Church of God News

COGwriter

Are some of God’s people actually going to flee right before the tribulation? According to Jesus the answer is yes.

Jesus taught,

20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:20-21, NKJV throughout, unless otherwise indicated).

Let this be perfectly clear, there are two groups of God’s people mentioned in Revelation 12–one which goes to a place of safety and one which does not. It states:

14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:14-17).

The above shows that the church (symbolized by a woman) has to “fly into the wilderness to her place.” Being in heaven with Jesus is not the same as being in any wilderness–hence this is not some type of “rapture” as many Protestants believe in. Also notice that the church “is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.” Hence, this is how Jesus is intending to keep His Philadelphia Church “from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world” (3:10)–this “hour of trial,” this “time and times and half a time” includes the period of the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord.

Notice also that since a flood of water is used to try to destroy the church, but is helped by the earth, that the church is NOT in heaven, but on the earth.

Carefully notice that just keeping the commandments of God and having the testimony of Jesus Christ is not enough to insure that one will go “into the wilderness,” be “nourished,” and protected “from the presence of the serpent.” The dragon, through the Beast power, will “make war” with those who do not go. For “the saints shall given to his hand for a time and times and half a time” (Daniel 7:25)–again the time period the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord.

Where could the promised place of protection be?

David wrote, “For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock” (Psalm 27:5). This may have a dual meaning. It may be referring to the tribulation and may also be referring to an interesting event in David’s life. David was hiding in the woods from Saul (I Samuel 23:19), and “When Saul and his men went to seek him, they told David. Therefore he went down to the rock, and stayed in the wilderness of Maon…So David made haste to get away from Saul…so they called that place the Rock of Escape” (I Samuel 23:25,26,28). The word translated ‘Rock’ is Sela and the word translated as ‘rock’ are derivatives of the same word. Thus there was a Sela of Escape for David.

Jesus taught, “And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath” (Matthew 24:20) which is consistent with Revelation 12:14 which clearly states that it is a place to go to, it is in the wilderness, and it is away from the presence of the serpent. The word translated as wilderness, is translated as desert in the NIV. This word is eremos, which Strong’s defines as lonesome, waste, desert, desolate, solitary, wilderness. Thus, it is not protection in our own houses (as some have erroneously suggested), nor is it protection in a large city. It is somewhere in the wilderness.

Let’s fully quote Isaiah 16:1-4,

1 Send the lamb to the ruler of the land,
From Sela to the wilderness,
To the mount of the daughter of Zion.
2 For it shall be as a wandering bird thrown out of the nest;
So shall be the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon.

3 “Take counsel, execute judgment;
Make your shadow like the night in the middle of the day;
Hide the outcasts,
Do not betray him who escapes.
4 Let My outcasts dwell with you, O Moab;
Be a shelter to them from the face of the spoiler.
For the extortioner is at an end,
Devastation ceases,
The oppressors are consumed out of the land..

From these verses, we learn that Moab hides the outcasts, those who escape and then wander–this could be God’s people as Jesus told them “pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape” (Luke 21:36). The fact that they are called wanderers suggests that perhaps they do not start in Petra. It could refer to the fact that they are from many lands and/or that they have wandered to different places before coming to ‘Moab.’

We have seen that this place has something to do with Moab, Sela, and the wilderness. We know that some of the area that once was Moab is modern Jordan (while there also used to be Edomites there, we in the COGs tend to feel they moved much further north). We also know that Sela means rock. It is called Petra in Greek, which also means rock. There is a deserted town in Jordan named Petra, which is the place called Sela in Isaiah. Petra is not a city itself, and is in a lonesome, rocky, desert wilderness that contains caves. It is possible that some other place on Earth also meets these criteria, but thus far Petra appears to be the leading candidate.

The scriptures that precede Isaiah 16 may also provide a clue. Notice:

10 Enter into the rock, and hide in the dust, From the terror of the Lord And the glory of His majesty. (Isaiah 2:10)

They will carry away to the Brook of the Willows. For the cry has gone all around the borders of Moab, Its wailing to Eglaim And its wailing to Beer Elim. For the waters of Dimon will be full of blood; Because I will bring more upon Dimon, Lions upon him who escapes from Moab, And on the remnant of the land (Isaiah 15:7-9).

It is possible that the term “Brook (Hebrew nachal which indicates a stream, flood, or similar) of Willows” (Hebrew arab’) may be a reference to the area near Petra called Wadi al-Arabah (which some claim means something like “valley of the desert” or perhaps “drainage area of willows”). Wadi al-Arabah is also called Wadi al Jayb.

As Wadi al-Arabah is about 180 kilometers long, from the southern shore of the Dead Sea to Al Aqabah in the south (hence it is in Jordan, though some of it may be in Israeli territory), it runs past Petra to the west and it is somewhat close enough to Petra to “carry away to.”

A Wadi is supposed to be some type of drainage area (or simply a low area or valley that drains when flooded).

A small one closest to Petra seems to be Wadi Musa (“valley of Moses”)–which is currently not wet–but on a map it looks like it would drain into Wadi al-Arabah if wet enough. But it is possible that since the name Wadi implied a wet area when it was given, that this “Brook of the Willows” includes the area of Petra. But this is uncertain–but again these verses in Isaiah 15, like those in Isaiah 16 do also indicate that perhaps some area in Jordan is involved.

Christians may wander in that area as well.

Interestingly, Jeremiah wrote:

You who dwell in Moab, Leave the cities and dwell in the rock, And be like the dove which makes her nest in the sides of the cave’s mouth (Jeremiah 48:28).

For thus says the LORD: “Behold, one shall fly like an eagle, And spread his wings over Moab…” (Jeremiah 48:40).

It should also be noted that Petra is south, south-east of Jerusalem, which, as we saw earlier, is a possible direction for the place to be. Other than the aspect of caves (which does not mention the amount of caves), it should be noted, that many other areas in Jordan also are in the right direction and fit the description of the place–so it is possible that the Church may flee into Jordan and not stay in Petra, but somewhere else in Jordan or a neighboring area.

It may be of interest to note that although Moab (somewhat associated with modern Jordan) is likely to somewhat support the upcoming King of the South (Daniel 11:40), Moab ends up escaping the punishment by the final King of the North (Daniel 11:40-43)–and possibly God allows this escape because the place of protection may be in their land (though the King of the North would likely believe that there are other reasons, including political ones).

There is another passage of scripture that may be alluding to a Jordanian location for the place, which states,

5 If you have run with footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they have wearied you, then how will you do in the floodplain of Jordan? 6 For even you brothers, the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; Yes they have called a multitude after you. Do not believe them, even though they speak smooth words to you” (Jeremiah 12:5-6).

The implication to God’s people is if you are having a difficult time living in a relatively peaceful land, what will happen to you when you are being pursued by ‘a multitude’ in the ‘floodplain of Jordan’?

Remember, the serpent spews out a flood to try to destroy those who flee to the wilderness (Revelation 12:14-15). Thus it is possible that this is why Jeremiah is warning God’s people about how they will do in the ‘floodplain of Jordan’ (most any map suggests this floodplain looks like it is east of Jerusalem, God’s people would probably need to cross it if they arrive in Jerusalem and head towards Petra).  They will also have lessons to learn.

