Church of God News

COGwriter

On November 21, Catholics of Rome honor their bishop and pontiff Gelasius I.

The Catholic Encyclopedia says the following about him:

Pope Gelasius I (died 19 November 496) was Pope from 1 March 492 to his death in 496…

Despite all the efforts of the otherwise orthodox patriarch, Euphemius of Constantinople, and the threats and wiles by which the Emperor Anastasius tried to obtain recognition from the Apostolic See, Gelasius, though hard-pressed by difficulties at home, would make no peace that compromised in the slightest degree the rights and honor of the Chair of Peter. The constancy with which he combated the pretensions, lay and ecclesiastical, of the New Rome; the resoluteness with which he refused to allow the civil or temporal pre-eminence of a city to determine its ecclesiastical rank; the unfailing courage with which he defended the rights of the “second” and the “third” sees, Alexandria and Antioch, are some of the most striking features of his pontificate. It has been well said that nowhere at this period can be found stronger arguments for the primacy of Peter’s See than in the works and writings of Gelasius…

As a writer Gelasius takes high rank for his period. His style is vigorous and elegant, though occasionally, obscure. Comparatively little of his literary work has come down to us, though he is said to have been the most prolific writer of all the pontiffs of the first five centuries. There are extant forty-two letters and fragments of forty-nine others, besides six treatises, of which three are concerned with the Acacian schism, one with the heresy of the Pelagians, another with the errors of Nestorius and Eutyches, while the sixth is directed against the senator Andromachus and the advocates of the Lupercalia. The best edition is that of Thiel.

The feast of St. Gelasius is kept on 21 Nov., the anniversary of his interment, though many writers give this as the day of his death. (Murphy, J.F.X. (1909). Pope St. Gelasius I. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved April 21, 2014 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06406a.htm)

The reason I reported about him is because he is believed to have been the first pontiff to be referred to as the “vicar of Christ” (_{Park H. The Roman Catholic Church – A Critical Appraisal. Xulon Press, 2008, pp. 37-38}).

Vicar comes from a Latin term:

vicar (n.)

early 14c., from Anglo-French vicare, Old French vicaire “deputy, second in command,” also in the ecclesiastical sense (12c.), from Latin vicarius “a substitute, deputy, proxy,” noun use of adjective vicarius “substituted, delegated,” from vicis “change, interchange, succession; a place, position” (see vicarious). The original notion is of “earthly representative of God or Christ;” but also used in sense of “person acting as parish priest in place of a real parson” (early 14c.). (http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=vicar viewed 0421/14)

So “Vicar of Christ” means In Substitute of Christ or Instead of Christ.

So what does the expression “anti-christ” mean?

In English, the word Anti-Christ clearly means one who is opposed or against Christ. And that is consistent with the meaning in the Greek.

But the Greek allows for another definition that seems to be applicable.

The Greek term translated as anti, such as in antichrist in 1 John 2:18, is Strong’s word 473.

NT:473 άντί

anti (an-tee’); a primary particle; opposite, i.e. instead or because of (rarely in addition to):

(Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

The Greek word for Christ, Strong’s word 5547, Christos, means Christ or Messiah.

So, the term Antichrist can mean Opposite of Christ or Instead of Christ.

It is likely no coincidence that after bishops of Rome took the title Pontifex Maximus in the late 4th century and “vicar of Christ” in the 5th century that more started to believe that the Bishop of Rome represented the final Antichrist.

Note: I want to make it clear that consistent with biblical and Catholic prophecies, I believe that the final Antichrist will pretend to be a Roman Catholic and betray that church. That being said, I do not believe that terms such as reverend (cf. Psalm 111:9, KJV), pontifex maximus (an old pagan title meaning bridge builder), or “vicar of Christ” should be used of leaders who claim to be Christian.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Representation of Valentinus‘ Ogdoad by Maris Stella

COGwriter

The Continuing Church of God is pleased to announce this sermon from its ContinuingCOG channel:

1:18:59

Sunday: First and Eighth Day?

Where did Sunday come from?  What do all the scriptures in the New Testament say about the ‘first day of the week’?  What does ogdoad mean?  Did early Greco-Roman writers write about that and tie it in with Sunday?  Was Valentinus, who promoted the ogdoad, condemned by Church of God leader Polycarp of Smyrna? Why do Protestants keep Sunday? Why do Protestants, Eastern Orthodox, and Roman Catholics consider Sunday the eighth day?  Did Plato have anything to do with it?  What about Emperor Constantine and his ‘visions’/apparitions?  Which was the ‘Lord’s Day’ for the sun god Mithras? What day do Catholic and other leaders say is the Sabbath?  Dr. Thiel reads and discusses all the ‘first day of the week’ passages in the Bible.

Here is a link to the sermon: Sunday: First and Eighth Day?

Some items of related interest may include:

Sunday and Christianity Was Sunday observed by the apostolic and true post-apostolic Christians? Who clearly endorsed Sunday? What relevance is the first or the “eighth” day? A related sermon is also available: Sunday: First and Eighth Day?
Valentinus: The Gnostic Trinitarian Heretic He apparently was the first Christ-professing heretic to come up with the idea of three hypostases.
Justin Martyr: Saint, Heretic, or Apostate? Justin is considered one of the first Christian theologians and scholars. But did he support a Gnostic version of Christianity? Do you know what he taught about souls going to heaven upon death? This article shows from his own writings, what Justin really taught.
Marcus, the Marcosians, & Mithraism: Developers of the Eucharist? Marcus was a second century heretic condemned for having a ceremony similar to one still practiced by many who profess Christ, as well as for promoting the ‘eighth day’ ogdoad. Might he also be in the apostolic succession list of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria? Where did the eucharistic host and IHS come from?
Do You Practice Mithraism? Many practices and doctrines that mainstream so-called Christian groups have are the same or similar to those of the sun-god Mithras. December 25th was celebrated as his birthday. Do you follow Mithraism combined with the Bible or original Christianity? A sermon video from Vatican City is titled Church of Rome, Mithras, and Isis?
Another Look at the Didache, Ignatius, and the Sabbath Did Ignatius write against the Sabbath and for Sunday? What about the Didache? What does the actual Greek reveal?
Polycarp of Smyrna: The Heretic Fighter Polycarp was the successor of the Apostle John and a major leader in Asia Minor. Do you know much about what he taught? A YouTube video or related interesy may be: Polycarp of Smyrna: Why Christians should know more about him.
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. As far as some changes affecting Protestantism, watch the video Charismatic Kenneth Copeland and Anglican Tony Palmer: Protestants Beware! [Português: Esperança do salvação: Como a igreja do deus difere da maioria de protestantes]
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?]
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?
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? Here is a link in the German language: WO IST DIE WAHRE CHRISTLICHE KIRCHE HEUTE? Here is a link in the French language: Où est la vraie Église Chrétienne aujourd’hui?
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 Acts 2 to the 21st century. Related sermon links 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. The booklet is available in Spanish: Continuación de la Historia de la Iglesia de Dios, German: Kontinuierliche Geschichte der Kirche Gottes, and Ekegusii Omogano Bw’ekanisa Ya Nyasae Egendererete.
CCOG.ORG Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God. To see how CCOG has done so far, here are links to two sermons Continuing Church of God (CCOG) first year anniversary: What has been accomplished? and The Continuing Church of God: Two Years of Proclamation. Here is a written link to a version of that sermon in the Spanish language: Aniversario del primer año de la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios: ¿Qué se ha cumplido?
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 others with a British-descended background.
CCOGCANADA.CA This is a website targeted towards those in Canada.
CDLIDD.ES La Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios. This is the Spanish language website for the Continuing Church of God.
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 online radio. This is an audio version of the Bible News Prophecy videos as well as some ContinuingCOG channel sermons. It is also available as a mobile app.
ContinuingCOG channel. Dr. Thiel has produced scores of YouTube video sermons for this channel. Note: Since these are sermon-length, they can take a little longer to load than other YouTube videos.

COGwriter

The European Union has taken steps to tighten its borders because of the issues it is having with predominantly Islamic refugees and terrorists:

November 20, 2015

PARIS—

The European Union tightened control of its perimeter borders Friday in the aftermath of last week’s deadly Paris attacks, including new checks on the passage of Europeans returning to the formerly passport-free zone.

European justice and interior ministers met in emergency session in Brussels, looking for ways to control the external border of the 22 EU nations, plus non-EU Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein, where travelers have had passport-free passage.

Now, the EU said, the travelers will not only have their passports examined as they enter the bloc, but personal information will be compared with databases and an airline passenger name registry. …

The U.S. State Department issued a travel warning for Italy, saying those landmarks were potential targets, along with “churches, synagogues, restaurants, theaters and hotels” in Rome and Milan.

The American cities of New York and Washington have been named in videos as potential Islamic State militant targets, although local and national law-enforcement officials say they have not received word of any credible threat of Paris-style attacks.  http://www.voanews.com/content/eu-ministers-discuss-border-controls-after-paris-attacks/3066470.html

It should be noted that the Islamic State truly does want to hit the USA and Rome.  New York City, Washington (D.C.), and the Vatican seem to be on the top of its terrorist wish list.

Many who are not part of the Islamic State or al-Qaeda support their goals of Islamic conquest.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton does not seem to make much of the connection between Islam and terrorism:

November 19, 2015

Hillary Clinton sees zero connection between Islamic terrorist networks seeking to create a “would-be caliphate,” the “radical jihadism” they preach, and Islam.

The Democrat front-runner for her party’s 2016 presidential nomination said…, “Let’s be clear: Islam is not our adversary. Muslims are peaceful and tolerant people and have nothing whatsoever to do with terrorism.”

The former secretary of state made the comment while speaking before the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Thursday.  http://www.wnd.com/2015/11/hillary-muslims-have-nothing-whatsoever-to-do-with-terrorism/#AIRLXQjUhooUX285.99

November 19, 2015

Clinton continued later in her speech: “This should go without saying, but Muslim Americans are working everyday on the front lines of the fight against radicalization.”

Finally, near the end of her speech, she specifically pushed back against those protesting receiving Syrian refugees in the United States.

“But we cannot allow terrorists to intimidate us into abandoning our values and our humanitarian obligations. Turning away orphans, applying a religious test, discriminating against Muslims, slamming the door on every Syrian refugee, that is just not who we are. We are better than that,” Clinton said. “We should be doing more to ease this humanitarian crisis, not less.”  http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2015/11/19/3724020/clinton-defends-muslims/

It is astounding to me that Hillary Clinton considers that Islam is tolerant and peaceful.  She also seems to overlook that the requirements on questioning potential refugees is to ask about religion.

Hillary Clinton is an avowed feminist and must realize how badly most predominantly Muslim nations treat women.  As far as Islam and peace go, perhaps she should consider the following:

Bukhari 3,49,857 Muhammad said, “A man who brings peace to the people by making up good words or by saying nice things, though untrue, does not lie.”

Bukhari 4,52,267 Muhammad cried out, “Jihad is deceit.”

Bukhari 5,59,369 Bin Maslama volunteered to kill an enemy for Muhammad, then said, “Give me permission to deceive him with lies so that my plot will succeed.” Muhammad replied, “You may speak falsely to him.”

Bukhari 8,78,618 Abu Bakr, the prophet Muhammad’s closest friend and adviser and first convert to Islam, said, “If I make a pledge and later discover a more worthy pledge, then I will take the better action and make amends for my earlier promise.”

(As published in Boone P. The Muslim principle that makes nuke deal suicide. World News Daily, August 5, 2015. http://www.wnd.com/2015/08/the-muslim-principle-that-makes-nuke-deal-suicide/#SVDge7POtwWRlxHB.99)

Islam believes not only in war, but also in deceit related to warfare as the above shows.  Many within Islam believe that the Crusaders (Europeans and their descendants) need to be punished for past actions and need to be converted or eliminated.

The USA will be hit with more terrorism from Islamic nations–this specifically includes being hit from those who are or claim to be Syrian.  Because Mrs. Clinton does not seem to wish to believe it, she has been involved in policies that will help insure more of it–especially if she gets elected as the next USA president.

The Bible teaches:

12 The Syrians before and the Philistines behind; And they shall devour Israel with an open mouth. (Isaiah 9:12)

25 The sword shall destroy outside; There shall be terror within (Deuteronomy 32:25)

2 For behold, Your enemies make a tumult;
And those who hate You have lifted up their head.
3 They have taken crafty counsel against Your people,
And consulted together against Your sheltered ones.
4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation,
That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.”

5 For they have consulted together with one consent;
They form a confederacy against You:
6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites;
Moab and the Hagrites;
7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek;
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Assyria also has joined with them;
They have helped the children of Lot. (Psalms 83:2-8)

Although Hillary Clinton claims to be a Christian, she does not seem to take seriously biblical warnings on many matters. Abortion and the LGBT agenda, both of which she supports, come to mind–as well as the biblical warnings about debt (Habakkuk 2:6-8), covetousness (Exodus 20:17), and other sins–the approval of these lead to judgment (Romans 1:18-32).

Ignoring the realities of Islamic terrorists is not wise:

20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:20-22)

Related to end time prophetic events, notice what Jesus said:

36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21:36)

We in the Continuing Church of God “have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19, KJV).”

Pray and do not be like leaders that will not heed prophecies.

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg

COGwriter

Former Economics and Defense Minister for Germany, Karl-Thoedor zu Guttenberg was in the news.  The following was machine-translated from the original German which is shown below it:

20 November 2015

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. For four years, the former defense minister, has lived and worked as a consultant and investor in the United States. He has learned better being part of some of its projects to better understand the thinking and working across the Atlantic.  …

Germany has a strong middle class, for which the country is admired throughout the world. Many companies are innovative and there is an entrepreneurial spirit. These are advantages for him, which could build on the Germany. But there are also needed financial investments.  ….

Nevertheless, he believes that even Germany can help to shape global digitalization. “On data protection and also the techniques arising from the issue, Germany could be a pioneer,” said Guttenberg. And as he says this, he sounds quite short as an economics minister on hold.

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. Seit vier Jahren lebt der ehemalige Verteidigungsminister, der heute als Berater und Investor arbeitet, in den USA. Er lernt bei seinen Projekten immer besser, die Denk- und Arbeitsweise jenseits des Atlantiks zu verstehen. …

Deutschland habe einen starken Mittelstand, für den das Land weltweit bewundert werde. Viele Firmen seien innovativ und es gebe ein unternehmerisches Denken. Das sind für ihn Vorteile, auf die Deutschland aufbauen könnte. …

Trotzdem glaubt er, dass auch Deutschland global die Digitalisierung mitgestalten kann. “Beim Datenschutz und auch den Techniken, die sich aus dem Thema ergeben, könnte Deutschland Vorreiter sein”, sagt Guttenberg. Und als er das sagt, klingt er ganz kurz wie ein Wirtschaftsminister in der Warteschleife.  http://www.horizont.net/marketing/nachrichten/Digitalisierung-Karl-Theodor-zu-Guttenberg-glaubt-nicht-an-ein-deutsches-Google-137535

The USA has been a big factor in this in getting Europeans in general, and Germans in particular, to look more into ‘data protection.’  It is also of interest to note that Herr Guttenberg is now considered to be a German leader who has been developing a lot of expertise to deal with the USA–this will be an asset to Germany in many ways once the European Beast power rises up.

Presuming Germany rises to get more involved in date protection as Herr Guttenberg is now publicly advocating, this would be another step to get the end-time European Beast power the ability to fulfill the following prophecies:

16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. (Revelation 13:16-18)

There is not much difference between data protection and data collection.  Consider also that the Bible teaches that it will be a European power that is 666 and will enforce what is prophesied in Revelation 13:16-18 (watch also Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?). This power will eliminate the USA according to the Bible (cf. Daniel 11:39)–and that will take a leader who understands how to exploit USA weaknesses.

As far as Herr Guttenberg goes, a reader sent me the following which he said was basically machine-translated from a July 12, 2014 article:

Ripple Labs: Guttenberg is now in Cyber-Currency

The traditional payment system is “antiquated, expensive and inefficient”, says ex-Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. So he turns now to the digital financial world and starts as a consultant for Start-up Ripple Labs.

12.07.2014

San Francisco – The former Economic- and Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg joint the American Start-up Ripple Labs as consultant. He wants to help the company, which is specialized in money transfers, “to circumvent the regulatory pitfalls”, Guttenberg told the “Wirtschaftswoche” according to an earlier information on Saturday. According to the report Ripple Labs is working to make transfers as easy as sending an email…

Guttenberg said: “The traditional payment system is antiquated, expensive and inefficient.” The market for Cyber-Currency is still in its infancy “but the invention of this technology cannot be reversed”, Guttenberg said. The former politician emerges now on the company website as one of eight advisers.

The former ‘man of hope’ of the CSU was Minister of Economic Affairs and took over the defense portfolio in autumn 2009. Beginning of 2011 Guttenberg, stepped down after the University of Bayreuth had denied him the title ‘doctor’, because of plagiarism. He then moved with his family to the United States. http://www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/web/karl-theodor-zu-guttenberg-arbeitet-jetzt-fuer-start-up-ripple-labs-a-980675.html

Here is something that Ripple Labs said about him:

Ripple Labs is thrilled to announce that Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is joining the advisory board. Mr. zu Guttenberg is the Chairman and a Founder of Spitzberg Partners LLC, a New York-based boutique corporate advisory and investment firm that provides strategic counsel and investment insights on European and international political, economic, diplomatic, technology, and security issues.

He served as Minister of Economics and Technology and then as Minister of Defense in the cabinet of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. As the youngest Defense Minister in German history, he led the most significant structural reform of the German armed forces since the Bundeswehr’s founding. During his time in office, Minister zu Guttenberg was Germany’s most popular politician.

Mr. zu Guttenberg was a Member of Parliament (Bundestag) during 2002-2011 and served as spokesman on the Foreign Affairs Committee. He was also a Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and Secretary General of Germany’s co-governing CSU party.

Herr Guttenberg is one I have in mind as a possible future King of the North or at least a supporter of that king. Knowledge of the USA as well as buying and selling with technology in the 21st century would be quite helpful for the final Beast power. Back on December 13, 2011 (see Guttenberg Criticized, But…), I reported the following about Baron Guttenberg:

Notice some prophecies related to the Beast and his empire:

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. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. (Revelation 13:15-18)

The fact that the Baron is to advise about internet security and surveillance may encourage him to press to get the above implemented. The fact that he was once Economics Minister for Germany also gives him additional qualifications to possibly help fulfill Revelation 13:15-18.

His role with Ripple is consistent with that.

The fact that he is more and more being recognized as one who understands how the USA thinks (it was the USA that ‘the other side of the Atlantic’ comment that the first news article mentioned was referring to).

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg keeps taking steps consistent with one who could be the final Beast. It seems that now he is starting to publicly press Germany to get Revelation 13:16-18 implemented.  I warned last year that he might do that (see Europe eliminating remaining ‘bank secrecy’ as it gets closer to Revelation 13:16-18), and now he has!

That being said, we are seeing the trend for the governments around the world to more fully control buying and selling and monitor the internet. Yet, the Bible also indicates in several places that all the wealth will NOT be electronic (cf. Revelation 18; Zechariah 14:14).

But it is becoming clearer and clearer that governments, like those in Germany, are considering more involvement with information management, and that those in Europe will clearly be able to control/monitor the bulk of buying and selling.

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?
Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the former German Defense Minister (who is also the former German Minister for Economics and Technology) one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest?
Continuing Church of God literature in German  This is a link to magazines and other materials translated into the German language by native German speakers.
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.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2016, 2017, or 2018? 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 2016 o 2017? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
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?
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?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something? Here is a version in the Spanish language Escrituras sobre Preparación física para los Cristianos.
The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? What do economists and the Bible teach about gold? Gold and silver may drop in value. Inflation/deflation? What do Christians need to know about gold?
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? 202x? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up?
Mexico, Central America, South America, Brazil, and the Caribbean in Prophecy [Español: México, América central, Suramérica, Brasil y el Caribe en la profecía] [Português: México, América Central, Ámérica do Sul, e Brasil na profecia] What will happen to those of Latin America? Will they have prosperity? Will they cooperate with Europe? Will they suffer in the future? What role might the various Caribbean nations/territories play?
Can those in the USA/UK see the Handwriting on the Wall? Is everything fine in the USA/UK or is it like the days of Noah? Can we learn from the handwriting that appeared on a wall thousands of years ago? Here is a link to a related YouTube video Can you see the ‘Handwriting on the Wall’?
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin?
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.
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 Who is 666? This article explains how the COG views this, and compares this to Ellen White. Here is a version in the Spanish language: SDA/COG Diferencias: La bestia de dos cuernos de Apocalipsis y 666. Here is a sermon in the English language: CCOG and SDA differences and similarities.

A while back, I watched the Key of David program by PCG’s Gerald Flurry (for probably the first time in over a decade). Here is some of what he taught:

Satan cast down…It has happened…He had a war with God.

Revelation 12:13:
Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.

He did in this end time…

Revelation 12:12… because he knows that he has a short time…Why does Satan have a short time?

About 5% of God’s people are doing the work in this end time…

There are two men…

The man of sin… there is no truth in him… He attacks God’s church…The son of perdition here is second Thessalonians 2…in all likelihood is possessed by the devil…That is why he shows himself that he is God. …

There is another man {2 Thessalonians 2:7} the mystery of lawlessness … only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way…

He was taken out of the way…The very day he was taken away, Satan was cast down. (Flurry G. Satan Cast Down (2014). November 16, 2014)

I know the above is a bit cryptic–yet Garald Flurry did not lay out the specifics of the identity of the two men in that video. But based upon other items from Gerald Flurry, it is clear that he believes that Satan was (or probably was) cast down to the earth on January 16, 1986.

Why?

Two basic reasons.

First, Gerald Flurry taught the following:

Remember that Malachi is about an end-time messenger, like John the Baptist, who prepares the way for Christ’s Second Coming (Malachi 3:1-2). It all occurs just before “the great and dreadful Day of the Lord.” Common sense would tell us the events Malachi prophesied about couldn’t happen while Mr. Armstrong was alive. There was a type of it in the 1970s—but he stopped it, and as one pcg member said, that was the only time in recorded secular and biblical history that it ever happened! The only time! Mr. Armstrong restrained it (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7). (Flurry G. Malachi’s Message, Chapter 9. Copyright © 1990, 1995, 1999, 2004, 2008 Philadelphia Church of God)

Second, because Herbert W. Armstrong died of January 16, 1986, and that is the event that Gerald Flurry seemed to be alluding to in his video program.

Now, I do NOT believe that Herbert W. Armstrong could possibly be the restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2:7–the restrainer would need to exist from the time of the Apostle Paul to now. While a change from the Philadelphia to Laodicean church era may have happened then, I do not believe that Satan was cast down on January 16, 1986.

Notice what the old Radio Church of God taught about the restrainer:

One prominent writer attempts to prove that II Thessalonians 2:7-8…has not yet begun to be fulfilled…But notice the first part of verse 7:, “For the mystery of iniquity DOTH ALREADY WORK”–even in Paul’s day. (Hoeh H. The Secret Rapture: Fact or Fiction. Plain Truth, July, 1959, p. 30)

Read the rest of this alarming prophecy! “… sitteth in the temple of God, chewing himself that he is God… for the mystery of iniquity (a babylonish MYSTERY religion!) doth ALREADY work (yes, Paul said it had its insidious beginnings even then!) only he who now letteth (an old word meaning “restrains”) will let, until HE BECOME TO BE!” (The original Greek verb, “ginomai” has this sense, rather than “taken out of the way,” as it appears in the King James translation) “And then shall that WICKED (A WICKED ONE — ONE EVIL PERSON IN HIGH OFFICE — is the whole subject and content of this passage of scripture!) be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming” (II Thess. 4:8). (Armstrong GT. And when you see the ABOMINATION… Plain Truth, July 1963)

The above is teaching that the restainer was restraining nearly two thousand years ago. That understanding agrees with that of the Apostle Paul, the late Herbert W. Armstrong, and me (see also What is Restrained and Who is Restraining in 2 Thessalonians 2:7?).

Don Billingsley, of COG-FF, also has improperly taught that Herbert Armstrong was the restrainer:

Mr. Armstrong…He had to be taken out of the way by his death to make the fulfillment of them possible (II Thessalonians 2:7). (Billingsley D. Philadelphia Remnant, written January 16, 2007. http://philadelphiaremnant.com/).

The restrainer was at work during the Apostle Paul’s day–it was NOT Herbert W. Armstrong. See also What is Restrained and Who is Restraining in 2 Thessalonians 2:7?

Perhaps, I should mention that Gerald Flurry also teaches that Joseph Tkach was the man of sin. He originally taught that it was Joseph Tkach Sr., who became in charge of the old Worldwide Church of God at the time of Herbert W. Armstrong’s death; Gerald Flurry later changed that to Joseph Tkach, Jr. But neither of those are correct. Other COG groups also misunderstand the identity of the “man of sin/son of perdition.”

To understand who that is, please check out Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2? and/or watch a related YouTube video titled Who is the Man of Sin?

This shows that PCG is publicly proclaiming, though cryptically in its Key of David program, error. Hopefully those part of PCG will realize this soon. Gerald Flurry is NOT God’s prophet nor apostle as he falsely claims to be.

Some items of related interest may include the following:

What is Restrained and Who is Restraining in 2 Thessalonians 2:7? Are sorceries being restrained until the future? What is the mystery of lawlessness?
Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2? Is this the King of the North, the ten-horned beast of Revelation 13:1-11, or the two-horned Beast of Revelation 13:12-16? Some rely on traditions, but what does the Bible teach? Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Quién es el Hombre de Pecado de 2 Tesalonicenses 2? Here is a version in Mandarin: 主编： 谁是’大罪人’？Here is a link to a related YouTube video, in English, titled Who is the Man of Sin?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them. Here is a related article in the Spanish language ¿Por qué estar preocupado acerca de falsos y heréticos líderes?.
How To Determine If Someone is a True Prophet of God There are many false prophets. How can Christians determine who is a true prophet? There is also a sermon-length video titled How to determine if someone is a true prophet of God. Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Cómo determinar si alguien es un verdadero profeta de Dios?
Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God Simply calling oneself ‘Philadelphia’ does not make one so (see Revelation 3:7-9), nor does Gerald Flurry calling himself “that prophet” make it so. This article provides many quotes from this group which tries to look faithful.

Barack Obama (Official Whitehouse Photograph)

COGwriter

Questions about Barack Obama’s religion are again in the news.  World News Daily (WND) just reported the following:

November 19, 2015

Born to a Muslim father and raised in his early childhood by a Muslim stepfather in a Muslim nation, where he was registered in school as Muslim, Barack Obama has many ties to Islam that have caused some to doubt his profession of Christian faith.

Obama, who as president has supported the Muslim Brotherhood, even referred in a television interview to “my Muslim faith.”

Apparently, he’s done it again.

The headline on C-SPAN following a recent Obama speech in Turkey read: “Did President Obama Just Admit He was Muslim?”

“I think on one hand non-Muslims cannot stereotype,” Obama said, “but I also think the Muslim community has to think about how we make sure that children are not being affected with this twisted notion that somehow they can kill innocent people.”

He even appeared to emphasize the word “we.”

C-SPAN said, “Pay attention to when he uses the word ‘we.'” http://www.wnd.com/2015/11/did-obama-just-say-hes-a-muslim-again/#HzdOl23EppYfHyQw.99

Barack Obama, himself, claims to be a ‘Christian,’ which he truly is not.  Some have wondered if his approach to the Islamic State is related to various Muslim sympathies that he is believed to have.

Various ones have wondered if Barack Obama’s upbringing may have at least made him either a Muslim or a Muslim sympathizer. Here is something from my book Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term:

Is Barack Obama a Muslim Sympathizer?

Many have wondered if Barack Obama is a Muslim sympathizer. The answer to that question seems to be yes. He did grow up in Muslim Indonesia, however, and has had more early Muslim contacts than has anyone else ever elected as President of the United States. Therefore, he would probably have more reasons than most U.S. presidents to have sympathy for certain Muslim perspectives.

Here is some of what Barack Obama’s Fight the Smears website quoted about this:

Newsweek: Obama’s only personal contact with Islam came as a boy when he moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, with a stepfather who mixed his Islam with Hindu and Animist traditions…

Boston Globe: His Kenyan paternal grandfather and Indonesian stepfather were Muslim…

Thus, while the selected quotes seem to have been intended by the Obama campaign to minimize his ties to Islam, Barack Obama has more early ties to Islam than has any President of the United States in history.

Interestingly, in 2012 Newsweek referred to Barack Obama as “The First Gay President,“ (WHISTLEBLOWER MAGAZINE: THE FIRST MUSLIM PRESIDENT The 1 honorary title Barack Obama doesn’t want – but definitely deserves. World News Daily, January 3, 2013) which would not be appropriate if he was truly Muslim or a real Christian.

Oddly, years ago, Barack Obama told Charles Bolden, the head of the National Aeronautic Space Administration (NASA), to set as one of his top priorities trying to make Muslims feel good about their historic contributions to science (Harnden T. Barack Obama: Nasa must try to make Muslims ‘fee good.’ The Telegraph, July 6, 2010). This is an unusual top priority for NASA (space exploration and U.S. interests always presumably had been its historic top priorities).

Interestingly, notice a report concerning Barack Obama and his long-term pastor, Jeremiah Wright:

According to Mr. Klein, Mr. Wright directly contradicts Mr. Obama’s narrative of having little contact with Trinity United Church. Instead, Mr. Wright alleges that he was Mr. Obama’s close spiritual and political adviser, someone who for more than 20 years shaped the future president’s worldview. In fact, the pastor claims that he was like “a second father” to Mr. Obama.

Furthermore, Mr. Wright says Mr. Obama possessed an “Islamic background” and despite his conversion to Christianity has never abandoned his Muslim roots (Kuhner JT. Jonathan Wright can sink Obama. The Washington Times online, May 17, 2012).

The fact that Barack Obama was influenced by Jeremiah Wright seems confirmed by many matters, including the fact that Barack Obama wrote a book in 2008, The Audacity of Hope, which had the same title as an earlier sermon he reported that he heard Jeremiah Wright give (Obama B. Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance. Crown, 2007, p. 292).

As far as influence from Islam, like he had done before, on August 10, 2012, Barack Obama hosted an Iftar dinner related to the Islamic observance of Ramadan (President Obama’s Remarks at the White Houser Iftar Dinner. Huffington Post online, May 17, 2012). So, there are apparent ties to that faith.

Some have suggested that Barack Obama is actually Muslim and is under a taqiyya arrangement with Islam (a provision that supposedly authorizes deception) in order to deceive non-Muslims so he can advance Islam and groups likes the Muslim Brotherhood (Klein J. Muslim Brotherhood and Obama: Partners in Taqiyya. FrontPageMag.com January 24, 2012). This author cannot look into Barack Obama’s heart, so how deeply involved theologically he is with Islam is a question that only he and God can answer (cf. 1 Samuel 16:7). Barack Obama, himself, publicly claims as his religion his version of Christianity.

The front cover of the January 2013 edition of the magazine whistleblower calls Barack Obama “THE FIRST MUSLIM PRESIDENT” essentially because of how he was raised and how his Administration has handled various matters (WHISTLEBLOWER MAGAZINE: THE FIRST MUSLIM PRESIDENT The 1 honorary title Barack Obama doesn’t want – but definitely deserves. World News Daily, January 3, 2013) —not necessarily because they believe that he is somehow a “secret Muslim.” (Thiel B. Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term. Nazarene Books, 2012, pp. 32-35)

Barack Obama has repeatedly taken steps that a real Christian would not.  Here is something else from my book Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term::

Here are a dozen reasons that some have challenged Barack Obama’s repeated claims about really being a Christian:

1. He stopped regularly attending outside church services after becoming elected President of the United States (except for some public events; cf. Matthew 23:6-7)–so his sincerity is doubted.
2. He has repeatedly pushed the homosexual agenda (cf. Romans 1:18-32).
3. One of his first acts after taking office was to increase international funding for abortions. He has made numerous public statements supporting abortion (Stafford, Cardinal James Francis. Cardinal’s Address to Catholic University of America, November 13, 2008.  Catholic News Agency.  http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/document.php?n=780 viewed 03/01/09).
4. On an international trip, he referred to the Muslim book as “the Holy Quran” (Moussly M. Obama cites Quran to reach Muslims from Egypt. Al Arabiya News, June 4, 2009). Real Christians do not consider the Quran as holy.
5. While in office, he attended the first “feeding” for Ramadan multiple times.  Christians are not supposed to observe holy days of other religions.
6. He has been found to carry a Hindu monkey god (he showed this publicly in June 2008 and said this was one of the things that helped keep him grounded: Mosk M. Indian Americans Take Note of Obama Because of Hanuman.  Washington Post, June 27, 2008). No Christian intentionally carries around pagan idols or relies on them.
7. His U.S. Supreme Court appointees are believed to be supporters of on-demand abortion.
8. He seems more to support “freedom of worship” than “freedom of religion.”  This has carried forward in his stance on forcing the paying for various forms of contraception, including abortive pills, as he seems to feel that his form of morality should trump those who have religious beliefs to the contrary (Nakamura D, Boorstein M.  At prayer breakfast and with birth-control decision Obama riles religious conservatives. Washington Post, February 2, 2012). Barack Obama has often crossed a line that should concern all who profess Christ.
9. He seems to claim that political forms of covetousness are consistent with his “Christian Faith” values (cf. Exodus 20:17; Nakamura D, Boorstein M.  At prayer breakfast and with birth-control decision Obama riles religious conservatives. Washington Post, February 2, 2012).
10. He regularly seems to advocate class warfare (cf. Exodus 23:2-3; e.g. Obama B. Transcript: President Obama delivers State of the Union speech. CNN, January 24, 2012).
11. He has increased the regulatory burden on some Americans excessively (cf. Jesus’ warnings Matthew 23:4-5) and will do more of that.  Some of that burden, in certain fields, is also a type of censorship.  Government censorship, of religious and other ideas that used to be considered protected speech in the U.S.A., will increase (Amos 8:11)—and ultimately even the internet will be affected.

He and all others should open their Bibles and practice genuine Christianity, before they are subject to being misled by the modified, ecumenical religion that will come upon the whole world (cf. Revelation 13:3-4). (Thiel B. Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term. Nazarene Books, 2012, pp. 31-32)

Barack Obama’s promotion of the LGBT agenda is so strong, that OUT magazine (an LGBT promoting publication) called Barack Obama a hero and their “Ally of the Year’ this month (see Obama called ‘hero’ and named LGBT ‘Ally of the Year’).

Whether or not he believes much in Islam, he certainly often does not promote real biblical values.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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?
Cross-dressing and other assaults against your children.  What should you do? Is there an agenda to turn your children and/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on?  There are also two YouTube videos related to this, titled Transgender ‘Woe to those who call evil good’ and Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children.
The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality?  Can homosexuals change? A related video sermon is titled: What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?
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?
Abortion, the Bible, and a Woman’s Right to Choose Do you know what the Bible teaches on this? Has the Roman Catholic Church allowed abortions? What about the real Church of God? Some may also, or instead, wish to view the YouTube video Abortion, the Bible, and US Debt.
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.

Antibiotics Use Warning poster (Consumer Reports)

COGwriter

A couple of readers alerted me to the following:

November 19, 2015

Analysis: Antibiotic apocalypse

A terrible future could be on the horizon, a future which rips one of the greatest tools of medicine out of the hands of doctors.

A simple cut to your finger could leave you fighting for your life. Luck will play a bigger role in your future than any doctor could.

The most basic operations – getting an appendix removed or a hip replacement – could become deadly.

Cancer treatments and organ transplants could kill you. Childbirth could once again become a deadly moment in a woman’s life.

It’s a future without antibiotics. …

The World Health Organization has warned that “many common infections will no longer have a cure and, once again, could kill unabated”.

The US Centers of Disease Control has pointed to the emergence of “nightmare bacteria”.

And the chief medical officer for England Prof Dame Sally Davies has evoked parallels with the “apocalypse”. …

But there has not been a new class of antibiotics discovered since the 1980s.

This is now a war, and one we are in severe danger of losing. …

“A world without antibiotics has happened in some countries,” says Prof Timothy Walsh, from Cardiff University.

He was part of the team that identified one of the new emerging threats in south Asia – NDM-1.

This gene gives resistance to carbapenems and has been found in E. coli and Klebsiella.

“Antibiotic resistance in some parts of the world is like a slow tsunami, we’ve known it’s coming for years and we’re going to get wet,” he said. http://www.bbc.com/news/health-21702647

November 19, 2015

The world is on the cusp of a “post-antibiotic era”, scientists have warned after finding bacteria resistant to drugs used when all other treatments have failed.

They identified bacteria able to shrug off the drug of last resort – colistin – in patients and livestock in China.

They said that resistance would spread around the world and raised the spectre of untreatable infections.

It is likely resistance emerged after colistin was overused in farm animals.

Bacteria becoming completely resistant to treatment – also known as the antibiotic apocalypse – could plunge medicine back into the dark ages.  http://www.bbc.com/news/health-34857015

Notice also:

November 19, 2015

Growing concerns about drug resistance have prompted a global offensive on the overuse of antibiotics.

We’re in the middle of world antibiotic awareness week and being reminded that unregulated and improper use of antibiotics –which is rife in India — is creating superbugs with some of the toughest forms of antibiotic resistance.  http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2015/11/19/not-so-fast-on-war-on-antibiotics-says-lancet-report/

November 18, 2015

BOULDER, COLORADO—

Livestock producers often guard against disease and speed the growth of healthy animals by feeding their herds and flocks frequent, low doses of antibiotics. Scientists and consumers are increasingly concerned that this practice is creating superbugs that are resistant to drugs.

Lilly Adams, with the consumer advocacy group Food and Water Watch, is one of many activists working to stop what she sees as the overuse of antibiotics on factory farms.

“Eighty percent of our antibiotics in the United States actually are used on factory farms to compensate for really filthy, crowded conditions,” she said. “This just isn’t how antibiotics are meant to be used. So this overuse of the antibiotics is causing antibiotic-resistant bacteria to grow in the farms, and this spreads into the environment.”

And that has been linked to more infections in humans that do not respond to available drugs, and an estimated 700,000 deaths a year globally. …

Europeans see improvements

Many Northern European countries now ban regular antibiotics for healthy livestock, and they also have stricter rules for human antibiotics.

It has paid off, according to Diarmaid Hughes, a Swedish professor of bacteriology.

“Consistently, the Nordic countries – Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark – have lower rates of resistance for all of the major infections,” he said. “And you see the countries of southern and eastern Europe where regulation is much more lax, they have much, much higher rates of resistance.  And in many cases it’s completely out of control, so the message is that regulating usage and the total amount that you use really does have an effect.”

Hughes says the entire world needs these policies. Otherwise, he warns, antibiotic-resistant pathogens will cause more deaths from currently treatable illnesses such as pneumonia, cholera and tuberculosis. In addition, he says, deaths after routine surgery for an injured knee or a heart attack may become commonplace.

“All of these will become very dangerous operations,” Hughes said, “because you have to give them effective antibiotics to have a safe operation.”  http://www.voanews.com/content/livestock-antibiotics-superbugs-resistance/3063575.html

In the USA,China, and many other places, chickens and pigs are often raised much too closely together. This is wrong. Notice that righteous farmers have consideration for their animals:

10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. (Proverbs 12:10)

Unnecessary animal cruelty is wrong–and one of the reasons that antibiotics are used so widely in animals is because of how they are improperly raised.

Furthermore, because of overuse of antibiotics, many now realize that the USA and many other parts of the world are setting themselves up for the possibility of getting infections from bacteria that are resistant to various antibiotics. Yet, the Europeans and their animals are not quite in the same situation.

I have warned about this for some time, and even made a YouTube video about this earlier this year: Are Americans & Asians setting themselves up for destruction from antibiotic use?

This overuse of antibiotics in animals, as well as humans, poses a major risk for the USA, Asia, and other places. The USA, Canada, UK, and some other places could get affected and Europe missed. This would weaken the USA and make it more vulnerable to attack from Europe–an attack that will happen according to the Bible (Daniel 11:39). The USA will be weakened before it is attacked and taken over.

Notice that famines and pestilences will happen PRIOR to the start of the Great Tribulation:

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:4-8)

Notice that the Great Tribulation  (which is sometimes referred to as the Apocalypse) itself does not begin until later (see also When Will the Great Tribulation Begin?):

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains…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 24:15-16, 21)

The sorrows that Jesus spoke of include ‘troubles’ and famines:

8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)

Diseases and pests can truly cause troubles. The sorrows will worsen and the Great Tribulation will begin.

By using so many antibiotics in animals, the USA and other places have been setting themselves up for ‘super bugs’ which are resistant to most medical interventions. This could cause a dramatic loss of livestock (cf. Deuteronomy 28:18) as well as cause many humans to become sick and even die.

Combine this with the risk that the USA has with more and more of its genetically-modified crops and it becomes apparent that the USA specifically (along with the UK and Canada, which tend to have similar practices) is setting itself up for agricultural failure which could lead to famine. The following prophecies will affect the USA and its Anglo-Saxon descended allies:

12 They say to their mothers,”Where is grain and wine?” (Lamentations 2:12)

19 “Arise, cry out in the night, At the beginning of the watches; Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him For the life of your young children, Who faint from hunger at the head of every street.” (Lamentations 2:19)

12 One-third of you shall die of the pestilence, and be consumed with famine in your midst; and one-third shall fall by the sword all around you; and I will scatter another third to all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them. (Ezekiel 5:12)

The fact that the agricultural and pharmaceutical industries try to deny the risks of using antibiotics in livestock, is not proof that there is no risk. Those industries have been wrong about many things in the past.

Now, even the mainstream media is using expressions like “antibiotic apocalypse.”

As far as personal antibiotic use, I have not used any in several decades. I do believe that antibiotics are overused for both humans and livestock.

As far as livestock goes, if livestock were raised more humanly, this would decrease the ‘need’ for antibiotics in them. Furthermore, the greed of getting everything cheaper is simply not good for human health. While some meat is healthy in the human diet, high amounts can be a risk. Hence, if not using antibiotics in livestock means a small increase in the price of meat, and people then eat less of it, that is not a bad result for most people, especially in the West.

Perhaps it should be pointed out that the fourth sorrow Jesus referred to in Matthew 24, like the fourth horseman of Revelation 6, involves pestilence.

While this will affect people in the USA, UK, and Canada, it will also affect people in other lands, likely before as well as after the Great Tribulation begins:

7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” 8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth. (Revelation 6:7-8)

In modern times, the spread of diseases is so much easier than in more ancient times. But some of the reasons go way back. The Apostle Paul warned:

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, (1 Timothy 6:10)

That was true then and now. Notice something Jesus said:

39 Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness. (Luke 11:39)

In modern times, we have scientists and government officials who act like ‘experts’ but are affected by greed and other motivations. Enough politicians (and revolving government-corporate employees), in both major political parties in the USA, have accepted so much money from agricultural interests, that they have blinded themselves to what is happening. Notice some scriptures about bribes:

8 And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous. (Exodus 23:8)

19 You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.  (Deuteronomy 16:19)

Of course, politicians and government officials do not like to admit that they are taking bribes (they like to consider them things like campaign contributions).  By the time enough will awaken, it will likely be too late.

It probably should also be mentioned that because of the use of antiseptics and antibiotics, modern hospitals have become breeding grounds for more difficult bacteria. A time of severe pestilences is coming.

Jesus foretold it. Greed and modern agricultural practices are setting parts of the world up for it.  But Europe may escape part of it.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Are Americans & Asians setting themselves up for destruction from antibiotic use? In the Spring of 2015, a study came out highlighting the increasing use of antibiotics fed to livestock in order to decrease production costs. This was mainly affecting livestock in the Americas and Asia, but not in Europe. Excessive antibiotic use increases the risks of ‘super bugs’ and presents health risks to humans and livestock. Could those in the USA, Canada, UK, Russia, China, India, Brazil, and South Africa be setting themselves up for pestilence and/or famine? Could Europe miss some plague because of this? What does the Bible prophesy?
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.
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.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2016, 2017, or 2018? 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 2016 o 2017? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines and pestilences. 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.
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?
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States This is a 188 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Hillary Clinton and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also discusses Republicans. The physical book can be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Hillary Clinton Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Hopi, and other America-Related Prophecies? $11.99.
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version of the 188 page print edition is available for only US$3.99. 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 Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon Kindle edition.
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

A study shows the number of US children who have attention deficit hyperactive disorder is quite high:

One in every 10 U.S. children has been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but the steady rise in cases has started to slow, a new government survey shows.

The 2011 poll of more than 95,000 parents showed that about 11 percent — or about 6.4 million — of children aged 4 to 17 had been diagnosed with ADHD. That’s up from a 2007 survey that found that 9.5 percent of youngsters in that age group had an ADHD diagnoses.

Nearly one in every five high-school age boys, and about one in every 11 high school age girls, was reported by their parents as being diagnosed with having ADHD, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report found. http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/11/22/1-in-10-us-children-now-has-adhd-cdc-says

Some of this, at least related to boys, is probably teacher bias, but there is a problem in the USA.

What is the cause?

Diet and environment do play a role.

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

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

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

My clinical experience suggests that environmental toxins, genetics, and problems with the food supply are causes of increased ADHD and similar problems. Nutritional support has sometimes been found to be helpful for this (http://www.healthresearch.com/add.htm).

But caution is advised as nearly all multi-vitamins sold are synthetic. And, yes, I mean nearly all sold in health food stores and through multi-level marketing groups. Those that buy them are often deceived.

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

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

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

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Third Law of Success: Good Health A writing by Herbert W. Armstrong.
Obesity, processed foods, health risks, and the Bible Does the Bible warn about the consequences of being obese? Is overeating dangerous? Is gluttony condemned? What diseases are associated with eating too much refined foods? A related video would be Eating Right, Eating Too Much, and Prophecy.
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.
What is the Meaning of Life? Who does God say is happy? What is your ultimate destiny? Do you really know? Does God actually have a plan for YOU personally? If you would like to watch videos covering subjects of this article, you can click on the following links: Why YOU? Why Do YOU Suffer? and What is the meaning of your life?
Does God Heal Today? What does the Bible teach? Herbert Armstrong tries to explain this.
UK Study Supports Daniel Diet Daniel and his companions looked better eating more vegetables and avoiding strange meats. Has modern science confirmed this?

Islamic State Leader Threatens New York

COGwriter

The Islamic State has seemingly put up another video, this time targeting New York City.  I heard Wolf Blitzer report this on the radio on CNN today. The Islamic State has threatened New York City in the past as the image at the beginning of this post shows.  If they actually do it, the political impact of this could be enough to actually change what the voters in the State of New York may do in 2016.  It also might result in some policy changes out of Washington, D.C.

Notice also the following:

November 18, 2015

The Islamic State has released a new propaganda video celebrating the recent terror attacks in Paris and showing images of Times Square as fighters make vague threats against France and the U.S., which U.S. law enforcement officials said are not new. …

The NYPD also said it is aware of the video, which shows images of French-speaking and Arabic-speaking fighters, including a child, discussing the “successful” operation in Paris last week. http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Islamic-State-Propaganda-Video-New-York-US-France-UK-No-New-Threat-351533191.html

COGwriter

France has taken more steps against the terrorists who it believes were responsible for last Friday’s attacks:

November 18, 2015

ST.-DENIS, France — The French police stormed an apartment in the medieval heart of the northern Paris suburb of St.-Denis before dawn on Wednesday in an attempt to find the Belgian man suspected of orchestrating the Paris terrorist attacks.

Two people died in the raid, including a young woman who detonated an explosive vest, and seven people were arrested. It was not clear if the suspect was there.

“It is currently impossible to give you the identities of the people who were arrested, which are being verified,” the Paris prosecutor, François Molins, told reporters after the raid. “Everything will be done to determine who is who.”

The raid began around 4:15 a.m. Paris time, when special police forces, backed by truckloads of soldiers, cordoned off an area near the Place Jean Jaurès, a main square in St.-Denis not far from the Stade de France, where three attackers blew themselves up on Friday.

Inside the apartment, on the third floor of a building on the Rue du Corbillon, at least five suspects were holed up. One of them, the woman, opened fire and then killed herself; a man — “another terrorist,” Mr. Molins said — died from a combination of gunfire and the detonation of a grenade.  http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/19/world/europe/paris-attacks.html

The King of Jordan is seeing the issues related to the Islamic State as possibly bringing on World War III (WWIII):

November 17, 2015

ing Abdullah II of Jordan is warning Tuesday of a “third world war against humanity” in the wake of the Paris attacks, describing the Islamic State group as “savage outlaws of religion.”

During an official visit to Kosovo, Abdullah says both Europe and Islam are under attack from the “scourge” of terrorism that could strike at any time.

“We are facing a third world war against humanity and this is what brings us all together,” he tells a press conference.

“This is a war, as I’ve said repeatedly, within Islam,” he says.  http://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/jordan-king-warns-world-war-iii-in-offing/