Church of God News

Flag of the Taliban

COGwriter

The Taliban have claimed responsibility for at least one of the two suicide bombings there today today, (there was also a killing yesterday that another group apparently carried out):

March 9, 2013

KABUL: A suicide bomber on a bicycle killed nine people outside the defence ministry in central Kabul on Saturday during a visit to the Afghan capital by new US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.

The blast occurred near the main entrance gate of the heavily-guarded ministry, and Taliban militants immediately claimed the attack was timed to send a message to Hagel, who arrived in Kabul late on Friday…

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told AFP: “This was not a direct attack to target him (Hagel) but we want to send a message that we are always capable of hitting Kabul even when the top US defence official is there.”

In another suicide attack on Saturday, eight children and a policeman were killed in the eastern city of Khost in a strike that targeted a joint Afghan and international troop patrol…

A total of 100,000 NATO-led international troops are currently deployed in Afghanistan, with all combat forces due to exit by the end of 2014.  http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-91522-18-killed-in-two-suicide-blasts-in-Afghanistan

March 9, 2013

KABUL, Afghanistan A suicide bomber on a bicycle struck outside the Afghan Defense Ministry on Saturday, one of two attacks that killed at least 18 people as U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel visited the nation, officials said…

“We are still at war,” Hagel said shortly before he arrived on Friday, the same day that three men wearing Afghan army uniforms and driving an Afghan army vehicle forced their way onto a U.S. base in eastern Afghanistan and opened fire, killing one civilian contractor and wounding other U.S. troops.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57573409/defense-secretary-chuck-hagel-in-afghanistan-when-bombers-strike/

So, at least three terrorists incidents in two days in Afghanistan.  And at least one incident was apparently intended to warn the USA that those associated with the Taliban have influence and can show their “power” when they wish–this may also have been done to try to improve the Taliban’s bargaining powers with the USA as it negotiates its withdrawl.  Of course, the more direct Taliban message/warning is that the USA cannot defend the people of Afghanistan and that all in Afghanistan should heed what the Taliban want–whether they wish to or not.

Unless the USA keeps enough troops in Afghanistan (which it is not intending to do), the situation there will change to something that the USA has claimed that it does not want. The Taliban, other Islamic groups, and tribal leaders will pretty much insure that.

The Bible warns of various curses that peoples like the USA could face in the end, and terrorism seems to be one of them:

14 ‘But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, 15 and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, 16 I also will do this to you:

I will even appoint terror over you…(Leviticus 26:14-16)

In my 2009 book, 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, I warned:

…writings suggest that the end of the U.S.A. will thus be in the 21^st century. And as far as Asian forces go, this could be interpreted to include terrorists from places like Afghanistan and others parts of Asia.

The reality is that Islamic terrorists are not the only ones, but some in Afghanistan certainly might decide to engage in more direct terrorist acts against the USA or its interests.

Yet, it is the Kingdom of God that is the solution to this world’s problems: suicide bombings and otherwise breaking God’s commandments are not.

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?
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?
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?
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?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.
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? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.

Mount Kenya (Mehmet Karatay)

COGwriter

There was a presidential election in Kenya earlier this week and the results have now been announced:

March 9, 2013

NAIROBI—Kenya’s election commission on Saturday declared Uhuru Kenyatta the country’s next president, handing control of East Africa’s biggest economy to a man charged with crimes against humanity.

Final results showed Mr. Kenyatta triumphed with 50.07% of 12.3 million votes cast, a whisker above the 50% margin he needed to avoid a runoff. Some 86% of Kenya’s more than 14 million registered voters turned out for Monday’s elections, a record in the country’s five decades of independence…

Mr. Kenyatta’s supporters poured into the streets of Nairobi and stronghold towns across the country on Saturday, blowing whistles and vuvuzelas and waving red and white flags, the colors ofMr. Kenyatta’s party. So far there have been no reports of the kind of violence that erupted after the last elections in 2007.  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323628804578349920740455776.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

While I have given no opinion about who should or should not win the Kenyan presidential election, I would like to thank all who prayed that that God would protect His people in Kenya and that as the result of the election, they will be able to lead “a quiet and peaceable life.”  As well as encourage further prayers that we will not see violence resume in that land.

Two articles of possibly related interest may include:

Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans?
Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president/prime minister? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand.

Vatican City (photo by Joyce Thiel)

COGwriter

Next Tuesday, Catholic cardinals vote for the next pontiff for the Church of Rome:

8 March 2013

On Tuesday, the first day of the papal conclave, 115 cardinals will isolate themselves from the outside world and choose one man, likely from among their own ranks, to become the 266th Bishop of Rome, known to the world simply as the pope.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57573010/papal-conclave-date-set-how-does-it-work/

Their hope is to have a pope in place prior to Easter.

Without going into all the details here about Catholic prophecies, if certain ones are correct and the next pontiff is the last one, then we should expect:

• An antipope will arise and he would be the next pope.
• This pope will eventually hold an ecumenical council that “satisfies heretics” and results in a more ecumenical religion being accepted.
• The vast majority of Catholics will accept the antipope.
• This pope will later performs miracles.
• People around the world will accept the faith that this miracle-performing pope endorses.
• This pope will support a future “Great Monarch/Prince of the North” who will arise.
• The Great Monarch, that the pope supports, will eliminate the Anglo-descended nations.
• The “Great Monarch/Prince of the North,” that the pope supports, will eliminate an Islamic confederation.
• A pope will reign with the Great Monarch for around four years.
• The destruction of Rome comes after tribulations that this pope oversees.
• Armies from lands, including Russia and Asia, will gather in Armageddon.
• A great judge comes after Rome is destroyed.

Of course, the most of the above will only apply if the next pope is the last one and that certain Catholic private prophecies are correct.

Do these Catholic private prophecies have any relationship to biblical prophecy?

According to Bible prophecy:

• A false religious leader will arise.
• This false leader will encourage an ecumenical faith.
• The vast majority of humankind will accept this improper faith.
• A false religious leader will perform signs and lying wonders.
• Nearly all humankind will be deceived by signs and lying wonders.
• The final Antichrist will promote the final “Beast/King of the North” that the Bible warns against.
• The “Beast/King of the North,” that the Antichrist supports will destroy the Anglo-descended nations.
• The “Beast/King of the North,” will destroy an Arabic confederation.
• The time of the Great Tribulation and Day of the Lord is 3 1/2 years.
• Years after the start of the Great Tribulation, Rome will be destroyed.
• Jesus will come after Rome is destroyed.

While the Bible does not clearly teach that the next pope is that religious leader, the timing of the election of the next one is consistent with the time period for the end of the age and the rise of the final Antichrist.  Although the final reign of Antichrist with the Beast will not start for a few years, the Antichrist leader could be in place very soon.

We are living in the last days, and the last pope will take steps that will lead to the destruction of the world as we know it.

But the good news is that Jesus will return and establish the Kingdom of God.  Until then, we can expect to face many tribulations (cf. Acts 14:22).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Malachy Prophecies and “Peter the Roman” An Irish bishop allegedly predicted something about 112 popes in the 12th century. Pope Benedict XVI was number 111. The next pope would be number 112 and is to reign until Rome is destroyed. May he be an antipope/final Antichrist?
Pope Benedict XVI and the next pope Will the pope that succeeds Pope Benedict XVI fulfill biblical and non-biblical prophecies? What about Pope Benedict himself? Pope Benedict XVI resigned his pontificate effective February 28, 2013. Might his resignation lead to the fulfillment of prophecy? Might his resignation lead to the prophesied Antichrist according to biblical and Catholic prophecies? Do Catholic prophecies foretell of an antipope as the next pope? Is the Peter the Roman of the Malachy prophecies the next pope? Is there a 6,000 year plan? Is the 6,000 year almost up?
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? 2021 or 20xx?
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? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Apostolic Succession What really happened? Did structure and beliefs change? Are many of the widely-held current understandings of this even possible? Did you know that Catholic scholars really do not believe that several of the claimed “apostolic sees” of the Orthodox have apostolic succession–despite the fact that the current pontiff himself seems to wish to ignore this view? Is there actually a true church that has ties to any of the apostles that is not part of the Catholic or Orthodox churches? Read this article if you truly are interested in the truth on this matter!
Early Church History: Who Were the Two Major Groups Professed Christ in the Second and Third Centuries? Did you know that many in the second and third centuries felt that there were two major, and separate, professing Christian groups in the second century, but that those in the majority churches tend to now blend the groups together and claim “saints” from both? “Saints” that condemn some of their current beliefs. Who are the two groups?
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Should Christians be Nazarenes today? What were the practices of the Nazarenes.
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
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?

Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

COGwriter

In a move that I have long expected, former US President Bill Clinton has come out against a bill he signed into law known as the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA):

March 8, 2013

It’s not every day you see an ex-president ask the Supreme Court to strike down a law he signed.

That’s what Bill Clinton is doing with the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman — and which the high court will rule on this year in a landmark moment for the gay marriage movement.

The justices must decide whether the Defense of Marriage Act “is consistent with the principles of a nation that honors freedom, equality and justice above all, and is therefore constitutional,” Clinton writes in The Washington Post.

He adds: “As the president who signed the act into law, I have come to believe that DOMA is contrary to those principles and, in fact, incompatible with our Constitution.”  http://www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2013/03/08/bill-clinton-supreme-court-defense-of-marriage-act/1972793/

March 8, 2013

Still, how was it that Bill Clinton, the first President to champion gay rights, put his name on one of the most discriminatory anti-gay statutes in American history?

The simple answer is that he got boxed in by his political opponents, and that his campaign positions on gay rights ran ahead of public opinion. http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2013/03/why-clinton-signed-the-defense-of-marriage-act.html#ixzz2MxcfWgZ7

Let me state that throughout recorded human history, marriage has been considered an arrangement/covenant between a man and a woman.  The Defense of Marriage Act was not “discriminatory” as the writer for the New Yorker so directly claims.

I believe that Bill Clinton signed DOMA for political reasons, and thus I also felt he would change his position when the political climate was better for him to do so.  And, it is possible that for many reasons, including the fact that he would like his wife Hillary to be president, he came out against DOMA now.

The Obama Administration has also come out against DOMA and has filed various documents with the US Supreme Court to try to encourage it to declare the law of the land unconstitutional (see Obama Administration pleads that the Supreme Court should overturn DOMA and California’s anti-homosexual marriage law and Obama Administration urges Supreme Court to overturn Defense of Marriage Act).

The Bible defends marriage and only defines it as between a man and a woman (cf. Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5-10). It repeatedly condemns homosexual acts.

There were other societies that have had their own issues of openly advocating sin relationships that many of their residents seemed to view as acceptable. Notice what happened in a couple of such towns between three thousand and four thousand years ago:

24 Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens. 25 So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. (Genesis 19:24-25)

And why did it happen?

7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 7)

Why mention this in the 21st century? Because God turned:

6…the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6,
NKJV)

National repentance is the only real long-term hope for the Anglo-peoples (and it seems to be too late for that).  Leaders in the USA are ignoring the examples in the Bible.  But that is not a surprise either as the Bible also warns”

12…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).

Keeping the Ten Commandments reflects love. Breaking them and/or condoning those that do is evil. This should be clear to those who believe the God of the Bible. Children should be raised by God-fearing heterosexual couples–for God wants godly offspring:

4…Because the Lord has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth…Yet she is your companion
And your wife by covenant. 15 But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one?
He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. (Malachi 2:14-15)

Same-sex unions are not endorsed in the Bible and were not what God intended humans to be in to raise children.

The USA is setting itself up for complete ruin. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed as examples (Jude 7; 2 Peter 2:6). The currently militarily strong USA will not be spared (Daniel 11:39).

Watch (Mark 13, Matthew 24).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality? Can homosexuals change?
God Created Marriage Some falsely claim that God did not create marriage and that fornication is fine. What does the Bible really teach?
Why Marriage? Soon Obsolete? This is a booklet from Herbert Armstrong on this important topic.
Here’s the Plain Truth About OLD TESTAMENT POLYGAMY by Herbert Armstrong.
Love, Marriage, and Sex It is important to get them in the right order.
Five Rules for Effective Parenting Do you know that there are five simple rules that can make you a more effective parent? There is also a 12 1/2 minute YouTube video on this, also titled Five Rules for Effective Parenting.
What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments? This article quotes what Jesus actually said about them (His words are in red).
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?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.y 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 at the COGwriter website on Barack Obama prophecies. Read it and decide for yourself if President Obama seems to be fulfilling various prophecies.
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided? 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?
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?
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?
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.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-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-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

Symbol of European “Babylon”

COGwriter

The following news item was of interest:

March 7, 2013

Negotiators from the federal and provincial governments are spending a second week in Brussels for intensive negotiations toward a Canada-European Union Free Trade Agreement.

The Canada-EU talks were originally supposed to wrap up by the end of 2011. That timeline was extended by a year as negotiators on both sides said talks were progressing, albeit more slowly than hoped. In the last few months of 2012, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has repeatedly said he hoped to see talks conclude before the end of the year.

The impetus to conclude the talks for the EU is to show the Americans they are willing to make reasonable compromises in future talks when it comes to agriculture.

For Canada, beyond boosting international trade by as much as 20 per cent and diversifying its economy away from reliance on the U.S., Harper wants to show critics and other trading partners that Canada can negotiate a comprehensive trade agreement while leaving intact Canada’s supply management system for dairy, poultry and eggs.

Despite the delays, sources familiar with the negotiations say they believe a deal is within reach in the coming weeks…http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/03/06/pol-canada-eu-talks.html

So, the Europeans would like a deal with Canada so that they can then perhaps get a trade deal with the USA.  That seems reasonable and probably likely.

Canada allegedly began those talks about four years ago so that Canada would not be as dependent upon the USA (see Canada Looking to the EU).  Despite the talks, I believe that Canada (with the possible exception of Quebec) will remain an ally of the USA until it is too late for Canada.

As far as prophetic ramifications go, I have long believed that the USA and Canada would make various deals with the Europeans.  I have speculated that perhaps that a dispute over provisions in some trade matter would be a factor that the Europeans would point to as partial justification for an attack against the USA (once the Europeans have that capability, which they currently do not seem to have).

Watch (cf. Daniel 11:39).

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? What will happen to the nation of Israel?
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 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”? What is ahead for Europe?
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.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-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-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

“I will break the pride of your power” (Leviticus 26:19)

COGwriter

The debt of US consumers has been rising:

March 7, 2013

WASHINGTON –  Americans stepped up borrowing in January to buy cars and attend school, while staying cautious about using their credit cards.

Consumer borrowing rose $16.2 billion in January from December to a total of $2.8 trillion, the Federal Reserve said Thursday. That’s the highest level on record.

A category that covers student loans and auto loans grew $16 billion following an $18.3 billion gain in December. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/03/07/us-consumer-debt-up-162-billion-in-january-led-by-gains-in-student-and-auto/#ixzz2MtOLzkkT

The Bible teaches the following about debt in general and end time debt in particular:

7 The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender. (Proverbs 22:7)

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…47 “Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, 48 therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you. 49 The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies, a nation whose language you will not understand, 50 a nation of fierce countenance, which does not respect the elderly nor show favor to the young. 51 And they shall eat the increase of your livestock and the produce of your land, until you are destroyed; they shall not leave you grain or new wine or oil, or the increase of your cattle or the offspring of your flocks, until they have destroyed you. 52 They shall besiege you at all your gates until your high and fortified walls, in which you trust, come down throughout all your land; and they shall besiege you at all your gates throughout all your land which the LORD your God has given you (Deuteronomy 28:42-45,47-52)

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry…5 Indeed, because he transgresses by wine, He is a proud man… 6 “Will not all these take up a proverb against him, And a taunting riddle against him, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases What is not his–how long? And to him who loads himself with many pledges’? 7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. 8 Because you have plundered many nations, All the remnant of the people shall plunder you (Habakkuk 2:3,5,6-8).

The nation with the greatest debt of all time is the United States of America, and on a per capita basis may be the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (and they are close if not the per capita debt leader).

It is the the United States and its Anglo-allies that have loaded pledges of debt in these end times that they really do not expect to pay back.   The debt problems in the USA are bigger than most Americans realize.  The federal government has over $16,000,000,000,000 in debt, and this does not count the trillions that the Federal Reserve owes or future debts.  The total of all known debt in the USA is so high, that it is not reasonable to conclude that it can be paid off in comparable value short of some major development.

This does not bode well for the USA.

To learn more, please check out the following articles:

Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, 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?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided? 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?
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?
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.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-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-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

Nagasaki Nuclear Bomb (1945)

COGwriter

In an extremely provocative move today, North Korea threatened the United States of America with the possibility of a preemptive nuclear attack:

March 7, 2013

SEOUL — For the first time, North Korea is threatening to launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike.  This is the latest in an increasing series of bellicose rhetoric from Pyongyang in recent days.

The threat, attributed to a spokesman from North Korea’s foreign ministry, was carried by the country’s central news agency and also broadcast Thursday.

The ministry spokesman is quoted as saying that because “the United States is about to ignite a nuclear war, our revolutionary armed forces will be exercising our right to pre-emptive nuclear attack against the strongholds of invaders in order to protect our supreme interest.”

Earlier in the week, a four-star general went on television to announce North Korea next Monday would abrogate the 1953 armistice, which halted the three-year devastating Korean civil war.  http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korea-threatens-preemptive-nuclear-attack-on-us/1616792.html

The North Korean politicians have often been playing a dangerous game with their country and their people, and it seems that they wish to escalate their warring rhetoric even more.

While North Korea is not prophesied to take over the USA (Europe is per Daniel 11:39, etc.), as I wrote in the past, it certainly is possible that it may decided to actually launch one or more missiles at the USA in the future.

Jesus spoke of a time of wars and sorrows PRIOR to the start of the Great Tribulation.

Notice Mark’s account of the beginning of sorrows:

5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 6 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. 7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows (Mark 13:5-8).

A nuclear missile hitting the USA and/or nuclear terrorism would be consistent with this prophesied time of troubles.

Both Iraq’s Saddam Hussein and Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi thought that they could be brash and defiant successfully. And while they were for some time, they later found out that they were mistaken. The top leadership of North Korea may end up regretting what it has been doing as well.

But that does not mean that the USA itself may not possibly also suffer if North Korea actually carries out its threat.

Some articles of possibly related interest would include the following:

Korea in Prophecy, Any Witness? Does God have a plan for the Koreans? Is Korea mentioned in any prophecies? Will Koreans be among the first in the Kingdom of God? 한국의 언어로 : 한국 예언, 모든 증인에?
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, Koreans, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
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.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-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-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

Medieval Abortion Drug Being Given

COGwriter

Several hours ago, there was a positive development in Arkansas:

6 March 2013

In the sharpest challenge yet to Roe v. Wade, Arkansas adopted Wednesday what is by far the country’s most restrictive ban on abortion, at 12 weeks of pregnancy, around the time that a fetal heartbeat can be detected by abdominal ultrasound.

The law was passed by the newly Republican-controlled legislature over the veto of Gov. Mike Beebe, a Democrat, who called it “blatantly unconstitutional.” On Tuesday the state Senate voted to override his veto by a vote of 20 to 14; on Wednesday the House enacted the bill into law by a vote of 55 to 33, with several Democrats joining the Republican majority.

The law contradicts the limit established by Supreme Court decisions, which give women a right to an abortion until the fetus is viable outside the womb, usually around 24 weeks into pregnancy, and abortion rights groups promised a quick lawsuit to block it.  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/07/us/arkansas-adopts-restrictive-abortion-law.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

6 March 2013

“When there is a heartbeat there, you have a living human being,” the bill’s sponsor, State Sen. Jason Rapert (R), told the Associated Press to justify his support for the policy.  http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/03/06/1680471/arkansas-abortion-ban-strictest/?mobile=nc

6 March 2013

The legislature today overturned the governor’s veto of a bill that would ban abortions in the first 12 weeks if a “fetal heartbeat” were detected. Planned Parenthood has called the ban “the most intrusive” anti-abortion law in the country. It’s clear that regardless of the constitutionality of the bill, its violation of Roe v. Wade, or its dangerous and discriminatory politics, Arkansas will be setting a terrible precedent for all state legislatures looking to infringe upon reproductive choice.  http://www.policymic.com/articles/28787/arkansas-fetal-heartbeat-law-is-dangerous-discriminatory-and-sets-a-terrible-precedent

The move in Arkansas has incensed pro-abortion forces and they expect to win in court.  Until then, or a court injunction, there is good news for babies who will not be murdered and not lose whatever constitutional rights they may get.

The abortionists do not seem to care that the Bible condemns those that shed innocent blood:

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:

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

34 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.  It was nice that some in Arkansas stood up for the rights of the unborn.

Abortion is wrong.

There are terrible consequences for sin, and 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.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-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-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.

جامعة الدول العربية
Jāmaʻat ad-Duwwal al-ʻArabiyya Arab League Flag

COGwriter

The primarily Sunni Muslim Arab League has agreed to allow its member nations to supply the predominantly Sunni Muslim opposition to Shi’ite Muslim Bashar Assad (President of Syria) arms:

(Reuters) – Arab League ministers decided on Wednesday to let member nations arm Syrian rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad, and invited an opposition coalition to take the League seat formerly occupied by Damascus.

Previously the League had stressed that the Syrian political opposition and rebels should be supported by humanitarian and diplomatic means during the civil war, which has cost an estimated 70,000 lives.

However, a final statement issued at the end of a ministerial meeting in Cairo said they had “stressed the right of each state according to its wishes to offer all types of self defence, including military, to support the resilience of the Syrian people and the Free (Syrian) Army.”  http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/03/06/syria-league-statement-idINDEE9250E720130306

The Bible tells of the rise of a power that seems to include mainly Arab and Islamic peoples called the King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43). Now, the Bible specifically includes a variety of Arabic states in this confederation (see also Ezekiel 30:1-8).

According to my read of Bible prophecy, Syria seems to be one of the nations that will support the coming King of the South (which is why I have long said that changes must happen in and/or from the Assad regime)

As it turns out, the idea of a predominantly Sunni Muslim confederation is basically the goal of the Egyptian-based Muslim Brotherhood.  Notice some of what it wants:

What is the Muslim Brotherhood?
The world’s largest and most influential Islamist movement. Founded in Egypt in 1928, the group was originally focused on ridding the country of corrupting secular influences brought by British colonial rule. Over the years, it established branches and affiliates in many countries to promote traditional Sunni Islamic morals, social justice, and the eradication of poverty and corruption. “The Islamic nation,” its charter states, “must be fully prepared to fight the tyrants and the enemies of Allah as a prelude to establishing an Islamic state”—ideally a re-established caliphate, stretching from Spain across the Middle East and Central Asia to Indonesia, to be governed according to Islamic sharia law. (Understanding the Muslim Brotherhood. February 14, 2011. © The Muslim Brotherhood. http://www.ikhwanweb.com/article.php?id=28019 viewed 11/21/2011)

The Muslim Brotherhood apparently wants as its top priority a pan-national Islamic caliphate ruled by an Imam. Many Muslims long for the rising up of a leader called the 12th Imam, often referred to as the Imam Mahdi. It will not end up with Spain if I understand certain aspects of Bible prophecy correctly, but the confederation of the final King of the South may go from around Western Sahara and/or Mauritania to Oman (with possible involvement and/or coordination with Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and/or Indonesia)–and that would seem to have to include Syria.

Egypt is currently headed by a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, and the time will come that many will ally with Egypt Egypt for a while:

1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says:

“‘Wail and say, “Alas for that day!” 3 For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near- a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. 4 A sword will come against Egypt, and anguish will come upon Cush. When the slain fall in Egypt, her wealth will be carried away and her foundations torn down.

5 Cush and Put, Lydia and all Arabia, Libya and the people of the covenant land will fall by the sword along with Egypt.

6 “‘This is what the LORD says:

“‘The allies of Egypt will fall and her proud strength will fail. From Migdol to Aswan they will fall by the sword within her, declares the Sovereign LORD. 7 “‘They will be desolate among desolate lands, and their cities will lie among ruined cities. 8 Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I set fire to Egypt and all her helpers are crushed.

9 “‘On that day messengers will go out from me in ships to frighten Cush out of her complacency. Anguish will take hold of them on the day of Egypt’s doom, for it is sure to come (Ezekiel 30:1-9, NIV).

Notice who the Arabic League nations now are:

Member states of the Arab League  (Arab World, Wikipedia, viewed 02/17/13)

Algeria (Arabic: الجزائر‎ al-Jazāʾir)  Bahrain (Arabic: البحرين‎ al-Baḥrayn)  Comoros (Arabic: جزر القمر‎ Juzur al-Qamar) (Comorian and French are the other official languages)  Djibouti (Arabic: جيبوتي‎ Djībūtī ) (French is the other official language)  Egypt (Arabic: مصر‎ Miṣr)  Iraq (Arabic: العراق‎ al-ʿIrāq) (Kurdish is the other official language (minority))  Jordan (Arabic: الأردن‎ al-ʾUrdun)  Kuwait (Arabic: الكويت‎ al-Kuwayt)  Lebanon (Arabic: لبنان‎ Lubnān)  Libya (Arabic: ليبيا‎ Lībyā)	Mauritania (Arabic: موريتانيا‎ Mōrītānyā)  Morocco (Arabic: المغرب‎ al-Maġrib) (Berber is the other official language)  Oman (Arabic: عمان‎ ʿUmān)  Palestine (Arabic: فلسطين‎ Filasṭīn) (Full member of Arab League and recognized by the majority of the countries in the world)  Qatar (Arabic: قطر‎ Qaṭar)  Saudi Arabia (Arabic: المملكة العربية السعودية‎ al-Mamlakah al-ʿArabiyyah as-Saʿūdiyyah)  Somalia (Arabic: الصومال‎ aṣ-Ṣūmāl) (Somali is the other official language)	Sudan (Arabic: السودان‎ as-Sūdān) (English is the other official language (minority))  Syria (Arabic: سوريا‎ Sūryā)  Tunisia (Arabic: تونس‎ Tūnis)  United Arab Emirates (Arabic: الإمارات العربيّة المتّحدة‎ al-ʾImārāt al-ʿArabiyyah al-Muttaḥidah)  Yemen (Arabic: اليمن‎ al-Yaman)

These nations are mainly descended from the peoples listed in Ezekiel 30:1-9 and Daniel 11:40-43.  The fact that the Arab League has now back the idea of army Syrian opposition means that they expect to have closer ties with the opposition than they now have with Syria’s President Assad.

Things must change in Syria, yet the Bible also clearly shows that Damascus will be destroyed (Isaiah 17:1).

The increased arming of the opposition in Syria will be a factor leading to this.

For more information, here are two articles of possibly related interest:

The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?
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? What does the Bible say?

Bacteria

COGwriter

Hospitals in the USA are being impacted by another type of antibiotic resistant bacteria:

6 March 2013

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has said that although it is still quite unusual, more and more hospitals in the U.S. are reporting cases of the superbug carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae or CRE…

Thomas Frieden, MD, the Director of the CDC said the CRE was the nightmare bacteria, partly because the organisms transmit elements that are antibiotic resistant to other types of bacteria and when the CRE attacks blood it often times kills…

In Portland, Oregon, Minneapolis and Atlanta, a pilot program that involved labs found, that over 92% of the cases of CRE over a period of five months in 2011 were found in patients that had substantial healthcare exposures.

Although still relatively uncommon, the CRE episodes are usually fatal more often than other forms of infections that are antibiotic resistant. Death rates for CRE infections in the bloodstream are over 40%.  http://www.healthaim.com/u-s-hospitals-hit-by-superbug/

6 March 2013

Officials of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are concerned about a family of untreatable bacteria, or superbugs, that are currently spreading through America’s hospitals, and are not too optimistic as to whether this family of bacteria can be stopped in time.

“These are nightmare bacteria that present a triple threat,” explained CDC director Thomas Frieden. “They’re resistant to nearly all antibiotics. They have high mortality rates, killing half of people with serious infections. And they can spread their resistance to other bacteria.”  The superbug in question is known as CRE, or carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, and has only been detected so far in hospitals and nursing homes; fortunately, it has yet to be detected outside a health facility environment.  However, if the superbugs are not controlled soon, Frieden believes that even the most common forms of minor infection may not be treatable anymore.  http://eaglesrant.com/cdc-gives-heads-up-on-untreatable-bacteria-spreading-through-u-s-hospitals/4068/belinda-volter

7…And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:6-8)

We seem to be in the time Jesus called “the beginning of sorrows.” There have been “earthquakes in various places” this year. However, what will be coming will be worse (see Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2013 or 2014?).

As Jesus said:

37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! (Mark 13:36-37)

Some articles of related interest may include:

Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse What is the pale horse of death and pestilences? What will it bring and when?
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?
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?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2013 or 2014? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What happens in the “beginning of sorrows”? What is the Day of the Lord?