The idea that those going to the place will undergo final training is one that we in the Continuing Church of God also embrace. We do not believe that the faithful are simply going to save their physical lives, but to be trained so that they can be more effective servants of God.  To learn to better spread the love of God to more of humanity.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Might Petra be the Place of Safety? This is a video. Bible teaches that a portion of the Christians will be protected in a wilderness area during the Great Tribulation. Might this place be Petra in Jordan? Which places do the show can and cannot be the place of safety? Is the idea of Christians fleeing to an area with caves during the reign of the Beast and Antichrist an old one or a modern invention? Which Christians get this protection and which do not? Will those who do not go be subject to persecution? Do Catholic prophecies warn against this place of protection?
This is PETRA! This is a 1962 Good News article by the late Dr. Hoeh.
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.  Here is something related in the Spanish language: Hay un lugar de seguridad para los Filadelfinos. ¿Puede ser Petra?
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? See also the video Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2013?
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now essentially the most faithful in the Church of God, which is best represented by the Continuing Church of God.
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? For a more detailed discussion of the first four commandments, please see the video The Ten Commandments: Loving God. Here is a link to a related article in Mandarin Chinese 十条诫命显示爱，违反诫命的就是邪恶的
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? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2013 o 2014? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language video The Great Tribulation Will Not Begin Before 2017.

The US Bill of Rights

COGwriter

Today is considered to be ‘Constitution Day’ and is sometimes called ‘Citizenship Day’ for the USA.  The current Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787.

Typically, this day is not really celebrated in the USA.

Yet, those who live in the USA may wish to re-read its Bill of Rights which came into effect as Constitutional Amendments on December 15, 1791.

People such as Edward Snowden, despite whatever flaws he may have, have pointed out some of how the USA violated portions of the Bill of Rights, such as the 4th-6th amendment rights. So, he has been in hiding for that. Here is what those amendments were supposed to protect (some of which have been mishandled related to him personally by the US government):

• Fourth Amendment – Protection from unreasonable search and seizure.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

• Fifth Amendment – due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, eminent domain.

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

• Sixth Amendment – Trial by jury and rights of the accused; Confrontation Clause, speedy trial, public trial, right to counsel

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

The Bush Administration got Congress to approve the so-called ‘Patriot Act’ and establish the Homeland Security Administration and other offices. The Obama Administration has added other offices as well and when its healthcare law goes more into effect, it will also create a lot more New Offices, etc.

Citizens of the USA are not truly free and are spied upon all the time by its government.

The USA does not truly abide by its Constitution any more.  And its hypocrisy and tactics are being noticed by others, and the coming Beast will follow further along the espionage path that the government of the USA has been laying out.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power? Various allegations have surfaced about the United States government spying on its own citizens as well as its supposed allies in the European Union. Whether or not all the espionage allegations are true, and the main ones have not been publicly denied by the government of the USA, the reality is that this does have prophetic ramifications and will help the Beast of Revelation. This video provides quotes from the Bible showing how this is so. The USA is placing itself in a position to be taken over and its response to the allegations will make it easier for the Europeans to do so.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, 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?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? 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? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves?
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory. There is also a video on the subject: Might Petra be the Place of Safety?
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?

Severely Obese Male

COGwriter

Reports from various scientists and governments point to problems with obesity.

In the USA, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) put out a report titled Vital Signs: State-Specific Obesity Prevalence Among Adults — United States, 2009 that had some disturbing findings:

Background: Obesity is a costly condition that can reduce quality of life and increases the risk for many serious chronic diseases and premature death. The U.S. Surgeon General issued the Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity in 2001, and in 2007, no state had met the Healthy People 2010 objective to reduce obesity prevalence among adults to 15%.

Methods: CDC used 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey data to update estimates of national and state-specific obesity prevalence. Obesity was calculated based on self-reported weight and height and defined as body mass index (weight [kg] / height [m]2) ≥30.

Results: Overall self-reported obesity prevalence in the United States was 26.7%. Non-Hispanic blacks (36.8%), Hispanics (30.7%), those who did not graduate from high school (32.9%), and persons aged 50–59 years (31.1%) and 60–69 years (30.9%) were disproportionally affected. By state, obesity prevalence ranged from 18.6% in Colorado to 34.4% in Mississippi; only Colorado and the District of Columbia (19.7%) had prevalences of <20%; nine states had prevalences of ≥30%.

Conclusions: In 2009, no state met the Healthy People 2010 obesity target of 15%, and the self-reported overall prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults had increased 1.1 percentage points from 2007…

Alternate text: … A total of 33 states had obesity prevalences >25% in 2009, and nine of those states had prevalences ≥30%. In contrast, 28 states had prevalences <20% in 2000, and no state had a prevalence of ≥30%.  (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm59e0803a1.htm?s_cid=mm59e0803a1_w)

The obesity rate was highest in states like Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Oklahoma, etc.  States like California were in the 20-25% range.

Some believe that the obesity situation in the USA will likely get worse:

The number of obese adults, along with related disease rates and health care costs, are on course to increase dramatically in every state in the country over the next 20 years, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America‘s Future 2012, areport released today by Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)…If obesity rates continue on their current trajectories, by 2030, 13 states could have adult obesity rates above 60 percent, 39 states could have rates above 50 percent, and all 50 states could have rates above 44 percent….If states’ obesity rates continue on their current trajectories, the number of new cases of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke, hypertension and arthritis could increase 10 times between 2010 and 2020—and double again by 2030.   http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/18/4830720/adult-obesity-rates-could-exceed.html#storylink=cpy

U.S. obesity rate to hit 42 percent by 2030: study

English.news.cn   2012-05-08…

(Xinhua) — Almost 42 percent of the U.S. population could be obese by 2030, according to a study released Monday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) .

The findings suggest the U.S. healthcare system could be burdened with 32 million more obese people within two decades. Action is needed to keep rates from increasing further, said researchers from Duke University, RTI International and the CDC.

By the most current obesity statistics, 35.7 percent of American adults — 78 million people — and 16.9 percent of U.S. children and adolescents — 12.5 million kids — are obese, meaning their body-mass index is 30 or over.

60% obesity in 13 states and at least 44% in all 50? That is horrible. Some think the USA already has a 60% obesity rate:

Obesity is more common than ever

April 3, 2012

Obesity- Americans may be more overweight than we think according to a new study that says doctor’s use of body mass index (BMI) underestimates just how bad it is. Researchers say about 4 in 10 adults whose BMI places them in just the overweight category would actually be considered obese if their body fat percentage were taken into account. Currently the BMI threshold for obesity is 30 but should be lowered to 24 for women and 28 for men, the study reports.

US obesity rates may be underestimated, study finds: Blame BMI test?

CBS News – ‎3 April 2012

America may have a worse weight problem than anyone thought…”Roughly 30 percent of Americans are obese,” based on their body mass index (BMI), study author Dr. Eric Braverman, president of the nonprofit research group, the Path Foundation in New York City, told HealthDay. “But when you use other methods, closer to 60 percent are obese. We call BMI the ‘baloney mass index.’”

So, if the weights are characterized differently, the USA (and others) have a higher obesity rate than most believe.

Of course, it is not just those in the USA that are overweight. Here are a couple of other reports:

July 27, 2013

Nearly 30% of adults are overweight in New Zealand Authorities…New Zealand has one of the highest obesity rates in the developed world, with nearly 30% of people overweight…(South African chef ‘too fat’ to live in New Zealand. BBC, July 27, 2013. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23475583 viewed 08/19/13).

Canada faces child obesity epidemic: Aglukkaq

‎Montreal Gazette – 27 February 2012

Canada is facing an epidemic of childhood obesity, with more children being diagnosed today with high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and other healthconditions once seen only in adults, Canada’s health minister warned Monday.”Today, more than one in four young Canadians is overweight or obese, with rates even higher among aboriginal people,” Leona Aglukkaq said at the opening of a federal-provincial summit on healthy weights in Ottawa.

Obesity Continues to Balloon in U.S. and U.K.: Study

U.S. News & World Report – ‎26 August 2011

THURSDAY, Aug. 25 (HealthDay News) — The number of obese people in the United States will increase from 99 million in 2008 to 164 million by 2030, and the number of obese people in the United Kingdom will increase from 15 million to 26 million, a new study says.
Obesity-related diseases and health care costs will soar as a result, according to the report published Aug. 26 in The Lancet.Already, the U.S. and U.K. obesity rates are the highest among the 34 member nations of the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation (OECD), the study said.

August 19, 2013

One of the most comprehensive studies tracking the health of Australians has released findings that paint a disturbing picture of the nation’s battle with diabetes and obesity.

The AusDiab study was funded through a National Health and Medical Research Council grant and followed 11,000 Australians for 12 years.

Researchers found the incidence of diabetes remained very high, with almost 270 adult Australians diagnosed each day, and people aged 25-34 were gaining more weight than other age groups…In line with previous trends, obesity levels continued to rise.

The report found that the average gain in waist circumference over the 12 years of the study was 5.3 centimetres and it was greater in women than men. (Long-term study finds Australian adults increasingly at risk of diabetes and obesity. ABC. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-19/australian-adults-health-status/4894924)

So, many are obese, and the trend in the Anglo-nations does not look good.

But how serious a problem can that be to the health of the obese

Notice some news items related to a 2013 report in the American Journal of Public Health:

Obesity appears to be deadlier than experts thought, according to a new study in the American Journal of Public Health. While previous estimates put the mortality rate of obesity at around 5 percent, researchers from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City found that the death rate is actually closer to 18 percent – meaning that nearly 1 in 5 obese people will die of obesity and associated conditions such as heart disease and diabetes…

{There are} nearly 78 million obese adults in the United States – and this study shows that the problem is worse than experts thought.”Obesity has dramatically worse health consequences than some recent reports have led us to believe,” study author Ryan Masters, PhD, a research at the Mailman, said in a statement. “We expect that obesity will be responsible for an increasing share of deaths in the United States and perhaps even lead to declines in U.S. life expectancy.”

The obesity rate in the United States has been steadily rising since 1990, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 1990, no state had an obesity rate over 19 percent, but by 2010, no state had an obesity rate below 20 percent. It’s a worrying trend, said Stacy Brethauer, MD, a specialist at the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute for the Cleveland Clinic.  http://www.everydayhealth.com/weight/obesity-kills-1-in-5-four-times-what-experts-thought-4555.aspx?xid=aol_eh-news_18_20130812_&aolcat=HLT&icid=maing-grid7%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl3%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D359301

A third of Americans (36%) are obese, which is roughly 35 pounds over a healthy weight. Obesity puts people at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Pinpointing obesity-related deaths is an evolving science as researchers use different statistical models to come up with estimates…Roland Sturm, a senior economist with the RAND Corp., a non-profit research group, says that although obesity has an impact on mortality, he doesn’t believe it’s three times previous government estimates. He says that obesity’s biggest toll may be on long-term health and raising health care costs.  http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/08/15/extra-pounds-obesity-death/2660165/

So, premature death and diseases are associated with obesity.

But there are other problems:

Cancers tied to HPV and obesity on the rise in U.S., says report

7 January 2013…

Among men and women, there were reported increases for cancers tied to obesity, such as those of the kidney, pancreas and uterus (the latter, of course, for women only)…

This year’s report contained a special feature section that focused on cancers related to HPV. Human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States, according to the CDC. There are more than 40 types of the virus that can infect the genitals of males and females, and most people who become infected don’t know they have the virus. The virus can be spread via oral, vaginal and anal sex.

The new report found increases in rates for HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer (throat cancer) among white men and women, in addition to rises in anal cancer rates among white and black men and women.  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57562527/cancers-tied-to-hpv-and-obesity-on-the-rise-in-u.s-says-report/

Although there are multiple factors in the increase of obesity, the HPV-increase is almost entirely because of participating in sex out side of marriage (by at least one) and anal intercourse (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13)–both of these are biblically prohibited.

But both of these seem to be on the rise. Various cancers are affected by obesity.

Intellectual development seems to be affected by obesity:

September 3, 2012

There’s a scary new study showing that obesity can hurt kids’ brains…obesity is bad for kids.  It increases their risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, orthopedic problems and a whole bunch of other health problems.  But what this study in the journal Pediatrics is talking about is different: it’s talking about effects on the brain.  Researchers looked at 49 adolescents with metabolic syndrome.  Metabolic syndrome, a consequence of obesity when you use other methods, closer to 60 percent are obese…

.

The kids with metabolic syndrome had more trouble with arithmetic, spelling, attention and mental “flexibility” than the ones who didn’t have metabolic syndrome. Even more frightening, the researchers saw actual changes in their brains, in the hippocampus (which plays a crucial role in memory) and the white matter (which passes messages through the brain).  http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/mdmama/2012/09/obesity_is_bad_for_kids_brains.html

Obesity can cause many problems. I should add that obese parents tend to have a higher percentag of obese children as well. Parents need to set the right example for their children.

Obese people also face day-to-day problems in their lives. Many activities are more difficult for them. They also tend to be a greater risk of employment discrimination, pay discrimination, and face a variety of social challenges greater than those of the non-obese population.

The end of the USA and its Anglo-descended allies is coming. There is no prophecy in scripture that I believe even hints that a country like the current USA will exist after the King of the North succeeds (cf. Daniel 11:39, which seems to be the only reference to the USA in that chapter, and shows its conquering and division). National repentance, which does not seem likely at this stage, is the only hope. But individuals themselves can turn to God. And although obesity is a multi-factorial problem, all who are overweight, even the irreligious, can eat less, try to avoid chemical additives, and make better food and food quantity choices.

Some prophetic articles of possibly related interest may include:

Obesity, processed foods, and the Bible Does the Bible warn about the consequences of being obese? Is overeating dangerous? What does science teach? Is gluttony condemned? This new article has that and much more.
Eating Right, Eating Too Much, and Prophecy This is a YouTube video.  Are there disadvantages to being overweight? Is junk food really bad for you? Does the Bible discuss overeating and/or obesity? Is overeating having an effect on the US military? What are the ramifications of personal and national health for overeating? What should you eat?
GMOs and Bible Prophecy What are GMOs? Since they were not in the food supply until 1994, how could they possibly relate to Bible prophecy? Do GMOs put the USA and others at risk? Here is a related YouTube video GMO Risks and the Bible.
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.
Does God Heal Today? What does the Bible teach? Herbert Armstrong tries to explain this.
Ten Simple Rules that Lead to Health Herbert Armstrong gives his opinions on this.
Do Christians Sin? This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong.
Overcoming Sin What is sin? How are Christians suppose to overcome it? Here is a link to a version in Mandarin Chinese: 克服是重要的. Here is also a link to a video in English titled How to Overcome Sin.
How to Prevent Sin This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong. Here is a version in Mandarin: 如何不犯罪
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? A video of possible interest may be Will Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? 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? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?

Georgia Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili (milkybarkid78)

COGwriter

The Eurasian Union is growing.  Armenia is now part of it.  Even the Prime Minister of Georgia said he was looking at it:

President Saakashvili said on September 12 that PM Ivanishvili “broke the main taboo” of the Georgian politics by saying that his government is watching and studying the Russian-initiated Eurasian Union…

“Prime Minister Ivanishvili broke the main taboo of the Georgian politics; as a politician he had the right to do it. But with this taboo already broken and with the issue of whether Georgia should go towards the West or towards the North is a topic of debates… now it is important to realize what does this debate mean for us,” Saakashvili said, adding that it was much more than just about foreign policy choice of the country as choice in favor of the Russian-led Eurasian Union would amount throwing the country back into the past when Georgia was engulfed by corruption and crimes. http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=26448

PM Ivanishvili said in a written statement…that he’s “surprised by hype commotion” stirred around his remarks over the Eurasian Union made during a press conference…Asked during a press conference on September 4 what he thinks about Russia’s initiative to form Eurasian Union, the PM responded: “I am looking at it with attention and we are studying it. At this stage we have no position at all. If in perspective we see that it is interesting for the strategy of our country, then why not; but at this stage we have no position.” “Apparently, there are people who need to hear an explanation of my yesterday’s remarks. Therefore, I reiterate that if the Eurasian Union shows any compatibility with our country’s interests without contradicting the main policy declared by Georgia, we will discuss this issue in the future. And I repeat: Why not?” Ivanishvili says in his written statement…http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=26419

Considered as a ‘pet project’ of Russia’s Vladimir Putin by many in the West, there is increased interest and growth in the Eurasian Union.

The Bible supports that there will be a confederation of nations tied to a northern power, like Russia:

50:41 “Behold, a people shall come from the north,
And a great nation and many kings
Shall be raised up from the ends of the earth.
42 They shall hold the bow and the lance;
They are cruel and shall not show mercy.
Their voice shall roar like the sea;
They shall ride on horses,
Set in array, like a man for the battle,
Against you, O daughter of Babylon.
43 “The king of Babylon has heard the report about them,
And his hands grow feeble;
Anguish has taken hold of him,
Pangs as of a woman in childbirth…”(Jeremiah 50:41-43).

The above shows that a coming European empire (the “daughter of Babylon”) is to be destroyed by a northern (apparently Russian led) force. This force that has “kings” from “the ends of the earth” will apparently be those from the far north and the far east. This is consistent with Daniel 11:44. And the “many kings” is consistent with the “kings of the sunrise” of Revelation 16:12 (literal translation).

Notice that the “king of Babylon” the “daughter of Babylon” heard reports about them. This is totally consistent with the King of the North being troubled by “news from the east and the north” (Daniel 11:44).

Russian and most of the Eurasian Union is north and/or east of Europe.

As more countries consider the Eurasian Union, this organization may well be part of the confederation that will

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future 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?
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 Who is 666? This article explains how the COG views this, and compares this to Ellen White.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.

COGwriter

How prevalent is pornography?  And what harm does it do?

Notice a brief report on its prevalence:

Prevalence of Pornography Use

In a day where sexually explicit images are easy to access through home computers, cable stations, 900 numbers, the near-by gas station, or the next door neighbor, it is naive to assume a friend or loved one has never had experience with, or been tempted by, some kind of pornography. Dr. Laaser (2000), executive director of the Christian Alliance for Sexual Recovery, reported during a U.S. Congressional hearing that the average age a person in the U.S. is first exposed to pornography is approximately five years old.

Zogby International and Focus on the Family conducted a nationwide survey of 1,031 adults and found that “…20 percent of American adults – as many as 40 million – click on sexually oriented websites. Eighteen percent of respondents who are married visit such sites. Almost the same percentage who called themselves born-again Christians told Zogby they indulge in online pornography” (Walker, 2002, ¶ 3).  (Use and Harms of Pornography. http://foreverfamilies.byu.edu/Article.aspx?a=140 viewed 08/25/13)

However, that is just a reference to what is considered to be ‘hard-core’ pornography. What was considered immoral dress in the mid-20th century is now more modest dress than many young females wear.  So, the problem is much bigger than 40 million Americans per day.

Pornography: A scourge on society Is pornography harmless fun? Does the Bible teach anything about it? What are the views of some involved with it? Here is a link to a YouTube video Pornography: Harmless Fun or a Scourge on Society?
British and American Moral Decay Public nudity is becoming more prevalent in the Anglo-lands. What are some of the consequences?
Love, Marriage, and Sex It is important to get them in the right order.
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?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
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?

COGwriter

The latest issue (#154, print date August 31, 2013) of The Journal was sent out electronically a few hours ago.

Here is part of one of its front page articles:

TYLER, Texas—The Church of God International announced plans to drop its long-running Armor of God TV program from broadcast television in September 2013 in favor of expanding its Internet-based print and video efforts. CGI chief executive Charles Groce said, “Because of our limited exposure to major channels, we were left out of many thousands of homes.” So the church’s board of directors evaluated the church’s public-media effectiveness and “decided to take our evangelism in a different direction.”

While television does have limits (and can be quite costly), most COG groups that I recall that have claimed that they would mainly rely on the internet for public proclamation of the gospel have not done well in reality (COGWA, to cite one large example, comes to mind–but there are many other small groups that have also not done well over the internet–building an internet audience does not work the way that many think it does). We will see how CGI does.  Though currently, the smaller Continuing Church of God seems to reach a lot more on the internet than CGI does.

The Journal reports that a long-time editor there has left:

Darlene moves on

BIG SANDY, Texas—Darlene Warren, for 14 years editor of the CONNECTIONS section of THE JOURNAL, has resigned from the staff of this newspaper. Mrs.Warren, who had served since the March 31, 1999, issue as THE JOURNAL’s and CONNECTIONS’ ad saleslady and a columnist, will be missed. “It’s not quite the same around here without Darlene working with us,” publisher Dixon Cartwright said. “We wish her well and know she will succeed at anything she wants to do.” See Mrs.Warren’s last column on page 9 of this issue. It is a reprint of her first column in 1999. Bye and all the best, Darlene.

I believe I spoke with Darlene a few times over the years.  She was always pleasant for me to work with.

Another item in this issue of The Journal that caught my attention had to do with hymnals:

How about a list of unaltered hymns from the purple hymnal?

The writer is a second-generation nondenominational Judeo-Christian born and raised in the Worldwide Church of God. Her family fell away after the changes in 1996. Since June 2011 she has attended Sabbath services with Grace Communion International.

By Velvet Delorey CORNER BROOK, Nfld., Canada— For those who prefer to sing only scripturally accurate hymns, this article includes a list of the only hymns that were transferred from the Worldwide Church of God’s 1974 purple hymnal to the 1993 hymnal. The WCG was renamed Grace Communion International in 2009. A future article may include all the changes made that rendered Dwight Armstrong’s original hymns unbiblical , undoctrinal or both. It would also note which hymns were edited and which worldly denominations GCI’s denominational leadership cherrypicked from for the rest of the hymns in the newer hymnal. The unaltered hymns: __________ America the Beautiful Battle Hymn of the Republic Behold the Day Will Come Bless the Lord Eternal, O My Soul Blest and Happy Is the Man…

As it turns out, we in the Continuing Church of God already have such a hymnal, which contains the full list.  Information about this hymnal was also covered in this edition of The Journal:

It won’t be long now: New hymnal on its way

ARROYO GRANDE, Calif.— The founder of the Continuing Church of God (CCG), based here, announced that its new songbook, The Bible Hymnal, will soon be available. In a press release church founder and pastor Bob Thiel said his church’s book consists of all the hymns that appear in the 1974 edition of the hymnal of the old Worldwide Church of God (WCG). As well, the new book has an additional 10 hymns composed by music man Ross Jutsum of Sierra Madre, Calif. The late Herbert W. Armstrong had long ago approved the hymns by Mr. Jutsum for use in WCG church services, Dr. Thiel said. “Many will recall such titles . . . as ‘By This Shall All Men Know,’ ‘How Good and How Pleasant’ and ‘It Won’t Be Long Now.’ ” The new book of hymns is available from Amazon.com for $8.99. Since Amazon was recently selling used copies of the 1974 edition of the WCG’s hymnal for more than twice that amount, “some looking for a Church of God hymnal may find it a bargain,” Dr. Thiel said. He noted that hymns by Herbert Armstrong’s brother Dwight reside in the public domain, but Ross Jutsum’s hymns do not. But the CCG has a special arrangement with Mr. Jutsum to include his hymns in its new book.

The new hymnal is already available (it was “on its way” when Dixon Cartwright discussed it with my in June/July 2013).  Here is a link to it in Amazon: The Bible Hymnal.

The Journal also had a couple of book reviews, and the usual advertisements and letters to the editor.   There were also some items related to UCG and COGWA (mainly a brief mention).  The Journal, in my view, has long been too accommodating of promoting unitarian heresies, and it helped promote certain views of a leader with those views also something in this issue.

The Journal itself is available by paid subscription (though Dixon Cartwright says some subscriptions are free to those who cannot afford it) and often tends to take a non-Philadelphian era view of certain church matters.

 COGwriter

Later this week, September 18 after sunset, is the start of the biblical Feast of Tabernacles.  The “Feast of Tabernacles” along with the “The Last Great Day” is an 8-day Biblical pilgrimage festival, also known as the “Feast of Booths,” the “Feast of Tabernacles,” or simply “Tabernacles.”

In 7th day Church of God groups like the Continuing Church of God, it is one of the most important festivals as it lasts the longest and normally requires a great deal of preparation and travel to be able to attend. But it is normally the physical and spiritual highlight of the year for those that do observe it.

The Apostle Paul, after the Christ’s death and resurrection indicated that it was important to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. As it is noted in Acts 18:21,

21 I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.

The Feast of Tabernacles is significant for Christians. It pictures the reality of Christ’s reign on the earth and that this current world is simply temporal.

Perhaps it might be helpful to realize that Catholic scholars do admit that early Christians did observe the Feast:

St. Jerome (PL 25, 1529 & 1536-7) speaking of how the Judaeo-Christians celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles…tells us that they gave the feast a millenarian significance (Bagatti, Bellarmino. Translated by Eugene Hoade. The Church from the Circumcision. Nihil obstat: Marcus Adinolfi. Imprimi potest: Herminius Roncari. Imprimatur: +Albertus Gori, die 26 Junii 1970. Franciscan Printing Press, Jerusalem, p.202).

The faithful in the Continuing Church of God in the 21st century also believe that this Feast foreshadows the coming millennium. Millenarianism (a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth, often called the millennium) was taught by the early Christians.

Related to the Feast of Tabernacles, here is something from the Statement of Beliefs of the Continuing Church of God :

The Feast of Tabernacles, which shows a time of abundance, helps picture the millennial reign (Revelation 20:4-5) of Jesus Christ and His saints on the earth (Zechariah 14; Matthew 9:37-38; 13:1-30; Luke 12:32; John 7:6-14; Acts 17:31; Revelation 5:10, 12:9). This future paradise, following the near total destruction that humanity will have brought upon itself through its activities and the Great Tribulation and Day of the Lord (Matthew 24:21-31), will help show humanity the advantages of God’s way of life. Every seven years, the law is to be read during this festival (Deuteronomy 31:10-13).

Christians who observe this festival believe that part of the reason that there will be peace is that people will all be taught the law of God, as teaching the law of God was an important part of this feast during the days of the children of Israel. Look at Deuteronomy chapter thirty-one, beginning with verse ten:

“At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles, when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the LORD your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess” (Deuteronomy 31:10-13).

Notice that this reading of the law was to happen every seven years. I had long felt that this needed to be done, but had been overlooked by most COG groups.  But we in the Continuing Church of God plan to do that this year.

Out family is planning on observing the first half of the Feast of Tabernacles in Whangarei New Zealand, and expects to observe the second half in Santa Maria, California this year (see also Feast of Tabernacles’ Sites for 2013).  It is not too late for some others to attend either of those sites (or the one in Kenya).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today’s Christians? What is the Last Great Day? What do these days teach?
The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time to Learn the Law The Bible teaches that every seven years that the law should be read at the Feast of Tabernacles. This is what I did at the first Feast site were I gave an actual sermon (as opposed to a sermonette) in 2006.
Feast of Tabernacles’ Sites for 2013 This is information on the expected Feast of Tabernacles’ sites for the Continuing Church of God for 2013. The Feast in 2013 begins the evening of September 18.
Is Second Tithe and Third Tithe Still Valid Today? Should you save and use second tithe? Some in the COGs no longer teach payment of third tithe, is this biblically correct?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by the Tkach WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days. (Here is a related link in Spanish/español: Calendario Anual de Adoración –Una crítica basada en la Biblia y en la Historia: ¿Hay un Calendario Anual de Adoración en la Biblia?
Holy Day Calendar This is a listing of the biblical holy days through 2024, with their Roman calendar dates. They are really hard to observe if you do not know when they occur 🙂  In the Spanish/Español/Castellano language: Calendario de los Días Santos.

COGwriter

The following may raise some eyebrows for some practicing Catholics:

Comments on celibacy and democracy in the church by Italian Archbishop Pietro Parolin, whom Pope Francis named as the Vatican’s new Secretary of State on Aug. 31, are raising eyebrows today, with some wondering if they herald looming changes in Catholic teaching and practice…

The following is a provision translation of Parolin’s comments, which came in an interview with the Venezuelan newspaper El Universal.

Parolin: The church has a role of continuity in history…

Question: Do you mean that the approach to reform implies a return to early Christianity?

Yes, taking into account that we also have two thousand years of history…

Aren’t there two types of dogmas? Aren’t there unmovable dogmas that were instituted by Jesus and then there are those that came afterwards, during the course of the church’s history, created by men and therefore susceptible to change?

Certainly. There are dogmas that are defined and untouchable.

Celibacy is not —

It is not a church dogma and it can be discussed because it is a church tradition.

That goes back to what period?

To the early centuries. After its implementation, it was applied during the first millennium and after the Council of Trent, the church enforced it. It is a tradition, and the concept lives on within the church because during the course of all these years things have happened that have contributed to develop God’s revelation. This was completed with the death of the last apostle, Saint John. What happened afterwards was an increase in the comprehension and the living out of the revelation.

Speaking of celibacy —

The work the church did to institute ecclesiastical celibacy must be considered. We cannot simply say that it is part of the past. It is a great challenge for the pope, because he is the one with the ministry of unity and all of those decisions must be made thinking of the unity of the church and not to divide it. Therefore we can talk, reflect, and deepen on these subjects that are not definite, and we can think of some modifications, but always with consideration of unity, and all according to the will of God. It is not about what I would like but what God wants for His church.  http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/parolin-celibacy-democracy

This celibacy matter is not a surprise and something that I have expected.  But this is not unique to Francis’ papacy.  When I visited the Eastern Orthodox Patriarchate of Constantinople in 2008, I was told by a representative of the Patriarch Bartholomew that the Church of Rome would allow the Eastern Orthodox to keep their doctrinal differences (which includes allowing their priests to marry) if they would simply accept papal authority over their church. Hence, celibacy is not an issue that the Church of Rome must insist on. And that was later confirmed in 2009 when the Vatican made a deal with various Anglicans, as that deal allowed their priests to be married.

For several reasons I have long expected that the Vatican would consider allowing priests to be married (and yes, it is even listed in my 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect book as something that I believed would happen).

The first is that the Vatican itself is aware that celibacy was not a biblical requirement. Most of the apostles, including Peter, were married.

The Bible shows that bishops and presbyters/elders were supposed to have a wife and children. This was partially to demonstrate they could handle a church as Paul wrote per the Roman Catholic approved Rheims New Testament:

1.FAITHFUL saying. If a man desire a Bishops office, he desireth a good work.
2. It behoveth therefore a Bishop to be irreprehensible, the husband of one wife,
sober, wise, comely, chaste, a man of hospitality, a teacher,
3. Not given to wine, no fighter, but modest, no quarreler, not covetous,
4. Well ruling his own house, chaving his children subject with all charity.
5. But if a man know not to rule his own house: how shall he have care of the Church of
God? (1 Timothy 3:1-5).

5. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest reform the things that are
wanting, and shouldst ordain priests by cities, as I also appointed thee:
6. If any be without crime, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not in the
accusations of riot, or not obedient.
7. For a Bishop must be without crime, as the steward of God: not proud, not angry, nor
given to wine, no striker, nor covetous of filthy lucre (Titus 1:5-7).

Note that the term translated as priest in verse 4, presbyter, simply means elder. Also notice that the Bishop is also allowed to be married. In Eastern Orthodox circles, while their priests are allowed to be married, their bishops are not.

The second is that even The Catholic Encyclopedia acknowledges that from the beginning, celibacy was not a requirement for church leaders:

Turning now to the historical development of the present law of celibacy, we must necessarily begin with St. Paul’s direction (1 Timothy 3:2, 12, and Titus 1:6) that a bishop or a deacon should be “the husband of one wife”. These passages seem fatal to any contention that celibacy was made obligatory upon the clergy from the beginning (Thurston H. Transcribed by Christine J. Murray. Celibacy of the Clergy. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume III. Copyright © 1908 by Robert Appleton Company. Online Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. Knight. Nihil Obstat, November 1, 1908. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York).

Celibacy became an ideal for the clergy in the East gradually, as it did in the West. In the fourth century we still find St. Gregory Nazianzen’s father, who was Bishop of Nanzianzos, living with his wife, without scandal. But very soon after that the present Eastern rule obtained. It is less strict than in the West. No one can marry after he has been ordained priest (Paphnutius at the first Council of Nicaea maintains this; the first Canon of the Synod of Neocaesarea in 314 or 325, and Can. Apost., xxvi. The Synod of Elvira about 300 had decreed absolute celibacy for all clerks in the West, Can. xxxiii, ib., pp. 238-239); priests already married may keep their wives (the same law applied to deacons and subdeacons: Can. vi of the Synod in Trullo, 692), but bishops must be celibate. As nearly all secular priests were married this meant that, as a general rule, bishops were chosen from the monasteries, and so these became, as they still are, the road through advancement may be attained (Fortesque A. Transcribed by Marie Jutras. Eastern Monasticism. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume X. Copyright © 1911 by Robert Appleton Company. Online Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. Knight. Nihil Obstat, October 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York).

Thus, the celibacy requirement for clergy did not occur until the fourth century–and many did not abide by it for centuries in various areas. Furthermore, a requirement for clerical celibacy contradicts the biblical teaching on this matter.

When the subject came up in the fourth century, a Greco-Roman bishop denounced it:

Paphnutius then was bishop of one of the cities in Upper Thebes: he was a man of such eminent piety, that extraordinary miraclas were done by him. In the time of the persecution he had been deprived of one of his eyes. The emperor honoured this man exceedingly, and often sent for him to the palace, and kissed the part where the eye had been torn out. So devout was the emperor Constantine. Having noticed this circumstance respecting Paphnutius, I shall explain. another thing which was wisely ordered in consequence of his advice, both for the good of the church and the honour of the clergy. It seemed fit to the bishops to introduce a new law into the church, that those who were in holy orders, I speak of bishops, presbyters, and deacons, should have no conjugal intercourse with the wives which they had married prior to their ordination. And when it was proposed to deliberate on this matter, Paphnutius having arisen in the midst of the assembly of bishops, earnestly entreated them not to impose so heavy a yoke on the ministers of religion: asserting that ” marriage is honourable among all, and the nuptial bed undefiled;” so that they ought not to injure the church by too stringent restrictions. ” For all men,” said he, ” cannot bear the practice of rigid continence ; neither perhaps would the chastity of each of their wives be preserved.” He termed the intercourse of a man with his lawful wife chastity. It would be sufficient, he thought, that such as had previously entered on their sacred calling should abjure matrimony, according to the ancient tradition of the church: but that none should be separated from her to whom, while yet unordained, he had been legally united…The whole assembly of the clergy assented to the reasoning of Paphnutius (Socrates Scholasticus. Book 1, Chapter XI. A History of the Church in Seven Books: From the Accession of Constantine, A.D. 305, to the 38th Year of Theodosius II, Inluding a Period of 140 Years. Published by S. Bagster, 1844. Original from Harvard University, pp. 53-54)

So as late as the early fourth century, the idea of required celibacy was opposed by most of the clergy.

The third reason to look into the celibacy issue is that the recent sex-pedophile scandals involving Roman Catholic priests have caused a number of Catholics to leave the Church of Rome. Thus, being willing to look at this matter may help if many do leave, so that this would give them a reason to return to Rome.

But the fourth reason, and perhaps major reason, that I have believed that celibacy requirements could be loosened is because it is a major goal of the Vatican to have the Eastern Orthodox, and as many of the Protestants as possible, unify with Rome. Although both biblical and certain Catholic prophecies warn against this, they both indicate that an ecumenical religion will be adopted by nearly all the world. And, based upon my understanding of biblical and Catholic prophecies, I believe that this will be a religion that calls itself “Catholic” but which changes many doctrines. And celibacy may be one of them. Especially, since the celibacy requirement was waived for the Anglicans in 2009 who wanted to become part of the Church of Rome (see Some Anglicans Starting to Accept Pope’s Offer of Unification).

One last point, if Catholics (and others like the Eastern Orthodox and Protestants) are truly interested in early Christianity, then they will need to change a lot.

A careful reading of church history shows that the early Christian church held doctrines much more in common with the Continuing Church of God than it does with the Catholics of Rome, Eastern Orthodox, or the Protestants, etc.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Was Celibacy Required for Early Bishops or Presbyters? Some religions suggest this, but what does the Bible teach? What was the practice of the early church?
Did the Early Christian Church Practice Monasticism? Does God expect or endorse living in a monastery or nunnery?
Were the Early Duties of Elders/Pastors Mainly Sacramental? What was there Dress? Were the duties of the clergy primarily pastoral or sacramental? Did the clergy dress with special liturgical vestments? Can “bishops” be disqualified as ministers of Christ based on their head coverings?
Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God differ from most Protestants How the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Continuing Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. [Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja do deus?]
Why Should American Catholics Should Fear Unity with the Orthodox? Are the current ecumenical meetings a good thing or will they result in disaster? Is doctrinal compromise good?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
Orthodox Must Reject Unity with the Roman Catholics Unity between these groups will put them in position to be part of the final end time Babylon that the Bible warns against as well as require improper compromise.
Similarities and Differences Between the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to represent the original Christian faith.  Do you know much about them? Both groups have some interesting similarities, but many major differences. Would you like information on how to deal with Jehovah’s Witnesses?
SDA/CCOG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 The genuine Church of God is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White. Did Ellen White make prophetic errors? Did Ellen White make false prophecies? Here is a version in the Spanish language: SDA/COG Diferencias: La bestia de dos cuernos de Apocalipsis y 666.
Seventh-day Adventist President Ted Wilson’s Comments on the Remnant Church Ted N. C. Wilson spoke on the SDAs striving to be the “remnant church”, but what do the related scriptures actually teach?
Some Dissimilarities Between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and the Continuing Church of God The genuine Church of God is not related to the Mormons and this article explains some differences and a couple of similarities.
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?
The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 Do they matter? Most say they must, but act like they do not. This article contains some history about the Church of God (sometimes referred to as the continuation of Primitive Christianity) over the past 2000 years. It also discusses the concept of church eras.
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. Is telling the truth about the early church citing Catholic accepted sources anti-Catholic? This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church. There is also a YouTube sermon on the subject titled Church of God or Church of Rome: What Do Catholic Scholars Admit About Early Church History?
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?
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! Here is a version in the Spanish language La sucesión apostólica. ¿Ocurrió en Roma, Alejandría, Constantinopla, Antioquía, Jerusalén o Asia Menor?
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?

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

COGwriter

Some believe that the current discussions about giving up chemical weapons will strengthen Syria’s President Assad:

September 15, 2013

(Reuters) – Syria’s government hailed as a “victory” a Russian-brokered deal that has averted U.S. strikes, while President Barack Obama defended a chemical weapons pact that the rebels fear has bolstered their enemy in the civil war.

President Bashar al-Assad’s jets and artillery hit rebel suburbs of the capital again on Sunday in an offensive that residents said began last week when Obama delayed air strikes in the face of opposition from Moscow and his own electorate.

Speaking of the U.S.-Russian deal, Syrian minister Ali Haidar told Moscow’s RIA news agency: “These agreements … are a victory for Syria, achieved thanks to our Russian friends.”…

Obama dismissed critics of his quick-changing tactics on Syria for focusing on “style” not substance. And while thanking Putin for pressing his “client the Assad regime” to disarm, he chided Russia for questioning Assad’s guilt over the gas attack.

Responding to concerns, notably in Israel, that a display of American weakness toward Assad could encourage his Iranian backers to develop nuclear weapons, Obama said Tehran’s nuclear program was a “far larger issue” for him than Assad’s toxins.  http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/15/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE98A15720130915

September 15, 2013

BEIRUT (AP) — A high-ranking Syrian official called the U.S.-Russian agreement on securing Syria’s chemical weapons a “victory” for President Bashar Assad’s regime, but the U.S. warned Sunday “the threat of force is real” if Damascus fails to carry out the plan.

The comments by Syrian Minister of National Reconciliation Ali Haidar to a Russian state news agency were the first by a senior Syrian government official on the deal struck a day earlier in Geneva. Under the agreement, Syria will provide an inventory of its chemical arsenal within one week and hand over all of the components of its program by mid-2014.  http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/09/15/syria-weapons-deal-victory/2816731/

September 15, 2013

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says the U.S.-Russian agreement to strip Syria of chemical weapons has put the world in “a better position” to avoid further chemical attacks. The president, in a television interview aired Sunday, says the situation in Syria is “untenable” as long as President Bashar al-Assad holds power…U.S. lawmakers have varied reactions to the agreement.  Republican Senator John McCain called it “an act of provocative weakness.”  Other Republicans and Democrats want a deal to avert U.S. military action.  http://www.voanews.com/content/us-russia-take-major-step-forward-on-syria-crisis/1750023.html

The USA originally called for the destruction of all Syrian chemical weapons by last week to avert military action.  Now, Syria has close to a year to come up with an inventory list of what it has.  Syrian considers this an important victory.

However, any ‘victory’ that the Assad regime is having is temporal.  Syria will change. Eventually Syria, and others in the Middle East and North Africa, will become supporters of the future King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43) and be aligned with Egypt per Ezekiel 30:1-9.

Russia, with all of this, has shown that it does not abandon its allies as fast as the USA has done (such as Hosni Mubarak to cite one example).

The current deal may extend Syrian President Bashar Assad’s reign, increase Russian influence, and impact USA credibility, but the time will come when Bashar Assad will change, die, or be exiled.  The USA still wants him out, also.

The situation with Iran, Syria’s closest ally, will change as well.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
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? What does Islam teach about the Imam Mahdi?
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say?
The Future King of the South is Rising Does the Bible teach that there will be a future King of the South in Daniel 11? Is this kingdom rising up now? Did the old Worldwide Church of God (WCG) teach that there would be another one? And who is the King of the South? How will this involve Egypt? Is the final King of the South some type of Arab-Muslim confederation? Can Iran be involved? Is there a group that seems to be supporting the goals of the King of the South? Has the Obama Administration supported the rise of this power? This is a YouTube video.
The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
Russia: Its Origins and Prophesied Future 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? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse What do each of the four horseman of the Apocalypse represent? Have they began their ride? Did Jesus discuss the any of this? Might their rides coincide with the “beginning of sorrows? Do they start their ride prior to the Great Tribulation? Did Nostradamus or any other ‘private prophets’ write predictions that may mislead people so that they may not understand the truth of one or more of the four horseman? There is also a related YouTube video titled The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse What is the pale horse of death and pestilences? What will it bring and when? Spanish: El cuarto jinete de Apocalipsis, el caballo pálido de muerte y pestilencia.
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.

Someone (perhaps the False Prophet) Bowing Before the Kalki

COGwriter

Will eastern nations, us as India, at least cooperate with the coming European Beast power?

There are over 1.2 billion people who live in India, and most of them are Hindus. Does the Bible teach that they will likely support the Beast and False Prophet/Antichrist? What do some Hindu writings suggest?

Bible prophecy strongly suggests that they will as the following points out:

4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”

5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. (Revelation 13:4-15)

Now, you may wondering why the Hindus and others may follow these leaders, who will be European. There are several reasons, including of signs and wonders (Revelation 13:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Matthew 24:24), economic motivation (Revelation 13:16-18; Revelation 18), etc.

But there also may be a theological one.

Within Hinduism there is the belief that a leader called the Kalki who is to rise up with the promise of bring peace–and while most views suggest he is Indian, that could be a matter of interpretation–Hinduism mainly is looking for a leader to rise up. Related to that, here is a section of my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect that would like to quote:

A Hindu from India named Vijay Kumar (he refers to himself as “The Man who Realized God In 1993”) makes the following claims…:

For the society to climb back to its pristine glory of the golden era… even the meek would handle metal (pick arms). Whatever the poor and the downtrodden lay their hands upon would become their weapon. In the last phase of the Kali Yuga we are passing through… the complete society has been taken to ransom by about 6% corrupt population comprising of politicians, bureaucrats, judiciary and police force…people await with abated breath the coming of Bhagwan Kalki…one who delivers the mankind from the existing ills of today. Bhagwan Kalki would be a spiritual master of the highest order with the deadly combination of a wise dictator (Chanakya of the modern era)…(Kumar, Vijay. End of the World 2012. http://www.godrealized.com/2012.html)

Notice that Vijay Kumar’s writings support a warring power—something the Bible warns against in Revelation 13:3–10. This type of warring power will not bring in a true age of peace, even though many may proclaim that it will (cf. Ezekiel 13:10-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:3).

Also notice the following about the Avatar/Bhagwan Kalki:

Whenever there is a withering of the law
and an uprising of lawlessness on all sides,
then I manifest Myself.

For the salvation of the righteous
and the destruction of such as do evil,
for the firm establishing of the Law,
I come to birth, age after age.—Bhagavad Gita, Book IV, Sutra 5, 7, 8…

In all, the Hindu text of Kalki Purana is comprised of 6100 verses describing … Kalki, who is considered the last Avtar or incarnation of Vishnu or the Supreme Being, who will establish the Age of Truth or Age of Purity on Earth.… As agreed by all the religious prophecies, the Awaited One will not be a man of peace like Jesus Christ or Buddha, but a man of war who will destroy evil and establish righteousness on the earth. (Hindu Prophecies: The Kalki Purana. http://ww-iii.tripod.com/hindu.htm)

If views like these become predominant in the future, it may be that they will help lead to Hindus at least temporarily accepting a new religion of the coming False Prophet and the authority of the coming militaristic dictator known as Beast that the Bible warns will rise up at the end. (Thiel B. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. Nazarene Books, 2009, p. )

Some of the prophecies involving the Kalki also discuss a “White horse.” The Bible warns of a rider of the white horse (the first of the four horsemen of the apocalypse) who is a deceptive religious leader, and at the end representing the False Prophet, the final Antichrist:

1 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. (Revelation 6:1-2)

The above rider is generally considered to be the first of the four horseman of the Apocalypse. He will be a false religious leader and the final Antichrist.

Around 1765, the illustration shown at the beginning of this article was put together. Notice that it has a person with a white horse who is bowing down before the Kalki. This is consistent with biblical prophecy that the false prophet will try to cause all to worship the Beast (who will be a European man, also called the King of the North in the Hebrew scriptures). Other Hindu prophecies have the Kalki himself riding the white horse. The Bible itself shows that the Beast and the False Prophet work together and more so after the final ride of the White Horseman of Revelation 6:2 who goes forth to conquer.

Notice also the following which one from India suggests could happen in 2014:

Some persons are skeptical that the earth was not destroyed on 21-12-12. I had written in an article published in Hindustan Times on 18-12-2012 that 21-12-12 is not end of world but a new chapter to be opened…

Nostradamus, who was guided by a cosmic power, had written in his prophecy 2/19:

For nine years the thin man will keep a peaceful rule,

Then he will fall into such a bloody thirst,

That a great people shall die without faith or law,

Killed by a much better natured man.

If we examine all the rulers of big countries who ruled after these prophecies were written, hardly we will find a ruler thinner than our P.M. Dr. Manmohan Singh…If the above mentioned prophecy is about our present P.M.; he is destined to have a peaceful rule for nine years. His nine years end in May 2013; he may rule for few more months. Then he will fall into such a bloody thirst of someone that a great number of people would die in his country. This may mean that he would fall in a trap of someone’s thirst and would have to relinquish his post. The circumstances, thereafter, would take such a turn that many such people shall die who would not have faith in law. After all that, the person / persons responsible for this turmoil would be killed by a much better natured (noble) man. Is this noble man the ‘Tenth Incarnation of Lord Vishnu’ who has been described in SRIMADBHAGWAT as KLAKI AVATAR? According to this scripture, his presence would be known to everyone by 27^th July 2014 (conjunction of Sun, Moon, and Jupiter in Cancer)…

One who for a long time will pacify the earth can only be the said incarnation or the ruler who was designated by the God for this purpose. He has been described as MAITREYA in Buddhist scriptures and as RIDER OF WHITE HORSE in Christian scriptures…

It is recalled that few months back tears started rolling out from the statue of Brahmendra Swami in his temple in Andhra Pradesh. All this indicates that time for his reappearance as KALKI AVATAR has come.

The Mantra:

OM HREEM KLEEM SHREEM SHIVAAY SHRI VEER BRAHNENDRA SWAMINE NAMAH

KALKI VICHAR MANCH,  http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/PositiveThinkingAndMeditation/conversations/topics/15379 (viewed 09/05/13)

While 2014 is likely too early, Satan knows God’s plan and has planted ideas throughout various “mystics” throughout history to confuse and deceive human kind (cf. Revelation 12:9). And even though those of India will be among those who will rebel against the final Beast power, it appears that they too will, for a while, somewhat accept him and what he advocates. And this appears to be consistent with both biblical and Hindu prophecy.

Also, the rider of the White Horse in biblical prophecy is NOT one that Christians should follow.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse What is the Book of Revelation trying to tell us about them? Does the first one deceive many? There is also a related YouTube video titled The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse What is the pale horse of death and pestilences? What will it bring and when? Spanish: El cuarto jinete de Apocalipsis, el caballo pálido de muerte y pestilencia…..
India, Its Biblical Past and Future: Any Witness? The Bible discusses the origins of those of Indian heritage and discusses some of the witness to them (including those in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka).
CCOG.IN This is a website targeted towards those of Indian heritage. It has a link to an edited Hindi translation of The Mystery of the Ages and is expected to have more non-English language materials in the future.
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?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? The Book of Revelation tells of a beast power that will rise up. Some think that this must be Russia or could be Islamic, while others say that this power is European. The Book of Daniel tells of the rise of an end time King of the North that some think must be referring to a Russian leader, while others say that this power is European. How can you be sure? This YouTube video has all the scriptural proofs that you should need to prove that this power must be a European one.
Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet.” Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy. You can also watch a video titled What Does the Bible teach about the Antichrist?