel through England as worshipers flock from near and far to view it, touch its enclosure and offer up prayers to the “saint.” Although this former nun died one hundred years ago at age 24, some call her one of the “best-loved saints of the 20th century.” St. Terese’s remains have traveled the world and been viewed, adored, worshipped and prayed to by Catholic faithful in more than 40 nations. According to some, her remains have even restored sight to the blind. Approximately two million turned out to see St. Terese’s remains when they were in Ireland (The Independent, August 23, 2009). Yet, the first Commandment of the Ten is “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). Yet a world-church of more than a billion people teaches its adherents to pray to the dead. God warns that, at the end of the age, a powerful individual, influenced and/or possessed by Satan himself, will come on the scene with “power, signs and lying wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9). This “lawless one” will actually make himself out to be God! Could Satan also use the bones of the dead to draw additional attention to a world-church and its religion—and also allow signs to be done through touching the relics of the dead? We should not be surprised if “miracles” like this begin to occur in the near future!

She died in 1897 Thérèse was canonized on May 17, 1925, by Pope Pius XI.  She became quite popular in the 20th century.

Here is some of what Catholic OnLine reported about her:

Over the years, some modern Catholics have turned away from her because they associate her with over- sentimentalized piety…

Therese became so ill with a fever that people thought she was dying. The worst part of it for Therese was all the people sitting around her bed staring at her like, she said, “a string of onions.” When Therese saw her sisters praying to statue of Mary in her room, Therese also prayed. She saw Mary smile at her and suddenly she was cured. She tried to keep the grace of the cure secret but people found out and badgered her with questions about what Mary was wearing, what she looked like. When she refused to give in to their curiosity, they passed the story that she had made the whole thing up…

Every time Therese even imagined that someone was criticizing her or didn’t appreciate her, she burst into tears. Then she would cry because she had cried! Any inner wall she built to contain her wild emotions crumpled immediately before the tiniest comment. http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=105

Both biblical and non-biblical sources suggest that signs and wonders will deceive many at the end.

Some of them will likely involve apparitions claiming to be Mary as well as people who have claimed to somehow see Mary.

The prevalence of such claims lately has caused the Vatican to issue statements and policies warning against many of them (see Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions).

It needs to be emphasized that just because a Catholic nun claims to have seen Mary and passes on messages, that this does not mean that the messages are from God (for some documentation please see Catholic Prophecies: Do They Mirror, Highlight, or Contradict Biblical Prophecies?).

In August 1895, in her “Canticle to the Holy Face” Thérèse wrote:

“Jesus, Your ineffable image is the star which guides my steps. Ah, You know, Your sweet Face is for me Heaven on earth. My love discovers the charms of Your Face adorned with tears. I smile through my own tears when I contemplate Your sorrows”. (Wikipedia)

This should set off warnings to all as the reality is that she never actually saw Jesus’ face/image, hence to claim that it was an His image that guided her steps would not be correct.

The Apostle John wrote:

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).

And that is what all should do.  God’s true prophets do not ever claim God told them something and then been shown to have been in error.

Two articles of related interest may include:

Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions Do you know much about Mary? Are the apparitions real? What might they mean for the rise of the ecumenical religion of Antichrist? Are Protestants moving towards Mary? How do the Orthodox view Mary? How might Mary view her adorers?
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.

Labarum Cross

COGwriter

Catholic church attendance is low:

Catholic dioceses take to the airwaves to bring followers back to church

Several dioceses, including Sacramento, are preparing for an advertising campaign during the Christmas season to encourage former members to attend services again.

By Duke Helfand September 6, 2009The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento is home to nearly 1 million Catholics. On a typical Sunday, less than 137,000 can be found in church…Only about one-quarter of U.S. Catholics say they attend Mass every week, and a majority go to religious services a few times a year or less, according to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University, which conducts social science research about the Catholic church.

Researchers there also found that two-thirds of Catholics believe they can be good members of their faith without attending Mass regularly.

Inactive Catholics cite a number of reasons for their absence. Many do not believe that missing Mass is a sin, the center reported. Others say they are too busy with family or work, or, as other analysts point out, are more interested in material happiness than spiritual fulfillment.  http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lapsed-catholics6-2009sep06,0,1156881,full.story

Catholic attendance in Europe is also fairly low.

In the Living Church of God attendance is up about 5-6% over last year (see LCG Announces New Council Members and Church Attendance Increase).  In terms of membership, I would estimate that close to 95% of actual LCG members attend church each week (illness being the primary reason that not all attend).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church.

Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living 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. Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja viva do deus? Tambien Español: Cuál es fiel: ¿La iglesia católica romana o La Iglesia del Dios Viviente? Auch: Deutsch: Welches zuverlässig ist: Die Römisch-katholische Kirche oder die lebende Kirche von Gott?

Brasilia, Brazil

COGwriter

While many are looking to the USA to lead the world out of its economic slump, it may be that Brazil will help do that instead:

Brazil’s Economy Is Making ‘Sound’ Recovery, Meirelles Says

By Laura Price and Marta Marino

Sept. 5 (Bloomberg) — Brazil’s economy is making a “sound” recovery from the global financial slump as domestic demand for goods rises and access to credit returns, central bank President Henrique Meirelles said.

“The Brazilian economy is already on the recovery path, led by domestic demand,” Meirelles said in a Bloomberg Television interview today. “All the leading indicators show a sound recovery, and that is led by employment, income and domestic demand.”

