Church of God News

Blue ice covering Lake Fryxell, Antarctica

COGwriter

A new study contradicts climate models that concluded ice levels in Antarctica are decreasing:

March 2, 2015

Climate models can be good tools for predicting future sea ice levels — unless, of course, they are completely wrong.

In the case of Antarctica, the climate models were dead wrong, according to a new study by Chinese scientists published in the journal Cryosphere. The study found that most climate models predicted Antarctic sea ice coverage would shrink as the world warmed and greenhouse gas levels increased.

The opposite happened. Most climate models analyzed in the study predicted Antarctica would shrink between 1979 and 2005, but instead south pole sea ice levels increased during that time. Going a step further, sea ice levels have only increased since 2006, hitting all-time highs for sea ice coverage in September of last year.

“For the Antarctic, the main problem of the [climate] models is their inability to reproduce the observed slight increase of sea ice extent,” researchers wrote in their study.

“Both satellite-observed Antarctic [sea ice extent] and [satellite measured] Antarctic [sea ice volume] show[s] increasing trends over the period of 1979–2005, but [climate models’] Antarctic [sea ice extent] and [sea ice volume] have decreasing trends,” researchers added. “Only eight models’ [sea ice extent] and eight models’ [sea ice volume] show increasing trends.” …

Last year was the first year on record that Antarctic sea ice coverage rose above 7.72 square miles. By Sept. 22, 2014, sea ice extent reached its highest level on record — 7.76 square miles. Antarctica is now in its melt season, but even so, sea ice levels were very high for late December and early January.

The same can’t be said for Arctic sea ice coverage.  http://dailycaller.com/2015/03/02/antarctic-sea-ice-did-the-exact-opposite-of-what-models-predicted/

Regarding ‘global warming,’ I would also add that scientists were accused to have falsified some data related to temperatures in Australia last year (see Australian researchers accused of falsifying ‘global warming’ data).  Basically they said that temperature data confirmed ‘global warming,’ but the accusers said this was not true.

Now do either of these reports mean that air pollution is good?

No.

But what it does confirm is that when politicians and scientists with a political agenda tell us that there can be no debate about something and that something is a scientific fact, that we all need to have caution.

Real scientists know that ‘hard data’ is almost always more important than theoretical models.  But the whole climate change/global warming matter has mainly become a political matter in the 21st century.  As politicians generally do not wish to admit error, it is not likely that too many will be persuaded to change their views because of the Chinese study–but some may.

Of course, there still are issues with Arctic ice and my own observation of glaciers in Alaska provided my wife and I personal verification that melting has been happening there.

As far as the idea of ‘global warming’ goes, burning anything causes heat.  Increasingly burning fuels of any sort will cause that.  How much is needed to negatively affect the planet and climate, as well as what the alternatives are, can be the subject of legitimate political debate–if those involved all tell the truth.

But not all do.

That being said, the Bible does teach that humans will be punished for destroying the earth and that a time of high heat is coming:

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

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

Humans were supposed to oversee, tend, and keep the earth (Genesis 1:28-30; 2:15), not destroy it.

But because humans will (Matthew 24:21-22), Jesus will come and the Kingdom of God will fix the problems.

High heat and apparently melting will happen, but the latest report from China indicates that Antarctica is recently gaining, not losing, ice.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The Bible, Christians, and the Environment How should Christians view the environment? Does the Bible give any clues? What are some of the effects of air, water, and land pollution? Is environmental pollution a factor in autism and death? Do pollutants seem to double the autism risk? What will Jesus do? A YouTube video is available titled Air Pollution, Autism, and Prophecy.
Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done? What does the Bible teach about weather? What about floods, droughts, heat, earthquakes, tornadoes, and solar storms? Here is a related YouTube video Does God Use Weather? A related item in the Spanish language would be Bendiciones y maldiciones del clima.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (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-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Will the Anglo-Saxon 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?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2015, 2016, or 2017? 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 2014 o 2015? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2015? When will the Great Tribulation begin? Can it begin in 2015 as some have indicated? What are the biblical requirements that precede the Great Tribulation? What did Jesus teach would happen prior to the Great Tribulation. Are there definite clues in the Book of Daniel that Christians should look out for? Is there a King of the North or a King of the South yet? Where does the ‘prince’ of Daniel 9:26-27 come from? What about ‘blood moons’? Dr. Thiel videoed this on the Mount of Olives where Jesus specifically discussed events leading up to the Great Tribulation in Matthew 24.

US Secretary of State John Kerry

COGwriter

In the past day or so, USA Secretary of State John Kerry has made a couple of public statements supporting Israel.  Today, he spoke before a United Nations body in Geneva:

March 2, 2015

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry criticized the United Nations Human Rights Council for what he calls its “obsession with Israel.”

In a Monday speech in Geneva before the U.N. intergovernmental body, Kerry said the group’s heavy focus of Israel’s human rights records “risks undermining the credibility of the entire organization.”

“We will oppose any effort by any group or participant in the U.N. system to arbitrarily and regularly delegitimize or isolate, Israel,” Kerry said. He said no country should be free from scrutiny on human rights, but no country should be subjected to “unfair or unfounded bias.”

Kerry commented a day before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to make a controversial speech to a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress in Washington.

Netanyahu is expected to denounce a potential agreement between world powers and Iran on Tehran’s nuclear program, saying the deal would give Iran too many concessions and leave it with the ability to make a nuclear weapon. …

In spite of the tensions between the White House and Israel over Netanyahu’s speech to Congress, the U.S. is continuing its efforts to back Israel in the Human Rights Council.

A senior State Department official said a “constant preoccupation and concern” for the U.S. is the “undue and biased focus on Israel” in the Human Rights Council.

Israel is the only country that “has a standing agenda item at the Human Rights Council,” the official said. “Our position is always very much in defense of Israel, in protection of Israel’s interests at the Human Rights Council.” http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-criticizes-un-human-rights-councils-obsession-with-israel/2664290.html

Manor Del Mar

COGwriter

A reader sent me the following:

Built in the early 1900s for iron ore magnate Lewis J. Merritt, Manor Del Mar on Pasadena’s Millionaire’s Row recalls an era of unprecedented wealth and gracious living. Within the English-style exteriors are wood-clad rooms showcasing American and European Arts & Crafts details.

Location: 359 W. Del Mar Blvd., Pasadena 91105

Asking price: $4.25 million

Year built: 1908

Architect: William F. Thompson

House size: Six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, 8,909 square feet

Lot size: 30,200 square feet

Features: Formal entry, library, two family rooms, office, den, modernized kitchen, art studio, workshop, billiard room, basement storage rooms of 622 and 437 square feet not reflected in overall square footage, covered terraces, patios, outdoor dining space, koi pond, newly built 1,385-square-foot garage with two parking bays

The former Ambassador College campus had many buildings once owned by the Merritt family.  Here is something that Herbert W. Armstrong wrote about Lewis Merritt’s son Hulett C:

In November, 1950, our third property acquisition was achieved in a rather dramatic manner.
For some time, we had had our eyes on a camellia nursery, across Terrace Drive to the east of our original campus plot. I had visualized it as some day becoming our athletic field.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hulett C. Merritt, the multi-millionaire capitalist who owned the second estate north of Mayfair, had been moving onto several properties he owned in our immediate vicinity, a number of large old houses.
Several large houses, or frame apartment houses, along the right-of-way then being cleared for the new Hollywood Freeway, were being condemned. Mr. Merritt had been able to buy them at a very low sum. For some months large-scale house movers had been moving several of those monstrous frame structures to Pasadena, setting them on these vacant lots. In one or two cases, the structures had been actually cut in two, moved, and then joined back together again.
I think that Mr. Merritt had not counted quite the total cost. He probably obtained the houses for almost nothing. But he was not able to simply put them down on his vacant properties for nothing. He ran up against the very stiff Pasadena building codes. By the time he had constructed solid foundations under them, and brought plumbing and electric wiring and other services up to Pasadena codes, he probably had a lot more money invested in them than he had expected.
In any event, I learned that the owner of the camellia nursery was receptive to selling. Immediately we almost shuddered at the thought that possibly Mr. Merritt might purchase that plot of ground and move more of those old houses on it — thus wrecking our hopes of an athletic field.
One Sunday morning I happened to be in our administration building, and a real estate broker, who had a listing of the camellia nursery, came in. The afternoon before, he said, he had been informed that a $50,000 check had been deposited with another real estate broker who also had the property listed, as full purchase price for the nursery plot, plus four other houses and lots. Three of the houses were over on Green Street, just across Terrace Drive from Mr. Merritt‘s fabulous mansion. One was on Camden Street to the east of Terrace Drive.
This $50,000 cash was to be put into escrow at a bank on Monday afternoon. The real estate broker said he would like to see the college acquire it if we were able. However, if we needed terms, and lacked the cash, we’d have to pay a higher price, and move fast.
“I’ll pay you $60,000,” I said at once, “with $5,000 now, to go into escrow tomorrow morning, as soon as the bank opens, and the balance on terms we can work out. Is it a deal?”
“It’s a deal,” he said. “I’m sure the owners will accept.”
“All right then,” I said, “let’s move fast. I will have a quorum of our board of trustees here in this office by 2 o’clock this afternoon, and I’ll have a $5,000 check ready. Can you have the necessary papers drawn up to put the deal into escrow by that time — and can you get the owner and his wife here to sign?”
He felt sure he could.
He did. In our hurried special board meeting the transaction was approved. The owners signed the papers with us.
Next afternoon, when the other broker went to the escrow department with his $50,000 check, he found the property had been bought right out from under him.
I was expecting a furious call from Mr. Merritt.
I was not disappointed.
Late that afternoon he was on the telephone. “Now you look here, Mr. Armstrong,” he said. “You’re the first man that ever got the jump on me and beat me in a business deal. I’m glad you got that nursery property, because I know you wanted that for an athletic field. But what in blazes do you want with these lots down here on Green Street?”
“Why, it was simply just one complete package deal,” I said. “We had to take the whole thing to get the athletic field.”
Mr. Merritt wanted me to come over to see him.
“Those fellows charged you too much for these Green Street properties,” he said. “Now I’ll take them off your hands. You paid $30,000 for them. You shouldn’t have paid over $25,000. So, tell you what I’ll do. I will DONATE to your college $10,000, and my wife will donate $10,000. We can deduct that on our income tax report. Then you sell me those four properties for $10,000 cash. That way you get your entire $30,000 back, and you’ve paid only $30,000 for the athletic field.”
“I’ll consult my tax attorney,” I replied, “but I’m sure the Internal Revenue people will not approve a $20,000 deductible donation from you, when, in actual fact, the entire $20,000 reverts back to you, in the form of this property.
But Mr. Merritt remained adamant.
This was in November, or December. Along about the following March or April, a real estate salesman came into my office.
“I understand you own those houses down on Green Street,” he said. “Would you be willing to list them? I think maybe I could find a buyer.”
Immediately I deduced that Mr. Merritt sent him.
“No, I wouldn’t sell them,” I replied. “We need them for college dormitories. And besides, if I ever sold them to anybody it would be to our neighbor Mr. Merritt.”
“Well,” he said a little sheepishly, “to tell you the truth, it was Mr. Merritt who sent me here.”
For years we used those houses for men’s dormitories, then we tore them down. They were getting too old for use. Today those properties form a beautifully landscaped entrance to our new four-story Hall of Administration.

The reader who tipped me off on the sale, also reported the following:

Got an email back from a friend who lived in Manor Del Mar when he was a student at Ambassador. It was a men’s dorm on Del Mar Avenue, on the west side of the Pasadena campus. …

Then, of course, on the east side, closest to Green Street, was the old Merritt mansion we called Ambassador Hall (the building which had, above a side door, the inscription”The Word of God is the Foundation of Knowledge”). On the north side it looked over the academic center.

I recall seeing the building personally some time ago, and was in it once when I was visiting an AC student.

Anyway, I thought some might be interested to know that one of the Merritt mansions still exists and is on the market.

Older Hebrew Calendar

COGwriter

Each year, some bring up calendar concerns.  Some believe that a calculated Holy Day calendar is wrong and that one must be only kept based upon personal observation.

The debate is often centered around a Jewish leader called Hillel II.  He is credited for publishing the rules that the Jews use for calculating the calendar.  Basically, the observed crowd claims that since Hillel was not around until the 4th century, that prior to him, the Jews always used a calendar based upon observation of the first crescent moon and did not include something called ‘postponements.’  (This argument presumes, however, that Hillel II invented the calendar rules he made public. Since the calendar determining methods were guarded by the priests, we do not know that for a fact.  Furthermore, some believe that this public action was necessary, because the ‘judicial body’ the known as the Sanhedrin, was a fading institution at the time, hence there was a need for public disclosure of the rules.)

The calculated crowd basically says that not all Jews used an observed calendar, the Bible seemingly gave the Jews (Leviticus 23:2 and possibly the Church per Colossians 2:16-17, literal translation) some latitude in determination of the actual start date.  Some believe that postponements were in place and probably used by some prior to the time of Jesus. 

Because some rules related to the calendar were not made public prior to Hillel II (some others had been related to years with an ‘intercalated’ month), we do not know the date when they were first implemented–though some believe they existed from the time of Moses and were shown to be utilized by Ezra.  It would seem logical to conclude that they were begun during the period when sacrificing was being done.  One of the possible reasons I have read about for implementing them was in consideration of back-to-back High Days (before or after a weekly Sabbath) and the laborious offering rituals needed. It would not seem that postponements would have been implemented long after the Temple was destroyed with related sacrificing also ceasing by 70 A.D. If sacrifices placed a role in using the postponement,  then Hillel II could not have been the one to originate postponements.

According to Jewish sources. the placement of the Day of Atonement seems to be a major factor in the use of postponements.  Notice the following from the Encyclopaedia Judaica:

CALENDAR (Heb. לוּחַ, lu’aḥ). The present Jewish calendar is lunisolar, the months being reckoned according to the moon and the years according to the sun. A month is the period of time between one conjunction of the moon with the sun and the next. The conjunction of the moon with the sun is the point in time at which the moon is directly between the earth and the sun (but not on the same plane) and is thus invisible. This is known as the מוֹלָד, molad (“birth,” from the root ילד). The mean synodic month (or lunation) is 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 3⅓ seconds (793 parts (ḥalakim); in the Jewish system the hour is divided into 1,080 parts each of which is 3⅓ seconds). The solar year is 365 days, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds, which means that a solar year exceeds a lunar one (12 months) by about 11 days. The cycles of 12 lunar months must therefore be adjusted to the solar year, because although the Jewish festivals are fixed according to dates in months, they must also be in specific (agricultural) seasons of the year which depend on the tropical solar year. Without any adjustment the festivals would “wander” through the seasons and the “spring” festival (Passover), for example, would be celebrated eventually in winter, and later in summer. The required adjustment is realized by the addition of an extra month (Adar II) in each of seven out of the 19 years that constitute the small (or lunar) cycle of the moon (maḥazor katan or maḥazor ha-levanah). …

The year begins on Tishri 1, which is rarely the day of the molad, as there are four obstacles or considerations, called deḥiyyot, in fixing the first day of the month (rosh ḥodesh). Each deḥiyyah defers Rosh Ha-Shanah by a day, and combined deḥiyyot may cause a postponement of two days: (1) mainly in order to prevent the Day of Atonement (Tishri 10) from falling on Friday or Sunday, and Hoshana Rabba (the seventh day of Sukkot; Tishri 21) from falling on Saturday, but in part also serving an astronomical purpose (see below). Rosh Ha-Shanah never falls on Sunday, Wednesday, or Friday (according to the mnemonic לא אד”ו ראש known as the postponement addu – probably first vocalized iddo; cf. Ezra 8:17). (2) Entirely for an astronomical reason, if the molad is at noon or later (מוֹלָד זָקֵן or מוֹלָד יח) Rosh Ha-Shanah is delayed by one day or, if this would cause it to fall as above, two days. These two deḥiyyot, owing to the mentioned limits on the number of days in the year, entail another two. (3) The third deḥiyyah is as follows: If the molad in an “ordinary” (not leap) year falls at ג”טר”ד, that is the third day (Tuesday), at 9 hours, 204 ḥalakim, that is, 3:11 A.M. and 20 secs. – Rosh Ha-Shanah is put off two days. A postponement to Wednesday is not permitted (as in (1)), so that it is deferred to Thursday. The object is as follows: If the molad of Tishri occurs at that hour, the outcome would be a year which is one day too long…. (4) This deḥiyyah is very infrequent. It is known as בט”ו תקפ”ט אחר עבור שנה, that is when the molad of Tishri, following immediately after a leap year, occurs on the second day (Monday) at 15 hours, 589 ḥalakim, which means Monday, 9:32 A.M. and 43⅓ secs. …

While it is not unreasonable to attribute to Hillel II the fixing of the regular order of intercalations, his full share in the present fixed calendar is doubtful. … Intercalation is claimed to be evident from the figures in Ezekiel 1:1, 3:15, 4:4–6 and 8:1, with similar indications in I Kings 12:32–3 and II Chronicles 30:2–3; … The New Moon (Num. 28:11, and parallels) was determined by the phasis in the preceding evening, hence the plausibility of an early biblical record (I Sam 20:18) of its prediction for “tomorrow.”

(Calendar. Encyclopaedia Judaica. Ed. Michael Berenbaum and Fred Skolnik. Vol. 4. 2^nd ed. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2007. p354-359. COPYRIGHT 2007 Keter Publishing House Ltd. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&inPS=true&prodId=GVRL&userGroupName=imcpl1111&resultListType=RELATED_DOCUMENT&contentSegment=9780028660974&isBOBIndex=true&docId=GALE|CX2587503848#354 viewed 02/28/15)

It is true that Hillel II did not come up with all the calendar calculation rules.  Again, it is more likely he mainly laid them out publicly.

Psalm 81:1-5 discusses new moons, and may be a reason that the Jews believe the calculation for the new year should be based on Tishri 1. Though the sacred year, according to the Bible (Exodus 12:1-2), begins on Nisan 1, the date of that calculation seems to be based on the Tishri calculation. The fact that the Encyclopaedia Judaica ties an aspect of the calendar with Ezra 8:17 is consistent with the view that the postponements were being utilized at the time of Ezra.

Furthermore consider that Jesus kept Passover on the 14th of Nisan (also known as the month of Abib) on the Hebrew calendar after sunset on the day we now call Tuesday (see What Happened in the ‘Crucifixion Week’?).  He died the next day, which is the day we commonly call Wednesday.  The late Dr. Herman Hoeh taught this occurred in 31 A.D. (though 30 A.D. might be possible–as far as 30 A.D. goes, I have seen something from one supporter of that view that claimed that the Feast of Trumpets prior to it was calculated based upon a postponement).

Now, if we can have records of when the new moon was for 31 A.D., we can calculate when Passover would have been.  And that information exists.

There is New Moon Data from the US Navy Observatory using the current Julian calendar and Greenwich Mean Time for the new moon in 31 A.D.:

31 ...  April 10    Noon
(http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/data-services/spring-phenom viewed 02/25/15)

Since Jerusalem is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, then the conjunction, which effectively is the start of the the actual New Moon, would have occurred at 2:00 pm on what we now call April 10th on the day of the week commonly called Tuesday (the same US Navy link states that March 27th was on a Tuesday, and from that we can calculate the days of the week for April of 31 A.D.).

If the first part or crescent of the moon could have been seen close the time the US Navy said the conjunction for the new moon occurred, the 14th of Nisan would have began after sunset on Sunday the 22nd of April.  Yet, it would not have been.

Furthermore, the human eye normally cannot see the moon in the middle of the afternoon and there are delays until enough of the moon can be seen.  So it would seem that the first observable crescent should have been the next day.  Thus, the first day of the month would have likely been Wednesday, April 11th, based upon a strictly observable calendar.  This would have made Passover after sunset Monday, April 23rd.

Presuming Jesus was killed in 31 A.D., this eliminates the strictly observable calendar.  The beginning of the month that year would have been ‘postponed’ one day, based upon a calculated calendar.  Since Jesus kept His last Passover on a Tuesday evening after sunset, this leads to the logical conclusion that Jesus kept the Passover based upon a calculated calendar (again presuming a 31 A.D. final Passover for Him).  Jesus would have kept Passover after sunset on April 24th and died prior to sunset on April 25th.

And if Jesus kept the Holy Days based upon a calculated calendar, then it is reasonable to conclude that a calculated calendar existed centuries before Hillel wrote a record of it down.

Since Jesus kept Passover on Tuesday night and died Wednesday afternoon, it appears that He was keeping a calculated calendar with postponements.

Understand that many of the children of Israel were dispersed from Jerusalem for centuries.  This of course separated them from accurate Jerusalem observations. Since all wanted to keep the right day, a calculated calendar was a logical solution to this (though odd solutions, such as observing the holy days for two days, were used by many, as some do today).  On sufficiently cloudy evenings/nights, it is not possible to observe the first appearance of the new moon through observation.

1. Modern communication methods did not exist thousands of years ago.
2. Jesus endorsed the basic Jewish calendar (cf. Matthew 23:1-3).
3. Jesus, who did not sin (Hebrews 4:15), seemingly observed a calculated calendar (cf. Luke 22:8-22, etc.).
4. Throughout history God’s people not near Jerusalem basically had to rely on some type of a calculated calendar.
5. Weather and other factors made a strictly observational calendar impossible for use every month.
6. A strictly observational calendar results in people keeping Holy Days sometimes weeks differently, depending up where they are physically located.
7. God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).

There is more information that could be provided on each of the above points, but even though I plan to research more on this in the future, I thought this information could be helpful for some as we get closer to the start of the Spring Holy Day season for 2015.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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.
What are Postponements? This was written by the late evangelist Raymond McNair and explains a lot about postponements and calculations.
Hebrew Calendar and “Postponements” This late John Ogywn writing explains why the most faithful in the Church of God use the calendar that we do and answers such questions as “Did Jesus Observe the Postponements?”
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. In Mandarin Chinese: 何日是神的圣日？ 这里是一份神的圣日日历从2013年至2024年。.
What Happened in the ‘Crucifixion Week’? How long are three days and three nights? Was Palm Sunday on a Saturday? Did Jesus die on “Good Friday”? Was the resurrection on Sunday? Do you really know? Who determined the date of Easter? (Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Murió Jesús un día miércoles o un viernes?)
Passover and the Early Church Did the early Christians observe Passover? What did Jesus and Paul teach? Why did Jesus die for our sins?
Melito’s Homily on the Passover This is one of the earliest Christian writings about the Passover. This also includes what Apollinaris wrote on the Passover as well.
TPM: Passover on the 14th or 15th? While we in the CCOG observe Passover on the 14th, some observe it on the 15th. Why is the 14th correct?
The Night to Be Observed What is the night to be much observed? When is it? Why do Jews keep Passover twice and emphasize the wrong date? Here is a link to a YouTube video titled The Night to Be Observed.
Should Christians Keep the Days of Unleavened Bread? Do they have any use or meaning now? What is leaven? This article supplies some biblical answers. Here is a YouTube video intended to be viewed for the first day of unleavened bread: Christians and the Days of Unleavened Bread.
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?

Blue Represents Countries in European Union (Datastat)

COGwriter

Forbes reported the following by Tim Worstall:

March 1, 2015

The Absence Of Grexit Strengthens, Not Weakens, The Euro Long Term

There’s an interesting argument to be had about whether having Greece within the euro strengthens the currency or whether allowing it (or forcing it) to leave would do so.

… my own opinion is that Greece remaining in will make the currency stronger…

As long as the euro continues to be a one way system then it will be stronger than if it is seen that people can leave it. Currently there’s no legal way to leave the eurozone. Further, no one has really tested a manner in which it could be done. So, simple intertia keeps everyone thinking that it won’t be done. …

I would argue that keeping Greece in the euro strengthens it. Simply because a successful exit by Greece would greatly weaken it.  http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2015/03/01/the-absence-of-grexit-strengthens-not-weakens-the-euro-long-term/

Of course, if the EU can afford to bail out Greece (and other struggling nations) that is better for the Euro as a single currency.

As far as Greece does, Greece joined the predecessor to to the European Union in 1981.  Despite issues it has, notice a few things about when it joined and some of what Gene Hogberg believed that Greece brought to the European Community back then:

The world’s largest economic power expands from nine to ten — and it may not stop there. Here is the significance of Greece’s entry into the European Community.

 NEW YEAR’S Day, 1981, Greece became the European Community’s tenth member.
Greece’s accession expands the Community — commonly called the Common Market — to nearly 270 million people.
Of far more significance, the EC has solidified its position as the world’s number-one economic and trading power.

First in Global Trade

   Most Americans, Canadians, Australians and others living in the Western world not directly tied into the Community’s worldwide linkages, have little comprehension of its global impact.
The gross national product of the Community is about equal to that of the United States. But the EC far surpasses the United States in foreign trade — $176 billion dollars more than America in 1979. The Community now accounts for nearly one fourth of all the world’s imports, and close to 22 percent of total exports. And this does not include trade within the Community.
Now, more than ever, much of the ocean-going portion of this trade will be transported in the holds of Common Market ships. Greece, with 4,000 vessels, is the world’s premier shipping nation. By virtue of Greek membership, fully one third of worldwide merchant-fleet tonnage will belong to the Community.

Long March for Athens

   Greece’s formal induction into the Common Market has been a long time in coming. It became an associate member in 1962. Progress toward full membership, however, stalled while the Greek military ruled the country from 1967 to 1974.
The last step along the road to full membership was reached May 28, 1979, when official papers were signed by Prime Minister (now President) Constantine Karamanlis and representatives of the nine EC countries. Mr. Karamanlis — more than anyone the architect of Greece’s Market policy — said that it was a “historical moment that marks the end of a long march and solemnly seals the fusion of our destinies with those of Europe… an unswerving belief in the necessity of a united Europe and in the European destiny of my country have at long last… found their justification.”
Greece’s entry brings both benefits and headaches to the Community and its newest member. Above all, it signals a change in the orientation of the EC. From a basically central and northern European group it now becomes one with a southern, Mediterranean posture. This new direction will be accentuated with the expected linkup, in 1983 or 1984, of Spain and Portugal.
And if Turkey becomes a full member — a distant possibility — the EC will extend to the very doorstep of the Middle East.
Greece, in her own right, is an important stepping stone to the Middle East. It is the hub for 200 American companies doing business in the region. Greece also has close ties with Cyprus, which is nearly eighty percent Greek.

Standard-of-living Gap

   The “southern cousins” knocking on the Common Market door are all considerably less developed than the EC as a whole. Greece’s gross national product is less than half that of most other members of the Community, though its growth rate has been faster in recent years. Its standard of living is roughly the same as Ireland, the Community’s previously poorest state, though it has a wider disparity of wealth between urban and rural areas.
The southern expansion of the Common Market means that Mediterranean-type agricultural products assume considerable significance. “Until now,” reports Europe, a semiofficial publication of the EC (July-August, 1979, issue), “the Community has been dominated by northern European economic interests, especially those of cereals and dairy farmers. In the future, much more attention will be paid to the interests of Mediterranean wine, citrus and olive oil producers.”
Agriculture is of supreme — almost inordinate — importance to the Common Market. Agricultural price supports — which Greece’s 660,000 farmers will now benefit from — consume nearly three fourths of the EC’s annual budget.
Nearly all talk about the Common Market bureaucracy centers around its controversial Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which, critics say, is nothing but a bottomless pit in which the EC members pour more and more of their revenues.
The German newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau, June 14, 1980, commenting on the gradual assimilation of the three wine-and-oil producers (Greece, Spain, Portugal), noted that future wine surpluses alone are likely to amount to between five and ten million hectoliters (130 million to 260 million gallons) a year.
Olive oil production is another potential surplus problem. Nearly fifty percent of all Greek farmers are olive oil producers. And in Spain, two million farmers are engaged in olive oil production.
Thus, in addition to the Common Market’s already embarrassing butter, powdered milk, beef and tomato “mountains” can be added the prospects of overflowing wine and olive oil “lakes.”

Still, Greeks Want In

   The government of the EC’s newest member is aware of the traumas its economy can expect, especially in manufacturing. Greece’s industry is predominantly small scale, most of it consisting of only one to four people. For this reason, its industrial sector will have a grace period of five years to gradually adjust to the EC tariff structure and expected competition.
According to public opinion polls, most Greeks appear to be in favor of the EC link. Many are philosophical about the changes and challenges. They feel they are at last “joining Europe,” which they are a part of geographically, of course, but not until now as a state of mind. Newspaperwoman Helen Vlachos, editor and publisher of Kathimerimi in Athens, wrote:
“The Greek people have a deep wish to belong at last to a group, to a family of familiar countries. And Europe is the one and only that qualifies for that part. Europe is… a special, admired, envied, and in many ways, an imaginary continent.”
“For better or worse,” continued Mrs. Vlachos, “Greece becomes a part of an affluent, civilized, respectable family…. Why not accept the challenge. What have we to lose?”
The board chairman of a large Athens bank adds: “Today, most Greeks probably feel that if the Community had not already existed for them to join, they would have had to invent it for that purpose. And is there, indeed, any other alternative? Greece does not want to become a communist country, neither does it have the economic clout of countries like Sweden or Switzerland enabling it to ‘go it alone.’… Going European for Greece also means helping to make the dream of a politically united Europe come true.”
Common Market officials, in turn, are very pleased over Greece’s accession (though not a few have reservations about negotiations with the Iberian countries).
“The entry of Greece into the Community is a major political act that constitutes a turning point in the Common Market’s life,” said Gaston Thorn of Luxembourg, who on January 1 took over as Commission president, the EC’s chief executive post. “The enlargement of the Common Market southward is a key date in history of European civilization.”…

   The heartland countries of the EC — West Germany, France, Italy — are understandably concerned over the Community’s shift to include the poorer nations of southern Europe.
Politically, the move has advantages. A more stable Greece and Turkey helps shore up Europe’s southern flank. But many social and economic problems are expected. …

Many Tongues, One Voice

   Whatever the Common Market’s immediate future, January 1, 1981, was certainly a milestone.
The Community has grown considerably from the six charter nations who officially banded together on January 1, 1958 — France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
On another New Year’s Day, this time in 1973, Britain, Ireland and Denmark linked up. Norway also was to join on that date but opted out at the last minute.
Now Greece is in, making the Nine the Ten. Spain and Portugal may or may not join forces. One European news source predicts “monstrous difficulties” could arise in negotiations with Madrid and Lisbon, especially over agriculture.
Still, as Theo Sommer, the editor of West Germany’s prestigious weekly, Die Zeit, editorialized: “The new European idea has taken root despite all the workaday squabbles about nuts and bolts, chicken feed and oranges…. ”
The Common Market’s component parts will not disappear, conc1udes Sommer, “nor will national governments dwindle into insignificance…. Yet in the eyes of the outside world, the Community will more and more assume the character of a single entity, speaking in different tongues but with one voice, and implementing a collective will.”

Global Reach

   The Community exerts influence far beyond its European confines, both politically and economically.
More than 100 nations maintain accredited representatives at the Commission headquarters in Brussels.
In the economic field, the EC has negotiated commercial or association agreements with more than ninety countries around the world. Its most important trade-and-development assistance tie-up is with fifty-seven small countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. This is known as the Lome Convention, named after the capital of Togo in Africa where the accords were signed in 1975 and 1979.
The Lome Convention guarantees free access to the Common Market for 99.5 percent of the so-called ACP (Africa-Caribbean-Pacific) countries. The real significance of the Lome pact is that the links of the fifty-seven ACP countries are with Brussels, not the individual European countries of the EC.
Recently the EC also signed a non preferential trade agreement with the five-nation ASEAN trade group in Southeast Asia.
The Communist world too is increasingly coming to terms with the Common Market. The EC carries on more than four times as much business with Communist countries as does the United States.
The Soviet Union itself is loath to deal with the EC as a bloc, preferring nation-to-nation contacts. Thus relations between the Community and the Moscow-based East European COMECON group are frosty.
Nevertheless, in the summer of 1980, independent-minded Romania signed its first full trade accord with the Community. The pact was regarded on both sides as economically important and politically symbolic. Romania has been developing contacts with the EC since 1972.
Also in 1980, Yugoslavia entered into far-reaching negotiations for a new and novel cooperative agreement, which, if accepted, would give Belgrade a status equivalent to associate membership.
With Greece in the Market, Yugoslavia will now be bordered by two EC members (Italy to the northwest).

Like Babylon of Old

   Your Bible predicts that there will arise a great world-encompassing economic-political bloc at the close of our age — just before the ushering in of the Kingdom of God. It is spoken of in the book of Revelation as “Babylon.”
Significantly, The Wall Street Journal, commenting on the EC’s expanding linguistic difficulties said, on January 12, 1981, “An official market report has warned that the babel could become so great as to be unmanageable.”
The thirteenth verse of Revelation eighteen draws attention to two products traded in this coming “Babylon”: oil and wine — both sure to be in abundance very soon.
And verse seventeen tells of the far-flung ocean-going trade of this colossus, referring to “all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea.”
Ultimately ten nations, or groups of nations, will dominate the heart of this system (Revelation 17:12). As to which ten, we must still wait and see. Events now occurring in Poland and Eastern Europe may lead to some of those nations joining forces with the West. …
Greece’s membership in the European Community is important primarily for the commercial resources she brings to it — not because she has become the tenth member. (Hogberg G. Milestone for Europe: GREECE JOINS COMMON MARKET. Plain Truth, March 1981)

There have been issues with Greece becoming part of the European Community, now called the European Union.  Its manufacturing has been affected and it is more of a lower tier member of the EU.  Greece is also home to many of the Greek Orthodox, a group that will ultimately support the Church of Rome.

For historical and prophetic reasons, Greece will be a supporter of the final Beast power that will arise in Europe.  At least two of the empires mentioned in Daniel 7 included all or part of Greece.  Greece is on the ‘Great Sea’ (Daniel 7:2; which is the Mediterranean Sea according to other scriptures) and the final Beast power is called the Beast from the sea (Revelation 13:1).

I have written for years that there could be problems with the Euro, and that it even could get replaced. No matter what happens to the Euro, the reality is that something is being built in Europe.

There will be problems in Europe (Daniel 2:41-43), but after some reorganizations it will arise (Revelation 17:12-13).  And it will include Greece.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? 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?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
WTO/TTIP and the Babylonian Beast Will international trade agreements like WTO/TTIP/CETA lead to the fulfillment of end time prophecies concerning the Babylonian Beast power that the Book of Revelation warns against? What does the Bible teach? A related video would be WTO Trade Deal and the Rise of the European Beast Power.
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?
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? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people? Here is a link to a video Is the USA Pushing Germany to Start WWIII?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (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-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
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.

Benjamin Netanyahu

COGwriter

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to warn the Congress of the USA and others that Iran is determined to produce nuclear weapons and that the deal being negotiated with the Obama Administration will not prevent Iran from acquiring those weapons:

March 1, 2015

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is headed to Washington where he is set to give a controversial address to a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress.

The prime minister said Sunday at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport that he was on a “historic mission” to try and stop a nuclear deal with Iran.

The White House was angry that Republican House Speaker John Boehner did not consult with it before extending the invitation to Netanyahu to speak to the lawmakers. Some Democratic lawmakers plan to boycott the Netanyahu speech on Tuesday.

National Security Adviser Susan Rice has called Netanyahu’s plans “destructive to the fabric of the relationship.” …

Netanyahu, who is facing reelection later this month, said Sunday he would do “everything in my power” to insure Israel’s future. …

Israel top obligation

On Saturday, the Israeli prime minister said he respected President Barack Obama and believed in strong ties with the U.S., but he said Israel’s security was his top obligation.

Netanyahu made a rare pilgrimage to pray at the Western Wall, Jerusalem’s holiest site, before his visit to Washington.

“As prime minister of Israel, it is my obligation to see to the security of Israel; therefore, we strongly oppose the agreement being formulated with Iran and the major powers, which could endanger our [Israel’s] very existence,” he said Saturday.

Referring to the Nazi Holocaust, he said, “Eighty years ago, no one could raise their voice when there were plans to destroy us. Today there is and it is my obligation.”

The United States and its so-called P5+1 partners are looking to reach a deal with Iran to keep it from building a nuclear weapon.

Nuclear bomb threat

Netanyahu said earlier that it appears U.S. and European powers have accepted a gradual easing of restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program that, within a few years, could allow Tehran to make a nuclear weapon. He said such a deal would endanger Israel’s existence.  http://www.voanews.com/content/netanyahu-on-historic-mission-to-stop-iran-nuclear-deal/2663379.html

March 1, 2015

(Bloomberg) — When Benjamin Netanyahu addresses Congress on Tuesday, the Israel prime minister will call for a halt to President Barack Obama’s emerging nuclear deal with Iran, a step viewed by some as a bold act of principle and others as crude electioneering.

Since accepting Republican House Speaker John Boehner’s invitation in January, Netanyahu has clashed repeatedly with Obama, who said he would not be welcome at the White House during the trip. The 65-year-old leader refused appeals from Democrats to cancel the speech, saying the threat to Israel from a nuclear Iran is so great, he can’t be bound by ordinary protocol.

Even some frequent supporters disagree, arguing that he is endangering the state’s main alliance.

“No matter how Churchillian Netanyahu may be when he speaks, no matter how powerful his words, he misunderstands the dynamics in Washington,” said Gil Troy, an American-Israeli historian and commentator. “With each added insult, we’re going from the usual spat to a really serious and game-changing challenge.”

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday attempted to ratchet down tensions, saying on ABC television that Netanyahu was always welcome to speak in the U.S. and the allies share the goal of barring an Iranian nuclear program.  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-01/netanyahu-congress-speech-targets-obama-iran-deal-israel-voters

Iran has repeatedly claimed that it would destroy and eliminate the nation of Israel.  Its delays and obstacles in negotiations related to its nuclear program are consistent with those of a nation that wants to develop nuclear weaponry secretly.

What the Obama Administration does not seem to wish to acknowledge publicly is that all the pressure on Iran has not stopped its ambitions nor goals.

In the past, Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that Israel would take unilateral steps against Iranian nuclear-related facilities if it felt that this would prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons.

As I have written many times, I believe that because it will not be the King of the South of biblical prophecy (Daniel 11:40-43 does not mention Iran), somehow Iran will be ‘neutralized’ so that its influence in the Middle East will be reduced.  Israel may strike Iran.

It is also possible that God will allow Iran to strike the nation of Israel.

1 The burden against the Valley of Vision.

What ails you now, that you have all gone up to the housetops, 2 You who are full of noise, A tumultuous city, a joyous city? Your slain men are not slain with the sword,Nor dead in battle. 3 All your rulers have fled together; They are captured by the archers. All who are found in you are bound together; They have fled from afar. 4 Therefore I said, “Look away from me, I will weep bitterly; Do not labor to comfort me Because of the plundering of the daughter of my people.”

5 For it is a day of trouble and treading down and perplexity By the Lord God of hosts In the Valley of Vision — Breaking down the walls And of crying to the mountain. 6 Elam bore the quiver With chariots of men and horsemen, And Kir uncovered the shield. 7 It shall come to pass that your choicest valleys Shall be full of chariots,And the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.

8 He removed the protection of Judah. You looked in that day to the armor of the House of the Forest; 9 You also saw the damage to the city of David, That it was great; And you gathered together the waters of the lower pool. 10 You numbered the houses of Jerusalem, And the houses you broke down To fortify the wall. 11 You also made a reservoir between the two walls For the water of the old pool. But you did not look to its Maker,Nor did you have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago.

12 And in that day the Lord God of hosts Called for weeping and for mourning,For baldness and for girding with sackcloth. 13 But instead, joy and gladness, Slaying oxen and killing sheep, Eating meat and drinking wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

14 Then it was revealed in my hearing by the Lord of hosts,”Surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you, Even to your death,” says the Lord God of hosts.  (Isaiah 22:1-14 NKJV)

Elam seems to be a reference to at least some in Iran.  Kir is of interest as it has several possibilities.  One is that the Bible tells that after Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria took over Damascus, he moved Syrians to Kir.  While this does not mean that Kir must (or must only) be a reference to Syria, the fact that Syria is an ally of Iran is interesting.  Some believe Kir is an area in the south of Iran, while others suggest closer to the Black Sea.

Anyway, the point I wish to make is that the above  scripture shows, presuming that it has a future application, that a time is coming when God will take away the protection of Judah and the City of David (Jerusalem, cf. 2 Kings 9:28).  Benjamin Netanyahu is correct that his nation faces major threats.

How much his speech will really help with will remain to be seen. But the reality is that Iran wants to be a threat to Israel and I believe Iran would be willing to use nuclear weapons against Israel if it had them and concluded that it would help it attain some of its improper goals.

Several items of possibly related interest may include:

Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future What does the Bible say about Jerusalem and its future? Is Jerusalem going to be divided and eliminated? Is Jesus returning to the area of Jerusalem? There is also a related YouTube video you can watch titled Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated.
Iran in Prophecy Is Iran in Bible prophecy? If so, what does the Bible teach? What names, other than Persia, may be used to describe Iran? There is also a YouTube video titled Iran in Prophecy. Here is a related video Iran In Prophecy.
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? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán 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? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
The Prophesied ‘Islamic’ Confederation Where is an Islamic caliphate prophesied? Will one happen? Should you be concerned about it? A related video is Will an Arabic Calphiphate Destroy the West?
Obama Administration Pushing for an Islamic Empire? Because of the rise of groups such as the Islamic State, the Obama Administration and others are pushing for a coalition of Arab nations along with Turkey. Does this resemble the final King of the South of Bible prophecy? Is there an Islamic antichrist? Does the Bible teach that terrorism and the sword will affect the USA and some of its allies? What does the Bible teach in Ezekiel about a confederation involving Egypt? Will an Arabic confederation end in destruction for those who strongly support it? Are the 10 nations in the Arab coalition the ten kings of Revelation 17:12-13? Are the 10 nations including the USA and Turkey the ten nations of Revelation 17:12-13? Who is? Was the pushing of the Obama Administration to do this predicted by in 2009 in a writing by Dr. Thiel? What does the Bible show?
Iraq, the King of the South, Armageddon, and Prophecy What will happen to Iraq? Is it the prophesied Mystery Babylon? What is Armageddon and how does that have to do with Iraq? Here is a related video Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy.
How Will Middle East Peace be Brought About? Can humans bring peace to the Middle East? Here is a link to a related video: Middle East Peace? When?
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (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-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2015, 2016, or 2017? 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 2014 o 2015? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
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.

COGwriter

The Continuing Church of God is pleased to announce our latest video on our Bible New Prophecy YouTube channel:

20:16

12 Apocalyptic Risks from Oxford University

Oxford University’s Future of Humanity Institute and the Global Challenges Foundation issued a 212 page report titled “12 Risks that threaten human civilisation.”  The Russian Times reported about it with an article titled The article was titled, “12 likely causes of the Apocalypse, as seen by scientists.”  Risks included asteroid impact, supervolacanic explosion, global pandemic, nuclear war,climate change, synthetic biology, nanotechnology, unknown consequences, ecological collapse, economic global system collapse, bad governance, and artificial intelligence flaws.  Are the risks greater than what Oxford scientists believe?  What does the Bible say about these risks?

A written article of related interest is: Oxford University’s 12 likely causes of the Apocalypse.

Here is a link to our video: 12 Apocalyptic Risks from Oxford University.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Stephen Hawking’s three ways that humanity could be destroyed Atheist and theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking has proposed at least three ways humanity can be destroyed.
Wormwood and Planet Nibiru Will the Earth be devastated by Planet X or Comet Encke? Here is a link to a related YouTube video Could Comet ISON be Wormwood of Bible Prophecy?
Earthquakes Today and Bible Prophecy Contains a cool up-to-the-hour update of earthquakes around the world from USGS. It also explains what did Jesus teach about earthquakes and how the Bible describes “the big one” (as well as when it is expected).
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.
Chimeras: Has Science Crossed the Line? What are chimeras?  Has science crossed the line? Does the Bible give any clues?
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.
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
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.
Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done? Here is a related YouTube video Does God Use Weather?
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? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2015, 2016, or 2017? 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 2014 o 2015? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
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? 2022 or 20xx?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (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-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? What about WWIV? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
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? 2022 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up?
Where is the True Christian Church Today? This free online pdf booklet answers that question and includes 18 proofs, clues, and signs to identify the true vs. false Christian church. Plus 7 proofs, clues, and signs to help identify Laodicean churches. A related sermon is also available: Where is the True Christian Church? Here is a link to the booklet in the Spanish language: ¿Dónde está la verdadera Iglesia cristiana de hoy?
Continuing History of the Church of God This pdf booklet is a historical overview of the true Church of God and some of its main opponents from c. 31 A.D. to 2014. Two related sermon links would include Continuing History of the Church of God: c. 31 to c. 300 A.D. and Continuing History of the Church of God: 4th-16th Centuries. In Spanish: Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios.
CCOG.ORG Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God.
CCOG.ASIA We in the Continuing Church of God also have the url www.ccog.asia which has a focus on Asia and has various articles in Mandarin Chinese as well as some in English, plus some items in other Asian languages. 我们在继续神的教会也提供此网址 www.ccog.asia, 关注于亚洲并且有各种各样的中英文文章，其中一些用菲律宾语翻译的文章也正在进行中，准备添加到这个网站中。 Here is a link to our Statement of Beliefs in Mandarin Chinese 继续神的教会的信仰声明.
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.
CCOG.EU This is a website targeted toward Europe. It has materials in more than one language (currently it has English, Dutch, and Serbian, with links also to Spanish) and it is intended to have additional language materials added.
CCOG.NZ This is a website targeted towards New Zealand and other British-descended dominated lands.
CDLIDD.ES La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. This is the Spanish language website for the Continuing Church of God and has articles in español/castellano.
PNIND.PH Patuloy na Iglesya ng Diyos. This is the Philippines website Continuing Church of God. It has information in English and Tagalog.
Bible News Prophecy channel. Dr. Thiel has produced many YouTube videos for the BibleNewsProphecy channel. And you can find them at that channel.