Church of God News

Medieval Abortion Drug Being Given

COGwriter

On January 22, 1973 the United States Supreme Court decided to overturn state laws prohibiting abortion in a case known as Roe vs. Wade.  The decision was wrong and there are still some who argue against it today:

22 January 2013

On the 40th anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision, the politics of abortion are more polarized than ever…

Jeanne Monahan: We have hope that the human rights abuse of abortion will one day be brought to an end. In the past four decades abortion has taken the life of 55 million unique human lives and has wounded many mothers involved in such a decision. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/22/roe-v-wade-anniversary-activists-reflect

The woman that the pro-abortion forces used to get the decision (Norma L. McCorvey, whose court case was filed under the alias of  Jane Roe) that they wanted 40 years ago later regretted her decision.  So much so that in August 1995, she (Norma L. McCorvey) announced that she had become an advocate of Operation Rescue’s campaign to make abortion illegal.

The Bible condemns those that shed innocent blood, as that is something that God hates:

So you shall put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you when you do what is right in the sight of the LORD (Deuteronomy 21:9).

These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:  A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:16-19).

Their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; Wasting and destruction are in their paths.  The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace (Isaiah 59:7-8).

Thus says the LORD: “Execute judgment and righteousness, and deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place (Jeremiah 22:3).

“Yet your eyes and your heart are for nothing but your covetousness, For shedding innocent blood, And practicing oppression and violence” (Jeremiah 22:17).

Babies are innocent.  Killing them is the shedding of innocent blood.

Notice the following:

My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness (Psalm 119:172).

Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34).

Killing babies through abortion is not righteous. It is a reproach to nations that allow and encourage it.

Those that consent to abortions are often proud, are normally lying to themselves that they are not doing violence to a human being, and often have abortions because of their own lusts and covetousness.  Adding the sin of abortion to their other sins is simply not the answer.

They also place themselves in the same category as Judas Iscariot, for he admitted that when he betrayed Jesus Christ, he (Judas) betrayed “innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4). Jesus was betrayed by someone He considered to be a friend–no baby should be betrayed by the mother that is supposed to love them.

Women are struck emotionally for the rest of their lives when they consent to an abortion (the Bible even warns of curses for killing the innocent, Deuteronomy 27:25).  That is not a choice they ever should make.

Furthermore, it may be of interest to note that since movement in the USA towards the Roe vs. Wade decision in 1973, not only have 55,000,000 or so babies been aborted/murdered, the USA has basically gone from being the world’s largest creditor nation to the world’s largest debtor nation–without national repentance the USA will be destroyed.

According to the Bible, debt is a curse of disobeying God:

43 “The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. 44 He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail. 45 “Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. (Deuteronomy 28:43-46)

The destruction of the USA is coming and abortion in one of the many reasons (see also Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel).

Also notice what has happened to the economy of the United States in the last 40 or so years:

In real terms, as mentioned above, US growth in the 21st century seems to have fallen back to medieval levels. Why?…Because the economy failed to produce real growth. After 1973, wages, for example, adjusted for inflation, went nowhere. (Bonner B. Economic Growth in the Internet Age. Daily Reckoning, June 23, 2011)

The typical working stiff earns less real money today than he did 40 years ago. (Bonner B. Economic Long Live the 1%. Daily Reckoning, November 25, 2011)

Coincidence or curse?  Since the USA is also the most indebted nation in the history of humankind that does not bode well for the USA (Habakkuk 2).

Notice some statements from my book Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term:

the Bible itself warns…:

⁴³ The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower (Deuteronomy 28:43).

¹²…O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths (Isaiah 3:12).

¹⁶ For the leaders of this people cause them to err, And those who are led by them are destroyed (Isaiah 9:16)…

One of the first acts of the Barack Obama Presidency was to change an executive order to support increased abortion funding…the fact is that Barack Obama has clearly supported increased abortion access…

One of his first acts after taking office was to increase international funding for abortions. He has made numerous public statements supporting abortion…

His U.S. Supreme Court appointees are believed to be supporters of on-demand abortion…

By encouraging and not discouraging aspects of immorality (such as abortion and homosexual unions), Barack Obama is setting the U.S.A. up for punishment (Isaiah 30:12-13; Romans 1:18-32)…

Notice two public statements from Barack Obama:

Beyoncé could not be a better role model for my girls.

{Abortion} I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose and this fundamental constitutional right.

Beyoncé is a female American singer who often seems to violate standards of modesty (cf. 1 Timothy 2:9).   Abortion is murder, and abortion is wrong.  Promoting and/or approving biblically-condemned actions is dangerous and puts the U.S.A. at increasing risk God’s judgment (Romans 1:32).

(If you want a FREE ELECTRONIC VERSION of my book, go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Kindle Edition-Second Edition for Second Obama Term. This electronic version is scheduled to be free from January 21, 2013 until January 25, 2013 (that is the longest period that Amazon allows), and is only US$2.99 thereafter. If you don’t have a Kindle reader that should not be a problem. Amazon will allow you to download Kindle to almost any device, including personal computers, MACs, Ipads, etc.: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon’s Free Reader Apps (http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771). After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Kindle Edition-Second Edition for Second Obama Term for your free book! (Note: Amazon Kindle prohibits me from giving the book away directly in electronic form or it will not carry the book, that is why I advise going to Amazon’s free Kindle app site so you can get the book for free during the time that Amazon allows a free promotion of it.) If you like the book, please consider posting a review at Amazon. If you do not like it, consider sending me an email specifying any issues you have with it so I can possibly change possible future versions of it.)

Abortion is wrong.  And promoting sexual immorality is wrong (cf. Romans 1:18-32).

There are terrible consequences for sin, and instead of properly discouraging sexual immorality, abortion increases the tendency towards sin. This does not bode well for the United States.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? What do the Continuing Church of God and the Church of Rome teach?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term 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? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.

COGwriter

There is an increase in the number of Californians diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder:

A new study of health records from California suggests that rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have jumped by 24% since 2001.

“That is a very significant increase,” says Darios Getahun, a research scientist with the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Medical Group who conducted the study.  http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/01/21/adhd-diagnosis-kids-hyperactivity/1852083/

In the last century, the late Herbert W. Armstrong wrote:

And so man IS just what he eats. Some of the most famous physicians and surgeons have said that 90% to 95% of all sickness and disease comes from faulty diet!…

Most degenerative diseases are modern diseases—penalties for eating foods that have been demineralized in food factories—usually an excess of starch, sugar (the carbohydrates) and fats. Others are caused by a type of malnutrition—lack of needed minerals and vitamins in foods. Then people try to put the “vitamins” back into their systems by buying pills at the drugstore! (More on this can be found in the article HWA: Third Law of Success: Good Health.)

My clinical experience suggests that environmental toxins, genetics, and problems with the food supply are causes of increased ADHD and similar problems.  Nutritional support has sometimes been found to be helpful for this (http://www.healthresearch.com/add.htm).  But caution is advised as nearly all multi-vitamins sold are synthetic.  And, yes, I mean nearly all sold in health food stores and through multi-level marketing groups.  Those that buy them are normally deceived.

The Bible itself seems to warn of problems like ADHD as a curse for disobedience:

15 “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: 16 “Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country. 17 “Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. 18 “Cursed shall be the fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks…20 “The Lord will send on you cursing, confusion (Deuteronomy 28:15-18,20)

And I believe that changes, at least partially due to greed, to the environment and the food supply are likely factors in increasing problems such as ADHD, as well as autism (Air Pollution More Than Doubles Autism Risk).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Seven Laws of Success Booklet by Herbert W. Armstrong that can help people become successful. And the third “law” has to do with health.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) 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 Jerusalem and 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?
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally?
Does God Heal Today? What does the Bible teach? Herbert Armstrong tries to explain this.
UK Study Supports Daniel Diet Daniel and his companions looked better eating more vegetables and avoiding strange meats. Has modern science confirmed this?

COGwriter

There are two different, but perhaps related, Middle East items in this post.

First, notice information about the election in Israel:

JERUSALEM (AP) — Benjamin Netanyahu seems poised for re-election as Israel’s prime minister in Tuesday’s voting, the result of the failure of his opponents to unite behind a viable candidate against him — and the fact that most Israelis no longer seem to believe it’s possible to reach a peace settlement with the Palestinians…Netanyahu has managed to convince enough Israelis that he offers a respectable choice by projecting experience, toughness and great powers of communication in both native Hebrew and flawless American English…

Netanyahu has maintained a lead with a message that the country needs a tough-minded and experienced leader to face down dangers including the Iranian nuclear program, potentially loose chemical weapons in Syria and the rise of fundamentalist Islam in Egypt and other countries in the Arab Spring.  http://news.yahoo.com/israelis-vote-peace-not-agenda-195300112.html

Key campaign issues in Tuesday’s Israeli parliamentary election:

—Israel-U.S. relations: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has had a frosty relationship with President Barack Obama. If Netanyahu is re-elected, relations could sour further over issues where the two disagree, primarily the Palestinians and Iran.

—Iran: Netanyahu and his government have pressed hard for stricter sanctions against Iran over its suspect nuclear program, implying until recently that Israel might be forced to attack Iranian nuclear sites to stop weapons development. His opponents charge that a unilateral Israeli attack would bring painful retaliation and would not significantly damage Iran’s program, which Tehran denies has military purposes…

—Arab world: Netanyahu insists that peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan must be preserved, but his opponents think he has overreacted with his dire warnings about Islamist parties that have won elections after “Arab Spring” revolts. Israel is also warily watching the civil war in neighboring Syria, concerned about al-Qaida-linked groups there and the possibility of chemical weapons falling into the hands of hostile elements.  http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/key-issues-israeli-election-18272740

Let me add that Islamist parties will become much more significant in the Arab world than most realize.  The Sunni Arabs want a caliphate (Islamic confederation/empire) and the Bible tells of a time in the not too distant future when the final King of the South (who apparently is Arabic and/or Islamic) will rise up (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:1-8).  If he does, in fact, get re-elected, Prime Minister Netayahu is concerned about various possible regional wars in the Middle East that could involve Israel (perhaps I should mention that there are others in Israeli politics, such as Naftali Bennett of the Jewish Home party, that would likely stir the Middle East up even more, if they/he gets more influence).

Syria is one of the nations that could be involved in such a conflict with Israel.

Syria, which is currently mainly composed of people of the Sunni branch of Islam, while being ruled by one from the Shi’ite branch of Islam (its President Assad) is apparently destined to be part of the “King of the South” so I have long expected changes in Syria.

Now, the second item has to do with the fact that Syria’s second closest international ally (Iran is its closest international ally), Russia, is taking steps suggesting that it too may agree that Syria’s President Assad may have to change or leave:

Russia is sending two planes to Lebanon to evacuate Russians from civil war-struck Syria, authorities said Monday, a move that appears to reflect Moscow’s increasing doubts about Syrian President Bashar Assad’s ability to stay in power.

The Emergency Situations Ministry said two of its planes were scheduled to fly to Beirut on Tuesday to carry more than 100 Russians from Syria.

Russia has been Assad’s main ally since the start of the conflict in the Arab state in March 2011, using its veto power at the United Nations Security Council to shield Damascus from international sanctions.

But it has recently begun to distance itself from the Syrian ruler, signaling it is resigned to him losing power. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia realizes the need for change in Syria.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has said that it has contingency plans in place to evacuate thousands of Russians from Syria, most of them Russian women married to Syrians.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57565003/russia-to-start-evacuating-its-citizens-from-syria/

“On orders from the leadership of the Russian Federation, the Emergency Situations Ministry is sending two planes … to Beirut so that all Russians wishing to leave Syria could leave,” the ministry’s spokesperson, Irina Rossius, told the RIA-Novosti news agency.

The announcement was the latest indication of concern in Moscow about the deteriorating security situation in Syria. Russia has close ties with the embattled government of President Bashar Assad.

Rossius said the planes each can accommodate about 100 passengers. The action does not signal anything close to a complete withdrawal of Russians from Syria. There are an estimated 30,000 to 60,000 Russian nationals in the country…A Russian journalist based in Damascus said most Russians in Syria have no intention of leaving soon.  http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-moscow-sends-planes-to-mideast-to-evacuate-russians-from-syria-20130121,0,187640.story

Although this is a limited step by Russia (who also plans to use ships, which hold many times as the number of people, for possible evacuation), Syria’s President Assad may have even more serious concerns at this stage.

I remain convinced that a regional war in the Middle East will happen and could get out of control, especially presuming Iran, as well as Syria, is involved. Things are not going to go the way that Syria’s President Assad currently thinks they will.

Since the Bible suggests that Syria will be involved in a confederation of North African and Middle Eastern nations (Ezekiel 30:1-8; Psalm 83:4-8) who will support a leader that the Bible refers to as the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43), this means change is somehow going to come to Syria.  Since the Muslim Brotherhood wants a similar confederation, I have long believed that Syria will align with it or a group like it–and since Syria’s President is opposed to that, he will have to go or change his views. But since he does not wish to do either, Syria’s President Assad may decide to engage in an attack with Israel, which is more likely to result in the destruction of Damascus, as well as a change in the Islamic world to unite closer together behind a group like the Muslim Brotherhood. And Assad’s resistance to what is going on in his country and with Israel may lead to the destruction of Syria’s capital Damascus as the Bible predicts (Isaiah 17:1)–although he could decide to leave in another manner.

Of course, according to the Bible, the King of the South (Daniel 11:40) will rise up and we will see if this happens sometime after a conflict with Iran and/or Syria. The Bible also seems to tell of a peace deal in the Middle East in Daniel 9:27 which needs to happen–and it may well take a regional war for such a deal to take place.  And this is something that Israel will likely be persuaded that it needs to accept, likely with international assurances–assurances that will essentially be broken (cf. Daniel 9:27; 11:31).

With the end of 6,000 years of human rule coming closer, and the apparent peace deal in Daniel 9:27 not yet confirmed, it may be that a war involving Israel will be soon. Israel has been planning for the likelihood of an Iranian & Syrian regional war for some time. We will see if Prime Minister Netanyahu gets re-elected and if he ends up being involved in that war, as he very well might (and could do so, even if he is out of the top office).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims?
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?
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?
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?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2013 or 2014? 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? Is the deal in Daniel 9:27 a peace deal?

COGwriter

Today, a scaled down inauguration ceremony was expected:

January 21, 2013

WASHINGTON — Four years after making history by becoming the first African-American president, Barack Obama will kick off his second term on Monday with a scaled-back inauguration that reflects the tempered expectations for his next four years in office.

Lingering high unemployment, bitter political battles and a divisive re-election campaign have punctured the mood of optimism and hope that infused Obama’s 2009 inauguration after a sweeping election win.  http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-obama-inauguration-ceremony-20130120,0,4003560.story

Many more were excited about his first term and now, many less so.  The moral and spiritual problems facing the USA are not truly expected to be properly addressed (nor would they have if Mitt Romney would have won the November 2012 election), thus the USA is heading down a path that will lead to its destruction and division (cf. Daniel 11:39).

The following is from a transcript of Barack Obama’s speech today:

It is now our generation’s task to carry on what those pioneers began. For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers, and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts. Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law…http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/21/inauguration-speech_n_2491757.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D259751

Those who established the USA in the 1700s did not have the same homosexual agenda that Barack Obama is promoting.

Want to Learn More About What is Ahead for the USA?

Since I received some emails about the FREE availability of the second edition (updated for the second term and with other items that occurred since the book came out last Summer) of my book Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States, and I verified today that it is now available for free, I thought I should mention it again.  So let me state that:

STARTING TODAY THE KINDLE VERSION IS FREE!  But only for a few days which is all that Amazon Kindle allows with such announcements.

Since the title is the same as the previous edition, make sure you go to the version with the January 2013 date (all the links I am providing here are to the January 2013 second edition). The cover itself also states:

SECOND EDITION FOR
SECOND OBAMA TERM

So, if you want a FREE ELECTRONIC VERSION then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Kindle Edition-Second Edition for Second Obama Term. This electronic version is scheduled to be free from January 21, 2013 until January 25, 2013 (that is the longest period that Amazon allows), and is only US$2.99 thereafter. If you don’t have a Kindle reader that should not be a problem. Amazon will allow you to download Kindle to almost any device, including personal computers, MACs, Ipads, etc.: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon’s Free Reader Apps (http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771). After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Kindle Edition-Second Edition for Second Obama Term for your free book! (Note: Amazon Kindle prohibits me from giving the book away directly in electronic form or it will not carry the book, that is why I advise going to Amazon’s free Kindle app site so you can get the book for free during the time that Amazon allows a free promotion of it.) If you like the book, please consider posting a review at Amazon. If you do not like it, consider sending me an email specifying any issues you have with it so I can possibly change possible future versions of it.

Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States explains how, by virtue of his background and policies, Barack Obama is fulfilling, and will continue to help fulfill, various prophecies that will lead to the destruction of the United States. What can we expect from this second Obama term? And what will happen after it?

Not intended as an anti-Democratic nor pro-Republican book, Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States also tells the truth about Republican options and why their possible election would also lead to destruction.

It answers questions such as “Is Barack Obama apocalyptic? ” and “Is Barack Obama the Antichrist?” Citing Islamic, Kenyan, Catholic, Byzantine, and Bible prophecy, as well as the writings of Nostradamus and others, “Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States” explains from many sources where, why, when, and even some of how, the various aspects of destruction will come.

Since I first published the  book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sectw world events have so far aligned with at least 32 predictions in it.  Chapter 8 of that book was titled Barack Obama, Islam, and the End of America and he and his Administration have taken steps that confirmed at least a dozen biblically-understood predictions in it.  That book led to the current one.

The print version of the book Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States is 160 pages (same content as the Kindle version).  This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com as well as at Amazon.com or US$9.98.

The book also includes information about the destruction of the other British-descended nations such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

The physical book from Amazon can be purchased at 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? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.

COGwriter

Today is observed in the USA as Martin Luther King, Jr. day.  And although I do not take this day off (nor presidents’ days), I thought it might be appropriate to quote some writings from the late Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King was a Baptist minister who became best known as a civil rights activist.   Decades ago, he wrote about many things, including Mithraism.  Mithraism was a religion that observed Sunday and had followers such as the Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th century.

Here is some of what Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote about it in a paper dated November 23, 1949:

In Avesta, Mithra was the genius of celestial light…The doctrine of the immortality of the soul was another view which was very prominent in Mithraism…

Women were compelled to seek salvation in some other cult, for Mithraism excluded them entirely…

When Mithraism is compared to Christianity, there are surprisingly many points of similarity. Of all the mystery cults, Mithraism was the greatest competitor of Christianity…

That Christians did copy and borrow from Mithraism cannot be denied (King ML. The papers of Martin Luther King, Jr, Volume 4. Clayborne Carson, Ralph Luker, Penny A. Russell editors/compliers. University of California Press, 1992, pp. 213-214, 217, 222, 224).

Here are some of his writings dated February 15, 1950:

Mithraism…was suppressed by the Christians sometime in the latter part of the fourth century A.D.: but its collapse seems to have been due to the fact that by that time many of its doctrines had been adopted by the church, so that it was practically absorbed by its rival.

…the Church made a sacred day out of Sunday partially because…of the resurrection. But when we observe a little further we find that as a solar festival, Sunday was the sacred day of Mithra: it is also interesting to notice that since Mithra was addressed as Lord, Sunday must have been “the Lord’s Day” long before Christian use. It is also to be noticed that our Christmas, December 25th, was the birthday of Mithra, and was only taken over in the Fourth Century as the date, actually unknown, of the birth of Jesus.

To make the picture a little more clear, we may list a few of the similarities between these two religions: (1) Both regard Sunday as a Holy Day. (2) December 25 came to be considered as the anniversary of the birth of Mithra and Christ also. (3) Baptism and a ritual meal were important parts of both groups…

In summary we may say that the belief in immortality, a mediator between god and man, the observance of certain sacramental rites…were common to Mithraism and Christianity. (King ML. The papers of Martin Luther King, Jr, Volume 4. Clayborne Carson, Ralph Luker, Penny A. Russell editors/compliers. University of California Press, 1992, pp. 307, 309.)

Notice that Martin Luther King, Jr. clearly understood that the Sunday churches dropped the Sabbath, that “the Lord’s Day” essentially first meant the day of Mithra, and that the worlds’ churches did adopt many practices from Mithraism. Much of what now is called “Christianity” is a compromise with the religion of Mithraism.

I wish that Martin Luther King, Jr. and others would have emphasized this aspect of his writings more. I would also add that Christians faithful to the original teachings of Christ, the apostles, and the New Testament did not adopt the practices of Mithraism.

While Dr. King was most known for his civil rights protests, he figured out that much of what passed for Christianity in his day was really a form that adopted Mithratic practices. Does that include your version? Are you sure?

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

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. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity?
Is Revelation 1:10 talking about Sunday or the Day of the Lord? Most Protestant scholars say Sunday is the Lord’s Day, but is that what the Bible teaches?
The Sabbath in the Early Church and Abroad Was the seventh-day (Saturday) Sabbath observed by the apostolic and post-apostolic Church?
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?
Sunday and Christianity Was Sunday observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians? Who clearly endorsed Sunday?
Did Early Christians Believe that Humans Possessed Immortality? What does John 3:16, and other writings, tell us? Did a doctrine kept adopted from paganism?
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.
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?

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad (Source: Agência Brasil, Wikipedia)

COGwriter

An Iranian leader put out a strong statement of support for Syria’s President Assad:

20 January 2013

(Reuters) – A senior aide to Iran’s supreme leader warned against the overthrow of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, saying his fate was a “red line”, in one of the Islamic state’s strongest messages of support for the Damascus government.

Iran has steadfastly backed Assad’s rule since an uprising against his rule began almost two years ago and regards him as an important part of the axis of opposition against arch-foe Israel.

“If the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is toppled, the line of resistance in the face of Israel will be broken,” Ali Akbar Velayati, who is seen as a potential contender in Iran’s June presidential election, said in an interview broadcast on Sunday. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/20/us-syria-crisis-iran-idUSBRE90J08320130120

TEHRAN –Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to the Supreme Leader, has said that Iran will not ignore the Syrian people’s right to determine their destiny.

 “Bashar al-Assad is our red line, we will support him to the bitter end, but it does not mean ignoring the Syrian people’s right to determine their destiny,” Velayati, who is the director of the Permanent Secretariat of the World Assembly of the Islamic Awakening, said in a recent interview with Al Mayadeen satellite television channel, the Persian service of the Fars News Agency reported Saturday. http://tehrantimes.com/politics/104973-iran-will-not-ignore-syrian-peoples-right-to-determine-their-destiny

Now this is a bit tricky.  Iran is basically Shi’ite Muslim as is Syria’s President Assad.  Yet most in Syria are Sunni Muslim.  Iran wants to keep Syria ruled by a Shi’ite, but also seems to realize that Bashar Assad may not make it (and it may have told President Assad that while also possibly discussing with him some type of attack against Israel).

Partially because of the internal civil war in Syria, if it escalates too much more, Syria’s President Assad may decide that attacking Israel, probably in conjunction with support from Iran, is his best carnal option (which could include supporting Iran if it attacks Israel or Israel attacks it). Attacking Israel, however, will not be his best option (he should repent and probably leave office), though he may do that.

As regular readers of the COGwriter news page are aware, I have been warning for some time that a regional war involving Iran, Israel, the USA, and/or Syria seems likely.

The situation in the Middle East is tense.  Since Iran, however, is NOT really south of Jerusalem (though it may support such a king per certain interpretations of the peoples listed in Ezekiel 30:1-9), it will not be the final King of the South of Bible prophecy (cf. Daniel 11:40-43). Because of that, I have tended to believe that Iran may somehow get “neutralized” before this final king rises up. A serious attack by the USA and/or Israel may neutralize Iran and much of its influence. It also may take a regional war for the seven-year confirmation of the deal in Daniel 9:27 to come about.

This neutralization of Iran may be from a regional war, internal war, economic pressure, and/or internal change.

Furthermore, more trouble is coming to Damascus (Syria’s capital) as it will be destroyed (Isaiah 17:1). An Islamic confederation that will include the land of Syria is coming (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:1-8; Psalm 83:4-8) is coming–and it does not appear at this time that it will be primarily Shi’ite Muslim.

A worsening situation in Syria would seem to be a factor in speeding up this occurrence.

“And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13:37).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims?
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2013 or 2014? 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

Today, I would like to announce my latest book, which is really the second edition (updated for the second term and with other items that occurred since the book came out last Summer) of my book 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 predictions that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also discusses Republican leaders.  This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com as well as at Amazon.com or US$9.98.

I have also arranged with Amazon Kindle to make it available for free.  Since the title is the same as the previous edition, make sure you go to the version with the January 2013 date (all the links I am providing here are to the January 2013 second edition).  The cover itself also states:

SECOND EDITION FOR
SECOND OBAMA TERM

So, if you want a FREE ELECTRONIC VERSION then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Kindle Edition-Second Edition for Second Obama Term.  This electronic version is supposed to be free from January 21, 2013 until January 25, 2013 (but Amazon has not yet made it available for free, but should at midnight), and is only US$2.99 thereafter. If you don’t have a Kindle reader that should not be a problem. Amazon will allow you to download Kindle to almost any device, including personal computers, MACs, Ipads, etc.: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon’s Free Reader Apps (http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771). After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Kindle Edition-Second Edition for Second Obama Term for your free book! (Note: Amazon Kindle prohibits me from giving the book away directly in electronic form or it will not carry the book, that is why I advise going to Amazon’s free Kindle app site so you can get the book for free during the time that Amazon allows a free promotion of it.) If you like the book, please consider posting a review at Amazon. If you do not like it, consider sending me an email specifying any issues you have with it so I can possibly change possible future versions of it.

Newsweek has taken a different take on the Obama second term as its cover for next week shows:

Some others have noticed the above cover:

According to the new issue of Newsweek online, President Obama, who this weekend begins his second term–the third president in a row to do so–is “The Second Coming.”

With flattering photographs, the magazine edited by Obama fan Tina Brown holds out hope that in his second Inaugural Address, Obama can inspire and show that he can also lead.

The conservative media watch dog, Media Research Center, first noticed the God-like cover.

“Conservatives have long joked that the national press corps see Barack Obama as the second coming of Jesus Christ. Today, Newsweek – at least what’s left of it, an online product for tablets and e-readers – made it official,” said Center Vice President Brent Baker

“Next to a side shot of Obama’s head, the ‘Inauguration 2013’ cover story pronounces: ‘The Second Coming.'”

Baker notes that the author, long-time Newsweek veteran Evan Thomas, gave Obama God-like qualities during his first year in office, saying on MSNBC, “In a way, Obama’s standing above the country, above — above the world. He’s sort of God. He’s going to bring all different sides together.”

http://washingtonexaminer.com/newsweek-obama-is-the-second-coming/article/2519111#.UPqnJDXCz8B

But neither Barack Obama, or whoever may ultimately replace him, will really fix the problems in the USA.  And this is something that the so-called “liberal” and so-called “conservative” media do not realize.  What the USA needs is national repentance and at this stage that does not seem likely.  Biblically, destruction of the United States is what is prophesied.

Several years ago, I posted a short article with the title that is now the same as this book (see Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States). It became very popular.  It led to chapter 8 in my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, which was titled Barack Obama, Islam, and the End of America.  In its first term, the Barack Obama Administration began to fulfill at least a dozen predictions from my 2009 book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. I have now expanded my research on prophecies associated with Barack Obama and the USA and now have a second edition of my Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term book available for only US$9.98. (Overall, world events have already at least began to confirm at least thirty-two predictions in 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect with many being completely confirmed.)

Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States explains about how, by virtue of his background and policies, Barack Obama is fulfilling, and will continue to help fulfill, various prophecies that will lead to the destruction of the United States. Not intended as an anti-Democratic nor pro-Republican book, Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States also tells the truth about Republican leaders and why their possible election to the presidency would also lead to destruction. It answers questions such as “Is Barack Obama apocalyptic? ” and “Is Barack Obama the Antichrist?” Citing Islamic, Kenyan, Catholic, Byzantine, and Bible prophecy, as well as the writings of Nostradamus and others, Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States explains from many source where, why, when, and even some of how, the various aspects of destruction will come.

The book also includes information about the destruction of the other British-descended nations such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

The physical book from Amazon can be purchased at 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? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.

Beijing After Rain Beijing on a Normal Sunny Day

COGwriter

Beijing, China once again is affected by even worse air pollution than its normally bad levels:

Pollution in Beijing soared for a second weekend as smog started to cover most of the city from late yesterday, prompting the government to warn residents to reduce outdoor activities and urge companies to curb emissions.

The city’s meteorological bureau issued yellow alerts for fog and haze while children and the elderly were advised stay indoors as the air became “heavily polluted,” according to Beijing Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center classifications. Readings of PM2.5, fine airborne particulates that pose the largest health risks, rose as high as 400 micrograms per cubic meter in some parts of the city, compared with World Health Organization guidelines of no more than 25.

Bad air quality and pollution is prompting more Chinese to travel abroad for the weeklong Chinese Lunar New Year holiday which starts Feb. 9, state-run China National Radio said today.  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-19/pollution-in-beijing-soars-for-second-weekend-as-smog-returns.html

The ghost-like appearance of Beijing and many other Chinese cities as they became shrouded in a toxic smog with particulate levels 25 times higher than safe limits last week was a scary reminder of the fate awaiting countries that fail to take their air quality seriously. A fate that was graphically illustrated by a recent Beijing university study which estimated that the number of people dying prematurely as a result of air pollution in four of China’s major cities was close to three times the number killed in traffic accidents.While weather patterns may have played a part, much of the blame for the chronic air pollution must lie with unregulated industrial development and rapid urbanisation which has spawned an excess of motor vehicles, the proliferation of coal-fired power plants and a consequent increase in the number of people seeking medical treatment for bronchitis, asthma and other respiratory ailments.  http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/331558/when-the-air-turns-toxic

CNN is calling the problem Beijing’s “air-pocalypse”:

Living with Beijing’s ‘air-pocalypse’…

Air pollution is a major problem in China because of the country’s rapid pace of industrialization, reliance on coal power, explosive growth in car ownership and the sometimes disregard for environmental laws…

In 2007, China overtook the United States as the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce. It is also the No. 1 source of carbon emission worldwide, state-run China Daily reported recently.

Added to this, the World Bank says 20 of the 30 most polluted cities in the world are in China.