Meirelles, who was in London to meet with other Group of 20 finance heads, said Brazil’s economy is recovering faster than most other countries as economic stimulus measures take effect.

“The recovery is gradual but faster than most of the other countries,” Meirelles said. “Since the measures were taken to address questions such as contraction of credit lines, the recovery tends to happen faster.”

Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega yesterday said the country’s gross domestic product grew 1.8 percent to 2 percent in the second quarter compared with the first. Official GDP numbers will be released Sept. 11.   http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=a2ME_xcoOxEc

The Economist Decides to Teach Brazil and Lula a Few Lessons

Written by Pedro de Oliveira

Saturday, 05 September 2009…In the editorial, the magazine conveys the idea that Brazilians, and particularly Lula – are living a key moment in their history – when the “giant asleep” is mentioned as one of the five or six world countries with protagonist roles into the 21st century. The Economists states that no summit meeting happening in the world today would do without the presence of Brazil and of Lula. After all, says the magazine, “he’s the man”, said Barack Obama at a G-20 meeting, while Fidel Castro referred to the Brazilian President as “my brother Lula.”This privileged status is debited by the magazine to the economic “stabilization” period put in practice by Lula and – amazing – by his predecessor, Fernando Henrique Cardoso. The editors forget that FHC left the country in 2002 at the brink of an economic abyss.”Brazil was, among the ten main economies in the planet, the last one to enter the recession and rises now as one of the first to come out of it“… says the editorial, which goes on to remind us that it was Goldman Sachs who characterized the group formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China as the BRIC which, according to them, will dominate the world around 2050. At the time, reminds the magazine, there were those who doubted that Brazil would have the muscle to join such a group.   http://www.brazzil.com/component/content/article/208-september-2009/10252-the-economist-decides-to-teach-brazil-and-lula-a-few-lessons.html

Most people in North America simply do not realize that Brazil has natural resources (and now also oil), agriculture, and manufacturing might.  And relatively little debt.  It also could in a few short years not need ANY oil (though now that it has found a lot of its own, it will likely use some of it, and sell the rest).

While Brazil will have economic ups and downs (and its current president is term limited out so a new one will come fairly soon), the reality is that a new economic order is starting to arise on the world scene and Brazil will likely align with the player that will seem to be the strongest one economically.  And I believe that Bible prophecy indicates that it will most likely align with the emerging European power.

Two articles of possibly related interest may include:

Mexico, Central America, South America, and Brazil in Prophecy [Español: México, America Central, Suramérica, y el Brasil en profecíal] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What rule might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? What is ahead for Europe?

The 220 kg Gold brick displayed in Chinkuashi Gold Museum, Taiwan

COGwriter

Hong Kong announced that it is recalling its gold from London:

Hong Kong recalls gold reserves, touts high-security vault

In a challenge to London, Asian states invited to store bullion closer to home

MarketWatch – Sept 3, 2009

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) — Hong Kong is pulling all its physical gold holdings from depositories in London, transferring them to a high-security depository newly built at the city’s airport, in a move that won praise from local traders Thursday.

The facility, industry professionals said, would support Hong Kong’s emergence as a Swiss-style trading hub for bullion and would lessen London’s status as a key settlement-and-storage center…

Management firm Value Partners planned to launch an ETF gold fund that will use Hong Kong instead of London as a repository for the gold backing the fund, local reports said Thursday.

Chris Oliver is MarketWatch’s Asia bureau chief, based in Hong Kong.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/hong-kong-recalls-gold-reserves-from-london-2009-09-03

For many reasons, this was a good economic move for Hong Kong (which is now part of China and not the UK).

Since London will likely be destroyed in the future, it makes perfect sense the those in Hong Kong want their gold back.

Both biblical and non-biblical prophecies tell of a time when the final King of the North will acquire gold.  And this would likely also include any that happens to be left in London.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Will he acquire gold?  Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something? What about gold?

Greek 2 Euro Coin Shows Woman Riding a Beast (cf. Revelation 17:3)

COGwriter

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

Since we, as God’s church, have been commissioned to witness and warn, we simply cannot hide our eyes to current developments even though there is the risk of offending someone’s political, social or religious sensibilities in the process. It is inevitable. Particularly in this environment, it’s impossible to say what everybody wants to hear, and that’s not our calling.

There are huge events yet to play out overseas, in Europe and in the Middle East. The EU is on record, begging Iran to come back to diplomatic negotiations even though years have already been wasted on lies and deception. The world’s foremost instigator of terror has not changed its posture, but nuclear weapons in the hands of Iran’s government leaders will change the world, who can deny it?

Bible prophecy tells us that a great political leader will emerge, ally himself with a great religious leader who will be worshipped, claiming to speak for God, claiming to be God. As we’ve seen in history, and in religion, when men take God’s authority upon themselves, catastrophe is not far behind. In the final and ultimate example, there will be great tribulation resulting in Christ’s return to make war with the nations and rule them with a rod of iron. How politically incorrect is that?

What he did not specify (though he correctly believes) is that this political leader will arise in Europe.  And the militaristic political leader to arise is called the Beast in Revelation 13 and the King of the North in Daniel 11.

Events are lining up for this political leader to rise up.

A few articles of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? What is ahead for Europe?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer.