COGwriter

A reader sent me the following old news item suggests that Jesus will return in 2015 based upon the biblical calendar and data from NASA:

Blood moon eclipses: 2nd Coming in 2015?

Minister uses NASA forecasting to study signals of Jesus’ return

Will Jesus Christ return to Earth in the year 2015?

And can studying NASA’s website provide evidence for such a scenario?

A minister who promotes the Old Testament roots of Christianity suggests a rare string of lunar and solar eclipses said to fall on God’s annual holy days seven years from now could herald what’s come to be known as the “Second Coming” of Jesus.

“God wants us to look at the biblical calendar,” says Mark Biltz, pastor of El Shaddai Ministries in Bonney Lake, Wash. “The reason we need to be watching is [because] He will signal His appearance. But we have to know what to be watching as well. So we need to be watching the biblical holidays.” “There are no more of these for the rest of the century.’  http://www.wnd.com/2008/04/63076/

I actually reported about this a number of years ago, nearer when this story came out.  Now that we are four plus years past then, I would like to update it slightly.

If for some reason, a red moon occurs near the Feast of Trumpets for 2015, that would be quite interesting.  But since the Feast of Trumpets itself starts with a new moon, it would seem almost impossible–but physically this maybe somehow possible based upon light reflections.

But even if it happens, Jesus will not be returning in 2015.  There are simply too many additional biblically-required signs that Jesus listed in Matthew 24 that cannot occur between now and then.  Also, the fact that the “seven-year covenant” of Daniel 9:27 does not seem to have been confirmed, also suggests that it is impossible for Jesus to return prior to 2019, and, even that is too early.

As far as blood red moons go, the Book of Revelation teaches the following:

12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:12-17).

So while Jesus would not return with a red moon, notice that the red moon appears just before the Day of the Lord begins–possibly as soon as the evening before (and perhaps up to a month or so before, cf. Revelation 8:1). Notice that a blood moon is also tied into the Day of the Lord in the Old Testament as well:

31 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. (Joel 2:31)

So if God is intending to use natural phenomena (as opposed to performing a specific and separate miracle, which He certainly could do), then since it is most likely that the Day of the Lord begins on the Feast of Trumpets (as the seven trumpets begin the Day of the Lord, per Revelation 8:2), then the Great Tribulation would begin about 2 1/2 years prior to that.

Notice what NASA has shown:

When four consecutive lunar eclipses are all total eclipses, the group is known as a tetrad. The following tetrads occur during this century:

Tetrad (Four Consecutive Total Eclipses): 2003 – 2004
Tetrad (Four Consecutive Total Eclipses): 2014 – 2015
Tetrad (Four Consecutive Total Eclipses): 2032 – 2033
Tetrad (Four Consecutive Total Eclipses): 2043 – 2044
Tetrad (Four Consecutive Total Eclipses): 2050 – 2051
Tetrad (Four Consecutive Total Eclipses): 2061 – 2062
Tetrad (Four Consecutive Total Eclipses): 2072 – 2073
Tetrad (Four Consecutive Total Eclipses): 2090 – 2091 (http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEcat/LE2001-2100.html viewed 5/01/08)

At this moment, it would appear that the prophecy in Revelation and Joel about the blood moon will NOT be related to any NASA blood moon prediction (unless NASA comes up with a different table or something else) or if Jesus’ return is not until after 2032.   The blood moon of biblical prophecy could be related to some natural phenomena that is unclear at this time or it could be a miracle from God–or it could be that God will affect some natural phenomena to make it happen.

But either way, while Jesus will return, it will not be in 2015.  Jesus will not return prior to 2019, and even that is too early

Two articles of possibly related interest may include:

Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2013, 2014, or 2015? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000?

COGwriter

The ‘fiscal cliff’ remains in the news in the USA and some have tied it in with Mayan ‘end of the world’ predictions:

20 December 2012

The End Of The World As We Know It, Fiscally Speaking

The Mayan calendar says it happens tomorrow — the end of the world, that is — and at least when it comes to the fiscal cliff, it may be right.

There are now just 12 short days to go before the end of the year, and talks between House Speaker John Boehner and President Obama have hit rock bottom.

ONE MORE WAY A CLIFF DIVE COULD AFFECT YOU: If you depend on an early tax refund to help pay for large holiday credit card bills you could be out of luck. The last-minute debate over the fiscal cliff may delay tax refunds in the New Year, ABC News Business Correspondent Richard Davies notes. The IRS is likely to be very busy dealing with changes in the tax code. “There’s a high possibility that the tax filing season could be further delayed,” says Kathy Pickering, executive director of The Tax Institute at H&R Block. “We’re recommending that people be aware of that,” especially you are looking for an early refund to take care of a big credit card bill.  http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/12/the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it-fiscally-speaking-the-note/

20 December 2012

Fiscal cliff: D.C.’s Mayan apocalypse

We are careening toward Dec. 21, 2012, the date of the Mayan apocalypse, when the world is supposed to come to an end through a series of cataclysmic upheavals, according to assorted astrologers and mystics ‑ though not the Mayans themselves, who said it was merely the end of their calendar. We are also hurtling toward the Jan. 1 “fiscal cliff,” when the American economy could re-enter a devastating recession ‑ a man-made mini-apocalypse.

This “fiscal cliff” is that taxes in the USA are to raise January 1, 2013 without federal action and automatic spending cuts are also to go into place to attempt to reduce the USA’s deficit growth (USA debt is to increase even if the taxes are increased and the spending is cut).

Although it has nothing directly related to the Mayan calendar, there are a variety of political cartoons that I have seen which suggest that it is (see,  http://www.truthdig.com/cartoon/item/budget_armageddon_is_nearing_20121215/?ln, for one example ).

The spending cuts that are associated with the fiscal cliff will affect many areas of US government spending. In terms of military spending, USA Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has warned about the dangers of the cuts as “doomsday” (‘Doomsday’ Defense Cuts) and “unthinkable” (Panetta Weighs Unthinkable Defense Cuts) and yet they may well happen–they may help the stage for the military takeover of the USA that the Bible prophesies in Daniel 11:39. The tax increase portion has been called “THE LARGEST TAX HIKES IN AMERICAN HISTORY” (Obama Book #1 Again? Fiscal Cliff an Economic & Military Danger). The automatic cuts include reduction to entitlement programs and about an 8.2% reduction in federal education spending, which will impact school districts around the nation.

While the Republicans and Democrats are using this as a major partisan fight, the reality is that the rest of the world is also watching and is very disturbed by all of this. The Europeans and others are realizing that the USA is losing its position in the world–and when it does, this will be the final “time of the Gentiles” that the Bible warns of (Ezekiel 30:2-3; Luke 21:23-24; Revelation 11:2). Yet, few in the USA seem to realize what is going on. The leaders in the USA are causing the nation to err (cf. Isaiah 3:12; 9:16).

While the USA will survive the upcoming “fiscal cliff,” and it is not the end of the world as we know it (TEOTWAWKI), how it has handled this matter is sending a signal to the rest of the world that the USA cannot possibly remain the dominant economic power in the world. The policies and decisions in Washington, D.C. are helping to create the conditions for the upcoming European Beast power to fill the void in economic (and even military) leadership that the USA is in the process of making.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
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? How might Barack Obama and Julia Gillard be involved in 2012?  Have predictions written by Bob Thiel related to Barack Obama and Julia Gillard began to come to pass?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States–Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon’s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States–Amazon Kindle edition.)

COGwriter

Time magazine announced Barack Obama as its ‘2012 Person of the Year.’  Here is some of what it said about him:

The Obama effect was not ephemeral anymore, no longer reducible to what had once been mocked as “that hopey-changey stuff.” It could be measured — in wars stopped and started; industries saved, restructured or reregulated; tax cuts extended; debt levels inflated; terrorists killed; the health-insurance system reimagined; and gay service members who could walk in uniform with their partners…

When minorities vote, that means young people do too, because the next America is far more diverse than the last. And when all that happens, Obama wins. He got 71% of Latinos, 93% of blacks, 73% of Asians and 60% of those under 30.

That last number is the one Obama revels in most. When he talks about the campaign, he likes to think about the generational shift the country is going through on topics like gay marriage…The President feels a responsibility to advance the values he sees reflected in the changing electorate.   http://poy.time.com/2012/12/19/person-of-the-year-barack-obama/#ixzz2FbDtVnMd

I agree with Time that the re-election of Barack Obama to the presidency of the United States represents a shift in both the demographics and morality of the electorate.  I agree that he is promoting homosexuality, involved in wars, increasing regulations, inflating debt levels, and changing the health-insurance system in the USA.  In terms of taxes, he has been fairly consistent that he wants to raise them and I believe that tax rates will raise in Barack Obama’s second term.  At minimum, unless it is repealed, part of his “Affordable Care Act” (aka Obamacare) raises taxes.

This is the second time that Time named Barack Obama this (the first time was for 2008).  One post I saw about this said the following:

TIME naming President Obama the man of the year means nothing. TIME also named Hitler and and Joseph Stalin person of the year, Stalin won it twice!

Actually, what Time’s naming means is that the person has a lot of influence and/or has made a lot of changes.  And this is certainly true for Barack Obama.  Notice also the following:

Time’s “Person of the Year” is the person or thing that has most influenced the culture and the news during the past year for good or for ill. In 2010, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg received the honor.

Other previous winners have included Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, Bono and President George W. Bush. http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/Time-Person-of-the-Year/2012/12/19/id/468335

While Barack Obama is not the cause of all the ills or debt in the USA (sin is), he has not taken certain steps that I feel are necessary to change the direction to a truly positive one for that country.

Debt is often caused by greed, and debt is very dangerous (Habakkuk 2:6-8).  Societal acceptance of homosexuality is dangerous (Romans 1:18-32; Jude 7; 2 Peter 2:16).

The USA will learn the full dangers of its shift in moral direction in not too many years.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Taxes What caused the descendants of Israel to pay taxes? Should Christians pay taxes?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States–Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon’s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States–Amazon Kindle edition.)

Sinter Klaas “Saint Nicholas”

COGwriter

The BBC had an interesting article on the Roman origins of Christmas:

Did the Romans invent Christmas?…

“Io Saturnalia!” Two thousand years ago this was the seasonal greeting which would have chimed out across most of Europe, not “Merry Christmas”. The Roman mid-winter festival of misrule has heavily influenced many Christmas traditions – including the time of year we celebrate.

At no point is a date for Jesus’s birth given in the Bible…

“Christmas in December is a Western, Roman idea whereas in the Eastern Church it falls later, around the feast of the Epiphany in early January,” explains Dr Matthew Nicholls, senior lecturer in Classics at the University of Reading.

For seven days from the 17 December it was party season in Roman times. Homes were decorated, parties held and slaves became masters – at least for one banquet. It was the start of a lengthy mid-winter period of merry-making and the season of goodwill – Saturnalia…many of our Christian traditions can be traced to Roman mid-winter festivals…

Cancelling Saturnalia was unthinkable, so Christian Rome converted it to a Christian holy day instead.

“If Christianity moves Christmas into December, at the Saturnalia and the birthday of Sol, you can then fade out these other festivals and incorporate elements into the Christian festival. You can attempt to move on as if nothing has happened.” explains Mr Moorhead.

To ban or not to ban?

Pagan ritual and Christianity coexisted for many decades after the conversion of Constantine the Great. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/0/20617780

Early Christians did not celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Even professors of Christ who originally supported the Church of Rome, like Tertullian in the late second century, warned against observing Saturnalia:

The Minervalia are as much Minerva’s, as the Saturnalia Saturn’s; Saturn’s, which must necessarily be celebrated even by little slaves at the time of the Saturnalia. New-year’s gifts likewise must be caught at, and the Septimontium kept; and all the presents of Midwinter and the feast of Dear Kinsmanship must be exacted; the schools must be wreathed with flowers; the flamens’ wives and the aediles sacrifice; the school is honoured on the appointed holy-days. The same thing takes place on an idol’s birthday; every pomp of the devil is frequented. Who will think that these things are befitting to a Christian master, unless it be he who shall think them suitable likewise to one who is not a master? (Tertullian. On Idolatry, Chapter X. Translated by S. Thelwall. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

But, however, the majority (of Christians) have by this time induced the belief in their mind that it is pardonable if at any time they do what the heathen do, for fear “the Name be blasphemed”…To live with heathens is lawful, to die with them is not. Let us live with all; let us be glad with them, out of community of nature, not of superstition. We are peers in soul, not in discipline; fellow-possessors of the world, not of error. But if we have no right of communion in matters of this kind with strangers, how far more wicked to celebrate them among brethren! Who can maintain or defend this?…By us,…the Saturnalia and New-year’s and Midwinter’s festivals and Matronalia are frequented–presents come and go–New-year’s gifts–games join their noise–banquets join their din! Oh better fidelity of the nations to their own sect, which claims no solemnity of the Christians for itself!…Not the Lord’s day, not Pentecost, even it they had known them, would they have shared with us; for they would fear lest they should seem to be Christians. We are not apprehensive lest we seem to be heathens! (Tertullian. On Idolatry, Chapter XIV. Translated by S. Thelwall. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

But “let your works shine,” saith He; but now all our shops and gates shine! You will now-a-days find more doors of heathens without lamps and laurel-wreaths than of Christians. What does the case seem to be with regard to that species (of ceremony) also? If it is an idol’s honour, without doubt an idol’s honour is idolatry. If it is for a man’s sake, let us again consider that all idolatry is for man’s sake; let us again consider that all idolatry is a worship done to men, since it is generally agreed even among their worshippers that aforetime the gods themselves of the nations were men; and so it makes no difference whether that superstitious homage be rendered to men of a former age or of this. Idolatry is condemned, not on account of the persons which are set up for worship, but on account of those its observances, which pertain to demons (Tertullian. On Idolatry, Chapter XV. Translated by S. Thelwall. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

What Tertullian seems to be saying is that observing mid-winter celebrations make Christians appear to be followers of pagan gods, and since the pagans would not intentionally celebrate days considered by many to be Christian, Christians should not celebrate days that are honored by the heathen. Specifically, he felt that those who profess Christ should not celebrate Saturnalia, New Year’s, or other pagan days, as even the observance is a form of idolatry (click here for an article titled Is January 1st a Date for Christians Celebrate?).

Since the modern Christmas celebration is at the same time as the old Gentile Saturnalia holiday (and with many of the same elements, like wreaths and gift-giving), it is clear that Tertullian is condemning these practices by stating that those that keep it are of the pagan god Saturn. He also wrote against winter giving:

…gifts like those you have in the Saturnalia! (Tertullian. De Fuga in Persecutione, Chapter 13. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 4. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

So basically, those who teach “Jesus is the reason for the season” are in error. The reason for the season appears to be that those who professed wanted to have a party. And did not care if the party was related to pagan gods.

The Catholic Encyclopedia teaches that:

Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church (Martindale C. Transcribed by Susanti A. Suastika. Christmas. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume III. Copyright © 1908 by Robert Appleton Company. Online Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. Knight. Nihil Obstat, November 1, 1908. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York).

Christmas…Irenaeus and Tertullian omit it from their lists of feasts; Origen, glancing perhaps at the discreditable imperial Natalitia, asserts (in Lev. Hom. viii in Migne, P.G., XII, 495) that in the Scriptures sinners alone, not saints, celebrate their birthday; Arnobius (VII, 32 in P.L., V, 1264) can still ridicule the “birthdays” of the gods. (Ibid)

Furthermore, scholars of the Catholics of Rome know that Rome did not observe December 25th until after the time of Constantine, and that the birthday of the sun god, called Sol or Mithras, was December 25th.

Notice the following, also from The Catholic Encyclopedia:

Mithraism A pagan religion consisting mainly of the cult of the ancient Indo-Iranian Sun-god Mithra. It entered Europe from Asia Minor after Alexander’s conquest, spread rapidly over the whole Roman Empire at the beginning of our era, reached its zenith during the third century, and vanished under the repressive regulations of Theodosius at the end of the fourth century…Helios Mithras is one god…Sunday was kept holy in honour of Mithra, and the sixteenth of each month was sacred to him as mediator. The 25 December was observed as his birthday, the natalis invicti, the rebirth of the winter-sun, unconquered by the rigours of the season (Arendzen. J.P. Transcribed by John Looby. Mithraism. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume X. Published 1911. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Nihil Obstat, October 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York).

The World Book Encyclopedia notes,

In 354 A.D., Bishop Liberius of Rome ordered the people to celebrate on December 25. He probably chose this date because the people of Rome already observed it as the Feast of Saturn, celebrating the birthday of the sun (Sechrist E.H. Christmas. World Book Encyclopedia, Volume 3. Field Enterprises Educational Corporation, Chicago, 1966, pp. 408-417).

It needs to be understood that some scholarly sources believe that the celebration in Rome of Christmas may have began 2-3 decades earlier (by Constantine), but none I am aware of suggest it was prior Constantine in the fourth century.

Even the hat that is shown on “Sinter Klass” at the beginning of this article appears to have come from those associated with the the Emperor Constantine.  Emperor Constantine worshiped Mithras, and after he affected the Church of Rome and the Eastern Orthodox, their leaders began to dress in a manner similar to him and some other followers of the sun god Mithras.

So, yes, a lot associated with Christmas came from pagan Rome and Constantinople.

But, not necessarily everything.  So other items were even older.  And in modern times, there is a growing trend to an interesting twist on the “gift giving” associated with the holiday:

The holidays are a time for gratitude and selfless giving, right?

Not exactly, according to the National Retail Federation. Their recent survey finds that self-gifting will reach an all-time high during the holidays this year. Nearly 60 percent of holiday shoppers are expected to spend an average of $139.92 on themselves — up from $130.43 last year…http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2012/11/20/The-Hot-Holiday-Shopping-Trend-Selfishness.aspx#page1

Of course, Jesus exchanged presents with no one, nor did He buy Himself any.  The fact that some who visited gave Him gifts was not a “Christmas” practice per se, it was simply the cultural practice of giving gifts to kings and royalty.

Christmas, however, is certainly more of a Roman holiday than a biblical one.  As are birthdays.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them? Is December 25th Jesus’ birthday or that of the sun god?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations?
Were the Early Duties of Elders/Pastors Mainly Sacramental? What was there Dress? Were the duties of the clergy primarily pastoral or sacramental? Did the clergy dress with special liturgical vestments? Can “bishops” be disqualified as ministers of Christ based on their head coverings?
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. December 25th was celebrated as his birthday. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity?
Was Jesus Born in the Grotto of the Nativity? Was Jesus born in a below ground cave? Was Jesus born below the “Church of the Nativity”? Were the wise men there?
Is Keeping Christmas a Sin? Is keeping Christmas acceptable for true Christians? What are some scriptures to consider?
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

COGwriter

The risks of power outages caused by solar flares or emp type bombs has been in the news this month. Here is an item related to solar flares today:

Forbes – Dec 19, 2012

Earlier this month, the Director of National Intelligence released the fifth installment in a multi-decade forecasting project aimed at preparing the government for future challenges…

nestled amidst all the usual dangers is the mention of something unexpected — solar geomagnetic storms.

The storms are bursts of energy produced by the Sun that disrupt the Earth’s magnetic field. They happen fairly frequently, and if they are intense enough they can damage satellites, blackout radio signals, and damage electrical equipment. Now there is growing concern that a really big storm might collapse much of the global electric grid, particularly in places with long high-voltage transmission lines such as Australia, Canada, China and the United States. The intelligence assessment warns that, “until ‘cures’ are implemented, solar super-storms will pose a large-scale threat to the world’s social and economic fabric.”…

Studies funded by national laboratories have estimated that a powerful solar disturbance could knock out electrical service to over a hundred million people, causing trillions of dollars in damage. And because the industrial base for manufacturing the transformers and capacitors used in delivering electricity is relatively small, it could take months, maybe years, to fully restore service…

This is not just a theoretical concept. In 1989, a relatively modest geomagnetic disturbance collapsed the electric grid in Quebec, depriving millions of users of electricity for several hours. http://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2012/12/19/intelligence-community-warns-solar-storms-could-collapse-electric-grid/

The USA and much of the world could be affected by solar flares or emp type bombs (though the reach of bombs is generally less than something that the sun could put forth).

Solar flares can cause problems similar to an emp weapon. Solar flares were discussed in my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. Here are several passages related to them:

However, a flooding of islands and apparently rising sea levels are shown in the Bible (and are expected by many scientists).  Yet, contrary to certain interpretations of the Mayan Dresden picture and the Chilam Balam, this appears to be predicted to occur after 2012 according to biblical prophecies…

Some scientists believe that there will be an increase in sunspot activity that will affect the earth in 2012. Notice the following from N.A.S.A.:

Solar Storm Warning: Researchers announced that a storm is coming—the most intense solar maximum in fifty years. The prediction comes from a team led by Mausumi Dikpati of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)…

Solar physicist David Hathaway of the National Space Science & Technology Center (NSSTC)…has confidence in the conveyor belt model and agrees with Dikpati that the next solar maximum should be a doozy. But he disagrees with one point…a storm is coming.

Solar outbursts have been proposed that could essentially wipe out modern civilization.

Notice a scenario that is based on a report from the U.S. National Academy of Scientists (although the precise date seems to be speculative):

IT IS midnight on 22 September 2012 and the skies above Manhattan are filled with a flickering curtain of colourful light…Within 90 seconds, the entire eastern half of the US is without power.

A year later and millions of Americans are dead and the nation’s infrastructure lies in tatters. The World Bank declares America a developing nation. Europe, Scandinavia, China and Japan are also struggling to recover from the same fateful event – a violent storm, 150 million kilometres away on the surface of the sun…

According to the NAS report, a severe space weather event in the US could induce ground currents that would knock out 300 key transformers within about 90 seconds, cutting off the power for more than 130 million people…

First to go – immediately for some people – is drinkable water…With no electricity to pump water from reservoirs, there is no more…There is simply no electrically powered transport: no trains, underground or overground…For hospitals, that would mean about 72 hours of running a bare-bones, essential care only, service. After that, no more modern healthcare.

The truly shocking finding is that this whole situation would not improve for months, maybe years…

There also seems to be a couple of Mayan predictions recorded in the 16^th century that suggest some type of solar flare-up will affect the earth:

Chilam Balam (Mayan priest): Heaven and earth shall burn…It is the holy judgment, the holy judgment.

Napuctun (Mayan priest): It shall burn on earth; there shall be a circle in the sky.

Another N.A.S.A./N.O.A.A. report has indicated that the next solar cycle peak may be later, like May 2013… The Bible itself warns of a time of scorching solar heat (Revelation 16:8-9…)…

that flood and other prophecies are expected before 2030 (but after 2012)…

Whether or not one believes secular scientists who assert that humans are causing “global warming,” and islands will be submerged, the Bible is clear that a time of high heat will happen, probably worsened by a solar flare-up of some type.  It also mentions the islands being gone:

⁸ Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. ⁹ And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory…every island fled away (Revelation 16:8-9, 20).

The signs will be powerful.  And the Babylonian power will fall during the Day of the Lord (Revelation 18:2).

Although at least one “2012” book has tried somewhat to tie the “solar flare” disaster into the Mayan date (Joseph LE. Apocalypse 2012: An Investigation into Civilization’s End. Broadway, 2008; and that author has since distanced himself from aspects of his book), the prophesied real time of scorching solar heat cannot come for several years.  Though electrical problems with solar flares have happened in the past, and those can occur almost any time.

Even though there could be some solar flare damage on 12/21/12, the “big one” that many scientists are concerned about will not happen this week.

Yet, in the future, there are real risks for the USA, Canada, UK, and other nations. But most ignore warning signs. Will you?

Some articles that might be of assistance in understanding end-time events may include:

Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2012 or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What is the “beginning of sorrows”? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
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? What will happen to the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Prophecies of Barack Obama? Eight reasons why Barack Obama is apocalyptic and eight reasons why Barack Obama is not the Antichrist. This article includes many biblical and non-biblical prophecies, from around the world, that seem to discuss Barack Obama. Did Nostradamus predict Barack Obama dealing with the Antichrist? Might Barack Obama set the stage for the kings of the North and South as at least one Shiite prophecy suggests? This is the longest and most complete article on this page on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various 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.
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? If so, what does that really mean for the USA and its Anglo allies.
Is Tony Blair Apocalyptic? The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom converted to Catholicism shortly after leaving his office and has been active in European affairs. What role might he play?
Earthquakes Today and Bible Prophecy Contains a cool up-to-the-hour update of earthquakes around the world from USGS. It also explains what did Jesus teach about earthquakes and how the Bible describes “the big one” (as well as when it is expected).
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This link also has YouTube videos. This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, world events have aligned with at least 23 predictions in the book and many more will to come to pass. Those who purchase the book at the www.thesecretsect.com website receive a lengthy bonus report documenting world events that aligned with the book.
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect (English Kindle edition). This is the 2nd edition of the book, released in January 2012, and includes a summary of the 20 predictions that world events have aligned with since the book originally came out in September 2009.
2012 y el surgimiento de la secta secreta 2012 libro del Dr. Thiel en Español.
2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Edition) 2012 Buch von Dr. Thiel in deutscher Sprache. 2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Kindle Edition)
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel em português. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 23 já começaram a acontecer.
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Brazilian Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel. Edição em português do Brasil. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 23 já começaram a acontecer.

Maya Palenque Ruins

COGwriter

Concerns about the Mayan 12/21/12 calendar date are affecting many lands:

The county’s public schools Tuesday said schools are receiving calls from parents attempting to confirm rumors that classes has been canceled on Friday due to the predicted end of the world. Stafford County schools spokeswoman Valerie Cottongim said just because the ancient Mayans predicted the world will end on Friday, it’s business as usual for schools.

“The predicted end of the world is stressing out lots of kids, especially those in middle school and in high school,” said Cottongim.  http://potomaclocal.com/2012/12/18/armageddon-fears-flu-concerns-prompt-calls-from-parents/

Many believers of the reported Mayan apocalypse may be heading to France for refuge, but in the case of Russia, the country seems to still be figuring out how they will handle the so-called “end of the world” on December 21.

The New York Times is reporting the supposed prophecy has been impacting Russia to the point where government officials had to publicly address the news. Inmates in a women’s prison located near the Chinese border are said to have experienced a “collective mass psychosis” so intense that a priest has been called in to calm them. In eastern Moscow, “panicked citizens stripped shelves of matches kerosene, sugar and candles.”

In a town called Chelyabinsk, a giant Mayan-style archway is being built out of ice.

“For those not schooled in New Age prophecy, there are rumors the world will end on Dec. 21, 2012, when a 5,125-year cycle known as the Long Count in the Mayan calendar supposedly comes to a close,” says the newspaper. “Russia, a nation with a penchant for mystical thinking, has taken notice.”

In response to the panic spreading throughout Russia, its minister of emergency situation stated Friday that he has access to “methods of monitoring what is occurring in the planet Earth.” In addition to reassuring citizens that the world will not end this month, the country is still at risk of “blizzards, ice storms, tornadoes, floods, trouble with transportation and food supply, breakdowns ion heat, electricity and water supply.”  http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/lifestyle/2012/12/03/mayan-doomsday-frightens-russia-government-responds/

That doomsday is indeed upon us — with Christmas just around the corner, heaven forbid — is one gloomy interpretation of a Mayan India calendar.

To wit, December 21 marks the end of a 5,200-year cycle on the Mayan “Long Count” calendar. It’s a cause for celebration for many in Mexico and Central America, but spells doomsday for some believers.

In Argentina’s central Cordova province, fallout will be felt at a mountain called Uritorco, which was sacred for indigenous peoples when their numbers were still large in Argentina.

Authorities will shut down access to it from December 20 to 22 because an appeal has gone out on Facebook for people to climb the hill December 21 and commit “massive spiritual suicide,” said Gustavo Sez, mayor of the nearby town of Capilla del Monte. That name means chapel on a hill.

“It was a decision taken by consensus, to pre-empt any distortion of the Mayan prophecy,” he said.  http://www.france24.com/en/20121218-argentina-fearing-maya-linked-suicides-closes-mountaintop

There has been an invasion of strangers in the sleepy hamlet of Bugarach, cradled in the foothills of the French Pyrénées.

According to doomsday theories, this tiny village in the south of France will be the earth’s only safe haven on Dec. 21 — the date the world will come to an end, according to erroneous interpretations of the ancient Mayan calendar….

This week the village’s two main streets have indeed been filling with people from all corners of the globe — though not of the New Age or End of Days variety. No, the strangers being encountered are of a third kind.

“It’s all journalists — CNN, BBC, CBS News,” says Patrice Etienne, who owns Bugarach’s only store and has been bombarded with media requests. “People from Sweden, England, Germany …”

“It’s the first time we have 200 journalists from all around the world coming for nothing. It’s incredible.”

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1304202–french-doomsday-village-already-plagued-by-aliens

Many are unnecessarily concerned about doom occurring on the Mayan 12/21/12 calendar date.

Although there could be storms, earthquakes, civil demonstrations, violence, etc. this week (cf. Matthew 24:4-8), let me make it perfectly clear what will happen on December 21/22, 2012:

1. The world will continue and not end. It cannot end in a flood this week (Genesis 9:11,15), like some Mayan predictions may point to.
2. Planet X, also called Planet Nibiru, will not destroy much of the earth this week (that type of destruction will come much later with something that the Book of Revelation calls Wormwood–Revelation 8:11, see also Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2012 or 2013? ).
3. Those who believe that the world was ending will react in different ways. But no matter what they say or do, the world is not ending for at least another 8 years (though there could be countries that will be devastated years before then).
4. Some associated with the New Age movement will see the lack of the world ending as validation that humanity is getting closer to a better age of peace (and they normally do not mean the millennium that Jesus Christ will usher in).

Although he claimed a week ago that he would not be giving any more warnings (see CGPFKG’s Ronald Weinland’s ‘Last Warning’ Today About Jesus Returning Pentecost 2013 Is False), CGPFKG’s Ron Weinland made a post today, called 12/21/12 “Mayan Hype,” then preceded to give another false hyped warning himself as he wrote:

…following December 21st God will begin to give credibility to His prophecies concerning the true “end-time,” once the Second Trumpet of Revelation sounds. There can be no credibility given to Satan’s mocking and crying of “wolf, wolf” that has only worked to lullaby mankind into deeper sleep and disbelief of what is true from God. There is a true “end-time” for mankind that is not about an end of mankind, but an end to man’s self-rule and the beginning of God’s true rule over a continuing mankind living on earth once the “prophetic end-time” is over.

The reason that the above is FALSE hype, is not that we are not close to the end, but that Ronald Weinland claims that the end will be at sunset on May 18th to no later than sunset May 19th, 2013.

Because of the Mayan matter and false prophets like Ronald Weinland, this tends to increase criticism of those of us who actually do understand a lot about Bible prophecy.

The Bible teaches, “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).

My reports about 2012 this week are based upon biblical prophecy and world events, and are accurate. As far as my track record related to 2012, world events have already aligned with at least 24 predictions in my 2009 book titled 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, by the end of this month it will be at least 27. The Bible is true and proper prophetic explanations of it will always be proven to be true.

Of course, the Bible itself teaches that there will also be scoffers about end of the world prophecy in general–but eventually it will happen (2 Peter 3:3-7).

Some items that might be of assistance in understanding end-time events may include:

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? How might Barack Obama and Julia Gillard be involved in 2012? Have predictions written by Bob Thiel related to Barack Obama and Julia Gillard began to come to pass?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach?
Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean 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 role might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2019 or 202x?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2012 or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What is the “beginning of sorrows”? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest Jesus can return?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This link also has YouTube videos. This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, world events have aligned with at least 24 predictions in the book and many more will to come to pass. Those who purchase the book at the www.thesecretsect.com website receive a lengthy bonus report documenting world events that aligned with the book.
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect (English Kindle edition). This is the 2nd edition of the book, released in January 2012, and includes a summary of many of the predictions that world events have aligned with since the book originally came out in September 2009.
2012 y el surgimiento de la secta secreta 2012 libro del Dr. Thiel en Español.
2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Edition) 2012 Buch von Dr. Thiel in deutscher Sprache. 2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Kindle Edition)
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel em português. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 24 já começaram a acontecer.
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (2 ª Edição em português do Brasil): Um Guia Revolucionário de Sobrevivência Espiritual e Física para 2012-2020 (Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel. 2 ª edição em português do Brasil. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 24 já começaram a acontecer.2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (KINDLE Edição em português do Brasil) 2 ª edição.-Kindle.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States–Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon’s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States–Amazon Kindle edition.)

COGwriter

The United Church of God (UCG) sent out some reports.  The first is from its Chairman Robin Webber:

I believe all of us understand that we have faced multiple challenges since our beginning in 1995. The United Church of God came into existence in the throes of doctrinal upheaval regarding God’s precious revelation. We started with three key goals in mind and heart:

1) Establish and maintain congregations for the people of God to meet on His holy Sabbath day.

2) Establish festival sites for the people of God to be taught and learn about His plan regarding salvation as revealed through His annual festivals found in the Bible.

3) Preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God to all as God might allow.

For the last 17 years we have maintained these goals as best we could with the personnel and financial means that God has provided.

Along with staying true to God’s biblical revelation, we also developed a unique system of collaborative governance based on the biblical principal of Proverbs:11:14Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.: “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” This is easy to read but difficult to put into practice when the crunch times of life come our way. It requires faith, trust and utter humility towards God and mutual submission towards one another.

Two years ago we were affected by a departure of elders and members. This initially left the United Church of God in a precarious position to further the work of God granted to us. You all rallied marvelously at that time and continue to do so to this day. I trust that you believe, as I do, that something special and meaningful is being experienced here and is worthy of your continued commitment.

At that time the Council of Elders was faced with decisions as to how to maintain the forward momentum of the initial goals we set in 1995. Numerically and financially we had taken a blow. Yet we stepped out in faith! You rose to the occasion in heartfelt prayer for God’s intervention and in your personal service to others, and you gave generously in tithes and offerings because you desired to put your treasure where your heart is.

At that time of two years ago and the subsequent budget of last year, the Council proposed moving forward using a combination of donation income, set-aside reserves and stepping out in faith that God might grant additional financial blessings to make up the difference— and all so we could maintain our efforts at then current levels of strategic initiatives and programs. The General Conference of Elders approved this approach for the past two years.

Circumstances have now led us to see a different pathway forward, starting now. The time of emergency transition is over and it is time to “reboot” and redesign our efforts to match our actual size and income. In the clarity of hindsight, this should have been done a year ago in the budget we presented to the General Conference to approve last May.

It is now time to face our new reality. That new reality states that we are a Church with approximately 13,000 people—and thousands more coworkers and donors—spread around the world, and we must hold our expenses to our new reduced income. I want to assure you in my role as chairman of the Council of Elders that this has been fully confronted and realistically dealt with over the last couple of months and finalized during this past week of meetings.

On behalf of the Council of Elders and the administration, I would like to express our gratitude for the generous offerings that are pouring in to the home office over the last couple of weeks in response to the recent letter from Dennis Luker and myself. Your faith-filled generosity allows us to take the necessary steps forward to establish and maintain a balanced budget—now and in the future. This we will do.

Currently our income for the year is running several percent above our projections. This is wonderful, and we thank you! Your prayers regarding the sale of the Church’s property in Denton, Texas, would be most appreciated. This would be a considerable boost to move the mission of the Church forward. Additionally, the administration has taken practical steps to widen its team of professional financial advisors (volunteers, not new employees) to assist the Council of Elders and the administration.

So where do we go from here? Well, let me back up a moment. This “re-booting” process, or redesigning of our efforts, actually began in December a year ago as the Council carefully reviewed and redesigned the Church’s Strategic and Operation plan by incorporating a new vision statement—which along with our mission statement guides everything we do towards a preferred biblical outcome. They accurately portray how we understood the purpose of our Church in the 21st century as we grow in grace and knowledge (2 Peter:3:18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.).

Their words affect all that we do as administrators, pastors, teachers, writers and employees. These words are a guide to how we effectively use the financial resources granted by God through you. They provide a compass, a direction forward, to make sure we begin with the right end and goals in mind. Now, one year later in the re-booting process for the United Church of God after the division of 2010, we realistically combine what we are to perform on His behalf with the financial means He has granted us.

As a result, we have had to do some pruning over the last several weeks. Pruning is never easy, and yes, it can get thorny. But to grow and bear much fruit (John:15:5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.), pruning is a necessity of life for individuals and organizations. Rose bushes will often produce more blooms than they can rightfully sustain, so a careful gardener systematically, knowingly and carefully prunes the plant for maximum yield of the bloom desired.

And so the Council of Elders and administration has carefully and systematically pruned our efforts towards realistic ends—with responsible expectations of God’s additional blessings as He so chooses and not how we plan on our own. We have reviewed all areas of our expenditures regarding gospel proclamation, congregational care and employee care. We have pruned each area so that no one area might go un-nurtured to fulfill its goals.

Our media presence has been pruned, but in ways that we hope will not lessen impact. We will continue with The Good News magazine, the Beyond Today telecast and a continually developing and growing Internet presence. But, we have ceased home-office-sponsored online advertising of our literature in all areas outside of the United States. Over time this will reduce GN and booklet circulation costs to those areas. We will remain on WGN America and the Word Network, while pruning the recently acquired World Harvest Network. We will continue to offer printed Good News magazines to those subscribers who renew, but astutely monitor its effectiveness and renew subscriptions more often. Our website is increasingly one of the major “go-to places” on the Internet for people searching for biblical truth and answers about religion. United News will be published every other month. Our youth publication, Vertical Thought, will become a solely online production for the time being, as most of its audience receives information in this manner. The camp brochure will be incorporated within this coming year’s United News issues.

The priorities of UCG, as well as its governance model, has long been a problem in my view.

Here is a report from UCG’s Treasurer Aaron Dean:

Financial Report—Aaron Dean

The Church is currently receiving 5 percent more income than last year, which is a blessing, but it doesn’t make up for our current allocated expenditures. The special offering has so far reached almost $400,000. He explained that we are not in a bind to pay our current bills and that the main concern is our cash flow. None of our spending has been for anything except caring for the Church and preaching the gospel—the business of the Church.

The reason for the special offering letter was due to the reduction in bank balances by the use of reserves to care for pastorates and to preach the gospel. In losing a third of our prior income ($7 to $9 million per year which is it), we knew that the planned use of reserves could not go on indefinitely and that we would have to cut back in due course. It did cost more than we initially anticipated to have ministers visit churches without pastors until workable solutions could be found. Extra travel and accrued mileage was necessary to allay unfounded rumors of doctrinal change.

We did not replace every pastor that left, and have reorganized several circuits to be more efficient. Our annual payroll was $8.1 million before the split, and last year it was only at $5.7 million—even though we were serving virtually the same number of congregations. Additionally, costs for international subsidies, international Good News (GN) subscriptions (plus booklets) were growing and all being funded by the Church in the U.S. We didn’t try to expand, but we did spend a lot to maintain operations and our congregations in America and internationally. Current growth will allow a reasonable level of service even with the budget realignments.

We are now seeking to increase cash balances to avert projected cash-flow shortages before the annual Holy Days. We are cutting nearly $2 million to have a balanced budget. Since it was a special offering, it will be not be listed as regular income or used in projections for budgeting next year.

Despite increases in income, cuts to proclaiming the gospel, etc. have been made.  Because of the losses related to COGWA and the fact that UCG has been using stored financial reserves since the COGWA split to augment its income, these moves and circumstances were not unexpected.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Was it hierarchical? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
Unity: Which COG for You? Why so many groups? Why is there lack of unity in the Churches of God? Has it always been this way? What can/should be done about it?
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
Concerns about Church of God, a Worldwide Association This seems to be the largest group that came out of the United Church of God. Here is some history and concerns about it.
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.

Hut in South Africa  — Modern building was location of Feast of Tabernacles in Durban, South Africa, 1985

COGwriter

Ken Treybig sent out the following about Church of God, a Worldwide Association (COGWA)‘s Les McCullough:

12-18-12

From Ken Treybig:

Good evening,

I just heard from Kim Mabry about her dad’s surgery. Here’s the update I just sent to the HQ office to send out about Mr. McCullough.

The family of Les McCullough wants to thank everyone for their prayers. His quadruple bypass surgery did not start until around noon today, but he came through it well and is now resting in ICU. They expect him to be in the hospital for about a week and your continued prayers for his full recovery would be appreciated.

Les McCullough
RR 2 Box 451
Big Sandy, TX 75755

–Ken Treybig

Back in the old Worldwide Church of God days, I met Les McCullough in South Africa at the Feast of Tabernacles.  He was a regional director (or at least held a similar position to that) back then (1985).

For a time, Les McCullough was also president of the United Church of God (UCG).

Nearly all of the ministry in COGWA came from the United Church of God. COGWA officially formed two years ago this month, and was a split from the United Church of God (UCG).

David Cameron

COGwriter

The departure of Britain from the EU, something we of the Philadelphia remnant of the Church of God have always taught, may be getting closer.  This departure is now publicly being called ‘imaginable’ by its Prime Minister, though he claims he would like his nation to state in the European Union:

18 December 2012

Cameron: British EU exit is ‘imaginable’

UK Prime Minister David Cameron has conceded that withdrawal from the EU is “imaginable,” in the latest indication that the Conservative leader is preparing the ground for a radical change in the country’s EU status.During a statement in the House of Commons on Monday (17 December) on last week’s EU summit in Brussels, the Prime Minister said: “Clearly all futures for Britain are imaginable. We are in charge of our own destiny, we can make our own choices. I believe the choice we should make is to stay in the European Union, to be members…http://euobserver.com/news/118564

Earlier this year, UK Prime Minister David Cameron emphasized how Britain will be separated from a eurozone superstate and that he would protect the UK from it (Telegraph: “Britain Must Go Its Separate Way” from a European Superstate).

The UK will ultimately find that the EU is a beast that will do them in. Yet, relying on the USA, instead of God (which is likely what will happen if it leaves much of the EU before the Great Tribulation begins), will not work for the UK or any of its other Anglo-ally nations, even though that is what all of them still seem to think.

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the German Defense Minister one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”?
Resurgent Germany: A Fourth Reich? Who are the German peoples and where did they come from? What is Germany’s role in end time prophecy?
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? What happens to the highly indebted nations?
Is Tony Blair Apocalyptic? The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom converted to Catholicism shortly after leaving his office and has been active in European affairs. What role might he play?

COGwriter

A group in China is protesting and making some claims about the Mayan 12/21/12 date and 1/1/13, and the Chinese government is not pleased:

18 December 2012

Chinese police have arrested more than 500 members of a doomsday cult for spreading rumours about the imminent end of the world, state media say.

At least 400 followers of the Almighty God Christian group were detained in western Qinghai province in recent days. Dozens more were held elsewhere.

In Henan province, six officials have been sacked after a knife attack by a suspected doomsday cult disciple wounded more than 20 children.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-20775882

Police across China are rounding up members of a quasi-Christian doomsday cult who have been preaching the end of the world and urging people to launch a “decisive battle” to slay the “big red dragon” of the Communist party.

Scores and perhaps hundreds of members of an outlawed cult known as the Church of Almighty God have been detained throughout the country in recent days as Beijing tries to stop believers taking drastic action on what they believe to be the eve of the apocalypse, according to relatives of cult members and state media reports.

The group, which preaches the second coming of a female Jesus, appears to have adapted an ancient Mayan prophecy that some people believe predicts the end of the world on December 21 2012 and has been popularised by Hollywood movies such as “2012”…

“They are telling everyone that on Friday the sun will rise in the west and then disappear for three days and then there will be 72 days of terrible natural disasters starting from January 1 2013,” one 24-year-old former cult member whose 50-year-old mother is still an adherent told the Financial Times. He asked not to be named because he feared retribution from the cult, which is also known as Lightning from the East.  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b82195d0-4857-11e2-a1c0-00144feab49a.html

Of course, while there may be some natural disasters from January 1-3, 2013, I do not expect the sun to rise from the West on 12/21/12.  Nor, of course, is Jesus female, or do Christians go around knifing people.  Hence, the group in China has a variety of non-biblical beliefs.  But, despite somewhat considering itself to be part of the “Church of God,” it is not.  Yet since it has used a variant of that name, it may be that this will get the governmental authorities in China increased concerns about any group that may use the term “Church of God.”  This may result in increased swiftness of persecution in the future for any there who may be, or become part of, the genuine Church of God.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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? How might Barack Obama and Julia Gillard be involved in 2012? Have predictions written by Bob Thiel related to Barack Obama and Julia Gillard began to come to pass?
Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare? Here are current and historical perspectives on a matter which show the beliefs of the true church on military participation. Is war proper for Christians?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect This is a link related to a book by Bob Thiel (COGwriter). This link also has YouTube videos. This book documents and explains hundreds of prophecies. And since it was published, world events have aligned with at least 24 predictions in the book and many more will to come to pass. Those who purchase the book at the www.thesecretsect.com website receive a lengthy bonus report documenting world events that aligned with the book.
The Dramatic Story of Chinese Sabbathkeepers This reformatted Good News article from 1955 discusses Sabbath-keeping in China in the 1800s.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters Where did the Chinese people come from? This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect (English Kindle edition). This is the 2nd edition of the book, released in January 2012, and includes a summary of many of the predictions that world events have aligned with since the book originally came out in September 2009.
2012 y el surgimiento de la secta secreta 2012 libro del Dr. Thiel en Español.
2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Edition) 2012 Buch von Dr. Thiel in deutscher Sprache. 2012 und das Auftreten der geheimen Sekte (German Kindle Edition)
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel em português. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 24 já começaram a acontecer.
2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (2 ª Edição em português do Brasil): Um Guia Revolucionário de Sobrevivência Espiritual e Física para 2012-2020 (Portuguese Edition) 2012 livro do Dr. Thiel. 2 ª edição em português do Brasil. Este livro documenta e explica centenas de profecias. E desde que foi publicado pela primeira vez, pelo menos 24 já começaram a acontecer.2012 e o Surgimento da Seita Secreta (KINDLE Edição em português do Brasil) 2 ª edição.-Kindle.