Health is the big casualty.

Almost 400,000 premature deaths are recorded in China each year, with the majority related to pollution, according to the World Bank’s “Cost of Pollution in China,” a report based on official Chinese figures.  http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/19/world/asia/china-florcruz-pollution/

Perhaps it should be added that pollution seems to be a factor in causing autism (see Air Pollution More Than Doubles Autism Risk), and so the horrific levels of air pollution in Beijing may have a lot of other negative consequences that will show up later.  China also has massive problems with water and other forms of pollution (see Record air pollution in Beijing: Jesus ultimately will fix these types of problems).

Because of pollution, economic policies, other problems, its serious potential for significant social unrest, and how it is discussed in biblical prophecy, these factors demonstrate that despite its economic gains, the 21st century will not belong to China. China will not become number 1, but later in this century, neither will the USA.

The following passage which involves the second coming of Jesus, and comes from the book also known as the Apocalypse, ends with an interesting statement:

8 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)

Are not massive air, water, and other pollution problems part of how humankind is destroying the earth?  In a sense, pollution will be a factor in the Apocalypse as the above passage shows.

Jesus will need to return to save humanity from destroying itself (Matthew 24:22).

But when?

We in the Continuing Church of God believe that God gave humans 6,000 years to live their own way (please see the article Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism and a 6000 Year Plan?). And that humans will mess things up so bad, “unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved” (Matthew 24:22). And that 6.000 years is close to being up–and probably will be in the next decade or so.

But because God has a plan for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 13:38) and a God of love (1 John 4:8,16; John 3:16), that He will intervene and send Jesus to establish a millennial kingdom on earth (Revelation 11:15; 20:4). During this 1000 year reign the world will become beautiful again (Isaiah 35:1-10; 58:12) (see also Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism?).

After this thousand year reign, all who ever lived will be resurrected (Revelation 20:5). The judgment will begin (Revelation 20:12) and God will plead His case (Isaiah 3:13; Jeremiah 25:31). When humans see how they started out with a very good and beautiful earth and messed up and nearly completely destroyed it in their 6,000 years, it appears that they will realize that humankind that distanced itself from the true God cannot properly govern itself. However, when they see how when starting with a messed up and nearly completely destroyed earth at the end of the 6,000 years (please see the article Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?), that it was restored to being very good again, like Eden (Isaiah 51:3), because people obeyed the King of Kings during the millennium (please see Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism?), then apparently nearly all who ever lived will repent of their ways, accept Jesus as the Christ, and will live God’s way of life.

Since God is love (1 John 4:16), we in the Continuing Church of God believe that He has a plan that takes into account how human beings would have rebelled against Him (cf. 1 Peter 1:20-21). We also believe that God is smart enough to have developed a plan that does not result in the vast majority of humanity having to suffer endless torment. Thus we believe it is logical that His plan will result in nearly everyone who ever lived, no matter what their religion or background was, to be saved. And that there are hundreds of verses in the Bible that show this—and this is God’s will (2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16-17). This plan is also consistent with writings about Christianity throughout history—though most in modern times seem to wish to overlook that fact. And a little known fact is that there are hundreds of verses in the Bible that show this (documentation is in the article Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis).

And this will be good news, not only for the Chinese, but for all of humanity.

Some articles of interest may include the following:

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?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?
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?
What is the Gospel? True religion should be based upon the true gospel. What are some of the different gospels and where did they come from? Do you believe the true or a false gospel?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about?
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? A booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom.
Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Will God call everyone? Will everyone have an opportunity for salvation? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?
Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.

T

Bas-relief at Angkor Wat depicting a demon performing an ancient abortion.

COGwriter

A Canadian writer and mother of a famous celebrity is producing and promoting an anti-abortion film:

LOS ANGELES Justin Bieber’s mother, Pattie Mallette, is an executive producer on an upcoming anti-abortion short film.

The makers of “Crescendo” hope to raise $10 million for pregnancy centers at screenings worldwide starting Feb. 28. Mallette herself will appear at some of these, said production company Movie to Movement on Friday.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57564828/justin-biebers-mom-produces-anti-abortion-short-film/

I hope the film is done properly and, if so, that it will be widely viewed.  It certainly takes courage for people associated with celebrities to take strong stands and take actions against such horrific sins as abortion while the media in general takes the opposite view.  This is even truer in Canada where there is much higher public acceptance of abortion than in countries like the United States (see Canadians on Abortion).  It takes courage to stand up for those who cannot defend themselves.

Although common scientific sense and the Bible demonstrate that human life begins at conception, many around the world either wish to ignore that or simply do not care that they are killing an unborn baby when they have/perform an abortion.

As far as the Bible goes, it is clear that David and Jeremiah were human and known before to God while they were in the womb prior to being born:

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me,When as yet there were none of them (Psalm 139:13-16).

4 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:4-5).

Furthermore, notice that the death penalty could come from an injury to a pregnant woman:

If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe (Exodus 21:22-25).

The expression “no harm follows” can be interpreted that both the mother and the baby live, and that the baby and mother are healthy. But, if they are not and somehow permanently harmed, punishment will follow, apparently including the death penalty if either die. God does not condone the killing of unborn infants.

In the Hebrew scriptures (the Old Testament) a term translated about 26 times as infant(s) or child or little one is the Hebrew word ‘owlel. That same word is used for unborn infants in Job 3:16 (and perhaps other verses), hence God considers unborn infants to be living human beings–children.

The Bible shows, that unlike humans, God does know how babies grow in the womb:

5 As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything (Ecclesiastes 11:5).

And in the New Testament, Elizabeth made a positive comment about her unborn baby John the Baptist leaping (Luke 1:41-44) and the statements that the Angel that appeared to Mary to tell her about her upcoming conception (Luke 1:31-35) also provide additional biblical support to the idea that the unborn are human. And thus, should not be killed through abortion.

There are terrible consequences for sin, and instead of properly discouraging sexual immorality, abortion increases the tendency towards sin. This does not bode well for Canada. This is a more important issue than most Canadians realize.  But at least one in Canada is trying to stand up for those that cannot defend themselves.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? What do the Living Church of God and the Church of Rome teach?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
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.

COGwriter

The government forces in Algeria have launched what is being called a ‘final assault’ against the kidnapping terrorists:

January 19, 2013

Algeria’s official APS news agency says the country’s special forces have launched a “final assault” on Islamists who have been holding hostages at a gas complex in the Algerian desert.

APS reports the special forces have killed 11 al-Qaida linked terrorists in Saturday’s assault. Sources say kidnappers have killed seven foreign hostages, although it is not clear at this time whether the toll is including or in addition to the 12 Algerians and foreigners already reported dead…

Earlier, Algeria’s state news agency said nearly 100 foreign hostages seized by Islamist militants Wednesday had been freed, with more than 30 others still unaccounted for.

The Algerian news agency reported that militants kidnapped 132 foreign hostages in their raid at a natural gas complex in eastern Algeria Wednesday.

It was not clear whether the hostages reported to be freed were rescued by the Algerian army or released by their captors, and there has been no Western confirmation of the report.

The hostages at the site were believed to include nationals from the U.S., Britain, Japan, Norway, Romania, the Philippines, France, Malaysia and Austria. The gas complex is jointly run by Algerian, British and Norwegian firms.

Officials in the U.S., Britain and other countries have said they are seeking information about developments at the plant, while expressing regret Algeria did not inform them in advance about the military operation.

In France, French Interior Minister Manuel Valls also raised concerns about militant groups and links to Europe.

“For years, there have been French jihadis who have gone to fight a war in Afghanistan, in Syria, and a very small handful in the Sahel,” Valls said. “They are obviously being watched by our intelligence agencies.”

The militants say they attacked the facility in retaliation for French military operations in Mali. http://www.voanews.com/content/algeria-launches-final-assault-on-hostage-takers/1587078.html

(Reuters) – The Algerian army on Saturday carried out a final assault on al Qaeda-linked gunmen holed up in a desert gas plant, killing 11 of the Islamists after they took the lives of seven more foreign hostages, a local source and the state news agency said.

“It is over now, the assault is over, and the military are inside the plant clearing it of mines,” a local source familiar with the operation told Reuters.  http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/19/us-sahara-crisis-idUSBRE90F1JJ20130119?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=71&google_editors_picks=true

Algeria hostage crisis: latest as 10 Britons remain missing in desertTelegraph.co.uk

Algeria Gas Plant Seizure Ends as Militants, Hostages DieBloomberg

From United Kingdom:Algerian hostages: Eight Scots confirmed ‘safe’BBC News

In Depth:Algerian Army Secures Control of Gas Complex; Some Hostages KilledWall Street Journal

According to the Bible, kidnapping is a capital offense:

16 “He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death. (Exodus 21:16)

7 “If a man is found kidnapping any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and mistreats him or sells him, then that kidnapper shall die; and you shall put away the evil from among you.  (Deuteronomy 24:7)

Kidnapping is evil and should not be done.

Since Islamists claim to believe the Bible, those who claim Islam should not be involved in kidnapping or other forms of terrorism.

Terrorism is essentially listed as a curse in the Hebrew scriptures (Leviticus 26:14-16). And its use in these times is consistent with some warnings in the Greek scriptures as well, as Jesus taught:

7…But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:7-8)

Although the Great Tribulation has still not began, we seem to be in the time that Jesus referred to as the “beginning of sorrows,” hence we will see more terrorism, military actions, unrest, etc.

While the Bible suggests that some religious zealots will use terrorism, violent terror is totally inconsistent with the message of the Bible. Those who practice various forms of terrorism do not know the God of the Bible:

1 These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. (John 16:1-3)

9…”You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:9-10)

Throughout history, terroristic and persecuting religious people have overlooked or discounted these scriptures and still do so today.

The Bible simply does not in any way condone terrorism.

But it does tell of a time when it, and other evils like it, will be gone:

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4)

That is part of the good news of the coming Kingdom of God. Until then, people individually should repent and as Jesus taught:

9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10)

Notice also how the Bible ends:

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (Revelation 22:20-21)

The return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God is what is now needed and is something believers should pray for.

Some articles of additional interest may include the following:

Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims?
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?
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.
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?
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
What is the Gospel? True religion should be based upon the true gospel. What are some of the different gospels and where did they come from? Do you believe the true or a false gospel?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about?
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? A booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom.